- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Bike!Bike! 2014 Registration Now Open!
by Reda Ashour 23 Aug '14

23 Aug '14

Bike!Bike! 2014 You are invited to Columbus, Ohio to participate in Bike!Bike! <http://bikebike.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2e6eb7bc8fad466ecdbdbe7ed…> 2014: an annual international conference of non-profit bike collectives, DIY repair shops, and other bike advocacy projects networking and workshopping ways to make our communities better and make transportation by bicycles easier, safer, and more fun!. Third Hand Bicycle Co-op <http://bikebike.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2e6eb7bc8fad466ecdbdbe7ed…>will host the event over four days, *Thursday, August 28th through Sunday, August 31st.* What can you expect when attending the annual Bike!Bike! conference? Community bike projects from all over the continent (and some from beyond) convening to share how they’ve grown, gain new skills, and learn from each other’s experiences. All weekend Third Hand will host workshops, bike rides, social events, meals and more! This year's Bike!Bike! will be the most fun one yet. Experience true midwestern heart and explore Columbus by bicycle with us! Post Bike!BIke! we will be hosting a bicycle tour on September 1st (Labor Day, you have the day off, right?). We'll ride the leisurely, mostly bike path, 55 miles to Yellow Springs, OH, camp out, and return Wednesday, September 3rd. Find out more about Bike!Bike! and register at BIKEBIKE.ORG <http://bikebike.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2e6eb7bc8fad466ecdbdbe7ed…> Want to host a workshop at Bike!Bike!? Workshops vary each year but tend to sit within the framework of structural organization, mechanics, social change, and anti oppression strategies on the scale of the bike shop, the neighborhood, the city and other related networks. You don’t need to be an expert on the topic of a workshop, but must be willing and prepared to facilitate a discussion among participants. Please sign up to host a workshop on the bikebike.org website. Like Bike!Bike! on Facebook <http://bikebike.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2e6eb7bc8fad466ecdbdbe7ed…> to find out about the latest happenings and join the events! P.S. Can't wait to see y'all!

