I haven't been there in years but in the past its always been a positive experience. The volunteers have always been pleasant, patient, and eager to help.
2012-10-25 13:22:00
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Free Ride experiences?
I'm planning on attending some of the Tuesday classes at Free Ride before they close up for the winter. Also hoping to do the earn-a-bike program, mostly for the experience of learning to fix a bike that may be in need of some repairs.
I didn't see a topic dedicated to Free Ride and was just wondering if anyone could share their experiences with the classes, earn-a-bike, or any other aspect of it. It seems like a great thing, and I'm excited to get involved.
2012-10-25 11:35:25
Not only that, but it's a great place to meet people and mess around with bikes.
2012-10-25 13:26:22
I learned so much there just working on my own bike. Check it out during open shop times (Thursday & Saturday). There are tons of bikes that you can volunteer to fix for kids programs, or for sale by the shop, or for yourself as you know.
2012-10-25 13:37:49
I really enjoy going to and volunteering at Free Ride. So I don’t mean the following as a criticism, just an observation. Free Ride is run by volunteers and should not be confused with a normal profit driven bike shop. The atmosphere there can be great, but don’t expect someone to wait on you like you would expect at a LBS. If a volunteer has the time and knowledge to help with your particular problem they may spend an hour or more just helping you; or you may not be so lucky and get tepid help – remember they are volunteers. So make sure that your expectations per visit are realistic: Fixing your brakes vs. fixing the twelve things that are wrong with your bike. And remember that the volunteers are not there to fix your bike - they are there to help YOU fix your bike.
Likewise, when you show up to volunteer, it helps to be somewhat self-directed. After getting general directions from the staff (a volunteer), just jump in and help however you can. If you are sorting parts and see someone else needs help, just help. If you wait for someone to give you specific direction you will become frustrated.
Free Ride truly is a great resource and we are lucky to have dedicated people who give their time and $ to make it available to anyone. If you have never visited, I highly recommend you stop by and check it out.
Edit: +1 on working on the kids bikes. It’s a great way to learn how to do the basics without screwing up the bike you need to get home.
2012-10-25 14:04:54
I've taken two of the classes and found them very helpful. Almost always people have a variety of bikes there to be fixed, and so with a quick eye, you can see how you might fix a similar part on a different type of bike; for instance, adjusting brakes: side-pull, center pull, disk, etc.
If you go there just to fix your bike, and are relatively mechanically inclined, you can expect to spend four times as long as you think it should take to do the repair, because invariably you will be drawn into helping the person on the neighboring stand with something. Which is fine: You will both learn something, and will make a friend.
I've also bought an already repaired bike there. Worked out quite well.
2012-10-25 17:26:00