General Cycling Discussion - teaching bike to kids

Starting a bike ministry in the spring to give kids some self worth. Instead of fixing them up and give them away, we are going to find a bunch of old brokedown bikes, give them to trailerpark kids and help them fixup their bikes. any suggestions?

They did something similiar in Chicago. I think it was through the park district or maybe the city. Poor inner-city kids were given a "shop" with tools and taught how to repaier bikes. Bet you could find info if you searched the Chicago Tribune, or maybe WGN webpages.

Good luck, an admirable endeavor.

They have a program like that in Houston. Check it out - http://www.workshophouston.org/programs/bike-shop/

Will you pay them for their time, or perhaps share the profit of any bike being sold with the junior mechanic that fixed it up?
Getting paid for a job well done would give anyone a sense of self worth.

If the seatpost is frozen don't waste your time. Strip it of any useable parts and go onto the next frame.

Here is the Ohio City Bike Co-op's brief rundown of their Earn-A-Bike program:
http://ohiocitycycles.org/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=OnSiteEAB

and here (http://www.ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44-eab&Itemid=41)

Not so much repair other than fixing a flat and other basic stuff. It's mostly riding safely. 10 hours and the kids get a donated dept. store bike that has been gone over and made safe, a helmet, and a lock.

One thing about fixing low end bikes which is most likely what you're gonna be using; adjusting brakes and derailers on them is a compromise. They usually don't adjust well and the compromise comes when you just have to say "it's not exactly right, but it's the best it'll get". Although if someone learns to fix these types of bikes first, then they can appreciate the better quality bikes when/if they work on them.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=58822

ya the bikes Im getting are mostly low end, and what I normally would call Walmart bike shaped objects,but Im getting them practically for free. Im at around 40 bikes and have about 130 bucks in the lot.I know what Im dealing with.

You're really a hero to do what you are doing; the cynic in me hopes that you can translate "a beater bike is good" mindset so that you can foster basic appreciation. Setting aside the mechanics, which IMHO is the least of your concerns, how do you get the kids to appreciate 'beater bikes?' I don't know how to do that, in today's thinking, except maybe get bike couriers, and their pretty cool persona, energy, and function, involved. After this I see you are from Quincy, ILL, (old home of World Freefall Convention!!!!) near St Louis no? Some couriers there interested?

There are lots of "earn-a-bike" programs around the country. Google that phrase and see. This is a serious grass roots movement that does great things for kids. There are lots of ways to do it, look at several and glean their best ideas and add them to your best ideas. LBS's often will help with tool orders, letting you get set up at wholesale prices. College campuses are a good place to look for volunteers, as are cycling clubs. Good luck.