- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Bike shop in Everett, WA hiring Exec. Director
by Kristin Kinnamon 23 Oct '24

23 Oct '24

Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop seeks a qualified and entrepreneurial executive director to lead our established nonprofit in Everett, WA. You do not need to be a bike mechanic to excel at this job. You will be focused on the community part of our organization. The new executive director will help develop and solidify our funding, programs and partnerships with the goal of moving to more suitable space in the next 1-2 years. You will partner with an engaged board of directors, supervise a full-time shop manager, and ensure our programs and finances serve our mission and vision: Keeping People and Bikes Moving in a Snohomish County where anyone can ride, fix or recycle a bicycle. This is a half-time job with flexible schedule and a variety of benefits. Read the job post on our website. <https://sharingwheels.org/about_sharing_wheels/job-openings/> Kristin Kinnamon Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, board member McClinchy Camano Classic Century, coordinator 2024 B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County, member 425-923-7868 (personal cell)

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BIKEBIKE! 2025
by BiciBici 24 Sep '24

24 Sep '24

Hola amigxs del pedal, colectividades e individualidades, Les escribimos de manera afectuosa para compartirles que andamos reviviendo y que nunca hemos dejado de pensar en organizar el Bike Bike en Ciudad de México, pero después de lo que significó la pandemia y el contexto actual en el mundo había sido complejo retomar la organización. Sabemos que han pasado 5 años del último encuentro, pero queremos decirles con mucha emoción que estamos poniendo todos nuestros esfuerzos para que BikeBike! Ciudad de México suceda en las últimas semanas de marzo 2025. En las próximas semanas tendrán más información al respecto, por lo pronto anótenlo en sus calendarios. ¡Abrazos! Pedalea y Resiste Cómite organizativo Bikebike! 2025, Ciudad de México.bikebike(a)riseup.net Hello everyone, bike collectives and community bike friends, We are writing to share an exciting announcement with you. We are starting up organizing a Bike!Bike! gathering in Mexico City for 2025. We have never stopped thinking about organizing the Bike!Bike! in Mexico City but both the pandemic´s impact and the current global context had put a damper on our earnest organizing efforts. We know that it has been 5 years since the last gathering, but we want to tell you with great excitement that we are putting all our efforts into making BikeBike! Mexico City possible in the last weeks of March 2025. In the coming weeks we'll share more details but for now, make sure to mark those last weeks of March in your calendars for Bike!Bike! in Mexico City. Big hugs, Pedalea y Resiste (Get Pedaling and Resist) Bike!Bike! 2025 Mexico City Organizing Committee bikebike(a)riseup.net

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Stuff I've Learned Recently
by cyclista＠inventati.org 20 Sep '24

20 Sep '24

This one I actually figured out awhile ago: - For accessing those 18mm ebike axlenuts on axles with power cables running out of them, and which often having a bash guard also on the axle: FLARE NUT WRENCH. Sockets won't work because electrical cable, box ends won't work because same, and the open end of a combo wrench is most often TOO FAT around its jaws to fit inside the bars of the bash guard or in the recess of the dropout. A flare nut wrench has the clearance of a box end, with the ability to allow passage for the cable that an open end would have. A trick that I'd like to try would be to *make* a flare nut wrench from the box end of a combination wrench by grinding an opening into it. I think it'd have to be one of the older box ends that's just a hex inside though, the newer kinds that are more fully castellated inside for multi-positioning on the nut would probably end up being too structurally weak if you cut a slot in them. And then this one, imparted to me by another mechanic just last week: - In an emergency, you can re-size a larger diameter innertube into a smaller one by tucking the tube inside itself until the desired diameter is reached. This has been dubbed "the foreskin technique" (gross, but appropriate). It's important to leave the tube airless until it has been fit into the tire and the beads are in place. Even though the resulting tube has imbalanced weight from being double-thick where it overlaps itself, once inflated it works well enough that you might not even know the difference riding it. ~cyclista Nicholas

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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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