teaching wrenching skills

[OakLeaf]

Don't suppose you could put this on your blog, with photos perhaps? I have a Honda Civic, and want to be able to put my road bike in my trunk, and let my dogs ride in the back seat. As it is, can't take them and the bike in the car at the same time. Have to lay down the seats to fit the bike. (No, they do not run next to me while I ride the road bike, you'd have to nickname me 'Crash' if I did that).

Taking a bike down is really more time consuming than you'd want to do for daily transport. Even if you only pull the handlebars, seatpost, pedals and front wheel you're probably talking at least 15 minutes on either end of your trip. A rack is a better option.

Depending on how far you travel and what the roads are like, you might be able to just pull your front wheel, wrap the bike in a blanket and bungie your trunk lid. Although I'm pretty sure someone I know used to have a Civic and she could get her bike all the way in the trunk with just the front wheel off. It was a smaller frame though, 50 cm or less.

Taking a bike down for packing is more involved: you'll also pull the rear wheel and rear derailleur; you may have to rearrange or disconnect cables to let you position the handlebars in the box; and best practice is to remove the water bottle cages. You definitely don't have to do all that for car transport.

I'll be packing mine up in a week or two and I'd offer to post pictures, but there are lots of photo blogs and videos already online - just ask Dr. Google.

[PamNY]

I think allowing time for everybody to try the task being taught is important.

Will people bring their own bikes? I was confused by the different types of brakes in the class I took, and there wasn't a bike with brakes like mine available.

[lph]

Yup, I agree. Some people can learn by just watching, but most I think learn best by doing. I was planning on them bringing their own bikes. But I risk being stumped by some setup I've never seen before...

[Sky King]

Yup, I agree. Some people can learn by just watching, but most I think learn best by doing. I was planning on them bringing their own bikes. But I risk being stumped by some setup I've never seen before...

Regardless, I think people really appreciate your willingness to teach them!

[Becky]

But I risk being stumped by some setup I've never seen before...

And then you can teach them all of the cool online resources for figuring out bike stuff Seriously though, after several years, I still see unfamiliar components at work that require me to read the instructions or visit Park Tool's website.

I think it's great that you're teaching people how to be self-sufficient

[lph]

Thanks I think that's why I enjoy it so much, I really feel I'm making a small but useful contribution.

I forgot about bike fitting. The most elementary bike fitting should be in there, and a little bit of info about saddles.

[Melalvai]

lph, you are so cool. I wish I could take your class...but I don't think I can ride my bike across the ocean!

[Owlie]

Derailleur adjustments? I still haven't quite figured that out.

[Sky King]

Taking a bike down is really more time consuming than you'd want to do for daily transport. Even if you only pull the handlebars, seatpost, pedals and front wheel you're probably talking at least 15 minutes on either end of your trip. A rack is a better option.

Depending on how far you travel and what the roads are like, you might be able to just pull your front wheel, wrap the bike in a blanket and bungie your trunk lid. Although I'm pretty sure someone I know used to have a Civic and she could get her bike all the way in the trunk with just the front wheel off. It was a smaller frame though, 50 cm or less.

Taking a bike down for packing is more involved: you'll also pull the rear wheel and rear derailleur; you may have to rearrange or disconnect cables to let you position the handlebars in the box; and best practice is to remove the water bottle cages. You definitely don't have to do all that for car transport.

I'll be packing mine up in a week or two and I'd offer to post pictures, but there are lots of photo blogs and videos already online - just ask Dr. Google.

Agreeing here re. the transport in the car. If you often drive to ride you are going to be soooo much happier with a rack over stuffing your bike into the trunk. We like the Saris racks