- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Youth Bike Summit--Early Bird registration through April 26!
by Kim Schaffer 19 Aug '24

19 Aug '24

Hi all! The 2024 Youth Bike Summit is shaping up to be a fantastic event, and we'd love to have you join us in Allentown this summer. Here are details! Please let me know if you have questions- Kim Calling all youth cyclists! Grab your helmets and head to the Lehigh Valley, PA, for the 2024 Youth Bike Summit, June 14-16 YBS2024 will bring together up to 400 youth riders and their adult advocates from across the country for three days of workshops and rides, all designed to help youth lead through the power of the bicycle. The theme of YBS2024 is Youth Lead the Way, with a focus on youth who have historically been excluded from cycling. YBS2024 will kick off on Friday evening with a welcome reception at races at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome. Saturday will offer a full day of classroom- and ride-based workshops, and will include opportunities for attendees to Try the Track at the Velodrome or participate in a Bikes & Boating adventure. YBS2024 will culminate on Sunday with a Big Ride that will take attendees through Allentown, along the historic D&L trail, and to Bethlehem's iconic SteelStacks. The Youth Bike Summit is led by the National Youth Bike Council and the YBS steering committee, which includes youth bike advocates from across the country. Community Bike Works, a Lehigh Valley-based Earn a Bike organization, will host YBS2024. "YBS fosters connections among youth and adults who are passionate about youth cycling, while it also helps to build leadership skills of students who are the future of our cycling community," said Joshua Funches, President of NYBC. "The Youth Bike Summit is a magical, life-changing gathering for young people who love bikes," CBW Youth Projects Coordinator Avery Daniels said. "This is the 10th Youth Bike Summit and the most authentically youth-led YBS to date. We are so excited to welcome everyone to YBS2024. Come ride with us this June!" The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape, and THE LINK trail network have combined for lead sponsorship of the event. National sponsors include Outride, SRAM, The League of American Bicyclists, Sun Bicycles, and Lees-McRae College - Cycling Studies Minor. Local and Regional sponsors include PPL, The Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, County of Northampton, the City of Allentown, the Nurture Nature Center, Capital Blue Cross, Discover Lehigh Valley(r), County of Lehigh, Fox & Roach/Trident Charities, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Piscitello Bicycle Law, PNC Bank, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission/Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, and Invest in Women Entrepreneurs. Details on YBS 2024 are available at https://communitybikeworks.org/youth-bike-summit-2024. Early bird registration for the three-day event-including four meals-runs through April 26 is just $80 for youth 24 and under, and $130 for adults over 24. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-youth-bike-summit-tickets-748892747367 ******************************* Kim Schaffer, Executive Director Community Bike Works www.communitybikeworks.org cell: 484.554.8971

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"Stuff I've Learned Recently"
by Jim Sheehan 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

- Aluminum foil (crushed lightly and dipped in water) is the best method for cleaning chrome: cheaper, faster, less abrasive than steel wool, and recyclable. Just wear gloves, wipe the brown drips off promptly with a thick, clean, cotton rag, and polish lightly with oil. - Stuck seatposts usually are due to a missing -- or old, ineffective grease barrier between the steel tube and aluminum post. If you *do not try to loosen it by flooding it with oil products first,* there is a much better chance that the ammonia soaking trick will work, since it will be able to seep into the spaces where oil would have already sealed the less viscous ammonia away from contact. Be sure to fill the post to overflowing, and give it at least a few days to sit. Looking forward to other contributions here! Peace, Jim Jim Sheehan Executive Director Ohio City Bicycle Co-op 1779 Merwin St Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216 830 2667 OhioCityCycles.org jim(a)ohiocitycycles.org

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new topic series: "Stuff I've Learned Recently"
by cyclista＠inventati.org 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

