Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative

Learn to fix your bike. For real this time.

Two hours, your bike, our instructor — and you’ll walk away knowing how to handle the repairs that actually happen in real life.

Ready to sign up? Find a date that works for you and 📋 Register for a Class →

Our Basic Bicycle Maintenance class is beginner-friendly, hands-on, and genuinely useful. No experience required, just a willingness to get a little greasy.

$50 suggested donation. Can’t swing it? Email us — no one gets turned away.

What You’ll Learn

  • Basic Parts of a Bicycle
  • Tire Inflation
    • Know what tire pressure to inflate your tires to and how to find that information on any tire
    • Distinguish between Presta and Schrader valves
    • Use a bike pump and read a pressure gauge
    • Determine tire direction based on tread pattern and directional arrow
  • Wheel Removal and Reinstallment
    • Distinguish between quick release and thru axles
    • Understand direction of spring installment on axles
    • Process to remove wheels from frame: release rim brake, shift rear gear to smallest cog, deflate tire if needed
  • Drivetrain Cleaning
    • While rear wheel is attached
    • Deeper clean while rear wheel is removed: open rim brake, shift chain to smallest rear cog, deflate tire if needed
  • Flat Tire Assessment and Inner Tube Replacement
    • Inspect rim tape
    • Inspect tire
    • Replace inner tube
  • Chain Lubrication
  • Additional Safety Checks That Merit Professional Repair
    • Wheel hubs
    • Headset
    • Bottom bracket

Class Details

  • Length: 2 hours
  • Bring: Your bike and clothes you’re okay getting greasy
  • Skill level: Beginner-friendly
  • Location: Vélocity Warehouse, 1502 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria (rear entrance — gray door behind Al’s Steak House)

Registration

Click a date below to sign up. Questions? 📧 courses@velocitycoop.org.

If your class is cancelled due to Alexandria City Public Schools closing for weather, the instructor will email you with rescheduling options.

Click a class to sign up 📋: