- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] Buying Bulk
by Bob Giordano 14 Mar '08

14 Mar '08

The easiest for Free Cycles is to place an order about once every 2 months with one of our local retail shops. One shop gives us their bulk rate, the other bulk plus 10%. They call us when the order comes in and we write them a check. I like it because we do not have to worry about being at the shop when the order comes in and we support the local shops (or rather they get to support us). We usually order some tools, patches, lube and grease. The only 'part' we order new is cables and housing. The one other part we are usually short on is 27" tires. Lots of people go and buy new ones. I'm interested in the ideas floating on this list though... -Bob g. free cycles missoula.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] patch kits
by Bob Giordano 14 Mar '08

14 Mar '08

Free cycles keeps one 8oz can of rema glue at the flat tire repair station, and one tucked away in a cabinet. We keep the public can about 1/5 full- never much more. This way people use less glue, and if the top is left off we do not lose much glue. troy neiman wrote: > Large 8 oz can of Rema glue with built in brush on applicator, retail > about $10-$12 (this is by far the best value if you remember to screw the > cap on every night. can do thousands of patches.) -- Bob Giordano Free Cycles Missoula

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good comments on bad idea to create a distribution center for co-op new goods
by Andrew Stepnick 14 Mar '08

14 Mar '08

thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org wrote: Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to thethinktank(a)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)bikecollectives.org You can reach the person managing the list at thethinktank-owner(a)bikecollectives.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." Today's Topics: 1. using the bicycle kitchen's POS system? was :Electronic Tracking (andrewsawtelle(a)riseup.net) 2. Re: Random Thought: Creating a bicycle parts/tools distributor for Community Bike Shops. (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) 3. Re: Random Thought: Creating a bicycle parts/tools distributor for Community Bike Shops. (Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, Inc.) 4. Re: Random Thought: Creating a bicycle parts/tools distributor for Community Bike Shops. (Stuart O Anderson) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:03:53 -0400 (EDT) From: andrewsawtelle(a)riseup.net Subject: [TheThinkTank] using the bicycle kitchen's POS system? was :Electronic Tracking To: "The Think Tank" Cc: kitchen(a)bicyclekitchen.com Message-ID: <1386.127.0.0.1.1205384633.squirrel(a)tern.riseup.net> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 Yeah, at bikebike in Pittsburgh back in August Josh Moody from the LA Bike Kitchen was talking about their whole POS system and how they could probably make it available to people who want to use it. I've CCed their main contact email so maybe they'll let us know. Andrew Recycle-A-Bike, Providence RI http://www.recycleabike.org Velocipede Bike Project wrote: > This is convenient because we at velocipede are at the same point. I know > that the bike kitchen said they would send out they're software at bike > bike, but I haven't heard back from them....is anyone from the bike > kitchen(in LA) on this list? > > -beth > velocipede bike project > Baltimore, MD > >> I know that this has been discussed before but I didn't see what I was >> specifically looking for in the archives. We are growing faster than >> our paperwork can keep up and are in need of a better system for >> tracking both inventory/bikes-in/bikes-out/donations type stuff as >> well as Work-Trade volunteer hours. I know that there is mention of >> developing a "community bike software suite", does anyone know where >> at in development that is? From what I saw in the archives, some >> places do have databases set up for tracking this stuff, is there any >> chance that could be shared as a template with the wider community? >> Thanks, Andrew >> FM Community Bicycle Workshop >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:53:10 -0600 From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Random Thought: Creating a bicycle parts/tools distributor for Community Bike Shops. To: "The Think Tank" Message-ID: <53e5a1720803130653r7a38184awd6e60449603919df(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" i love the idea. what about creating some sort of blanket national/international organization/club/something that community bike shops could belong to, and then creating accounts for that group, the members of which would then reap the benefits? i dunno how chain stores--rei, performance, etc--get their accounts set up, but surely every brick and mortar store that is a part of a chain doesn't have to go thru the hassle of getting an account set up? i also love that jonathan called grease "wearable." it certainly is at community cycles... there was some talk of this at bikebike! in 07, perhaps we should get a discussion group going, and have a workshop about it in 08? On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 9:41 PM, Vyki Englert wrote: > Love the idea, if there is a shop willing to set themselves up as a > distributor, I'm sure the kickstand would be interested in being on the > distribution list. > We are still so very new, I doubt we could set ourselves up for that > position. Though down the road, I'm sure we would be able to help alot > more. > -vyki > > > On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 9:59 PM, 1304bikes <1304bikes(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > I really like this idea as well, mainly because we here at 1304bikes > > fall into the not established enough to get a distributor account. This > > means we usually have to pay retail prices for anything we happen to need. > > A lot of the local bike shops to give us a nice discount, but we still pay > > some markup on wholesale. > > > > I agree with option 2, that it is worth doing. I'm just not sure how > > one would go about doing so; but i certainly love the idea. > > > > -Doug > > 1304bikes > > Raleigh, NC > > > > On 3/12/08, Jonathan Morrison wrote: > > > > > Distributors ( > > > http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Distributors) are > > > just the middle men separating manufacturers from retailers. Just like food > > > cooperatives that buy in bulk and disseminate food at bulk rates, we could > > > do that with bike parts. For those of us that buy using distributors it > > > would save an roughly 25% off of wholesale, and for those community bike > > > shops that aren't established enough to get a distributor account -- we > > > would be providing an option that is 75% off of MSRP. > > > > > > Ideally we would get accounts with tool manufacturers like park tool, > > > pedros, hozan, etc.,... as well as wearable items like grease, bearing, > > > chain lube, patch manufacturers, and then lower-end (but quality) parts > > > manufacturers for things that we don't get enough of donated, or that aren't > > > worth re-using. This will be different for each shop, but as an example in > > > SLC we don't re-use bearings, spokes, cables or housing -- they get recycled > > > and we put new ones on bikes. We also buy new road tires (27" & 700c) > > > because we don't have enough decent ones donated, either they are too worn > > > or dried out. > > > > > > I can think of 2 conclusions: > > > > > > 1) It isn't worth doing. The 25% cut a distributor gets is worth > > > paying given the hassle and it is just another random thought that might > > > result in spending $5 to save $3. > > > 2) It is worth doing. > > > > > > -- > > > Sincerely, > > > > > > Jonathan Morrison > > > Executive Director > > > Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective > > > 2312 S. West Temple > > > Salt Lake City, UT 84115 > > > w: 801-328-2453 > > > c: 801-688-0183 > > > f: 801-466-3856 > > > www.slcbikecollective.org > > > > > > Get Addicted to Crank! > > > http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Thethinktank mailing list > > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > 1304bikes > > 2419 Mayview Rd. > > Raleigh, NC > > 1304bikes.org > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > > -- > Vyki Englert > "sprocket" acting Director of operations > Member Board of Directors > Gainesville Community Bicycle Project, Inc "the Kickstand" > 722 South Main Street Gainesville Fl 32601 > www.thekickstand.org > vyki.englert(a)thekickstand.org > 850.819.8808 > > 'every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist > the black flag, and begin slitting throats.' --h.l. mencken > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >

