- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

i'd like to join the list!
by Sandy Robson 01 Apr '08

01 Apr '08

sandyrobson(a)gmail.com -- Macalester College 1600 Grand Ave St Paul, MN 55105 US Cell 410 206 7826 MSN jindabad(a)hotmail.com

1 0

cheap lubrication; blood for olive oil
by Michael Wolfe 01 Apr '08

01 Apr '08

white lightning. wax and acetone. same idea. NO War for Chain Lube!! On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 6:45 PM, Tom Emm <tom48236(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Cheap chain lube > motor oil mixed with paint thinner fifty-fifty or adjust to taste. > theory: paint thinner allows lube to creep into the tiniest cracks, it > evaporates > (in theory) leaving behind oily residue to lubricate your part. > > ------------------------------ > You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster > Total Access<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=47523/*http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/…>, > No Cost. > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >

1 0

cheap lubrication
by Tom Emm 01 Apr '08

01 Apr '08

Cheap chain lube motor oil mixed with paint thinner fifty-fifty or adjust to taste. theory: paint thinner allows lube to creep into the tiniest cracks, it evaporates (in theory) leaving behind oily residue to lubricate your part. --------------------------------- You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

1 0

Suntour Shop tools
by BovineOaks＠aol.com 01 Apr '08

01 Apr '08

The two or four pronged tools and BMX four pronged tools need to be held in place by either the Quick release or the axle nut. The tool only needs to be held tight for only the first 1/4 of a turn when you are loosening it. After that you can unscrew it with your bare hand. I have had my Suntour tools for 23 year and used them in four bike programs on a couple hundred bikes, I have only broken one. It broke into five pieces when three of us tried to break a stuck freewheel off a bike. Always use anti seize on your threads where two dissimilar metals come together, or grease if you do not know about better products. Suntour tools should never slip if they are used correctly. **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15&ncid=aolhom0…)

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] On Shop tools
by troy neiman 01 Apr '08

01 Apr '08

We come across the same problems also. We use the Park PC3 chain tools and have to replace the pins fairly regularly (and find that many people that say they know how to use them may not really know how...so watching for the first few seconds helps). You can also buy direct from Park Tools replacement parts which has been very helpful when you can replace just the chain tool handle or just the T shaped screw part. The parts are about half the price of a new tool and less waste. Same goes for any of Park Tools products such as crank arm extractors and bike repair stand arms, etc. You can get a parts catalog for free through QBP and I assume through Park but you don't need any account to order from Park directly. the pump? I am at a loss but the silca seems to hold up the best for Schroeder valve using the little brass screw type head. Troy BICASTucson AZ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mario Bruzzone" To: "The Think Tank" Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] On Shop tools Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:10:01 -0700 With the Park Tools, you can replace just the pins--it's usually much cheaper (and creates less waste!) than buying a whole new tool. But yes, those are things that break all the time for us as well. Cheers, Mario Bruzzone Bike Kitchen San Francisco On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 9:53 AM, Sherief <sgaber(a)gmail.com> wrote: Hello all, This is Sherief from the Austin Yellowbike, and I was hoping to pool the thinktank's experience with shop tools prone to breakage and the like. We're currently having huge issues keeping up with Chain Tools and Presta Valve pumps especially... it feels like not a week goes by without at least one of each of these tools breaking. W/r/t the chain tools, we recently switched from the nicer Park tools to the cheapest we could get out of the catalog, but with the way those break there's effectively no net savings and even when they are functioning the new cheap ones are no good. We try to make sure people know how to use the tools before they do, etc. But my question(s) today is: Do people have any similar experience out there with broken/breakable tools-- specifically good ways to prevent these breakages? Does anyone have any recommendations for good chain tools /PV pumps that can withstand a bit of overeager volunteerin g? Best, Sherief _______________________________________________ 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.… -- Want an e-mail address like mine? Get a free e-mail account today at www.mail.com!

5 4

Re: [TheThinkTank] ***DHSPAM*** Re: On Shop tools
by Velocipede Bike Project 01 Apr '08

01 Apr '08

as for pumps I've had good luck with topeak two sided pumps. They are pretty durable and it's easy to get new parts for them if they break or go missing(you can order a repair kit from QBP, or just seperate parts), and they make sense to people. (I've had good luck with the specialized pump as well, but it can be harder to get parts for them) We had afew silca headed pumps that were donated to us and all of them have parts missing because people don't know how to use them. It constantly blows my mind how many people out there have no idea how to pump up a tire!!!!! I've thought about attaching laminated cards to the pumps with instructions on proper use, but haven't gotten that together yet.... Still, no matter how well you care for a pump, the rubber fitting in the head will eventually wear out, so it's nice to know that you can easily find the replacement... On a slightly different note, how do you guys label your freewheel and bottom bracket tools? We've had more problems with those going missing and getting stripped than any other tool in the shop. Especially the very similar shimano splined FW tool, and the Falcon/atomic Splined FW tool. They look the same, but if you use the wrong one you strip the tool, plus, the only way to tell which one you need is to read the label on the free wheel itself..... also those Suntour two prong FW removers strip all the time if you don't use them right.....any ideas on this would be great!! -beth velocipede bike project baltimore, md > We come across the same problems also. We use the Park PC3 chain tools > and have to replace the pins fairly regularly (and find that many people > that say they know how to use them may not really know how...so watching > for the first few seconds helps). You can also buy direct from Park Tools > replacement parts which has been very helpful when you can replace just > the chain tool handle or just the T shaped screw part. The parts are > about half the price of a new tool and less waste. Same goes for any of > Park Tools products such as crank arm extractors and bike repair stand > arms, etc. You can get a parts catalog for free through QBP and I assume > through Park but you don't need any account to order from Park directly. > the pump? I am at a loss but the silca seems to hold up the best for > Schroeder valve using the little brass screw type head. Troy BICASTucson > AZ > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mario Bruzzone" > To: "The Think Tank" > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] On Shop tools > Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:10:01 -0700 > > With the Park Tools, you can replace just the pins--it's usually much > cheaper (and creates less waste!) than buying a whole new tool. > > But yes, those are things that break all the time for us as well. > > Cheers, > Mario Bruzzone > Bike Kitchen > San Francisco > > > On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 9:53 AM, Sherief <sgaber(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hello all, > > This is Sherief from the Austin Yellowbike, and I was hoping to > pool the thinktank's experience with shop tools prone to breakage > and the like. We're currently having huge issues keeping up with > Chain Tools and Presta Valve pumps especially... it feels like > not a week goes by without at least one of each of these tools > breaking. W/r/t the chain tools, we recently switched from the > nicer Park tools to the cheapest we could get out of the catalog, > but with the way those break there's effectively no net savings > and even when they are functioning the new cheap ones are no > good. We try to make sure people know how to use the tools > before they do, etc. But my question(s) today is: Do people have > any similar experience out there with broken/breakable tools-- > specifically good ways to prevent these breakages? Does anyone > have any recommendations for good chain tools /PV pumps that can > withstand a bit of overeager volunteerin g? > > > Best, > Sherief > > _______________________________________________ > 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.… > > -- > Want an e-mail address like mine? > Get a free e-mail account today at www.mail.com! > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 19, Issue 34
by Tom Emm 31 Mar '08