I've decided to start a new series here that I'll call "Stuff I've Learned Recently". The intention is to share exactly that. I often find solutions to problems, or simply learn something new about bicycles, bicycle mechanics, or running a community bike shop. In the case where this knowledge may be arcane or even unique, I often think it's a shame that these techniques and perspectives may be lost. I've considered doing a YouTube channel, but that's more effort than I have to spare. I'm fond of this list and what it represents, so perhaps it can be useful here. No promises on the frequency of posts in this series. They will happen as often as I experience revelations. Many of these bits of knowledge may be already understood by some, but unless most of you already know these things, please try to refrain from "I already knew that" replies. I'll be sure to only post things which I think most readers will benefit from. I'm sure these posts will impress some readers, while impressing upon others exactly how much I hadn't already known. This is okay. Mostly this is a way of speaking what probably otherwise would be unspoken. Other are encouraged to contribute their own entries to this series - but please title them all the same (Stuff I've Learned Recently) for easy searching. To kick off the series, here are the first entries: - High pressure tires (with tubes) require high pressure rim strips. If a common rubber rim strip is used with a deep-v rim, the tube may herniate into the spoke holes even if the rim strip is in good condition and properly centered. There may not even be a tear or rupture in the rim strip itself at the point where the blowout occurred; the tube can simply push the rim strip aside as it bulges into the hole and ruptures. So make sure those road tires get cloth or thick plastic rim strips! - Replacing a broken spoke doesn't always have to mean removing the tube and tire. If the spoke breaks at the flange, you can simply unthread it from the spoke nipple and thread the new one back in without ever removing the tube or tire. - Some e-bike hubmotors feature freewheels whose inner castellations (for interfacing with the socket) are very deep, requiring a very long socket. In some cases the depth may make the castellations difficult to see, making it seem that the freewheel wasn't intended to be removed, similar to some department store kids' BMX sprockets that ship with no castellations at all. However, the castellations are usually present, and a Park FR 1.3 socket will reach them most of the time. The socket may need to be reamed progressively with a large stepper bit at the hexagonal end in order for the connector of the motor control/power cable to pass through. There are also direct-from-china sockets that are especially long that can work, but they also may need to be reamed. - This one's an old revelation, but nobody but me seems to have discovered it, so I'll document it now: When applying torque with a pipe wrench to a seized seatpost to turn it, in cases of extreme seizure the force applied to the jaws will crush and tear the post itself away from the frame, rendering the post inaccessible. This crushing can be prevented by cutting off the seatpost two or three inches above the frame, and stuffing the hollow center with a solid iron rod of the appropriate diameter. As the seatpost is tempted to buckle under the torque of the wrench jaws, instead it braces against the iron core such that greater force can be applied. I have alternately used chisels, rebar, punches, and various bits of scrap metal to stuff seatposts with the appropriate diameter of rod in the past. - This one's also old: some innertube punctures only leak at high pressure, and my not leak at all when inflated and listened for, or placed under water. Outside of a tire, innertubes can only reach relatively low pressures when inflated before completely exploding. Thats about all I can think of for now. Cheers! I hope this was interesting or useful, or both! ~cyclista Nicholas

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Fabricate a walker from bike parts?
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 29 Jul '24

29 Jul '24

Our collective, Positive Spin, has received the request below. I know there are some members with good fabrication experience on this list. Has anyone worked on a similar project, have design plans that would fit these specifications, or advice on how to proceed? Greetings: I'm writing to you in hopes that you might be able to literally help me save my life. Between some bad genetics and acquired injuries I'm currently not able to walk in any meaningful way. Some little bit during physical therapy. I've lost significant muscle mass and things are getting worse. I'm a tall person 201cm (6'7") before the accident wherein my spine suffered a compression injury I'm now 196cm (6'5"). This injury also caused lymphedema in both legs so my weight can vary by hundreds of pounds from 165kg -320kg (360# -700#). Walking and bicycling helps control the lymphedema immensely. I've given much thought to what I need and what I want. A doctor friend asked me what I was wanting and I'm going to incorporate my response to him in this letter as I believe it provides a very good idea of what I'm wanting and a bicycle repair shop would be just the place to make this happen. Upfront I'm not currently working I'm on a fixed disability income so I need to keep costs as low as possible; on the other hand we are talking about regaining my life versus dying slowly so I'll find a way to meet the financial requirements to make this happen. What I want to build: I want to build a walker. Because of my injuries and loss of muscle mass a traditional walker can't be used and a wheelchair or powerscooter won't help me walk again or build muscle mass. Kind of a side by side bicycle with step through (girls) frame, 4 wheels (two in front and two rear) but relatively close together (like a wheelchair it needs to fit through doors). A bench seat is preferred but if I must use a bicycle seat I'm going to get a Hobson Pro. Either way the seat will need to be low enough as to be out of the way when walking but there should a my hip or back fail and I drop. Needs to be high enough that I can continue to "walk" even while seated. I also want front and rear brakes as this is WV and we have steep hills. I want some method of locking the wheels so the walker won't roll about while I'm mounting or dismounting. Some place to carry my crutches would be great as would a cargo area (basket, underseat???) and water bottle cage (couple 2 liter bottles). I'm thinking BMX sized fat tires (idk 16" - 20") so I can go in the grass as well as sidewalks and buildings. I believe at its widest it should be no more than 32" and likely no longer than 54", maybe less, as it will also need to fit into elevators and exam rooms. That step through frame will need to be narrow to accommodate a normal leg spread with normal gait and stride (may require a bit of tube [frame] bending or cutting and welding). It will also need to be quite strong to accommodate my weight and my falling weight should my hip or back fail and I take an uncontrolled seat. An alternative to the narrow central frame might be a frame that I stand between. My illustration shows both ideas. Speaking from an engineering stand point I've no idea which would be stronger. To be honest one luxury option I'd like to be able to put on it would be the ability to turn the seat sideways so I could cook at a stove or work in my garden or in my workshop. This walker would immediately release me from the forced captivity in which I'm trapped. Help me regain muscle mass. Help me recover my physical health. Do activities I love and miss and it could even get me back to work. I most sincerely hope that you are willing and able to help. Thank you,