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 21 Aug '14

21 Aug '14

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 21 Aug '14

21 Aug '14

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 21 Aug '14

21 Aug '14

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

Brakes before gears is also good because while they're both cable systems operating under mostly the same simplified concept (pull the cable, something happens), the brakes are much more simple of a concept and easy to grasp for someone who's not familiar with either. On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 8:11 PM, Eric Brozell <brozells(a)verizon.net> wrote: > Christopher, > > I really like this simple idea! > > Eric > > > On 8/20/14 7:28 PM, christopher(a)holisticcycles.com wrote: > > Years ago I had a kid on a bicycle under the front end of my car lifting > my front wheels off the ground as I slid down a steep hill bouncing off the > curb. When the kid was asked why he did not stop at the intersection, he > replied that he had only had time to fix the gears before a test ride. For > years I would kidnap a youths bike if it did not have brakes, I would > install the brake for free, and tell him about the kid that was under my > car and I would not not let another kid end up under there as long as I had > the skills to do something about it. > > My advice is teach them brake systems first. In a safe parking lot have > two kids at the same speed see who can stop more effectively, one who only > uses a front brake or only a rear brake. Physics says a object moving > forward and being pulled down by gravity will have the best braking force > from the wheel that is forward and down. Test and find out for your self > > Christopher Wallace > Holistic Cycles/ Bicycle Guild > 140 Harrison St > Oak Park, IL. 60304 > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook > From: Ron Kellis <ron.kellis(a)velocitycoop.org> > Date: Tue, August 19, 2014 6:36 pm > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > > Be sure you have thought out what your goal is. The ability to take care > of most of the basics, Air (tire, tube, wheel truing), Brakes, > Chain/cable/crank arm, derailleurs adjustment including hanger alignment in > a month class, or longer course to cover things they may not see at their > stage of learning/experience. > > A-B-C-D covers 80% of what comes through our co-op doors and I think of > it as Mech 102, 101 being righty-tighty, tool use & care, etc Take a look > at Primitive Pete for that. > > The remaining 20% is bearings/advanced and if you can do a hub, then > head sets and bottom brackets are just a variation. That can be an "add-on" > or a shadow type deal for the first couple. Then let them practice on a > shop bike. Wheel building is a separate deal, some may not be interested > plus it's a parts cost for a co-op even if it is just spokes. > > By teaching the A-B-C-D everyone learns the basics and can lean on each > other as trouble shooting becomes necessary. > > A speciality per person seems to me to be a lot to coordinate to be sure > a full team is present. > > Use the Park Book for the basics and the many videos on-line as > necessary. If possible, let the kids research some of them as a recurring > project. > > I'm former military, and for many of the skills, the idea of get the > basics taught and then let them do OJT for the more advanced tasks has > worked pretty well. Not too different from a riding class then off to do it. > > Nothing's perfect, but I do the A-B-C-D in three hours twice a month. A > & B hands on their own bike, remove/replace both wheels and break > down/reasemble the front, then patch a shop tube, C & D as mostly show and > tell, if their derailleur needs adjustment it backs up what the limiting > screws don't do. > > They leave the class able to fix a flat and if their brakes aren't > working correctly, they now have an idea why and if they don't have the > tools or find they can't quite do it on their own, they know what they want > to do when they come back. It would be easy to do A-B-C-D in 4 90 min. > classes. Spice it up with horizontal vs. vertical dropouts, mounting a rear > wheel with the vertical derailleur mount so they learn to get the wheel > straight in the stays. Coaster wheel to learn about the brake. Add in the > advanced once a quarter. Any more I tell students to set aside 6 hrs on a > Sat with nothing else on their schedule and just come back to the co-op to > be walked through it. > > Take what you can use, just my thoughts. > > I posted some stuff to the wiki, including some open source anatomy > pictures. I'll send you my syllabus/class hand-out tomorrow. > > R > > > > > On Fri, Aug 15, 2014 at 6:57 AM, Dominik Zylka <domzylka(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hello People, >> >> Our developing high school bike program in Melbourne is in need of a >> fantastic workbook for our students to utilise. Our resources are >> completely outdated and participant numbers are increasing so we need a >> resource that will keep our students developing and learning. >> >> Contents we'd love: >> - Workshop rules and procedures >> - Worksheets on all the specific processes and anatomy's >> - Activities >> - Diagrams and explanations >> - you get the idea. >> >> We understand that these resources take a heap of time and effort to >> compile and we'd be so very grateful if someone was willing to help out by >> sharing theirs. >> >> Best Regards >> >> Dominik >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> <a href=" >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe >> from this list</a> >> >> >> > ------------------------------ > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > Unsubscribe from this list > <http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…> > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…" <http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…>>Unsubscribe from this list</a> > > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > >

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Anybody ordered from PropatchInc for customized patch kits?
by Bobby Brown 19 Aug '14

19 Aug '14

At our monthly meeting last night we discussed stocking some customized patch kits branded for our co-op to sell during open shop hours or give away as needed. Propatchinc and Bicycle Promotions seem like the two best retailers online for customized patch kits but Propatch's prices are half of the other stores. Which should be awesome for those of us closely monitoring costs. Here's a link to their page with the different options available: http://propatchinc.com/category.php?id_category=15 Is it too good to be true? When ordered in bulk, the Propatch kits cost the same as Park Tool patch kits but give us the opportunity to get our brand out. Thanks, Bobby -- Bobby Brown Sopo Bicycle Cooperative Cell: 770 851 0965 bobby(a)sopobikes.org http://www.sopobikes.org Hours: Tuesday 7pm - 10pm Wednesday 7pm - 10pm Thursday 7pm - 10pm Saturday 2pm - 6pm

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Twitter Help Please
by Biker Pat 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

