Learn how to overhaul, adjust, maintain and fine tune a bike's bottom bracket (the axel, bearings, cups and lockring a bike's crank and pedals turn on).

Traditional adjustable cup bottom brackets are preferred and will be the most comprehensive to learn adjustments. Adjustable cup bottom brackets are found on most older bikes (pre '90s) that have 3-piece cranks. Cartridge bearing bottom brackets (the current standard) will also be covered but can not be serviced, only replaced.

Please contact instructor Leo Cruces to reserve a place in this workshop. Drop-ins will not be turned away, but those who RSVP beforehand will be given preference. This class is limited to 6 participants maximum. Contact Leo at 202.215.0677 or email leo.cruces@gmail.com

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for other Build-A-Bike classes.

Build your own set of wheels!

Participants learn to determine spoke length for a hub and rim of choice, lace spokes into a wheel, apply tension to spokes, and make a wheel round and true. Wheel building theory will also be discussed in class. Participants may choose either a one or two night course to build either a single wheel or a set.

Participants must contact instructor Jim Freeman to arrange registration for this class. This class has limited participants per session. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Recommended donation for participation in this class is $50 for a single night session or $75 for a two night session. Payment arrangements must be made with the instructor.

Contact Jim at jim@lawyerjimfreeman.com or (312) 282-7895

This 5-week series will cover everything you need to know to keep your bike tuned up with an emphasis on winter and urban biking. You will learn to adjust hubs and headsets, true wheels, adjust brakes, replace brake pads and cables, and adjust derailleurs as well as accessorize your bike for Winter and city riding by adding lights, racks and fenders.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for future Tune-Up classes.

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Advanced Shop is for participants who are already familiar with West Town Bikes and would like to have access to the shop for independent advanced projects. This may be for projects such as converting a bike to a single speed, chasing/tapping/facing a frame, or trouble shooting that bike project that you have been struggling with and need access to pro tools and facilities. Participants will have access to expert insight and limited availability to WTB's stock of parts (for an appropriate donation, of course).

Participants must contact instructor Alex Wilson at alex@westtownbikes.org to participate in this workshop. Participation is limited to no more than 8 participants. Suggested donation for this workshop is $20 or more. Payment arrangements can be made with the instructor. Sign up for a single session or multiple nights. Also contact Alex with project plans, the better the plan the more likely it'll happen!

Volunteer appreciation and planning.

By Invitation Only!

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Learn to overhaul, adjust, maintain and fine tune your bikes headset (the hardware and bearings that connect a bike's fork to its frame and that the handlebars turn on).

Traditional "threaded" headsets are prefered and will be the most comprehensive to learn adjustments. "Threadless" and cartridge bearing headsets will also be covered but these styles have limited user serviceabilty.

Please contact instructor Leo Cruces to reserve a place in this workshop. Drop-ins will not be turned away, but those who RSVP beforehand will be given preference. This class is limited to 6 participants maximum. Contact Leo at 202.215.0677 or email leo.cruces@gmail.com

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for other Build-A-Bike classes.

Build your own set of wheels!

Participants learn to determine spoke length for a hub and rim of choice, lace spokes into a wheel, apply tension to spokes, and make a wheel round and true. Wheel building theory will also be discussed in class. Participants may choose either a one or two night course to build either a single wheel or a set.

Participants must contact instructor Jim Freeman to arrange registration for this class. This class has limited participants per session. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Recommended donation for participation in this class is $50 for a single night session or $75 for a two night session. Payment arrangements must be made with the instructor.

Contact Jim at jim@lawyerjimfreeman.com or (312) 282-7895

This 5-week series will cover everything you need to know to keep your bike tuned up with an emphasis on winter and urban biking. You will learn to adjust hubs and headsets, true wheels, adjust brakes, replace brake pads and cables, and adjust derailleurs as well as accessorize your bike for Winter and city riding by adding lights, racks and fenders.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for future Tune-Up classes.

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Need a comfortable place to learn how to change a flat or overhaul your bottom bracket? Want to wield a wrench in a non-patriarchal environment? Then check out Women and Trans night at WTB!

