Bike Shop
Classes in our Bike Shop help keep your ride on the road—whether it’s a motorcycle or a pedal bike you use for everyday transportation, an art bike or car you are inspired to create, or a customized hot rod. If it has wheels, you can learn from the pros how to trick it out and keep it running in top condition!
Adult Classes
The Crucible offers a wide variety of adult classes teaching bike mechanics and bike building. Whether you want to learn the basics of a tune-up or tig weld your own bike from the ground up, The Crucible has you covered. See the complete list of bike mechanic and bike building classes offered below.
Bicycle Maintenance
Perform a complete tune up on your own bicycle! As you disassemble and reassemble the bike, you will learn core principles of bicycle mechanics, names of components, and the tools used in a professional shop. Bring your own bike to work on, or we can provide one for you.
Build A Bike Frame
Weld your own bike frame for a one-speed or geared bike! You will build a chrome-moly steel mountain bike frame using proven geometric principles. Learn about TIG welding, brazing, machining of tubes, bicycle geometry, materials, construction techniques, fixtures, and jigs, while you complete your own unique bicycle frame. TIG Welding II or additional TIG welding experience is recommended, but not required. PREREQUISITE: TIG Welding I
Flat Fix
Learn to properly uninstall a wheel and fix a flat on a bicycle. You will learn both good and bad tube installation techniques, as well as proper tire level options and when and where it is appropriate to use patches.
Sheet Metal Forming with Evan Wilcox
Gain invaluable skills for fabricating parts for motorcycles, cars, airplanes, and sculptures. Learn how to form sheet metal into tanks, fenders, and fairings, using gas-aluminum welding, a planishing hammer, an English wheel, and hand forming tools. Class time is split between instruction and lab time where students can use Crucible equipment. You will have a chance to make your own project.
Youth Classes
In the Bike Shop Department, we offer youth classes specifically for ages 8-11 and 12-18. In these classes, The Crucible provides a unique setting for youth to get hands-on making bikes, cars, skateboards, and all other wheeled wonders, exploring their creative voices and absorbing real-life lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math. You can see all The Crucible’s offerings for youth here.
Youth Bicycle Maintenance (ages 12-18)
Learn in-depth knowledge of bike mechanics, bicycle design, and how and why bikes are built the way they are. Youth students will disassemble and reassemble an entire bike, learning the names of components and tools used in professional shops. Bring in your own bike or learn on one available in The Crucible’s shop. You’ll ride away with a hands-on understanding of bicycle maintenance and safety.
Youth Art Bike (ages 12-18)
Customize your bicycle in this exciting workshop! Students learn basic fabrication skills in MIG welding, plasma cutting, grinding, and finishing to reconstruct bikes. Frames will be stripped and you will learn to redesign and alter handlebars, rims, seat posts, and frames to create a unique look that will make your bike the talk of the neighborhood.
Youth Gravity Cars (ages 8-11)
Build. Test. Adjust. Race! Gravity Cars is a no-rules miniature car building and racing competition on a large, undulating track inspired by the Nerdy Derby. Gravity Cars reward creativity, cleverness, and ingenuity.
Youth Skateboard Building (ages 12-18)
Design and build your very own custom skateboard from seven layers of hard maple veneer. Learn woodworking techniques and the concepts of vacuum press veneering and bending wood. You will practice using basic woodworking power tools, including the band saw and power sanders, as well as hand tools, such as files, rasps, and planes. Apply a basic wood finish and set up your skateboard deck to ride. This course is based on the book The Handmade Skateboard, by Matt Berger.
Being Prepared For Your Bike Shop Class
Bike shop classes are held on the main floor of our building. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility and we will be happy to accommodate.
Students must arrive for class in all-natural fiber clothing, long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks that protect up to the ankle. Long hair must be tied back. Nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetics are not allowed around machines, equipment, or processes that can produce hot fragments, sparks, or flames.
The Crucible requests students always arrive in studio safe clothing when working. Layers are encouraged as the studio can be very cold or very hot. Learn more about bike maintenance from our online guide.