Hi All, We just found out that we are one of three groups looking at a $3K Donation from Primal Loft (Synthetic down material) Stl Bicycle Works is one of three youth based groups and the only kids cycling group in the running. You can vote by tweeting: "@primaloft #tweetup2getout I Vote FOR #StlBicycleWorks" I dont normally do the public voting etc thing, but we kinda got tossed into it and we are guaranteed at least $1k. Hope you can help. Patrick in STL

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Bike mechanics workbook
by Dominik Zylka 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

Hello People, Our developing high school bike program in Melbourne is in need of a fantastic workbook for our students to utilise. Our resources are completely outdated and participant numbers are increasing so we need a resource that will keep our students developing and learning. Contents we'd love: - Workshop rules and procedures - Worksheets on all the specific processes and anatomy's - Activities - Diagrams and explanations - you get the idea. We understand that these resources take a heap of time and effort to compile and we'd be so very grateful if someone was willing to help out by sharing theirs. Best Regards Dominik

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 17 Aug '14

17 Aug '14

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Bike!bike! Workshops
by Darren Knox 16 Aug '14

16 Aug '14

Hi all (esp. Columbus and Godwin), I proposed a workshop for bike bike this year and I'm wondering if there's any way to confirm that it has been accepted. I would also love to be able to see a list of workshops and edit the title/description of my workshop. Please let me know if that's a possibility. Thanks, Darren

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 15 Aug '14

15 Aug '14

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Hiring Bike Mechanic Extraordinaire
by Hub City Cycles Community Co-op 15 Aug '14

15 Aug '14

Hub City Cycles Community Co-op is on the lookout for1-2 staff members. This position requires being much more than being a bike mechanic. As an employee with our co-op, you will be part owner and have a great opportunity to explore different ways to contribute to, and build this young organization into something even better. We need someone who is willing to commit to helping us grow in the long term. We strive to be a resource that nourishes the neighborhoods in and around downtown Nanaimo. We provide affordable bicycle-centric services and advocacy which builds, empowers and supports healthy and sustainable communities. We offer a safe and welcoming space for people to learn, share skills and network with other community members. The wage for worker members is currently $15.00 an hour, plus extended health benefits. We would also be willing to entertain the possibility of offering paid training at a bike mechanic school to a promising and committed candidate. An ideal candidate will... - Have at least 2 years of bike shop experience, or demonstrate very strong bicycle industry related knowledge. -Be a graduate from a bike mechanic training institute, or be willing to attend one - Be a fantastic communicator. This is the second most important quality after actually having the technical skills to do the this job well. There are 3 other employees who work together and it is imperative that everyone is involved and informed when making important decisions about shop operations, and day to day issues - Be reliable, responsible, committed and driven. - Be incredibly organized. There is a lot going on in the shop every day we need someone who thrives in a fast paced environment, can multitask & prioritize, follow through thoroughly with tasks with little supervision, and has a high standard of quality in all that they do. - Be patient, honest and compassionate. You will be teaching people how to repair bikes and interacting with customers all day in our small space. - Be passionate about bikes, riding them, fixing them, teaching people how to fix them and putting willing bums in saddles as much as possible If this sounds like you, please send us a resume and tell us why you'd like to work with us and what you can contribute to our operation. <http://www.facebook.com/hubcitycyclescommunitycoop> -- *Hub City Cycles Community Co-op* 12 Lois Lane Nanaimo, BC 250-591-2159 www.hubcitycycles.ca www.facebook.com/hubcitycyclescommunitycoop

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anyone know of adult Learn to Ride classes in Toronto?
by sheldon mains 14 Aug '14

14 Aug '14

Just got a request from someone, asking if we had any classes there (While many people in the US think Minnesota is or should be a part of Canada, this person did know we were not) ;-} sheldon .............. Sheldon Mains SPOKES Bike Walk Connect www.SpokesConnect.org www.fb.com/SpokesConnect Minneapolis, MN 612/618-7149 Three ways to donate to SPOKES: 1. Volunteer. 2. Donate repairable used bikes. 3. Financial donations always welcome. Check www.SpokesConnect.org for details.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 11 Aug '14

