TheThinkTank August 2018

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

28 participants
15 discussions

Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by director 02 May '23

02 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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no boys allowed zine from bikebike?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 27 Sep '18

27 Sep '18

hey all, i'm looking to get in touch with the person who wrote/published the "no boys allowed" zine which was passed out at bikebike in san francisco. it was part of one of the oppression and gender identity issues workshops. we're looking to start a women's night here at community cycles, and i'd like to scan my copy as a pdf and email it to potential volunteers, as well as make some copies to have in the shop... if you're on the list, or if you know the person who wrote it (her name escapes me), please get in touch with me off list... thanks! josh. community cycles boulder

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City 'backed' co-ops
by Sylvie Baele 31 Aug '18

31 Aug '18

Hi folks! I am currently pursing dual master's degrees in Env. Sciences and Public Administration. One of my courses is Urban Transit, and a project for it is a mock presentation tailored for a City Counsel study session. Another organization in town already focuses on advocating for infrastructure and we already have a bike share, so I would like to 'educate council' on bicycle co-ops. Has anyone done this? Or even better (maybe I'm dreaming), but does anyone know of any co-ops that are city-sponsored in some form? Sylvie

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Bike collectives that run in commercial bike shops
by Cicloficina dos Anjos 31 Aug '18

31 Aug '18

Hi guys, Do you know any bike collective that works in the same place as a comercial bike shop? Like on the shop closed hours? Any thoughts about how it can be a good or very bad ideia? We need to move from the place where we are for some years, and one possibility is to move temporarily to a friendly comercial bike shop. But I would like to know if any or similar experiences occurred, and how it went. Thanks! rosa *Cicloficina dos Anjos* Rua Dr. Almeida Amaral 15A, Lisboa anjos(a)cicloficina.pt anjos.cicloficina.pt fb.com/cicloficina.anjos <http://facebook.com/cicloficina.anjos>

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Boise Bicycle Project Seeks Lead Mechanic
by Emily Summerhays 22 Aug '18

22 Aug '18

Boise Bicycle Project seeks a full time, lead mechanic in one of the most exciting bicycling communities in the country! Boise Bicycle Project Lead Mechanic BBP’s Mission The Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) is a nonprofit bicycle cooperative that promotes the personal, social, and environmental benefits of bicycling. It functions as a bicycle recycling center as well as an educational workspace in a diverse and non-threatening atmosphere. Through education and access to quality affordable bicycles, BBP strives to build a stronger bicycling community. The BBP Experience Community When you enter our doors, you have entered a place of community. Everyone is welcome to get their hands dirty, and all bikes belong. Connection Once inside, we will work together to connect you to where you need to go. By sharing tools, knowledge, and experiences in a cooperative space, we can learn from each other and remove barriers that block opportunities. Empowerment When you exit our doors you leave empowered with the resources and confidence to engage in other opportunities. Through pedal-power and people-power, we can build the community we want to live and ride in. Position Summary The Boise Bicycle Project seeks a Lead Mechanic to make bicycles, bicycle repair and bicycle education available to the entire community regardless of income. The Lead Mechanic works with the Shop Manager and team mechanics to reach impact goals in making SAFE, RELIABLE, SERVICEABLE, AFFORDABLE and FUN bicycles available to the community in need. Through staff education, leadership, and hands on DIY bicycle repair, the Lead Mechanic fosters an empowering environment where bikes are fixed and barriers are broken. Essential Job Responsibilities Leadership and Mechanic Education 30% - Manage Shop Floor during open hours when Shop Manager is not available - Collaborate with Shop Manager with hiring and onboarding of Bike Mechanics - Educate/train Bike Mechanics on Bike Sales and DIY standards - Assist fellow staff members with the bike repair problems they encounter - Create systems for mechanics, volunteers, and youth to continually grow mechanic skills. - Assist facilitators with service writing of incoming walk-ins and members DIY Repair and Shop User & Staff Experience 30% - Work with Walkins, Members, and Work Trade, setting standards for customer service - Maintain a positive empowering and educational shop experience for Staff, Members, Volunteers and Program Participants - Utilize 360-degree vision to offer coaching and support to team mechanics working with our customers Resource/Inventory Management 20% - Work with Shop Manager to manage bike repair/accessory related inventory, organization, and cleanliness of the shop - Support shop manager in placing bi-weekly inventory orders, assessing shop needs for new product offerings, process inventory upon delivery - Maintain work benches with appropriate functional tools for all shop users - Maintain systems that ensure donated quality affordable bike parts are available to customers, and new inventory compliments gaps customer/mechanic needs SAFE, RELIABLE, SERVICEABLE, AFFORDABLE and FUN bicycle Creation 20% - Biking Building for Quality Affordable Bikes program - Direct Bike Mechanics in maintaining a diverse assortment of quality affordable bicycles for programs and public Job Skills and Requirements: - You have a passion for teamwork, a black belt in communication, and an arsenal of interpersonal skills - You enjoy working with people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and all ability levels. - You’ve been paid to wrench on a wide variety of bicycles for over 3 years - You’ve used the phrase “Steel is Real.” Rigid steel bikes will always have a soft spot in your heart. The simplicity of frictions shifters makes you warm and fuzzy. But those wonders from the past haven’t road blocked your brain for new technology. - You’ve got the skills to pay the bills and a passion to teach what you preach - You’ve spent a significant time volunteering with nonprofits or working on community projects - You love systems and organization, but embrace evolution and flexibility How to Apply: Please email the following to emily(a)boisebicycleproject.org - 1 example of working as a team to overcome a barrier - 1 examples of past volunteer history in community based organizations - 1 example of how bicycle repair has had an impact on your life - Cover Letter and Resume. This 40 hour/week job located in Boise Idaho. Weekend availability is required, and the BBP leadership team cooperates with a “Saturday Share” rolling schedule on a monthly basis, so that we can practice work/life balance while working together to support the shop needs. Leaders at BBP can expect to work 1-2 Saturdays each month depending on the shop schedule and scheduled time-off for team members. $14 - 15/hour (depending on experience) plus an employee benefits package that includes medical insurance, paid time off, and commuter incentives. We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. -- Emily Thompson Summerhays Director of Shop Operations Boise Bicycle Project 1027 S. Lusk Street Boise, Idaho 83702 208.429.6520 boisebicycleproject.org https://youtu.be/D-v5vS-03gk?t=8s

