Tune-up Class Series

2024 Tune-up Class Schedule:

January
  • Thursdays, 6pm-9pm (January 4, 11, 18, and 25)
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (January 6, 13, 20, and 27)
February
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (February 3, 10, 17, and 24)
March
  • Thursdays, 6pm-9pm (March 7, 14, 21, and 28)
April
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (April 6, 13, 20, and 27 )
May
  • Thursdays, 6pm-9pm (May 2, 9, 16, 23)
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (May 4, 11, 18, and 25 )
June
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (June 1, 8, 15, and 22)
July
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (July 6, 13, 20, and 27)
September
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (September 7, 14, 21, and 28)
October
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (October 5, 12, 19, and 26)
November/December
  • Saturdays, 9am-noon (November 16 and 23 and December 7 and 14)

4 Weeks; Saturdays, 9am-noon or Thursdays, 6pm-9pm 

New Sessions Usually Begin the 1st Saturday or Thursday of Each Month

Completion of our Tune-up class is a prerequisite for our Overhaul Class

How to keep a bike in safe, reliable working condition (without replacing components)

This hands-on course will take you through the process of doing a bike “tune-up” — what most bike shops do for $75-100 if nothing is broken or worn out.  Over four sessions, you will learn how to:

  • determine a bike’s condition and if new component parts are advisable, or required
  • properly clean and lubricate all parts without disassembly
  • true wheels, adjust hub bearings, and change tires
  • adjust seat and handlebars for fit and comfort, and brakes and gears for peak performance
  • perform a safety check and test ride, which can be used for all types of bikes

You won’t use your own bike in class, but it will prepare you to work on yours at home or with optional help in our shop (We offer shop use for $5 or 5 credits per hour). To cover the most common components and repair issues, we use standardized bikes. All bikes have rigid forks; 21 gears; V brakes; 26″ wheels; and specific, consistent problems to fix in class.

We strongly encourage all students to volunteer to practice techniques and reinforce key concepts — and earn shop credits!

We are a Park Tool School, and their Big Blue Book of Bicycle repair is available at a discount when you register for this course. Park Tool also has great repair help videos here.

When: Saturdays from 9am – noon (Classes start promptly at 9:00am, so please plan to arrive by 8:45am.) or (new in 2024) Thursdays from 6pm – 9pm.

Months with 5 Saturdays usually *but not always* offer the upper level Overhaul class. We occasionally change the class schedule to accommodate holiday weekends. See our online store for exact class dates.

Where: OCBC’s shop in Downtown Cleveland’s Flats (1779 Merwin Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113)

Who: any adult (or youth, 12-17, working with one adult as a “unit,” on one bike)

How much: $175 per student “unit” (e.g. above)

Optional additional costs: Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair $20 (normally $29.99)

How many students per class: 6

Instructor/student ratio: 1:2

Shop credits earned: 40 

 


our policies:

missing a class: Registering for the class series includes attendance at 4 classes over the month. Since we have a fixed number of students, and each class builds on the previous classes, it is not possible to reschedule a missed class.  However, all class participants are welcome to “audit” any class in following courses (with emailed notice) if they were unable to attend or did not fully grasp all the concepts covered.  They may not be able to perform the hands-on repairs if class is full and there is not a work station available, but as always are welcome to do so by staying after class for Shop Use.

cancellations: If there are fewer than three students registered by Thursday before the first class, the series may be cancelled and the students who registered will receive a full refund. If you realize you can no longer attend and would like a refund, you may cancel your registration for a class series by calling or emailing us 10 days in advance of the first day of class (two Wednesdays before the class). This gives us time to advertise the vacancy and fill the spot. We’re sorry, but if you cancel within the 9 days before class, we cannot refund you. Filling the classes is important to us, so please be mindful when registering.

volunteering credits: Up to 2 spots in each tune up or overhaul class series can be paid for using volunteer credits. Feel free to use part volunteer credits and part cash/credit card. Credits used to pay for the class must be earned in advance of class registration (i.e., no volunteer credit IOU’s). If you’re interested in using your credits to pay for part or all of the class, reach out to us at info@ohiocitycycles.org (or ask Emily whenever you’re around the co-op).

Covid-19 safety: Many of our staff, volunteers, and students are older adults or immunocompromised individuals. We have installed UV-C air filtration in our community shop, and we will require masks inside the facility if  Covid-19 community levels are currently in the “medium” or “high” ranges. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and flexibility.

waitlist: Our tune up and overhaul class series have been filling up months in advance. If you’re interested in attending but the class is sold out, feel free to reach out to emily@ohiocitycycles.org to be put on our waitlist. Please indicate for which months you’re interested in.