11 Aug '14

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 96, Issue 5
by Jason Tanzman 09 Aug '14

09 Aug '14

The expected practice with the IRS (in the US) is that the person who is donating an item declares its value; for items under $500 they do not need any outside appraisal, whereas they do for items valued over $500. So - in the instance of a very high end item that they felt was worth more than $500, it would need to be independently appraised. In most cases regarding items valued significantly less than that, as relative "experts" in the field I am comfortable suggesting a value for a supporter donating a bike (e.g. "I think that trek road bike could be valued at $150"). On Aug 9, 2014 4:14 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. Re: Appraising the value of a bike (mfen651(a)aol.com) > 2. Re: Appraising the value of a bike (Rick Nonnekes) > 3. Re: Appraising the value of a bike (Jim) > 4. Bike!bike! Workshops (Darren Knox) > 5. Re: Survey on starting and sustaining a bike co-op > (Falls City Community BikeWorks Community BikeWorks) > 6. Re: Survey on starting and sustaining a bike co-op (Sam Lorrimer) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2014 00:44:38 -0400 (EDT) > From: mfen651(a)aol.com > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike > Message-ID: <8D181A3C2168618-150C-A2A7(a)webmail-m235.sysops.aol.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Okay, perhaps I need to write more exactly, or perhaps readers need to be > more open and less judgmental of others who participate. > > The question was about valuing a unique item. The inference was that the > party in possession placed an extreme value on it. > > The statement was clear that it had no knowledge of how to value the item > in question. > > My suggestion took into account the many people that "donate" items. I > can suggest hundreds of reasons people donate beyond the ones put forth by > those of you negatively reflecting on my comment. > > There is a difference between people who bring in a bike (or any item) for > "donation" and leave it, and those that "donate" in exchange for a receipt > "for value" with the intention of taking a tax deduction. > > I'm not going to address the differences, because they should be clear, > but if they are not, then its not for me to teach. > > I never said people are greedy, but experience has taught me that if they > are seeking a receipt "for value", and are assigned a lower than their > estimated value they will show their displeasure. > > I'm sure my response to the two comments of negativity will bring more > negative responses. Save your time and energy. My comment was what it is, > and remains valid. > > The reason the taxing authorities don't want direct appraisals, is because > everything would be valued significantly below its actual value, enabling > the vendor to earn copious ill gotten gains at the expense of the one who > donated it. > > If that isn't greed, I don't know what is? But then that was your > comments, not mine. > > Matt > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: sheldon mains <sheldon(a)spokesconnect.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Sent: Fri, Aug 8, 2014 3:49 pm > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike > > > I agree with Christopher. There are a lot of reasons people donate. I > find most people are not greedy. They donate because the like what the > organization does. They donate because they want their bike to "have a good > home" They donate because they can get a tax break. They donate because > they don't want to go through the hassle of selling it. They donate > because it is the easiest way to dispose of something. > > > Yes, some of the bikes we get donated are really just trash and go to our > recycler immediately. But we get some great bikes donated that can be > rehabilitated and sold or used for a community bike library or used for an > Earn-a-Bike program > > > > .............. > Sheldon Mains > SPOKES Bike Walk Connect > www.SpokesConnect.org www.fb.com/SpokesConnect > Minneapolis, MN 612/618-7149 > Three ways to donate to SPOKES: > 1. Volunteer. 2. Donate repairable used bikes. 3. Financial donations > always welcome. Check www.SpokesConnect.org for details. > > > > > On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 11:05 PM, <christopher(a)holisticcycles.com> wrote: > > > Matt, I had a woman who donated her brothers (very nice ) bikes to me, not > because she could not sell them,, after his suicide, she just wanted a good > person to have these things. She asked me to do good with them. I did just > that for her. Not always is something donated because people can not sell > it. > Christopher Wallace > Holistic Cycles > 140 Harrison St > Oak Park, IL. 60304 > > > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike > From: mfen651(a)aol.com > Date: Thu, August 07, 2014 1:06 pm > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > Long shot here, but this is not a matter of IRS or Ministry of CD, its a > matter of market. > > I've traded in exotic cars and rare aviation artifacts for many years. > I've seen all sorts of things claimed to have all sorts of value. At the > end of the day, if its a collectable and has value, why would she be > donating it to a collective? Because she can't sell it, that's why. > > However the bottom line is what will the market pay for it? If she is > going to donate it to you, it has no value, unless she can (a) substantiate > that it is 24kt gold, note gold chrome. (b) That there is a market for it. > The last point (b) is why the IRS and Finance Ministry would both frown on > the recipient determining the value in the absence of any substantial > evidence for that value. > > Somewhere in Canada there is someone who is a purported "expert" in > bicycles and another who might likely be a metallurgist and can chemically > or otherwise verify the gold v. chrome matter. Then the "expert" should be > able to determine if there is a market for this bike regardless of gold v. > chrome. > > Good luck. Would enjoy knowing the outcome. > > Thank you > > Matt > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: sheldon mains <sheldon(a)spokesconnect.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Sent: Thu, Aug 7, 2014 3:02 pm > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike > > > > The IRS really frowns on the recipient of donated goods providing a value. > She should get it appraised herself. With the special condition, it may be > more difficult. Maybe an antique dealer would be a good bet. > > > > sheldon > > > > > > .............. > > Sheldon Mains > > SPOKES Bike Walk Connect > > www.SpokesConnect.org www.fb.com/SpokesConnect > > Minneapolis, MN 612/618-7149 > > Three ways to donate to SPOKES: > > 1. Volunteer. 2. Donate repairable used bikes. 3. Financial donations > always welcome. Check www.SpokesConnect.org for details. > > > > > > > On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:25 AM, Rick Nonnekes <rnonnekes(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > We recently had a lady bring in a bike for donation. It is an early > 1980's Rossi Columbia, custom made for her. She's adamant that it is plated > with 24k gold - looks like it too (although we're speculating on gold > coloured chrome). It's in good condition. Can anyone suggest how we can > get it appraised for value? > > > Cycle Transitions, > > Cobourg Ontario, Canada > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… > ">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > Unsubscribe from this list > > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > > > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… > ">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > > >

