Women's Bike Maintenance Classes At LMNH

whoop

Question: Are there any plans for classes to include things like Bottom Bracket installation/removal, headsets, wheel building that sort of thing? These are the things I cannot do and would like to learn.

have just spent an hour trying to install a headset after losing the instructions to the headset tool I bought, looking on the internet and the park tool book I have - I'm just not getting it, I don't know what order the cups go on etc - basically I just need someone to show me.

I feel inadequate, and am going to go and eat some pasta now and sulk.

Do not feel in-harrogate clefty. I couldn't even change a chain without someone showing me. You are Sheldon Brown (but more alive. And less beardy) compared to me.

claire, I am very open to teaching whatever a group of whatever 4-6 people would like to learn.

I've been talking to Fitzrovia Bicycles about teaching a 6 week long evening class after they finish their re-fit, and I'll publish dates here when that happens.

nhatt - let us know how/when you want outstanding balance. see you next sunday. woot.

Looking forward to this loads. What sorta times we looking at Nhatt? For some reason 11am sounds familar...

Poots, you have a PM.

I'm happy with either a cheque or cash.

I'm just finishing all the prep work now, do let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to learn about.
Also keep in mind that there will be some time to talk about identifying what's wrong with your bike, so if you are worried about any noises, creaks, clicks etc you will get a chance to ask about them.

If possible, could we do something about gear ratios and changing cogs - how to do it/why you do it etc?

looks at chain whip and new rear cog still in bag

I'm going to have a think tonight about any specific things. I'm building up new bike on Sat (HEAVILY supervised and completely guided by boyf) so am thinking of that as a bit of a warm up!

Wow! very strong look Sally! I are impressed...and loving that you're coming along on Sunday too!

Nhatt, are these still being run? I have a friend who needs to go on a beginner's course.

I too need to go on a course. My new year's resolution last year was to not be so shit at bike maintenance but I totally failed on that. So this year, my new year's resolution is to not be so shit at bike maintenance! It's just a bit embarrassing taking my bike to the shop when I have a puncture...

I should try and arrange another one, I just have been so busy! Let me talk with LMNH and see if I can set a date in february.

If you can't get to LMNH then many branches of Evans run maintenance classes. (Though I have no experience of them).

You can also get one-to-one repair of your bike, or help and advice to repair your bike yourself at:
http://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/workshop/
This is not women only, but there are always women there. It's not judgmental either: some people come just to pump up their tyres.

Yeah, my friend was going to do one through Evans, I just liked the idea of helping a friend with her program.

Yeah, my friend was going to do one through Evans, I just liked the idea of helping a friend with her program.

I see that, But why not do them all! The more practice the better. Being able to work on your own bike is liberating.

hi, just saw this, gutted i missed it. will there be one happening in feb? defo keen for one of these...

oops, I'm a bit late for this, aren't I........

Nhatt, Digger introduced us once. Are you still doing your women's classes? Me and some other mechanics have set up a regular Monday night class for women and trans people at the London Bike Kitchen... see below.
WaG Night starts at the London Bike Kitchen (Women and Gender-variant)

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let y'all know that Monday nights we're starting up a Women and Gender-variant (WaG) night at LBK, led by the fantastic Fenn and lovely Lish.

WaG is a dedicated space for women and gender-variant people drop in and fix their own bikes, with mechanics on hand for help and advice. We have a taught element every week, starting at 7pm, topics have included: introduction to wheel truing, hub service, how gears work, assertive cycling etc.

£5 for the 3 hour session, or free to members (membership £10/yr)

What do we mean by 'women and gender-variant'?
Anybody who identifies as a woman, or anybody who has a non-normative gender identity. This could mean transgender, genderqueer, ftm, mtf, transwomen, transmen, or any of the many other various identities which are not 'male' or 'female' in the traditional sense.

Why 'women and gender-variant' only?
Growing up, women aren't generally encouraged to fix bikes or given access to knowledge about mechanics in general. As a result, women can feel like they can't fix stuff themselves, or think it's a man's domain. All this can also be true for people with gender-variant identities. When most mechanics are men, there is a kind of heirarchy of knowledge, whereby the men fix the bikes and teach the women, and the women watch the men fix the bikes (and learn little), or are taught by the men. We want to do away with all this, and create a space where you are empowered to learn about your bike, share what you know (or just get on with it yourself!), all without the pressure and machismo that sometimes exists in male populated spaces. We offer a stand and tools, and some help and advice when you get stuck. If you're really new to bike mechanics, you might want to take one of our introductory courses to get started.

About us
The London Bike Kitchen is an open DIY workshop where you can work on your own bike instead of giving it to someone else. We have a full tool library, mechanics on hand to answer your questions and courses to build skills. Visit our (very simple!) website at www.LBK.org.uk. We're still in our Beta testing phase, so please, be gentle.

Thanks, and hope to see you soon!
Jenni, Fenn, Lish x

Jenni, Nhatt's currently not on the forum.

Any plans for anpther women's maintenance course any time soon? I would def be in, depending on what levels the cousre aims at (already have some basic skills)

I'd love to get in on this action to.. when's the next one?

I don't think there are any planned by Nhatt, as she's currently doing other things, but you can check with LMNH directly.

I did some cycle training last week and I got a lovely voucher for a 1 day bike maintenance course. Free for me since I did the cycle training session (might be Lambeth-specific, though). Prices are otherwise similar to LMNH.

Might work for you two: http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/index.php?pg=114