31 Mar '08

Pat I have the advert re: big ride sat apr 12, i will tell don also. here's is something i thought interesting regaring shop tools \ it looks as though every body has similar problems. Tom 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. On Shop tools (Sherief) 2. Re: On Shop tools (joshua muir) 3. Re: On Shop tools (Mark Rehder) 4. Re: On Shop tools (Mario Bruzzone) 5. Re: On Shop tools (Jonathan Morrison) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:53:05 -0500 From: Sherief Subject: [TheThinkTank] On Shop tools To: Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Message-ID: <6f24d4530803310953n69ccb215h3f893d96c17ab91f(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hello all, This is Sherief from the Austin Yellowbike, and I was hoping to pool the thinktank's experience with shop tools prone to breakage and the like. We're currently having huge issues keeping up with Chain Tools and Presta Valve pumps especially... it feels like not a week goes by without at least one of each of these tools breaking. W/r/t the chain tools, we recently switched from the nicer Park tools to the cheapest we could get out of the catalog, but with the way those break there's effectively no net savings and even when they are functioning the new cheap ones are no good. We try to make sure people know how to use the tools before they do, etc. But my question(s) today is: Do people have any similar experience out there with broken/breakable tools-- specifically good ways to prevent these breakages? Does anyone have any recommendations for good chain tools /PV pumps that can withstand a bit of overeager volunteering? Best, Sherief

1 0

Valet Bike Parking details: contracts, equipment?
by Jim Sheehan 30 Mar '08

30 Mar '08

Can we resurrect this topic with more detail about problems and solutions? A few of ours are: Getting event organizers to pay what the service is worth. We are writing a contract for this and will share it when finished -- does anyone have one we can model ours on? Parking large volumes. I loved the idea of playing card suites for parking areas. Some have mentioned a chronological (sequential, for numbered tickets) system, and color coding. We usually invite users in to help find their own bike, which is less than ideal. Racks. We have made some from rims and crib railings, and have a grant pending for a design contest, so if you have something good (sturdy, light, collapsible), let us know. If we get the grant, you could get $250. On Sun, Feb 10, 2008 at 1:04 PM, Jonathan Morrison < jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org> wrote: > Does anyone else do it? > http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Valet_Bike_Parking > Jim Sheehan Director, Ohio City Bicycle Co-op 1823 Columbus Rd Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216 830 2667 OhioCityCycles.org

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Women and Trans Night
by Kale 24 Mar '08

24 Mar '08

Just my two cents on this issue, which has already been discussed fairly thoroughly-- but it seems like the "and trans" is often tagged on the end. The discussion has been entirely about women, which is a discussion that needs to take place, but what about the transpeople? There are a whole other set of issues at work here- how masculinity gets defined in the shop, and who gets to define it- the cismen or the transmen. As a fairly iffeminate transman and amateur bike mechanic, I get a lot of hate from more masculine transmen, plus the standard, run of the mill sexism from cis-gendered men. Can transmen be included in a woman's only or women-identified space? We face some of the same issues of oppression by patriarchy and homophobia as cis women and queer peoples, but our issues are different in a lot of ways. -K