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Survey on starting and sustaining a bike co-op
by Ken Lanteigne 09 Aug '14

09 Aug '14

At the Columbus (Indiana) bike co-op, much of our volunteer base comes from a local corporation with facilities in sister cities around the world. We're interesting in using that volunteer base to help launch co-ops in those cities where a co-op doesn't exist. Information on bikecollectives is really helpful and we will definitely point people there. We have some specific questions about what has been successful, so we've put together a Google survey. If you have been involved with starting up a co-op, we'd love to have your input. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HN6qTormomHWw7kkS8smd_HvO_LMMgsugV-8vNtxE_… Thanks Ken Lanteigne Board President, Columbus Bike Co-op

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike
by Rick Nonnekes 07 Aug '14

07 Aug '14

Here are some pics, James. On Aug 7, 2014 5:16 PM, "James McCarthy" <nrgeeone(a)gmail.com> wrote: How about a picture or two? On Thursday, August 7, 2014, Rick Nonnekes <rnonnekes(a)gmail.com> wrote: > We recently had a lady bring in a bike for donation. It is an early > 1980's Rossi Columbia, custom made for her. She's adamant that it is plated > with 24k gold - looks like it too (although we're speculating on gold > coloured chrome). It's in good condition. Can anyone suggest how we can > get it appraised for value? > > Cycle Transitions, > Cobourg Ontario, Canada > -- Jim McCarthy cell:(401)523-5321 e-mail: NRGeeOne(a)gmail.com ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href=" http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Appraising the value of a bike
by Rick Nonnekes 07 Aug '14