This Open Shop is for the women and trans-gendered bike-lovers ONLY!

No sign up needed, just show up!

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Participants must contact instructor Alex Wilson at alex@westtownbikes.org to arrange registration for this class. This class is limited to eight participants. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Suggested base donation for this class is $150 (more if you can afford it, additional donations goto supporting community programs at WTB). Checks may be made out to West Town Bikes and delivered to the instructor, dropped off at the shop or sent to;

West Town Bikes
Attn: Build-A-Bike w/ Alex
2418 W. North Ave.
Chicago IL 60647

Volunteer appreciation and planning.

By Invitation Only!

Break The Gridlock Show And Tell
On Feb 8th, 2008 Break The Gridlock will be hosting it's first Show And Tell of 2008.

Friday, February 8th, 2008
7pm - midnight
Bloom Inn, 2418 W Bloomingdale Ave

The Break The Gridlock Show And Tell event is a chance for all interested in Appropriate Transportation to come together and hear what is going on in the BTG Community.

Participation is FREE and refreshments will be provided.

Tentative schedule includes:

West Town Bikes
PARKing Day
Working Bikes
local depaving efforts

We have the tools, you've got the bikes, and everybody's got questions and/or answers, problems and/or solutions. So come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

West Town Bikes is happy to sponsor a

Community Bike Programs Forum

Saturday, February 9, 2008
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hyde Park Art Center
5020 S. Cornell Ave.

Learn how to overhaul, adjust, maintenance and fine tune your bikes hubs (the center of your wheel that includes the axel, bearings, cups, cones, spacers and locknuts). Both front and rear wheel hubs will be covered including how to remove a freewheel/cassette (the group of cogs on a rear wheel). Bearing adjustments is one of the most important bike mechanics skills to be learned and hubs are the finest bearing adjustments on a bike.

Sorry, cartridge bearing hubs will not be covered in this class.

Please contact instructor Leo Cruces to reserve a place in this workshop. Drop-ins will not be turned away, but those who RSVP beforehand will be given preference. This class is limited to 6 participants maximum. Contact Leo at 202.215.0677 or email leo.cruces@gmail.com

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for other Build-A-Bike classes.

Build your own set of wheels!

Participants learn to determine spoke length for a hub and rim of choice, lace spokes into a wheel, apply tension to spokes, and make a wheel round and true. Wheel building theory will also be discussed in class. Participants may choose either a one or two night course to build either a single wheel or a set.

Participants must contact instructor Jim Freeman to arrange registration for this class. This class has limited participants per session. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Recommended donation for participation in this class is $50 for a single night session or $75 for a two night session. Payment arrangements must be made with the instructor.

Contact Jim at jim@lawyerjimfreeman.com or (312) 282-7895

This 5-week series will cover everything you need to know to keep your bike tuned up with an emphasis on winter and urban biking. You will learn to adjust hubs and headsets, true wheels, adjust brakes, replace brake pads and cables, and adjust derailleurs as well as accessorize your bike for Winter and city riding by adding lights, racks and fenders.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for future Tune-Up classes.

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Learn the basics of how to keep your bike running smoothly all Winter long! This workshop will cover the the names of parts of a bike, fix-a-flat, basic cable adjustments and more. This workshop will also touch on necessary maintenance for winter riding. This is a great way to learn about your bike and become familiar with West Town Bikes. Bring a bike to work on. No prior knowledge needed! First come first served with a comfortable work capacity of six participants. Call Mike Wehner for more info, 312.343.9774

RSVP's aren't required, but Mike likes to know who's coming, so contact him at mpw1174@yahoo.com or (312) 343-9774 to rsvp. Drop-ins won't be turned away.

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived!

No sign up needed, just show up!

Please make an appropriate donation for the time you spend working at West Town Bikes. Bicycle mechanics are paid $10 per hour on average at most bike shops. Please keep this in mind considering the amount of time and work you do while at West Town Bikes.

