Author: bikeadmin

bikeadmin

You never know what you’ll find at FCCB!

dahon-folding-bike
Dahon folding bike
Here’s an interesting bike that was donated to FCCB last year, a Dahon Stowaway Folding Bike from the 1990’s. Dahon started in 1983, and is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of folding bicycles, By 1995 they were producing 400,000 folders a year! While it rides like a full size bike, it can break down to the size of a small suitcase when not in use. Folding bikes are great for riders with limited storage space; you could ride it to work and stash it in the broom closet, or store it under your bed in a small apartment.
dahon-stowaway-folding-bike-5-speed-_57
Folded Dahon bike
Last year two of these beauties were donated to FCCB by a couple that took them on a trip to Europe and used them to get from the train station to the city center when they arrived in a new city. A long time patron of the shop who is now on our Board of Directors ended up with of the one pictured here; did YOU get the other one? Drop us line and tell us how you use it! Email us or let us know on Facebook!
John and Seth setting up bikes at the flea off
bikeadmin

October Flea Off Market in the books

John and Seth setting up bikes at the flea off
John and Seth set up on a chilly morning

This past weekend was a great one for Falls City Community BikeWorks. On Saturday, we attended the Flea Off Market and were able to find new homes for five bikes. The weather was perfect for a community event (mid 70s and a steady breeze FTW!) and we enjoyed talking about the shop to many passersby.

Our busy schedule doesn’t stop there though. On top of normal shop hours Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, we will also be holding the third of our Saturday Workshop Series on Saturday, October 15 at 11 a.m. This week, we will take a closer look at those pesky gears and shifters. Mechanic Andy Dyson will show you how they work, proper shifting techniques and how to adjust your derailleur quickly so you can get back on the road. Please let us know you are coming by registering on Facebook. There is a $10 suggested donation for this workshop.

Upcoming Workshops:
Workshop 3: Wheels and Bearing systems – Oct. 22
Workshop 4: 3- Speed Hubs – Oct. 29
Workshop 5: *Wheelbuilding – Nov. 5th ( $35 fee for wheel components necessary to build a wheel to be donated to the shop after clinic)

 

We will also be taking part in the Tom Owen Cyclouvia in the Highlands this Sunday, October 16. We will be selling bikes and talking about the shop in front of HopCat (the corner of Bardstown and Grinstead). Want to help out? Volunteering at events earns you stand credit. Sign up to volunteer by clicking here.

bikeadmin

Brakes…because stopping seems like a good place to start!

Apparently, every mechanic has a favorite thing or two to work on.

Nad is all about brakes and bearings.

On a rainy Saturday morning, Nad was on hand to help a few folks practice & perfect their brake maintenance skills.

He’ll be back for bearings on 10/22, rain or shine!

Our Fall Workshop Series is rolling! 

Bring a friend and maybe a bike, and let’s get into it!

See schedule and info below, watch Facebook for event invites..  

 

Gears and shifters
Saturday October 15, 11am-2pm (might start later because of the Tweed Ride..check Facebook!!)
Instructor – Andy Dyson
Description: Changing gears is perhaps one of the most misunderstood parts of bicycle riding.  We’ll walk you through how gear/shifter/derailleur systems work, proper shifting technique, and how you can make adjustments to make gear-shifting smoother and faster.  We’ll do a complete shifter/gear system setup from start to beginning – it’s a quick process and you can repeat it at home to keep your bike shifting crisply.  We’ll also cover common problems with shifter/gear systems, like worn cables, worn gear teeth, worn chains, etc.
Suggested donation of $10.

Wheels and Bearing systems
Saturday October 22, 11am-2pm
Instructor – Dan Wagner (Nad)
Description: Learn about the different parts that comprise a bicycle wheel and how/why they work – rims, spokes, nipples, hubs, axles, bearings and more. Learn how to inspect and true bicycle wheels, rebuild bearings/axles in wheel hubs.  Bearings are also found in the bottom bracket and headset – we’ll cover how to inspect, clean, and service those assemblies as well.  Wear old clothes – you will be working with greasy bicycle parts!
Suggested donation of $10.

3-Speed Hubs 
Saturday October 29, 11am-2pm
Instructor – Andy Dyson
Description: Real Sturmey Archer and Shimano 3-Speed Hubs will be opened up and their mysteries will be uncovered and explored!
Suggested donation of $10.