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Reminder! Open House Saturday
by Community Bicycle Shop Omaha 13 Mar '08

13 Mar '08

Please come out to see us this Saturday during our open house from 5 - 7 pm at 525 N 33rd! We look forward to sharing with you all of our accomplishments and what's in store for the shop in 2008. We also welcome you to bring your ideas for what you would like to see happen at the shop – just as we welcome your friends who would like to learn more. See you soon! Your friends at the Community Bike Shop

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bike storage ideas
by Mark Rehder 13 Mar '08

13 Mar '08

Hi all, I'm sure talk about storing excess bikes has come up, but I haven't been able find any messages of such using the search function, and there strangely doesn't seem to be anything on the wiki. We're about to move our shop into a new space, and with its high ceiling there's room to build a perimeter mezzanine level for storing extra bikes and other stuff. Some of us are a bit nervous about having one built of wood (resuming building code allows), and are instead thinking of buying a custom steel set-up(expensive!), or keeping the bikes on the floor (taking away room for other things) or outside in a container (not doable at the new location). I'm still into the mezzanine idea, as is one of the other members. I'm wondering what other shops have done for their storage needs. Cheers, Mark Rehder - Director http://re-cycles.ca

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Re: [TheThinkTank] patch kits
by troy neiman 12 Mar '08

