Classes
Upcoming Class Email List: If you would like to receive monthly emails announcing our upcoming classes, join our upcoming class email list. You can unsubscribe yourself at any time.
Refund Policy: due to limited resources, no refunds or re-scheduling can be offered. If you are unable to attend a paid class, your new membership is still valid and you are welcome to visit us during regular shop hours and speak to our staff mechanics.
External Maintenance Class
Over three weeks we will cover installing and removing tubes and tires (i.e. fixing a flat), installing brake and shift cables, adjusting brakes and gears, chain maintenance and truing wheels.
No previous bike knowledge is required or expected, but a willingness to learn and have fun is a must!
Class will be hands-on, so bring a bike and get ready to get greasy.
The fee for this class is a sliding scale: $45-85 for Bike Kitchen members or $85-125 for non-members. Enrolling in the class as a non-member also buys you a year-long membership at the Bike Kitchen. Class size is limited to ten. If you do not currently have a membership you MUST select a ticket price that has "Non-Member" in the description.
Please see our calendar for upcoming External Maintenance class dates.
Internal Maintenance Class
Over three weeks we will cover the installation, overhaul, adjustment and maintenance of the bicycle's bearing systems (headsets, bottom brackets and hubs), freewheels and cassettes.
No previous bike knowledge is required or expected, but a willingness to learn and have fun is a must!
Class will be hands-on, so bring a functional bike and be ready to get greasy.
The fee for this class is a sliding scale: $45-85 for Bike Kitchen members or $85-125 for non-members. Enrolling in the class as a non-member also buys you a year-long membership at the Bike Kitchen. Class size is limited to eight. If you do not currently have a membership you MUST select a ticket price that has "Non-Member" in the description.
Please see our calendar for upcoming Internal Maintenance class dates.
Wheelbuilding Class
Over two weeks we will cover the principles of spoke lacing and tensioning and guide you through the assembly of a "cross-3"-laced wheel (The most common kind of spoke-lacing pattern).
No previous wheel knowledge is required or expected, but a willingness to learn and have fun is a must!
You will need to bring your own rim, hub, spokes and spoke nipples. We strongly discourage the use of used spokes or rim for this class, but a used hub is okay. Your favorite shop can help determine the correct spoke length, or you can search online for "spoke calculator."
The fee for this class is a sliding scale: $55-85 for Bike Kitchen members or $95-125 for non-members. Enrolling in the class as a non-member also buys you a year-long membership at the Bike Kitchen. Class size is limited to five. If you do not currently have a membership you MUST select a ticket price that has "Non-Member" in the description.
Please see our calendar for upcoming wheelbuilding class dates.
Other Programs
Digging Rights / Earn-a-Bike
Using a frame and parts from our used inventory, you can build your own bike with the help of our volunteer mechanics. When purchased ($30), we call this "digging rights"; when earned through volunteering (six hours), we call this "earn-a-bike". While actively building your bike, you can store it at the Bike Kitchen. This program is open only to Bike Kitchen members.
WTF Night
What is WTF night?
WTF night is a safe and supportive night that strives to primarily serve people who identify as female or transgender. Patrons are invited to come work on their bikes; experienced mechanics are available to lend guidance as needed. All volunteer mechanics are female and/or transgender. WTF is every 2nd and 4th Friday evening from 6-9pm.
Why it exists?
At the Bike Kitchen we try our best to facilitate an inclusive and empowering environment that is friendly and safe for all community members. However, we recognize that sexism and gender discrimination are strong forces that effect women and trans people in their everyday lives and can also be present during general shop hours at the Bike Kitchen. We are proud to provide a space where women and transgender folks can celebrate and share their skills amongst each other.
Ways to support WTF night
- Respect the space. If you are not female or transgender please come to the shop during other open hours.
- Tell all of your female and trans friends about WTF night and encourage them to attend!
- Educate yourself, become more aware of women's and transgender issues.
Bike Kitchen + BACE Timebank
Now you can volunteer for anyone on the Timebank and earn hour credits to pay the Bike Kitchen on hours instead of dollars for day use, membership and build-a-bike. Our rates are the same as volunteering in the shop.
day use = 1 hour
year pass = 6 hours
build-a-bike = 6 hours
(only for year pass holders)
Sign up at www.bace.org and create a profile before you come into the bike kitchen. When checking in at the Bike Kitchen the greeter will let you transfer hours from your account to the Bike Kitchen account. Now, pay it forward and help out your community for Timebank hours by posting requests and offers.
Youth Program
In the past, the Bike Kitchen has offered a drop-in program for high school youth to fix their bikes. This program was last offered in December 2010. It stopped because our two volunteer staff who ran the program moved on to other things. If you are interested in bring the program back, please contact info [at] bikekitchen [dot] org.