1 0

Bike Works Seattle is Hiring: Lead Mechanic
by Melanie Lyons 23 Mar '08

23 Mar '08

POSITION OPENING: LEAD MECHANIC Please help spread the word! Bike Works is a nonprofit organization that has been working for kids, bikes, and community in Seattle since 1996. Our programs and services invest in young people and encourage bicycling as a clean and healthy transportation alternative. Our programs include Earn-a-Bike for youth, Summer Bike Camps, Neighborhood Rides and Street Burner bike club activities, Community Bike Shop, Annual Kids Bike Swap, domestic and international bicycle donations to charitable organizations, and more. Our Community Bike Shop serves Seattle residents from all walks of life with used bike sales and affordable repairs. Essential Job Functions: The Bike Shop Lead Mechanic assumes primary responsibility for managing all mechanical work in the Shop, which includes scheduling work, maintaining quality and timely services, performing repairs and overhauling bikes for resale, providing outstanding customer service and sales, supporting the overall operations of the shop, and serving as a resource to the community. Primary duties include: * Oversee mechanic services in the shop, ensuring quality, timely work * Perform bicycle repair, maintenance, and walk-in services on customer bicycles of all types and conditions * Recondition and overhaul used bicycles of all types and conditions for resale * Deliver professional, accessible, and helpful customer service to a diverse customer base * Support daily Bike Shop operations * Collaborate with Program Staff to support Youth Programs and Adult Volunteers * Represent Bike Works to the neighborhood & act as a resource for the community * Work in partnership with Executive Director, Board of Directors, other staff, and Key Stakeholders to participate in strategic planning process, to develop a long term mission driven strategic plan, and to create annual operational plans Desired Qualifications: * Strong commitment to youth leadership, sustainable communities and bicycle transportation; * Strong customer service skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently are key aspects of this job; * Excellent mechanical skills required (minimum 3 years hands-on, professional experience working on a wide variety of bicycles, wheel building is a plus!); * Previous experience in retail management and sales preferred; bike shop experience essential; * Ability to work with youth and adults of diverse cultural backgrounds; * Self-directed, energetic, flexible and personable & be able to work independently and as part of a team; * Excellent organizational skills: systems oriented with high attention to detail; * Ability to work competently with computers and word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, Basic PC skills, working knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Office applications; * Strong interpersonal skills & a friendly outgoing attitude with a desire to work with the public; * Ability to mentor youth ages 9-17 in engaging and empowering apprenticeship relationship; * Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, ever-changing environment; * Respect for and a commitment to diversity, teamwork, and progressive social values; How to Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to development(a)bikeworks.org Pay Rate & Benefits: Regular, full-time, salaried position with benefits. Monetary compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. Bike Works is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation Melanie Lyons Assistant Director Bike Works 3709 S. Ferdinand St. Seattle, WA 98118 206-725-9408 HYPERLINK "http://www.bikeworks.org"http://www.bikeworks.org "Building sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling." No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.8/1339 - Release Date: 3/22/2008 4:43 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.8/1339 - Release Date: 3/22/2008 4:43 PM

1 0

Random Thought: Creating a bicycle parts/tools distributor for Community Bike Shops.
by Jonathan Morrison 23 Mar '08

23 Mar '08

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/

9 8

Re: [TheThinkTank] Women and Trans Night
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi, Colin. Back Alley bikes in Detroit has had wonderful Women and Trans nights for over a year. The amazing B got the idea from the people at Plan B. She and C ran it. It was great. The shop was so quiet. Everyone asked politely for tools and shared and helped, we usually had homemade food we'd made to feed each other, so it became a potluck. There were often babies (and no one shouted at the little ones), and usually a fantastic dog called Ruby. We played music and you could actually hear it. The whole energy of the shop was more gentle and mellow. For most women, it was our favorite night. Lots of women came out, so it was often just as busy as a usual night, but the shop seemed larger and cleaner and better organized on Women and Trans night. It was peaceful and fun. A whole other crowd came out-- Detroit is a homophobic place, and transgendered people have a tough time in this town. There are not many spaces respectful of them. It was such a fantastic thing to have happy, relaxed transgendered people just fixing their bikes. Women who don't usually come to the shop came; other women who are usually nervous and quiet all of a sudden emerged as strong and raunchy and funny and really good at things. More older women came; one said that the regular shop nights had too much background noise for her to hear anything, as she is partly deaf. Many women seemed to learn twice as fast as they usually do. B and C were the only two people who were really great mechanics. The rest of us know our own bikes pretty well, or else we know how to make some repairs and not others. We were pretty good at helping each other, and many of us felt confident to try to teach or assist for the first time on these nights, but B and C really, really worked hard. It is too bad that one of your members is upset by Women and Trans night. There is a lot of terrible violence and injustice in the society as a whole, and a lot of women and particularly transgendered people have some real safety concerns and scars. Despite everyone's best efforts, our ordinary shop nights are NOT always safe or cool. We have a collective member and a couple of regulars that have to be spoken to with alarming regularity. Many of us can speak for ourselves, but there is only so much BS you really want to deal with on your off hours, and some people are a little fragile. I nearly lost it one night when some f**kwad started lecturing me about how to pump up my tires on a day when I was taking things slow because I'd had chemo that morning. He made some comment about not having to pump up my breasts but wanting to squeeze them, and I was just freaking done. Lucky for me other men in the shop are stellar human beings who hustled him out of there so fast his feet left the ground. The exclusivity of Women and Trans night is a decent band- aid solution for now. Maybe you could tell your upset person that if he would take on the task of totally policing your regular shop hours and making the place feel really secure, and if he'd do the outreach in the local women's and transgendered communities to recruit female and transgendered mechanics, and if he could address the concerns of the conservative Muslim women who won't be given permission by their fathers and husbands to come to the shop if it is a mixed gender space-- good luck changing THAT one over night, buddy-- the special nights could be phased out. In Detroit, no one has complained about the exculsivity of Women and Trans night. Every one who comes to the shop is cool with it. We've had a different problem, though. We have one collective member who has been really disrespectful of the authority that B and C demonstrate. He treats them really badly, some times even pretending that he does not hear their voices, or telling someone to stop working on something that either B or C asked them to do. On ordinary shop nights, there are little blow- ups that get hustled off into corners and smoothed down by other (male) collective members. B and C are the main women of Back Alley, and this guy does not do this to male collective members, but he does get pissy with them if they stick up for B and C. All the shop regulars and volunteers have noticed this. B and C are sick of it, and may be leaving the shop for a while or permanently, until the people who are squeamish about directly addressing this man's behavior (he is one of the original collective members) are willing to do so. No one wants B and C to go, but the situation is pretty unbearable. What should everyone do about THAT situation? The women and transgendered people who have created a safe and happy space for each other at our Women's only nights might lose that space because a disfunctional silverback has been allowed to run amuck. This man has lots of good points, and he is a founding member, but everyone is troubled by his conduct. I love Women's night, but agree with your guy who is upset about it that there is something disappointing about it, too. It would be great if the shop as a whole was so totally free of ugliness at all times that special arrangements did not have to be made. It's hard to fix a bike wearing a chador, though, and so totally cool to have chador-wearing women becoming bike mechanics along side transgendered people that pretty much whatever you have to do to keep that happening should be done. Incidentally, we do run kid's only programs, and no one gets upset. We have mechanics classes that are closed to people who just want to fix their own bikes and not take the class. We are trying to figure out how to set up a sessions for the homeless men so they don't have to choose between fixing their bikes and a bed for the night. Treating everyone in exactly the same way all the time does not always lead to a just society. Seeing people's real lives and responding to their real needs gets you closer to a beloved community than a one-size-fits-all approach. What do you all make of this one? -- There are some people who have floated the idea of having shop hours that would only be attended by black men. Some black male shop users have indicated that they would like to have a black male space once a month. Totally needed conversations and forms of community building might happen on those nights that would make our neighbourhood as a whole a better place to live, in the same way that those special women's conversations happen when we have the shop to ourselves. One man wanted it to be about fathers and sons. A lot of the dads in this community are non-custodial parents who look for good things to do when they have their visitation rights, and if fewer numbers of people were in line to use the shop, the dads and their kids might have more quality bike repair time with each other, as opposed to sitting-outside-in-the- sun-waiting time, which isn't much fun. (There are ants.) If those kids had a better time with their fathers, wouldn't that serve all of us, even if we had to wait a couple days to true our front wheels? There isn't enough demand for this yet to make it real, and no one who has said they want it has come forward to agree to organize and lead it, but given where our shop is and who it serves, if people want such a night, if they see that it would serve a good community building, family strengthening, purpose, why shouldn't it go forward? I'd be really, really uncomfortable with a whites-only night, but things like a Spanish language or Manderin and Cantonese shop night, or this black father-and-son thing, all seem fine to me. What do other people think? Good luck to you with your Woman and Trans nights, Colin. Sasha On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:52:48 -0400 freeridemp(a)riseup.net wrote: >Hey Bike Shops, >Does anyone else hold a Women and Trans night or Ladies' night? I >know >Plan B does. We had a weekly one last summer and will be having >another >this summer. The women who have held the shift have found it >effective to >keep the shift exclusive, closed to male-bodied masculine- >identifying >people. We have had a backlash from one of our members, who >accuses us of >sexism, discrimination, and injustice. We have gotten some >incomplete and >bad press. > >Please let me know if you hold a shift like this one, exclusive or >not, >and what you have done about any complaints your membership or >community >has had. > >Thanks, >Colin Gunn >Freeride Montpelier >Montpelier, VT >www.freeridemontpelier.org > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >Thethinktank mailing list >Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkflRI8ACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRmCAACfeJYAYaAWQEcKi4Pk4Lt7wKZs9hsA n0F5+indXn2UDNNfDhmRs4bGzxA7 =q4gZ -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

