Tune-Up Class Series - Saturday mornings

Instructor: Al

Tune-up classes are held as a series of four classes on Saturday mornings. We also offer a Thursday evening section.

June 2025 class series:

• June 7
• June 14
• June 21
• June 28

September 2025 class series:

• September 6
• September 13
• September 20
• September 27

When: Saturday mornings from 9am – noon
Where: The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op (1779 Merwin Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113)
Who:

anyone age 15+

Individuals age 12-14 are welcome to share a spot with a friend/relative age 18 or older (Adults: purchase one class spot and respond to initial class email saying you will be bringing an additional person, their age (must be 12-14), and their relationship with you. You must be listed as one of the adults on the youth permission form.)

(For anyone under age 18, we require a signed youth permission form completed by parent or guardian. Please print, fill out, and bring with you to the first class.)

How much: $175 per student
How many students per class: 6
Instructor/student ratio: 1:2

How to keep a bike in safe, reliable working condition (without replacing components).  Over four Saturdays, 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. You won’t use your own bike in this course, but it will prepare you to work on your own bike with minimal help in our shop, or at home with common tools and just a few bike-specific ones. 

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 greatly appreciate the skilled co-op volunteers who provide educational assistance for this class!

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 [email protected].

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: If you’re interested in attending but the class is sold out, feel free to reach out to [email protected] to be put on our waitlist. Please indicate which month(s) you’re interested in.