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Tips for Building a Bike Blender?
by Saint deRoche 14 Aug '18

14 Aug '18

Hi Aida, I've built a few. My family ran a little bike pedaled smoothy biz briefly. Sweetpedals.com I use a standard rack, with a front hub, connected to a roller skate wheel. I use Oster brand blenders, don't think that part matters but I got several from the 70's for cheap. The thing for us is that we needed to have multiple blender canister that fit the base. I'll try to attach some pictures. Let me know if I can answer any thing. Much love from Philly Ry

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Tips for Building a Bike Blender?
by Stuart Nottingham 14 Aug '18

14 Aug '18

Aida, I found this on one of my favorite "Maker" sites. I haven't built it, but judging from the comments it is workable. https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-create-a-human-powered-bike-blender…

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Re: [TheThinkTank] bike blender - Green Action Centre
by Ian Wassink 13 Aug '18

13 Aug '18

Contact Green Action Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They have a bike blender that is used for events to make smoothies and such. info(a)greenactioncentre.ca Ian Wassink The Greasy Chain Portage la Prairie, Manitoba ianwassink(a)gmail.com > On Aug 12, 2018, at 3:04 PM, 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. Tips for Building a Bike Blender? (Aida Mas Baghaie) > <mime-attachment> > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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Tips for Building a Bike Blender?
by Aida Mas Baghaie 12 Aug '18

12 Aug '18

Hey bike buds, So, it turns out people love bike blenders, and over the last couple weeks we've had a bunch of requests for them at the Mechanical Gardens. Have you made a bike blender? What worked and what didn't? We're looking to build something simple and functional, preferably with no/minimal welding. Any recommendations, instructions, and/or photos would be much appreciated! Thanks! aida P.S. We built the outdoor repair stand and are just adding some finishing touches. Once it's done, I'll make a folder with the photos y'all sent me and share it!

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OT: Milwaukee, where ya at?
by Josh Bisker 10 Aug '18

10 Aug '18

Who's in Milwaukee? I'm coming your way in a few weeks with a play and want to say hi. Josh Bisker 914-500-9890 New York Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op <http://bikecoop.nyc/> 596 Acres <http://596acres.org/> Bindlestiff Family Cirkus <http://bindlestiff.org/>

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TheThinkTank August 2018