Classes & Events
This May, join us every Tuesday evening at Collective Chemistry Coworking in Ballard for a series of maintenance classes and panels to get you riding all summer long! This year we’re excited to focus on the ins-and outs of bike packing, basic maintenance, how to avoid buying a lemon of a used bike and saddle comfort for Women/Trans and Non-Binary riders. Sessions run from 6:30-8 and are donation-based ($1 minimum donation). Come get stoked about riding this summer and bring a friend!
"How to buy a used bike that isn't sh*t" with Luke
Buying a bike is an investment, and we want to make sure you’re going to get a good return on that investment regardless of whether you’re buying new or used. In this seminar-style session we’ll cover all the tips and tricks to stay safe when meeting up with a seller, key things to check on the bike to assess fit/component wear, questions to ask before you throw down cash and how to make sure you aren’t purchasing something that was previously stolen. For anyone lusting after that vintage Schwinn or carbon Colnago on Craigslist–take this class first and save yourself some heartache (and $$!)
Basic Bike Maintenance with Shawna
Spring has arrived and it’s time to dust off that beautiful bike and take your first roll of the season down to Golden Gardens. In this hands-on session we’ll go through basic triage tips, how to pump up your tires, lube your chain and do a general safety assessment on the bike. We’ll also discuss the best way to carry small cargo and the tools you’ll need for on the road repairs. This is a perfect session for beginners or seasonal cyclists looking for a refresher!
Intro to Bike Packing with Shawna and Martina from Swift Industries!
We are so excited to partner with Martina (founder and CEO of Seattle bike bag company Swift Industries) to bring you an Intro to Bike Packing seminar. This class will focus on basic cargo carrying techniques, what to pack, basic navigation and how to be prepared for the unexpected. Come for the hot bike-packing tips, stay for stories from Shawna about being a hot mess on tour and learn from our mistakes!
Bike Booty Seminar with Shawna and Special Guests (for any riders that have a vulva)
The cycling industry still mostly caters to cis-men, which means a lot of honeys are stuck thinking that biking is by definition uncomfortable and painful. It doesn’t have to be that way! Back for the 3rd year in a row because WOW this industry, we are once again going to share best practices, tips and tricks for staying comfortable in the saddle. This year we’ll get to hear from a certified OB/GYN and a professional bike fitter/PT on everything from saddle sores to UTI’s, bike fit, taint pain, hydration and all the nitty gritty “in between”. Bring your embarrassing questions! This isn’t one to miss.
Gears for Nerds with Luke
Gears—how the heck do they work? This seminar-style class will go over the nitty-gritty of gear calculations, how to optimize gear ratios for different styles of riding/types of terrain, understanding the limitations of your derailleurs for crank and cassette swaps and calculating chain wrap capacity. Come prepared to do some basic arithmetic and calculate your own gearing!
Intro to Wheel Truing w/Shawna
Wheel truing is just about the most zen you can get in the world of bike repair. In this class you’ll learn how to balance the tension on your wheel’s spoke’s to get an optimally rolling bike. We’ll go over proper tools, “truing” technique, the different ways a wheel needs to be “true”, and how to replace a broken spoke to make sure you’re keeping your wheels rolling smooth year-round. This session is a great one-off but it can also act as a prep class for anyone looking to someday build their own set of wheels!
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate e-bikes or e-bike conversions in this class
Buff and Bendy Biking with Upward Physical Therapy
Are you a cyclist who isn't sure where to start when it comes to training when you are off the bike? Do you want to stay pain and injury free this year heading into the warmer months?
We're happy to announce that Free Range will be partnering with Upward PT again in 2025 to bring you a 5-Week cross training class led by our resident cycling specialist, Dr. Jenny Iyo! 🎉✨💪
The class will include:
🚲 A dynamic warm up for pre-workout/pre-bike
🚲 Progressive circuit training workout geared towards keeping you strong on and off your bike
🚲 Post workout recovery/cool down routine to promote improved mobility
🚲 Individual cuing and modifications from a Doctor of PT
Program kicks off Monday February 24th at 6:30pm, and continues on Mondays until March 24th
Limited space available, so get it while it's hot!