Like Chopper Carl sez... "If there's a tool in your hand, put some cash in the can!"

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar for future Build-A-Bike classes.

Volunteer appreciation and planning.

By Invitation Only!

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Learn the elusive art of truing wheels. Truing is being able to straighten or take the wobble out of wheels by tensioning spokes. Bring your bike to true it's wheels, or learn and practice on some of the many "project bikes" around the WTB shop. Space is limited to six participants, so secure your spot with a RSVP.

Please contact instructor Leo Cruces to reserve a place in this workshop. Drop-ins will not be turned away, but those who RSVP beforehand will be given preference. This class is limited to 6 participants maximum. Contact Leo at 202.215.0677 or email leo.cruces@gmail.com

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for other Build-A-Bike classes.

Build your own set of wheels!

Participants learn to determine spoke length for a hub and rim of choice, lace spokes into a wheel, apply tension to spokes, and make a wheel round and true. Wheel building theory will also be discussed in class. Participants may choose either a one or two night course to build either a single wheel or a set.

Participants must contact instructor Jim Freeman to arrange registration for this class. This class has limited participants per session. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Recommended donation for participation in this class is $50 for a single night session or $75 for a two night session. Payment arrangements must be made with the instructor.

Contact Jim at jim@lawyerjimfreeman.com or (312) 282-7895

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Need a comfortable place to learn how to change a flat or overhaul your bottom bracket? Want to wield a wrench in a non-patriarchal environment? Then check out Women and Trans night at WTB!

This Open Shop is for the women and trans-gendered bike-lovers ONLY!

No sign up needed, just show up!

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration is no longer available for this class. Check the calendar for future Build-A-Bike classes.

Volunteer appreciation and planning.

By Invitation Only!

We have the tools, you've got the bikes, and everybody's got questions and/or answers, problems and/or solutions. So come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!

Learn how to cable, adjust and fine tune the brakes on your bike! This workshop will go over different types of brakes, how they work, installing cables and housing, toeing brakepads, maintenance, adjusting and other fine tuning.

Only cable activated rim brakes will be covered in this class. Sorry, no drum, coaster or disc brakes will be addressed.

Please contact instructor Leo Cruces to reserve a place in this workshop. Drop-ins will not be turned away, but those who RSVP beforehand will be given preference. This class is limited to 6 participants maximum. Contact Leo at 202.215.0677 or email leo.cruces@gmail.com

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Registration for this class is no longer available. Check the calendar of classes and events for other Build-A-Bike classes.

Build your own set of wheels!

Participants learn to determine spoke length for a hub and rim of choice, lace spokes into a wheel, apply tension to spokes, and make a wheel round and true. Wheel building theory will also be discussed in class. Participants may choose either a one or two night course to build either a single wheel or a set.

Participants must contact instructor Jim Freeman to arrange registration for this class. This class has limited participants per session. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Recommended donation for participation in this class is $50 for a single night session or $75 for a two night session. Payment arrangements must be made with the instructor.

Contact Jim at jim@lawyerjimfreeman.com or (312) 282-7895

Gain a comprehensive overview of bicycle mechanics in this 8 week Build-A-Bike course. This class will cover it all, including headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, wheel truing, brakes, shifters and derailleurs as well as finishing work and trouble shooting.

Participants must contact instructor Steve Marasala at smarsa1@hotmail.com to arrange registration for this class. This class is limited to eight participants. Enrollment is secured with payment to the instructor. Suggested base donation for this class is $150 (more if you can afford it, additional donations goto supporting community programs at WTB). Checks may be made out to West Town Bikes and delivered to the instructor, dropped off at the shop or sent to;

West Town Bikes
Attn: Build-A-Bike with Steve
2418 W. North Ave.
Chicago IL 60647

Work on your bike in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Participants share tips and an instructor will be there to help. The instructor's ability to assist you will be limited by time and the total number of participants. Come on out, fix your bike, get some grease on your hands, and ride off with a better bike and more know-how than you had when you arrived.

No sign up needed, just show up!