2 1

Women and Trans Night
by freeridemp＠riseup.net 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Hey Bike Shops, Does anyone else hold a Women and Trans night or Ladies' night? I know Plan B does. We had a weekly one last summer and will be having another this summer. The women who have held the shift have found it effective to keep the shift exclusive, closed to male-bodied masculine-identifying people. We have had a backlash from one of our members, who accuses us of sexism, discrimination, and injustice. We have gotten some incomplete and bad press. Please let me know if you hold a shift like this one, exclusive or not, and what you have done about any complaints your membership or community has had. Thanks, Colin Gunn Freeride Montpelier Montpelier, VT www.freeridemontpelier.org

6 5

Re: [TheThinkTank] Women and Trans Night
by Velocipede Bike Project 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Sasha- Why don't you look into third party mediation for you situation. In Baltimore we have afew wonderful medations centers that perform the service for cheap or free. I'm not sure if detroit has anything like this, but if not you could work on finding an impartial person from outside the collective(and with out a personal stake in the results) that both parties can agree on to mediate...Of course this means that the parties involved would first have to acknowledge the problem exists. If B and C are threatening to leave because of this person, then it seems out in the open enough to suggest bringing in an impartial third party...Sometimes having a safe forum to air these kinds of concerns in a respectful manner can help with these sticky personal problems...and a trained mediator can help the different sides to communicate their concerns and come up with tangible solutions with out allowing emotions and tempers to take over. As for Trans/lady's night--I decided it was time to start one in baltimore when I looked around one night and realized that I was the only woman in the shop. I also would observe women being talked down to and "helped" alittle too eagerly by some of our male volunteers. Since we started "lady's night" I've noticed the genders balancing off a good deal on regular nights. I think the best way to deal with backlash is to get testimonials from women who have been intimidated by or in regular shop, and to talk about who is coming to your shop now. Do you have an even amount of men/women volunteers? how many of the women identified people are mechanics? Have you seen situations personally where a woman was made to feel uncomfortable? When we started lady's night we had acouple negative responses, but overall we had support. I suggest dealing with the dissenters without judgment or anger and giving strong reasons why it is important to have a exclusive night for women and genderqueer people. here is one response i gave to a particularly nasty email reaction...maybe some of these arguments will be helpful... sorry this is so long-hope it is helpful -beth velocipede bike project. -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Velocipede Bike Project" <info(a)velocipedebikeproject.org> > A- > I'm sorry we have offended you, I hope I can explain why we at Velocipede, > think this night is necessary. > > Have you been to open shop, or one of our events lately? I don't remember > your name, but we have been pretty busy lately, and I've gotten pretty bad > with names. Anyway, the reason I ask, is because if you had been to a > shop lately I was wondering if you noticed the demographics of the people > at the shop. > > I personally notice this regularly because I am often the only woman, or > only one of two women during an open shop night. This is not incedental. > Many women have expressed to me that they have felt overwhelmed or > intimidated during open shop and left. Also, many women have expressed > that they often find it hard to ask questions of men, or when they do ask > feel patronized. > > Of the few women that have begun to come regularly, a vast majority of > them came in at first with a male friend or spouse and have told me that > they were scared to come alone. This was what led us at Velocipede to > decide that a woman's only night was important. > > I undertand how it may seem counter intuitive that by occasionally > excluding people we are actually being inclusive. However, there are > subtle ways to make people feel excluded that happen every day and we > seldom realize it is happening until we look around and see that only a > specific group of poeple seem to be there. This is a way to change that > trend, by making people feel safe in a realm that all too often has been > male dominated. Women are often discouraged to be mechanical, and it is > hard to understand how much courage it can take to get over that barrier. > > As a woman who has spent alot of time in trades that are traditionally, > and still very much male dominated, I could go on and on about this, but > will leave you with this. The community groups that I am in contact with > are very excited about this night, and so far, your response has been the > only negative response I've heard. Gender, and gender roles, span many > communties and reach into issues that are hard to talk about but are > important to deal with. > > I hope that I have helped you to understand our reasons why we feel it is > so important to have these nights, and I hope that you will continue to > help us in what ever way you choose, to make bicycles assessable to > everyone. > > Sincerely- > Beth > > > Hello there back, > > > > I don't know why you need a special night for anyone. Working and riding a > > bicycle is a pretty transcendent experience. Your announcement is chockful > > of the most expressively typical politically corrent sentiments. When will > > you have the special night for the gender un-queer individuals? Or the > > special night for the Albino Hermaphrodites? You may think this is an > > extreme example but I think it points out the idiocy in your statement. > > It's so fitting that your purpose is to make gender queer individuals > > "comfortable". Let's not let them be forced to mingle with anyone other > > than themselves. Let's coccoon them away for a night so they can feel > > comfortable. Afterall, riding a bike is such a straight, male, > > untransgenered sport. How they must suffer. You have reduced the care and > > nurturing of bicycles to fit a political, sexual agenda. At first, I > > thought the Velocipede Bike Project was a great