12 Mar '08

I agree that if you can you should definitely get your own account with a distributor if you can but if you are at all running your shop "underground" you may just talk to your local bike shop which hopefully can give you a good price but even at retail the price is worth buying in bulk I highly recommend getting the Rema patches rather that the cheaper generic products as they are cheaper for a reason and usually don't work well at all. here are some prices and products through QBP which is a very common distributor for shops to have. 25mm Rema patches, Box of 100. retail for approx. $14-$18. (the smaller 16mm patches are less useful and for some reason more expensive by $5) 5 gram tube of Rema glue, retail for about $2.50-$3each Large 8 oz can of Rema glue with built in brush on applicator, retail about $10-$12 (this is by far the best value if you remember to screw the cap on every night. can do thousands of patches.) hope that helps Troy Bicas, Tucson, AZ > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "yellow bike" <austinyellowbike(a)gmail.com> > To: info(a)re-cycles.ca, "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] patch kits > Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:55:06 -0500 > > > I recommend that everyone running a community bike shop should set up a > wholesale account with one of the suppliers around the country and do their > ordering that way. You can buy bulk patches and glue, plus all your other > supplies (tools, grease, tubers, parts, etc.) for much cheaper this way. > > We have an account with Seattle Bike Supply. I didn't set it up, but I > don't think it's that big a deal to do. Other suppliers like Quality and > J&B have higher end stuff which most community bike shops don't necessarily > need, but may be worth checking into as well. > > Good luck - > > Jennifer Schaffer > Austin Yellow Bike Project > > On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 3:26 PM, info(a)re-cycles.ca <info(a)re-cycles.ca> > wrote: > > > I have ordered bulk patches from various (Canadian) distributors before > > (be careful though as they are often the large round ones, i.e. about > > 1.5" in diameter). The glue I buy in jars from hardware stores. > > > > Chris > > > > --- "Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, Inc." > > <urbanbikeproject(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Where do you guys/gals purchase patches and tube glue? The only > > > thing > > > readily available to us is individual patch kits. There is always > > > more glue > > > left over than there are patches (waste) and there are always patches > > > that > > > are unnecessarily huge. Are there bulk kits available and what do > > > you all > > > use? > > > > > > Thanks for your help, > > > Brian > > > > > > -- > > > Urban Bike Project of Wilmington > > > 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the > > > building) > > > Wilmington, DE 19801 > > > > > > Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org > > > > > > > > Chris Wells > > (Head Mechanic & Email Handler) > > > > re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op > > 112 Nelson St. Ottawa > > > > Open 6pm-9pm Tuesdays & Thursdays > > > > info(a)re-cycles.ca > > http://www.re-cycles.ca/ > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > -- > Web Servant > Austin's Yellow Bike | www.austinyellowbike.org > > "Be the change you would like to see in the world." - Gandhi > "Keep Cycling: it is Undoubtedly the Best form of Activism there is." > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Want an e-mail address like mine? Get a free e-mail account today at www.mail.com!

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patch kits
by Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, Inc. 12 Mar '08

12 Mar '08

Where do you guys/gals purchase patches and tube glue? The only thing readily available to us is individual patch kits. There is always more glue left over than there are patches (waste) and there are always patches that are unnecessarily huge. Are there bulk kits available and what do you all use? Thanks for your help, Brian -- Urban Bike Project of Wilmington 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19801 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

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Electronic Tracking.
by plan_9＠riseup.net 12 Mar '08

12 Mar '08

I know that this has been discussed before but I didn't see what I was specifically looking for in the archives. We are growing faster than our paperwork can keep up and are in need of a better system for tracking both inventory/bikes-in/bikes-out/donations type stuff as well as Work-Trade volunteer hours. I know that there is mention of developing a "community bike software suite", does anyone know where at in development that is? From what I saw in the archives, some places do have databases set up for tracking this stuff, is there any chance that could be shared as a template with the wider community? Thanks, Andrew FM Community Bicycle Workshop

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 19, Issue 7
by mike eng 09 Mar '08

09 Mar '08

Derek, I may be stating the obvious, but a good organization to start with would be Plan B: http://www.bikeproject.org/ On Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 9:50 PM, <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org> wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)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)bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. NOLA and back (Derek Dunham) > 2. suicide brake levers into diy tire levers...need pics and/or > plans... (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > 3. Re: suicide brake levers into diy tire levers...need pics > and/or plans... (Julian Beldotti) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 02:08:42 -0500 > From: "Derek Dunham" <dsdunham82(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] NOLA and back > To: "Derek Dunham" <dsdunham82(a)gmail.com> > Message-ID: > <92c1e0310803032308o1c0f155dp7e10fe467cd69b53(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hello All > > My name is Derek Dunham and I am both an activist and a cyclist. My > birthday > falls on August 29th, the day hurricane katrina touched down in New > Orleans. > Ever since then I have felt a drive to get down there and help, but I had > not been able to yet. > > Skybus has tickets from Greensboro, NC to New Orleans, LA for only 40 > dollars. I want to fly, and then either ship a bike to myself, or acquire > one while I am there, possibly through a collective. There are a couple in > the city. Ideal situation would be to have one waiting for me so I could > have transportation while I am there, but I am seeking a touring bike, > because when I leave, I want to pedal back. > > I don't yet know exactly how I am going to help, or what organization, if > any, I will work through. I would love to get involved with Brad Pitt's > project, but I don't even know if that would be possible. I also really > want > to look into getting my ride back sponsored somehow. I would like to be > able > to make money for the causes I work with as well as help them while I'm > there. If anyone has any suggestions or advice as to how I might be able > to > pull this off, I'd really appreciate it. > > -- > Derek Dunham >

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suicide brake levers into diy tire levers...need pics and/or plans...
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 08 Mar '08

08 Mar '08

i don't remember where i heard about this idea, but someone told me about them, and i'd love to make some. basically, one removes "suicide" or flat brake levers from a (lower end) road bike/ten speed, and somehow grinds/cuts/bends them into the correct shape/etc to be used as tire levers. anyone know where there are pics of these, or directions or plans for these? thanks! josh.

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