Wheelbuilding
Saturday November 5, 11am-2pm
Instructor – Nate Pinney
Handbuilt bicycle wheels can be stronger and lighter than machine-built wheels, and wheelbuilders can ride satisfied knowing that they laced every spoke and twisted every last nipple! (that’s part of a bike wheel, no kidding) Participants will learn how to select rims and hubs and calculate proper spoke lengths when building wheels from scratch. We’ll learn about concepts like dish, torque transfer, spoke tension, and lacing patterns. Then each participant will lace and true one complete bicycle wheel that FCCB can use on donated bikes that have missing or broken wheels. Instructor Nate Pinney can also offer advice on how to choose components and select spokes for your own bombproof (or lighter-than-air) dream-wheels.
Required: pre-registration (up to 7 seats only) and pre-payment of $35 fee to cover materials order 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bikeadmin

Women with Wrenches!

Desiree Kuhn, discussing truing wheels with Jane Halliday
Desiree Kuhn, discussing truing wheels with Jane Halliday

On a balmy September evening, FCCB hosted our first women-only open shop night. Participants were encouraged to bring their own bikes in for repair or maintenance, and lots of questions. Desiree Kuhn, who formerly wrenched at Bardstown Road Bicycle Co., was our expert mechanic for the evening. She ran through some basic maintenance tips such as removing a rear wheel, greasing a chain, changing or patching an inner tube, and checking brakes and gears.

Special thanks to Desiree for rocking this event!

A couple of FCCB members worked on project bikes, including a donation in need of some TLC, and a change-out of headset, brakes, and shifters.

Why a women-only night? While all of our FCCB mechanics are knowledgeable, courteous, and respectful, not everyone feels comfortable going into a space that is likely to be male-dominated. A women-only event provides a welcoming environment and opportunity to learn from other women. Participants can gain confidence in their repair skills in an environment that encourages them to experiment and ask questions. Johanna Bleecker, of New Hope Community Bikes (a community bike shop in Hamilton, Ontario) has a great blog entry about why she decided to start a women-only night there.

If you’d like to see more women-centric events at FCCB, let us know via Facebook or email. We’d love to hear your suggestions.

 

bikeadmin

Books and bikes @ Shelby-Highlands Library

The Shelby Park-Highlands branch of the LFPL invited FCCB to hold a maintenance workshop last Saturday morning, as part of their Bicycling Series. Since the weather forecasters were talking armageddon, we wheeled through the Mid City Mall (by special permission!) and headed into the library’s meeting room. Seth talked to a “biker’s dozen” group about changing tires and fixing brakes, and we checked out the library’s collection of maintenance instruction and bike culture books. Good learning times!

 

13987637_1083068401812580_9104086685979652575_o fredthemagicbicycle

bikeadmin

FCCB had a HOOT of a time Saturday

imageShop manager Seth Short, co-founder John Keuger and volunteer Denise Greer wheeled over to Waterfront Park for the Mighty Kindness Hoot, an annual community unity festival, to give a “Bike Repair 101” workshop. Seth also demonstrated how to change a flat tire. The group chatted with festival goers about the bike shop and FCCBW membership and volunteering. The rad bike trailer was on hand and equipped to assist bikers with mechanical issues.

 

image

 

bikeadmin

Reuse Symposium at JCTC

CAM00575

FCCB participated in the Reuse Summit put on by the Partnership for a Green City and Louisville Metro Public Works, June 3, 2016 at JCTC – and with the way we refurbish bikes at FCCB, we had a lot to add to discussions pertaining to reuse!  Seth was there with the mobile unit demonstrating bike mechanics to curious bystanders while Jane answered questions about the mission and services of FCCB.  They made wonderful connections and particularly enjoyed meeting some of the security staff at JCTS.  They have a fleet of 10 bikes (with disc brakes!) they use to get around campus and connect with the students, and the fellow in charge of maintaining those vehicles was particularly glad to find out about our shop, its services, and that it is so close to JCTC.  He also said they find abandoned bikes pretty regularly and that he will be donating them to us in the future – yippee!

bikeadmin

June Volunteer Night

There are13308296_1036818159770938_5701148902128026540_on’t many better ways to spend a Thursday evening than in the shop with other like minded bike folks working on….bikes!

There were about 10 volunteers in the shop 6/2 getting bikes ready to sell at the Flea Off Market. We had music, conversation and of course yummy food and drink to help keep our energy up, and by 9:30, had a total of 22 bikes ready for Saturday’s market.

13301376_1036817853104302_4384971383939029891_o

We hope to do this on a monthly basis because 1) it’s fun to get together and 2) it helps us raise funds to keep a roof over our heads.

We’ll let you know when the next volunteer night is scheduled – you won’t want to miss it.13329485_1035103556609065_1252540728369476189_o