community thing. You had > > my support. Now, I see that you're just more lame thought police f > > or the "disenfranchised." So when will you have a night for all the other > > minorities so they too can feel comfortable riding and caring for their > > bikes? You may envision that you're "embracing" and "supporting," but in > > fact you're being limited and trendy. I've said my say, and now I'll leave > > you alone to your ridiculously polite and ever-so-inclusive language. > > "Bike Night for Trans Women. ONLY". Gee, the only thing you didn't add was > > calling it a "Celebration". > > > > Your small-minded thinking, in the guise of openness is sad. > > > > A L > > Ex-Velocipede Supporter > > > > -------------- Original message -------------- > > From: Velocipede Bike Project > > > >> Hello Veloci-lovers- > >> > >> In order to empower women and gender queer individuals to feel > >> comfortable > >> learning about, working on and riding bicycles, and to generally raise > >> the > >> estrogen levels in the veloci-community, we will begin hosting a women > >> and > >> trans only shop night every other tuesday. > >> > >> Our first woman/trans night will begin this tuesday, May 15th from > >> 6-10pm > >> and continue every other tuesday. check out our website calendar for the > >> next shop nights, and for other special events!!!!! > >> > >> > >> Also, this monday night, may 14th form 7-9pm we will be holding the next > >> in our series of clinics- Headsets-the steering system of the bicycle. > >> We > >> will go over the different kinds of headsets, talk some about choosing a > >> headset when building a bike, learn to diagnose common problems you may > >> encounter with your headset, and then we will disassemble and rebuild a > >> headset. > >> > >> Come steer your way to Velocipede where the fun never stops!!! > >> (for directions hours and more info check out > >> www.velocipedebikeproject.org) > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Velocipede Bike Project > >> 4 W Lanvale St, Baltimore > >> http://velocipedebikeproject.org > >> info(a)velocipedebikeproject.org > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > > Hi, Colin. > > Back Alley bikes in Detroit has had wonderful Women and > Trans nights for over a year. The amazing B got the idea from the people at Plan B. She and C ran it. > > It was great. The shop was so quiet. Everyone asked > politely for tools%

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Random Thought: Creating a bicycle parts/tools distributor for Community Bike Shops.
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 20 Mar '08

20 Mar '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hello, Everyone. Stuart, I really like your idea about approaching QBP. My new seed catalogues have lovely icons telling me which seeds are heirloom varieties, which are organic, etc. They even have a pretty little snowflake to help people up in Northern Ontario pick seeds that can tolerate their conditions. It would be great if QBP's catalogue had icons for union/ fairtrade/ local/ etc. Asking existing suppliers/distributers if they could offer discounts makes more sense to me than creating an inefficient version of their infrastructure. While there are many super well organized people who work or play at Community Bike Shops, the idea of a warehouse and distrubition network run by the likes of us seems like a bad idea. Have you ever been at a meeting where people spend almost an hour discussing the way we should spell women/wimmin/wymyn? Our shops perform magical feats of bicycle relclamation and we contribute to improving neighbourhoods and to helping people feel competant and connected. Sometimes I feel as if my local CBS is saving the world one spiffed up junker at a time. I love us. But somehow I don't see us running a continental just-in-time delivery system for bike parts. Working together online to craft a proposal to pitch to QBP and any other suppliers or distributers seems doable. So does creating national or international (or perhaps just several regional) organization(s) of community bike shops for the purposes of getting good deals from suppliers, etc. Does anyone feel knowlegable enough about how it could work to draft something to circulate? Having a nice tangible thing or plan to discuss at this year's bikebike would be good. Sasha On Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:55:25 -0400 Stuart O Anderson <soa(a)ri.cmu.edu> wrote: >At Free Ride we have a purchasing policy that directs us to buy >local, >union, and sustainable products when they are available. If there >were a distributor that could source parts the best complied with >this >policy I think we'd definitely be interested. > >Of course, this would be a huge undertaking for the person(s) that >wanted to do it. I imagine one has to order in very large >quantities >from manufacturers to be able to offer wholesale prices comparable >to >other distributors, and that the amount of cash tied up in stock >at >any given time is rather signficant. Having to rent or maintain a >warehouse on top of that means that there's a minimum rate of >consumption a distributor would need to maintain to avoid losing >money. That rate is going to depend on the size of the niche >market >for community bike shops, and the assumption that other >distributors >wont alter their own policies to capture that market - it's not >clear >to me that there is enough demand, even combining all the major >community bike shops into a single bloc, to solely support a >single >distribution operation. But that's just a guess and a real answer >would require market research on the part of interested parties. > >It seems to me that QBP supplies most of the CBS's right now. >Maybe >someone should approach them about identifying and stocking >products >that conform to our purchasing policies (i.e. green/fair trade/us >made/union made/etc icons in the catalog) and ask about discounts >for >non-profits promiting bicycle use? I'd think the best way for >that to >happen would be for several shops to work together to create a >request >that could be delivered on all our behalfs. Does this interest >anyone >- I'd be willing to help with such a project. > >Stuart >_______________________________________________ >Thethinktank mailing list >Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkfZWyIACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRn6QwCgjEY8Yv9jCrTEuwN0AFmD8T8INdcA oKcYs3vpIhcQt4z7JnTJbYFdQIzs =6pQq -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

