November 2018 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Webhosting/domains
by Bike City 25 Mar '25

25 Mar '25

Well, I recently threw together some hand-written HTML and slapped it onto a free (and ad-less) webhost. This seemed great at first, regardless of the weird URL. But after lots of other publicity and potential traffic, I've seen it get hacked twice (by a radical Islamic group after the whole host, nothing personal), and lately it's either painfully slow to load or completely down. So, I haven't done this for about a decade and I'm out of the loop. I'm really not willing to suffer any ads, but since our budgeted is obcenely limited for such fluff, does anyone have recommendations? Are there any more reliable ad-free free hosts? (Probably not, for obvious reasons.) Otherwise, how do you guys handle web hosting? How much does it cost? What's a good balance between reliable and affordable? How much is domain registration nowadays? We don't have our 501(c)(3) status yet so we won't get a deal until later this year, by the way. Anyway, please help. It's rough to find time to FTP an update and find the site's down. Thanks, andrea Bike City Recyclery of Fayetteville, Arkansas http://bikecity.uuuq.com/ (hahaha)

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Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by director 03 May '23

03 May '23

Hey All, We just spent some time and redid the tag we use to track repairs on a bike. I'm sure your shops are similar to ours in that many mechanics of varying skill levels will work on a single bike before it's distributed back to the world for use. This make it challenging to ensure a standard of quality on any given bike leaving the shop. As we fleshed out the tag we realized that it could function loosely as a curriculum. For most mechanics, especially students we suggest starting at the top and working down the list. I've come to realize that no two mechanics will do things in the exact same way, everyone has their own style. We've been suggesting that folks do the first two items in order and then address the rest of the repairs at their discretion. Of course we couldn't put everything on a half page so we had to make compromises. You'll notice as you get closer to the bottom of the tag the categories are a little more broad and don't get into the finer details. We're working on a final check list that will include finer details like checking bearing play, tire wear, fine tune derailleurs and brakes... The final checklist won't hang on the bike but it'll be around the shop and part of our training. Stay tuned for this. We print these double sided, cut them in half and laminate them. We hang them on the handlebars and fill them out with a Sharpie. When the bike is done and gone we clean the Sharpie off with 90% rubbing alcohol and a rag. This allows us to use one tag over and over and over. We've been using these tags for about 2 weeks now and it's been awesome. Communication between mechanics is much clearer and bikes are getting done faster. It's really helped orient Earn-A-Bike students to what needs to be done next on their bike. Anyway if you think it's a good idea feel free to adapt it to your shops needs. -- Ride On! Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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2 floor bike racks
by Tigre Bici 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

Hello everyone We are thinking on buying/making a 2 floor bike rack to save some space and have more bikes in a small space. Do anyone have experience on them? Any insights on we shall make it or buy it? Thanks R.

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how to peel a banana
by Sunny Nestler 20 Dec '18

20 Dec '18

Hey everyone, Can someone explain to me how you facilitated the peeling a banana segment of the "Hands Off Wrenching" workshop at the LA Bike!Bike! ? I didn't go to that workshop but it sounded really cool, and someone from my shop went and was describing it to me. I think I wanna use it in a workshop I'm leading but I want more info! Also thinking of incorporating a banana split follow up activity, because those are delicious! 🍌🍌🍌 sunny *Sunny Nestler*, *Programs Manager* AMS Bike Co-op University of British Columbia 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 146, Issue 16
by Lawrence Mohammed 30 Nov '18

30 Nov '18

seriously beautiful drawings and doc's Ron! nice one!! Warmest regards, *Lawrence Mohammed* Director & Head Mechanic Pro Bike Service C.I.C. *+44 (0)77 222 58587* *probikeservice.co.uk <https://probikeservice.co.uk>* *facebook.com/probikeservice <https://www.facebook.com/professionalbikeservice>* /[Location, NOT delivery address] Pro Bike Service C.I.C. Multi-Storey Car Park Lesney Avenue Olympic Park London E20 3BS / On 29/11/2018 21:04, thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Drawings / diagrams of bike assemblies (Ron Kellis) > 2. Re: Drawings / diagrams of bike assemblies (Luis Fernandez) > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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Lightspeed contract
by Andrew Shaw-Kitch 30 Nov '18

30 Nov '18

Hey everybody! I work at a small bike nonprofit in Portland, Oregon and we have a contract with Lightspeed ($80/month )-: through July 2020. It was important to staffers at the time (as we were a more high-volume shop), but our goals are presently more geared toward other programs in the community, and our shop/school/hub is more bare bones. Anyhow, our case to terminate our contract was "escalated" but that didn't entail much beyond double-checking the contract. The person on the contract and the address are out of date for the current organization--does anyone have experience with Lightspeed or getting out of a contract after restructuring? Thanks for any insight, and for all the great conversations I've been eavesdropping on here :-) All the best, Andrew -- -- *Andrew Shaw-Kitch (He/Him)* *Program Director* *andrew(a)b4hpdx.org <andrewsk.b4hpdx(a)gmail.com>* *Because EVERYONE deserves a bike*

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Drawings / diagrams of bike assemblies
by Dennis Wollersheim 30 Nov '18

30 Nov '18

Hi All We are trying to create some single sheet learning materials for our punters (Aussie slang for bettors, which we have repurposed for people who come to fix their bikes). We often bemoan the lack of creative commons or public domain drawings / diagrams of various bicycle assemblies, for example, headset, wheel bearings, bottom bracket, brakes. Does anyone use such things, or know where to get them? We reckon that such drawings, on laminated sheets hanging around the work area, would give the punters something to look at while they are waiting for the volunteer mechanics. Thanks Dennis Wollersheim The bike shed, Melbourne Australia -- -- ------------------------------------------- Dennis Wollersheim -------------------------------------------

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Store front partnership for refurbished bike sales?
by Ian Wassink 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

Do any community bike shops have a partnership or agreement with another organization or store, such as a thrift store, to sell refurbished bikes? The Greasy Chain has a challenge of maintaining day time open hours, so we are exploring the option of having our refurbished shop bikes for sale at another store or location that is already open all day Mon-Fri, for example, that already has foot traffic, and thus potential for more sales. Regards, Ian Wassink Co-ordinator of The Greasy Chain Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada

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Thanksgiving
by Stuart Nottingham 22 Nov '18

22 Nov '18

As I prepare for celebrating tomorrow with my family, I just wanted to express my gratitude for this group. While I may not post here often, I always look forward to reading the ideas and suggestions found here. Thank you to all of you for providing such a useful service to those who might otherwise e deprived of the joy that a bicycle brings.

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CRM Recommendations
by Edward Kirkwood 21 Nov '18

21 Nov '18

All:At Broke Spoke we have been using a custom database application to keep up with volunteer hours, sweat equity bike and parts sales. It works reasonably well, but like most software that a single individual creates, customer support is only good as long as the volunteer that created it is still around. We are looking at other options like Salesforce for a CRM. Does anyone have any recommendations? Allen KirkwoodBroke Spoke Community Bike ShopLexington, KY

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