Hi. I am a novice. Have a new Jamis Coda Sport hybrid and am already fumbling around w/ it .....Had trouble centering front wheel with brakes after removing it and putting it back on. I am not mechanically inclined but I think basic things can be taught and learned hopefully. So REI is offering a free 90 minute class on basic bike mechanics. Description below. Has anyone taken it and found it helpful, or just a waste of time. Not sure if this question shuld be in the general forum....maybe more newbies would see it then. Thanks.

REI Class Description: If you ride a bicycle, then you need this class! In this informative session you will learn how to lube a chain, fix a flat tire in record time, and make other minor adjustments to your bicycle that will keep you riding smoothly and prolong your bike's life. No experience necessary! Note that this is a demonstration class; please do not bring your bike.

REI class worth it?

You did say free, didn't you..?

I haven't attended, but for free, you have nothing to lose but 90 minutes. If you learn one thing it will be worth every penny...

Time is money. I value time. The REI store is not close to me either. I would have to leave work early and make arrangements for this.

OK, I agree w/ you and rmflna. I will learn at least 1 thing I am sure. So I will attend it. Just was hoping someone could give feedback about the class......

These classes are often taught by master mechanics, you can't help but learn something. I suspect it varies greatly region to region but there is always something to learn. Bring questions. Why don't you report to us afterwards what happened....

Will do. Can't get into the class this week on short notice so I signed up for the August 5th class. Thanks all.

I've taken the class. It is very basic but pretty much covers the essentials if you will be riding a bike for any distance. It was free, I didn't have anything to lose and I still learned a few tricks even though much of it I could have taught myself.

There is another advanced class that I believe cost some $ that I found really beneficial. Its limited to only a few people and you work on your own bikes alongside the instructor.

Free is good but ask at a few bike shops if any will offer the Park Tool bike repair class (usually 3 or 4 sessions). You do the repairs and adjustments on your own bike.

By the time you will take the class (August), you will have gained a bit of knowledge and skill. By then, you should have some specific questions to ask the mechanics, and they will be glad to help you with the questions. At the REI store where I work, ust about everyone who takes the free intro class and the paid advanced class (you work on your own bike in the shop) comes away pretty stoked and happy with the experience. I'm sure you'll learn something. Have fun, and ask a few questions.

Performance Bicycle also offers free classes... and I believe the local Trek dealer does now also. Instead of leaving work early (in August) maybe you should check other local bike shops.

I've taken a couple of the Performance shop classes... and found them entertaining and educational. Well worth the time.

Take the free REI class, then take the one you pay a few bucks for. I think it is called drive train maintenance. Then volunteer at a bike coop if there is one by you. Before you know it, you'll have all the basics down and just enough knowledge to be dangerous when doing advanced repairs!

I once heard a LBS manager saying he believed they could double mechanic profits... if they gave away free spoke wrenches with each new bike.

LOL this is a good one

back to topic, I have been to the free one, and it helps quite a bit, even after I have learned a lot from here and youtube. It doesn't teach much beyond lubing chains and changing a flat, but there are tips that will help immensely if you haven't done it on roadside. I haven't, and a week after the class I got my first puncture, and all the tips mentioned in class helped me changing the flat faster and safer than I would have done.

I teach a 90 minute basic mechanics class at our shop on demand, and am lined up to do an adult ed class at a local high school. You can learn plenty in a 90 minute class and considering just having issues with basics like re-installing a front wheel, even though I am not familiar with the REI class specifically, I think it could be a big help and a great introduction to working on your own bike.

Attend and at least you WILL learn one bread-and-butter item. And talk with the other attendees and you'll may learn a bit more.

Get your minions to learn for you, if your time is too precious to spend any, learning for Your self.

I have never attended an REI class, but locally most of the lbs that sell major brand bike, have a once a month seminar... most of them are around 6 or 7 in the evening and last about an hour... topic is listed in advance each month...the trek dealer, as an incentive, gives a 10% discount on all maintenance products that evening to all class attendees. So check with you other lbs in the area and see if they do something similar. From you said in your post, I would definitely go to this class, and follow up by checking with other lbs offers in your area.

The most successful people in the world continually seek out learning opportunities, whether it is classes or seminars, reading books, technical discussions, internet, etc. Those that do not seek out continual learning stop growing mentally. Even the smartest and richest people in the world are in a continual learning mode.


The Warren Buffett formula: How you can get smarter

Absolutely true, Tom. Continual learning is the key being a better contributor, teammate, leader, parent, neighbor, citizen...you name it.

I got a lot out of my REI tune-up class. It wasn't free, but I can't remember what it cost. They basically guided the class through a tune up. I think they also may have covered fixing a flat. They definitely did cable/brake/shifting adjustment. What I got out of it mostly was the confidence to do my own wrenching. I also started volunteering at the local bike co-op and got a lot more experience. With the help of the co-op and their specialized tools, I went from a bare frame to a complete bike. I don't think that bike has ever been left at the shop. It's pretty much unthinkable that someone else would work on my bike now.

Unfortunately the co-op is gone, so my next build I will have to let the shop do some of the one-time, special-tool, frame prep type stuff like facing the bottom bracket and installing the headset. Other than that, I'll do all the work myself. It's been very helpful to know how everything goes together, and to be able to do all of my own work. And it mainly started because I was relying on my bike for transportation, and the shop had too long of a turnaround time.

Definitely take the free class. Look into the hands on class. And dive in. I get so much more use out of my bike now that I don't have to wait for someone else to fix it.

REI mechanic here. The basic bike maintenance classes are essentially there to show you how to keep your bike in check in between tuneups. So we'll cover topics like:

basic cleaning
lubrication
tire/tube change (and brake disengagement [for the V brakes])
proper torquing
chain checking

We'll also give pointers on things we look out for during inspection before a bike is checked in for a tuneup.

I'm not sure exactly what others go over, but we all for the most part have a general guideline on what needs to be covered. It definitely wouldn't hurt to attend a class, especially if it's free. The mechanics will usually give little insider tips and tricks on making your life a lot easier as well.