4 3

Bike Bike 2008
by Maggie Fehling 19 Mar '08

19 Mar '08

Anymore info out there on this year's Bike Bike? -Maggie

2 1

plan you route
by Tom Emm 18 Mar '08

18 Mar '08

Have fun with this google toy. www.bikely.org --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

2 1

Surveys for volunteer retention
by Anibal Davila 18 Mar '08

18 Mar '08

hey all, to gain some insight into the universal problem of getting and keeping volunteers, im currently working on a survey. I suspect people hesitate to tell me in person that they think the place is dirty, the volunteers are rude and that i should shave more often, but people love giving that kind of input anonymously. I want to find out the differences between regular clients and casual volunteers. I also want to find out what keeps casual volunteers from becoming regular volunteers. I imagine disseminating it through all of our electronic outlets (list serve, facebook group, Flickr group) as well using printed out forms in the shop. Has anyone done this before? i would love to see other peoples surveys/polls. Did you get useful data from it? problems in collection? thanks! Anibal, Bikepirate

8 10

unsubscribe me please
by sparkltingting＠aol.com 18 Mar '08

18 Mar '08

?hey guys, please unsubscribe me. thanks, hannae ( from bethlehem pa who moved to portland oregon.)

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Atlanta tornado
by tom m. 18 Mar '08