Drivetrain Maintenance and Derailleur Adjustment w/ Shawna
All things derailleurs and drive train! Learn how to adjust your derailleurs, keep your chain clean and your ride happy.
Fix-A-Flat Class
Want to learn more about fixing your bike but not sure where to start? Join us for a monthly "Bike School" session and start building up your repair chops! Each class we’ll focus on one specific system on the bike and discuss the in’s and out’s of spotting, troubleshooting and repairing issues. Sessions are 1-1.5 hours, max 6 people per class. All tools and supplies will be provided. Classes are hosted at the shop in the upstairs space unless otherwise specified. Wear your grubby clothes and come prepared for hands-on learning!
This fix-a-flat class will cover how to remove the wheel, figure out the cause of the flat and how to successfully remove and re-install the tire.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate e-bikes or e-bike conversions in this class
Hydraulic Disc Brake Pad Replacement
Disc brakes—they stop on a dime, they don’t wear out your rims… Now if only there was a way to keep them from squeaking and to make sure those pads aren’t getting too worn down! Oh wait—there is. This class will focus on replacing brake pads and cleaning pistons on disc brake systems (hydraulic exclusively), troubleshooting wonky noises, keeping an eye on wear, and preventing contamination.
Saturday School: Roadside Tubeless Repair and Flat Fix
Learn how to repair your tubeless tires on the road, replace a tube in a tire, and prevent issues in the first place! In this class we’ll cover removing your wheel, fixing a flat, tubeless roadside repair and general tubeless preventative maintenance.
Saturday School: Drivetrain Maintenance and Derailleur Adjustment
Bike chains and derailleurs--the most mysterious of all bike systems, and by far the most finicky. If you've ever struggled with a chain falling off the gears, if you can't seem to keep your chain from squeaking (or worse, from getting gummed up), or if you're sick of hearing a persistent rubbing on your front derailleur, this is the class for you. We'll cover preventative maintenance, limit screw adjustments, cable tension and chain replacement 101 so that you can be confident and squeak free with your chain fully engaged.
Private Bike Repair Classes
If you’re looking to up your home mechanic game, or if you just want to feel more self sufficient on your ride in case things go south, grab a friend and schedule a private bike repair class with Shawna! Over the course of 2 hours we’ll go over your personal bike to cover preventative maintenance, simple brake and derailleur adjustments and a few field repairs. I’m happy to tailor the class to meet your learning objectives, and we may have time to do a deeper dive into a specific repair** you’d like to learn. Fees include instruction, a beverage of your choice, a resource packet and my favorite tire levers.
**(No hydraulic bleeds, bottom bracket overhaul or suspension work)
Minimum 2 people per class, max 5.
Available Mondays, Saturday Mornings before 10 and some weekday evenings on a limited basis
$150/ Person
$125/Person for a group of 4+
email freerangecycles@gmail.com to schedule!
Disc Brake Adjust and Pad Replacement
Disc brakes—they stop on a dime, they don’t wear out your rims… Now if only there was a way to keep them from squeaking and to make sure those pads aren’t getting too worn down! Oh wait—there is. This class will focus on replacing brake pads on disc brake systems (hydraulic and mechanical), troubleshooting wonky noises, and preventing contamination.
Fix-A-Flat and Roadside Tubeless Repair
***SOLD OUT! Stay tuned for more opportunities!*** Want to learn more about fixing your bike but not sure where to start? Join us for a monthly “Saturday School” session and start building up your repair chops! Each class we’ll focus on one specific system on the bike and discuss the in’s and out’s of spotting, troubleshooting and repairing issues. Sessions are 1 hour from 9am-10am every 2nd Saturday of the month, max 6 people per class. Cost is $50 per session and all tools and supplies will be provided. All classes hosted at the shop.
11/11: Fix-A-Flat and Roadside Tubeless Repair