Tori's class is amazingly informative and comprehensive. So much of the mystery and trepidation is now gone when I'm dealing with my bike and its maintenance. Highly recommended for anyone who cares about their two-wheeled transport. Worth every penny!

- Leslie

I took your changing tires class through the Portland Tri Club a few months ago (I was the only guy, the one you picked on J). Well, I had to change by back tire for the first time last weekend and it went fairly well. Only took 15 minutes and no cussing?so my wife says thanks too.

- Steve

Tori is a master teacher. She blends deep knowledge, humor, attention to detail, and gentle challenges with a clear and well-timed curriculum. I had a blast and learned a ton. Doors were opened. My bike is singing, and I now know how to keep it that way. The cost of this course is simply an old-school bargain!

- Michael

I wanted to thank you once again, Luca is so happy to be riding! We went camping this past weekend and all the kids rode bikes all over the campground. Luca said to tell you that he even won a race! He got lots of practice over the weekend and while there we went on a family bike ride out to the pier (about 4 miles round trip) and this week Luca and I rode up the the grocery store - we are all so happy!

Luca said to tell you that he is glad you taught him to ride a bike and sends a big thank you!

- Gail (& Luca, age 8)

I was already planning on writing to thank you for the fantastic bike maintenance class on Saturday, May 22 but my bike commute to work this morning gave me even more reason to write and thank you. While down-shifting in preparation for a stop, I somehow managed to get my chain out of whack to the point that it came off the front gear. Prior to the bike maintenance class, I would have just stood there on the Spring Water Corridor path looking like an idiot hoping Triple A would come by to help me. Because of the class, however, I confidently went into my ?Y? formation, flipped my bike upside-down, moved the rear derailer back to allow for slack in the chain and returned the chain onto the front gear. And I only got 2 fingers dirty! (Sure, an expert could probably accomplish the same feat without turning over the bike and only getting 1 finger dirty?but remember, I?m still in training.)

- Kay

I just wanted to thank you for a great class. I learned a ton about how to do maintenance on my bike, exactly as I was hoping. The knowledge will come in very useful, especially during cross season. I really appreciated the small class size and the approach you take to individual teaching. Keep up the great work, I?ll be recommending your classes to anyone looking to learn how to work on their bikes.

- Jeff

I knew I would learn a lot, but the breadth and depth of the knowledge, now that I underestimated. Learn how to change a tire? I know how to do that, but 'Bortman Style'? nadda. How do you wash your bike Dave? Let's just say I learned a lot about sealed bearings and the insidious effects of my garden hose. Shame on me! I will say, I now feel competent to walk into any local bike shop, buy the parts, and install them myself. Let alone I now possess the knowledge of how to adjust my bike for top performance. Brake cables don't stretch... But? ... Don't believe me, ask Tori!

- David

Gracie's Wrench class is part motivation and part inspiration. I looked forward to the fun atmosphere as much as I did the learning. A book can only go so far. The hints, tips and tricks give the the confidence to tear into and make the minor/major adjustments to keep my riding fun and enjoyable. Knowing how to make repairs in the woods or on the road gives me the confidence to push a little harder. Who would have ever thought a spare drop out was a necessity? Won't go into the woods without one now. Who needs a stinking chain tool? Raise your hand, someone in the group should have one.

- Vest

I had a really bad, expensive experience trying to get my mountain bike tuned up that finally convinced me it was time to learn more about it. It was very fortunate I read in the Oregonian that Gracie's Wrench was offering classes at a reasonable price and flexible schedule. The class offered everything I wanted to know and Tori was capable and able to answer all my questions. When it came time to learn flat changing I asked to skip it as I'd already fixed about a 1000 flats. I will never get over my utter surprise that I learned a new and incredibly simple, quick way to change a tire without levers. The class was worth it for that information alone! Both myself and the other student worked on our own bikes and my road bike ended up riding better than new! Both my hubs were in bad shape and would have cost some bucks if we hadn't adjusted them. I have confidence in my repairs that I could never get from a bike shop-- if something happens now, I know how to take care of it. I'm even considering taking the class again so I can overhaul another bike with Tori. The cost would still have me well ahead of taking it in to the shop.

- Dan

So imagine this, my fellow student had just dropped a few hundred bucks on a new component and was in a panic because he had put it on backwards (or something?) and thought he had ruined it. Tori calmly thought through the problem and actually figured out how to release the part--NOT because she had exactly done it before--but because she applied the principles she understands about how parts work. And she did it without freaking out! So while I learned lots about my bike, including tips to improve its functionality, I went home at the end of most evenings reflecting on Tori's problem-solving skills and her patience. I also tried to keep her talking for the whole 3 hours so that I could benefit from everything she knows about all things bike related. The class went by way too fast and I need to take another.

- Virginia

Tori at Gracie's Wrench is a Bike Goddess. She bestowed upon us invaluable knowledge about how to take good care of our bikes. It's empowering! Since taking the class I've had the opportunity to put my newly acquired skills to use, i.e., adjusting my rear shifter cable and installing a new set of wheels. Before Gracie's Wrench there would have been NO WAY I'd even try to tinker with my bike, but now it's possible AND I even look forward to it, because Tori gave us the ability to get to know and nurture our bikes. Tori is a gifted (and friendly!) teacher.

- Leslie

My husband and I took Tori's 6 week class and learned pretty much everything we need to do to take care of our bikes. Since then I have been able to fix most everything that has come up with my bike. I also am able to feel much more secure when racing and at stage races if I have any mechanical issues. She has a very nice way of teaching and was extremely patient with me when I would get frustrated. Tori rocks!

- Anne

Tori and Gracie's Wrench is the avenue for Bike Empowerment! Before taking classes at Gracie's Wrench my bike was essentially a mystery on two wheels--if anything went mechanically wrong, big or small, I didn't have the know-how to deal with it. But NOW! I have a greater understanding about my bike and how it works. When stuff goes wonky, I can fix it myself! Or know that I need to take it to a bike shop pronto! All of this was made possible by the amazing Tori B, an exceptional and gifted teacher who clearly has a passion for her work.

- Cat

Gracie-AKA Tori was an extremely patient instructor. Mechanically inclined, no that would not describe my wrenching experience in the least, but Tori made class fun and incredibly informative. You do your own wrenching in class and are allowed to make your own mistakes which in turn actually allows the student to learn a foreign concept in so many classes these days. Highly recommend.

- Ed

Are you bothered by that grinding sound while cycling? Or how about that annoying hub? Know how to fix it quick—or at least what needs to be fixed? No. Neither did I until I took Tori Bortman's bicycle maintenance course. Great teacher, wonderful setting, all very useful stuff. So just do it!

- Leslie

Taking the tune-up class at Gracie's Wrench was awesome. Tori is a wonderful teacher and what I learned has made me more empowered as cyclist and confident as a person. I no longer feel overwhelmed by mechanical issues and am sure of my ability to complete repairs myself.

- Izzy

This class has paid for itself more than once already by saving me $ I would have spent on service at my local bike shop! Tori's class was game-changing for my relationship with cycling -- since taking her class, I've replaced a bottom bracket, a headset, swapped out a shifter set, trued my own wheels, and scores of other things that previously would have sent me scurrying to a mechanic. Plus it's allowed me to identify issues before they become problems and upgrade components I never would have considered changing. Intimidation be gone! I still have tons to learn about wrenching, but thanks to the skills I gained from Gracie's Wrench, I can now do all the small stuff myself and make smart choices about when to buck up for a pro mechanic. Moreover, when I do go to the LBS (for parts or service) I now have conversations with the mechanics about the work instead of passively handing over my ride and credit card.

- Benjamin T.