18 Mar '08

Are the folks in Atlanta, Georgia okay? A big tornado swept right through the downtown area.> From: thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org> Subject: Thethinktank Digest, Vol 19, Issue 21> To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:59:04 -0700> > 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. Re: sexist bs - is finished. (Jonathan Morrison)> 2. Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature? (Rich Points)> 3. Re: Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature? (Macho Philipovich)> 4. Re: Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature? (Rich Points)> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------> > Message: 1> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:03:11 -0600> From: "Jonathan Morrison" <jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org>> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] sexist bs - is finished.> To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org>> Message-ID:> <4dd29fd10803170803u2d773638w83b7b11bf0d19f0f(a)mail.gmail.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"> > If you feel the compelling desire to further this thread, please reply to> the individuals instead of the whole list. Otherwise there will be no need> to unsubscribe, it will be done automatically.> > -- > 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/> > On Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 7:43 AM, CLINTON BIGGS <letlovein2(a)msn.com> wrote:> > > Please, in all seriousness, do not throw the word "retard" around like> > its nothing. YOU do not get to decide whether its offensive or not. As the> > father of a child with autism (yes I have seen Rainman, thanks) I can say> > that it is a stigmatizing word. Sorry to go back on my promise never to post> > again, but I had not unsubscribed yet and now wish I had. But yes, please be> > careful with your choice of words, if for no other reason than the> > possibility it could save your nose from being flattened by some one who is> > at the end of their patience. And yes I remember fun, but its been a while> > mr. john rotten. Art> >> >> >> > ------------------------------> > Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:18:20 -0400> > From: davidhazardous(a)gmail.com> > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org.> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] sexist bs [WAS: RE: Surveys for volunteer> > retention]> >> >> > #1 nobody was being sexist. reading all the thinktank posts tells us that> > the one who doesn't shave enough is in fact a man, and as a man, i also do> > not shave enough. i've considered waxing my face. thus, the response to> > shaving being the suggestion to waxing is just a thoughtful timesaving> > maneuver.> >> > #2 before bikes were used to spread the gospel of a political system that> > doesn't work except for idealist college kids, they were the toys of rich> > people. as in, the common man (proletariat, bolshevik, etc) couldn't have> > one! who knew?> >> > #3 before cars were stigmatized, bikes were. bikers were "hotdoggers"> > terrorizing horses and pedestrians.> >> > #4 ever hear of bikes? responsible for paved roads.> >> > #5 guess what? people drive more than ride. but more jackasses ride than> > drive. i just don't happen to be a hippie or vegan. but i suffer just as> > much for their political views.> >> > #6 this is hella fun for me, and i'm a good person to boot> >> > #7 looks like you contributed to this jackass thread.> >> > #8 undercovercop, hells yes to drinking whiskey but don't you think that> > "retarded bike games" is offensive to retards? (that's a joke, like the> > original "offensive" comment)> >> > <3 dhx> >> > i am offically gone from thinktank as fast as i came> >> > ...unless...people act like stupids again.> >> > p.s. have fun being white and having dreadlocks. maybe we can all drink> > some yerba mate at the sierra club meeting. oops, too conservative.> > monkeywrench gang reprazent!> >> > On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 7:34 PM, Geoffrey B <vous.je(a)gmail.com> wrote:> >> > What a jack ass. Threads like these make me not want to contribute.> >> > Thinking that the bike is not a political tool for change is deluding,> > selling your self short. British 19 century commies used the bike to get> > out to factors where the roads have not linked to spread the word of labour> > rights a liberties.> >> > Cars have been extremely stigmatized. They are a political force, they are> > killing everything. Dont kid your self about that. Ever heard of the AAA.> > Responsible for most of the expressways in America.> >> > Dont freak out over being called a hippe vegan. Guess what, vegans and> > hippies drive more then bike. Its not about sexist comments, its keeping a> > positive outlook on cycling. Dont degrade your fellow cyclists, use your> > energy to portray a respectful attitude that motorists lack.> >> > Its not political , its called being a good person. I have fun being a> > good person, dont you. Being a sexist tyrant creates fun on another's> > expense.> >> > Canada,> > Geoff> >> >> >> > On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM, David Hazardous <> > davidhazardous(a)gmail.com> wrote:> >> > hey jackasses...> >> > it's threads like these that make the public not take cycling seriously.> > bikes are not a bandwagon for political agendas. bikes are a mode of> > transportation. they help people get to work, the store, and yes, the bar.> > and people eat meat and make sexist remarks just as much on a bike. i am so> > sick of being labeled "vegan" or "hippie" or "liberal" because i ride a bike> > and don't own a car. hey fringe culture: stop co-opting a yet-unstigmatized> > vehicle to turn it into a political soapbox. NOT ALL BIKERS ARE IDEALIST> > TEETOTALERS. bikes aren't going to save the world, they're just going to> > give a few people reliable transportation. and fun. remember that? fun?> >> > flame me all you want,> > dhx> >> >> > On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 7:11 PM, <undercovercop(a)riseup.net> wrote:> >> > wow, michael, i'm sure you meant this in jest, but making cracks about a> > woman having to wax to impress is pretty horribly sexist and leaves a> > real bad taste in my mouth.> >> > and perhaps you have an understanding with anibal that this kind of> > joking around is okay. i have lots of friends i know i can safely tease> > in all sorts of offensive ways. however, this is a public list with> > lots of folks who don't know one another. especially since you say you> > don't know annibal, it's really tempting to read your joke as> > straight-up sexist bullshit.> >> > given how much really good thought and discussion i've seen this> > community put into identifying and rooting out sexist bullshit, i gotta> > say i think you're out of line.> >> > hope you don't take offense,> > benB> > chicago community bike project> >> > --> > '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.…> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________> > Thethinktank mailing list> > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> >> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…> >> >> >> >> > --> > "Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia" - H.G. Wells> > _______________________________________________> > 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.…> >> >> -------------- next part --------------> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...> URL: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/pipermail/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org… > > ------------------------------> > Message: 2> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:17:50 -0600> From: Rich Points <rich(a)richpoints.com>> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature?> To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org>> Message-ID: <47DEB5CE.7050308(a)richpoints.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed> > Hey All,> I'd like to hand out a one page, illustrated instruction sheet on how to> fix a flat. I've searched around but haven't found anything.> > Does anyone know of such a resource?> > Thanks> > -- > Rich Points> Community Cycles Director> http://CommunityCycles.org> Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org> 720-565-6019> > > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 3> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:27:26 -0500> From: Macho Philipovich <macho(a)resist.ca>> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature?> To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org>> Message-ID: <47DEB80E.7090007(a)resist.ca>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed> > There is probably better stuff out there, but here's the Bike Dump's one > page (if you'll allow two sided printing) workshop sheet on tires and > tubes, which is basically on flat fixing. Feel free to critique so it > can be improved.> > http://bike-dump.ca/workshops/01_tubes_tires.pdf> > macho> > Rich Points wrote:> > Hey All,> > I'd like to hand out a one page, illustrated instruction sheet on how to> > fix a flat. I've searched around but haven't found anything.> >> > Does anyone know of such a resource?> >> > Thanks> >> > > > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 4> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:20:48 -0600> From: Rich Points <rich(a)richpoints.com>> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature?> To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org>> Message-ID: <47DEC490.2090909(a)richpoints.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"> > Not bad, it's the closest thing I've found so far.> > Let me say more about what I'm doing this for. We recently had a bunch > of heavy duty lunch box type things donated to Community Cycles. We're > going to give them to participants in the youth Earn-A-Bike program. > The boxes will then function as a tool box. Kids are welcome to take > the class as many times as they like, each time they will get more tools > for their box. > > The boxes are close to 8.5' X 11'. My idea was to have the illustrated > fix a flat info on the inside of the box. This would be more of a > reminder than a full blown description. Now that I think of it it would > probably look like a comic strip.> > I think the value of this goes beyond the toolbox idea, I think > something like this would be great on our shop wall somewhere.> > Anybody out there have the skills to draw up something like this?> > Peace> Rich> > Macho Philipovich wrote:> > There is probably better stuff out there, but here's the Bike Dump's one > > page (if you'll allow two sided printing) workshop sheet on tires and > > tubes, which is basically on flat fixing. Feel free to critique so it > > can be improved.> >> > http://bike-dump.ca/workshops/01_tubes_tires.pdf> >> > macho> >> > Rich Points wrote:> > > >> Hey All,> >> I'd like to hand out a one page, illustrated instruction sheet on how to> >> fix a flat. I've searched around but haven't found anything.> >>> >> Does anyone know of such a resource?> >>> >> Thanks> >>> >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________> > Thethinktank mailing list> > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…> >> > > > -- > Rich Points> Community Cycles Director> http://CommunityCycles.org> Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org> 720-565-6019> > -------------- next part --------------> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...> URL: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/pipermail/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org… > > ------------------------------> > _______________________________________________> Thethinktank mailing list> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…> > > End of Thethinktank Digest, Vol 19, Issue 21> ******************************************** _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike rack art contest
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 18 Mar '08

