5 Week Mechanic Course: ESG Cohort

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This course is part of OCB's Equity-Seeking Gender (ESG) Access programming, formerly known as Women, Trans, and Queer Night.

ESG Access at Our Community Bikes is a space created by and for people who have historically been excluded from DIY and bike culture on the basis of their gender. This includes people who identify as women, two-spirit, agender, transgender, transsexual, transmasculine, intersex, non-binary, and more!

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Come learn the fundamentals of bike mantainance in a non-judgemental environment.

Whether you're a curious hobbyist, a bikepacker who likes to be prepared, or a lifestyle commuter looking to keep your trusty steed in shape forever, this 5 week course will boost your confidence and capacity when it comes to all things bikes!

Each class will cover basic terminology and theory, followed by ample hands-on practice time.

Don't have consistent, easy access to a bike of your own? No problem! Get in touch with us before the course starts and we'll source one for you to work with.

Tuesdays, 7-9:30pm

Session dates: June 2, 9, 16, 30, July 7 2026

Night 1 - The Basics

• Learn all about your bike! We'll talk strengths and weaknesses, and the tools you'll need to maintain it at home or on the road.
• Good noises and bad noises - how to diagnose what things are going wrong and when they need attention.
• Flat fixes! Patching and swapping tubes

Night 2 - Brakes

• Replacing brake pads, cables, and housing
• Troubleshooting common problems (like squealing or 'squishy' brakes)
• Demistifying brake bleeds

Night 3 - Shifting

• All about chains! Sizing, installation, and maintenance.
• Ins and outs of front & rear derailleur adjustment, including how to dial in shifting as your drivetrain wears.

Night 4 - Wheels + Bearing Systems

• All about wheels! And what those numbers on the side of your tire mean.
• An introduction to hubs, bottom brackets and headsets. How they work and how to keep them working.

Night 5 - A La Carte

• A "make-up" class to work on things we didn't have enough time to fully cover, or want more practice with.

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Wearings K/N95 masks to class is encouraged in recognition of and solidarity with our vulnerable community members.

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