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Phoenix Bikes Hiring an Executive Director
by Emily Gage 08 Jul '24

08 Jul '24

Hi Everyone, Phoenix Bikes is hiring for our next Executive Director. If you know of anyone who might be a good fit, please encourage them to apply! *Job Title: *Executive Director *Organization:* Phoenix Bikes *Location: *Arlington, VA *Salary: *$75,000 - $90,000 *Details*: See Indeed posting <https://www.indeed.com/job/executive-director-317821f41b17d690?_gl=1*1ali10….>. Applications will be accepted through July 19. It's been a fun (and challenging!) position the last 5+ years for me, and I'd love to hand the reins (handlebars?) off to an incredible leader to take the organization forward! Cheers, Emily _________________ [image: Phoenix Bikes] <https://www.phoenixbikes.org/> *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes www.phoenixbikes.org | emily(a)phoenixbikes.org [image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 <https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%202…> [image: icon] (703) 346-0035

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recommendations for filing federal taxes (990/ez) online
by Matthew Pendergraft 02 Jul '24

02 Jul '24

Dear Think Tank - It seems we can no longer file our federal taxes by mail and must e-file / file online. Do you file your federal taxes online, like a 990 or 990-EZ? What website do you use/recommend to file online? For California orgs - the state filing seems easier, still allowing you/us to simply fill, print, and mail-in the forms. But if you have any suggestions there, I'd be happy to hear. Thank you in advance. -Matt Bikes del Pueblo, San Diego - Kumeyaay land

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Donation History?
by Andy Ballentine 27 Jun '24

27 Jun '24

Hello, everyone -- Our operation, the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg (Virginia) is nearly three years old. We receive donated bicycles, refurbish them, and sell them or (mostly!) give them away. We've been amazed at the number of bikes we receive! We've tracked the months when donations have been heavier (like early spring) and when they've been less so (like the winter months), but the donation stream has been surprisingly strong ever since we opened. I have a question for others who receive bicycles by donation, and who have been in operation longer than we have. Does the time come when donations slow down? We're wanting to plan for that, if there's any way we can expect what might happen in the future. Thanks! Andy Ballentine

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krakow
by Chana 18 Jun '24

18 Jun '24

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Kids book about cyclofeminism - in French
by Gabrielle Anctil 14 Jun '24

14 Jun '24

Hey y'all, Just letting you know that this Montreal bike activist has just published a kids book about cyclo-feminism. It tells the story of Claire (inspired by Claire Morissette, an influencial montreal bike activist from the 70s) who, with the help of her new friend Katherine (Kitty Knox), learns to bike to school. It's about solidarity and the slippery slope of cycling which can turn you into an activist without you even noticing HEHEHE. My publisher also produced a printable poster which is available for free - it explains some basic rules of the road for kids who learn to bike. You can find both info about the book + the poster here: https://editionskata.com/produit/claire-a-velo-la-tete-dans-le-guidon/ (for the poster you need to scroll to the bottom of the page, section "Outils disponibles pour aller plus loin"). If any of you knows of a kids book publisher who might be interested in buying the rights and translating it into English or Spanish or any other language, feel free to forward them this email. Have a good day! -- Gabrielle Anctil gabrielleanctil.com <https://www.gabrielleanctil.com/>

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Riding More with Less
by Sam Tracy 12 Jun '24

12 Jun '24

Hello ThinkTank, Greetings! Hope you're well. I wanted to let people know about my new book *Riding More with Less*, published 1/23/24 by PM Press. It focuses on resourceful approaches towards fixing the bikes people actually ride, giving space to topics including how to break rust, knowing when it's safe to reuse parts, and more broadly to the many older technologies still in common use. Best of all, the book also features technical insights and commentary from volunteers and mechanics at 34 community bike shops across 4 countries. Great to encounter so many insightful people, through this project -- I learnt a lot, and as I hope you'll agree their voices add quite a bit. Background: I began working as a mechanic in bike shops in 1994, and this is my fourth bike repair manual. It's the second one that I've done with PM Press. More info can be found at the publisher's website here: https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1543 Question: I'll be visiting family in the Boston/Cambridge area the second and third weeks of July, and I'm hoping to set up some book events. Would anyone know people at community shops out there whom I might ask about this? Thanks, Sam Tracy

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