07 Aug '14

We recently had a lady bring in a bike for donation. It is an early 1980's Rossi Columbia, custom made for her. She's adamant that it is plated with 24k gold - looks like it too (although we're speculating on gold coloured chrome). It's in good condition. Can anyone suggest how we can get it appraised for value? Cycle Transitions, Cobourg Ontario, Canada

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Paid Staff Members
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 01 Aug '14

01 Aug '14

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Paid Staff Members
by mpattisall 01 Aug '14

01 Aug '14

What is considered fair compensation, salary or pay for employees of a bike cooperative? I realize this will vary quite a bit depending on location, hours, experience and position of staff member, shop manager or mechanic. -- Mike Pattisall http://velocitycoop.org/

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alcohol at shop - during meetings - pros and cons?
by momoko saunders 31 Jul '14

31 Jul '14

Hey all, We at Bike Farm recently had a proposal to ban alcohol at our general meetings. We already have a strict policy against alcohol during open shop hours. I'd love to know if other shops have policy around alcohol during meetings or in the shop off hours. Do you have concrete examples of how this effects the shop and it's patrons/volunteers? For those who do not have alcohol, do you notice an difference in time spent hanging out with other collective members, did it change the social dynamic? How does it affect your volunteer pool? For those who have alcohol, do you discuss it often? Do you think it adds or deters from your collective? What is the role of alcohol? The arguments in my mind seem to revolve around safer spaces and regulation. I believe in having as little regulation as possible, but I also respect the need for safer spaces. I wonder if there's a way to not introduce policy while still making an inviting space for all. Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated! -momoko

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JA Stein and boutique
by Leslie Peteya 24 Jul '14

24 Jul '14

Hi everyone, Has anyone ordered from JA Stein lately? We have several specialty tools we'd like to order from him (frame and fork jig) and haven't heard from him since December. If he's not making tools anymore, does anyone know of any other toolmakers who can produce the more uncommon tools? Best, Leslie Durham Bike Coop

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Earn-a-Bike documentation and reporting?
by Lauren Warbeck 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

Hey Folks! When not immersed in planning an Ohio-themed Bike! Bike! fundraiser dance party (!!!), I'm actually doing other for real work. Including the exploration of formats, documentation, and reporting for our youth volunteering and Earn-a-Bike programs. Here in British Columbia, high school students are required to complete something like 30 hours of work experience (ie free labour) to graduate, and we get a lot of youth completing this requirement at our shops. We also run pretty informal Earn-a-Bike programs for youth who are in unconventional education settings, accessing social services, in alternative programs, or can't access our in-school programming for any variety of reasons. Lots of these kids are really focused on getting a job, but we can rarely accommodate that. I'm in the process of creating a checklist/worksheet of mechanical and interpersonal skills acquired by youth as they volunteer in our spaces. The idea is that it would include gradients of skill, becoming increasingly more complex as time goes on. It would be used to guide their time in the shop, and also document what they've learned. It would be the youth's responsibility to fill the checklist out over time and have staff sign off on it, and when it's completed, we would write them a letter of recommendation to be used in applying for jobs, school, whateva. So....do yall have anything like this in place? Or any other relevant Earn-a-Bike or alternative youth programming materials I can creep and reap? SEND THEM TO ME! Thanks buddiez! Lauren @ OCB

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Bike rental advice
by Jennifer Kay 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

Hello, We - La Bikery Cooperative in Moncton, NB, Canada - are writing a business plan for a small-scale bike rental business. *If your bike organization rents bicycles*, *we would LOVE your input !* *The survey is found here: * https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LaBikeryBikeRental Just fill in what you know. It should take about 15 minutes. We are asking for your responses by this *Friday July 25*. *Thank you!!* *[image: Inline image 1]*

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