Wrench your way to a happy bike!

Find out what makes your bottom bracket tick, and how to make it stop!

From flat tires to shifting gears, from brakes to bearings, learn bike repair and maintenance at the Des Moines Bicycle Collective.
In the introduction to "Anybody's Bike Book," Tom Cuthertson writes,
"Many of you (especially the ladies) have been given the idea that if something is mechanical, you can't do it. That's outrageous. Bicycles are not monstrous machines that only wizards can understand. They are all simple enough that with a little know-how and patience, anyone can work on them. You can do it! You don't have to know any magic."

There's not a better time to learn than now. The Des Moines Bicycle Collective now offers a 4-week series of bike maintenance classes on Thursday evenings. We are fortunate to have Steve Hanel, journeyman bike mechanic and maintenance instructor, lead the classes.
Upon completing the class, you will have a tune-up bike ready to ride. And, you'll have the skills and confidence to keep the bike in good working order for years to come.

Class will be hands-on, so bring your bike and get ready to get greasy. No previous bike knowledge is required or expected—just bring along your interest in learning the essential skills of maintaining your bike.

Please sign up for classes ONLY IF you are certain you can make the dates. Space is limited. It really bites when people don't show up and/or cancel at the last minute.
Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Des Moines Bicycle Collective, 617 Grand Avenue (downtown Des Moines)

• Class size: 10 (enrollment preference to students signing up for all four classes)
• Fee: $25 per night/$80 for package of all four classes
• What to bring: Your bike, your favorite non-alcoholic beverage
• What to wear: work clothes and/or work apron
• Interested? Questions? Plan to show up? Classes@dsmbikecollective.org

We'll supply the tools and bike lubricants. There will be a nominal charge for replacement parts such as cables or brake pads. At the end of the class, you'll have a chance to order bike tools at a 10 percent discount.

MORE INSTRUCTION

Do You 3-Speed? Wednesday, Aug. 11 and 18. Special two-week class on maintenance and repair of Sturmey-Archer 3-speed internal hubs. Class is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor Jeff Bock wants to check out your S-A hub before the class begins. Because some replacements parts are hard to acquire, Jeff wants to see what you plan to bring to class. Contact Jeff. $40 gets you a place in the class.

Wheel-Building Class. Thursday, Sept. 9. If you participated in one of the wheel-truing classes this spring (or you're pretty darned experienced at tweaking rims), join us for the next step: building wheels. Because instructor Steve Hanel wants to be sure you succeed, please bring your rims, hubs, and spokes by the Collective so he can verify spoke length, etc. Or, we'll order parts for you. Class is 7-9 p.m. $25.