That sounds like a very cool idea. How does a bike coop work? Is someone there giving you guidance as you work? Do they supply the tools? And, how do I find one of those near me??

I'd love to learn to work on my bike myself. Self-sufficiency's a blast! But I learn much better through hands-on demonstration than from text and pictures. I haven't developed the kind of relationship with any of the local wrenches yet that would make me comfortable asking for instruction, so that coop idea sounds like it would be great.