18 Mar '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hello, Everyone. The Tecumseh BIA in Tecumseh, Ontario is having a Bike Rack Sculpture competition as part of their Gallery Without Walls. They would like submissions of functional sculptures, bike racks that are also art. The application deadline is April 30th, and they'd like drawings and a maquette; the other critera for submissions are on their website. The winners will be chosen by May 15th, and they'd like the racks completed by August 15th. There is $2000(Cdn)"and further details" for each of the winners. "Open to all artists", is what they say, but if you're not Canadian you'll have to figure out if you can do this. Their contest is modelled on the one from Louisville Kentucky, and the sculptures from that place look great. Even if this contest is not feasible for you, setting up something similar in your city might be. Sending them a note supporting the idea might also help Tecumseh's bike boosters. Check out: www.tecumsehbia.com Sasha On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:29:15 -0400 tom emm <tom48236(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Also...www.bikely.org > >On 3/18/08, Ann Altstatt <annaltstatt(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Hi All, >> This was forwarded to me. . . just passing it on to spread the >word about a >> petition to get Google Maps to add a "Bike There" button to the >top level of >> their mapping interface. It would provide bike specific routing, >not sure >> about travel time estimates though... >> >> http://googlemapsbikethere.org/about/ >> >> For those of you with the power to publish (web site, blog, >print) maybe you >> could put something out there? >> Apologies if this has been posted already and I missed it! >> >> Ann >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> >> >_______________________________________________ >Thethinktank mailing list >Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkfgAvAACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRkTMACgoeuxx3NlwbHyrB+/AOc0wUUs+psA oJ4GuvnDu0goZLEvx51BXmWdtj5e =Uwxt -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

1 0

bike directions on google maps
by Ann Altstatt 18 Mar '08

18 Mar '08

Hi All, This was forwarded to me. . . just passing it on to spread the word about a petition to get Google Maps to add a "Bike There" button to the top level of their mapping interface. It would provide bike specific routing, not sure about travel time estimates though... http://googlemapsbikethere.org/about/ For those of you with the power to publish (web site, blog, print) maybe you could put something out there? Apologies if this has been posted already and I missed it! Ann

3 2

Illustrated Fix a Flat Literature?
by Rich Points 17 Mar '08

17 Mar '08

Hey All, I'd like to hand out a one page, illustrated instruction sheet on how to fix a flat. I've searched around but haven't found anything. Does anyone know of such a resource? Thanks -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

2 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] sexist bs - is finished.
by Jonathan Morrison 17 Mar '08

17 Mar '08

If you feel the compelling desire to further this thread, please reply to the individuals instead of the whole list. Otherwise there will be no need to unsubscribe, it will be done automatically. -- 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/ On Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 7:43 AM, CLINTON BIGGS <letlovein2(a)msn.com> wrote: > Please, in all seriousness, do not throw the word "retard" around like > its nothing. YOU do not get to decide whether its offensive or not. As the > father of a child with autism (yes I have seen Rainman, thanks) I can say > that it is a stigmatizing word. Sorry to go back on my promise never to post > again, but I had not unsubscribed yet and now wish I had. But yes, please be > careful with your choice of words, if for no other reason than the > possibility it could save your nose from being flattened by some one who is > at the end of their patience. And yes I remember fun, but its been a while > mr. john rotten. Art > > > > ------------------------------ > Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:18:20 -0400 > From: davidhazardous(a)gmail.com > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org. > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] sexist bs [WAS: RE: Surveys for volunteer > retention] > > > #1 nobody was being sexist. reading all the thinktank posts tells us that > the one who doesn't shave enough is in fact a man, and as a man, i also do > not shave enough. i've considered waxing my face. thus, the response to > shaving being the suggestion to waxing is just a thoughtful timesaving > maneuver. > > #2 before bikes were used to spread the gospel of a political system that > doesn't work except for idealist college kids, they were the toys of rich > people. as in, the common man (proletariat, bolshevik, etc) couldn't have > one! who knew? > > #3 before cars were stigmatized, bikes were. bikers were "hotdoggers" > terrorizing horses and pedestrians. > > #4 ever hear of bikes? responsible for paved roads. > > #5 guess what? people drive more than ride. but more jackasses ride than > drive. i just don't happen to be a hippie or vegan. but i suffer just as > much for their political views. > > #6 this is hella fun for me, and i'm a good person to boot > > #7 looks like you contributed to this jackass thread. > > #8 undercovercop, hells yes to drinking whiskey but don't you think that > "retarded bike games" is offensive to retards? (that's a joke, like the > original "offensive" comment) > > <3 dhx > > i am offically gone from thinktank as fast as i came > > ...unless...people act like stupids again. > > p.s. have fun being white and having dreadlocks. maybe we can all drink > some yerba mate at the sierra club meeting. oops, too conservative. > monkeywrench gang reprazent! > > On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 7:34 PM, Geoffrey B <vous.je(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > What a jack ass. Threads like these make me not want to contribute. > > Thinking that the bike is not a political tool for change is deluding, > selling your self short. British 19 century commies used the bike to get > out to factors where the roads have not linked to spread the word of labour > rights a liberties. > > Cars have been extremely stigmatized. They are a political force, they are > killing everything. Dont kid your self about that. Ever heard of the AAA. > Responsible for most of the expressways in America. > > Dont freak out over being called a hippe vegan. Guess what, vegans and > hippies drive more then bike. Its not about sexist comments, its keeping a > positive outlook on cycling. Dont degrade your fellow cyclists, use your > energy to portray a respectful attitude that motorists lack. > > Its not political , its called being a good person. I have fun being a > good person, dont you. Being a sexist tyrant creates fun on another's > expense. > > Canada, > Geoff > > > > On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM, David Hazardous < > davidhazardous(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > hey jackasses... > > it's threads like these that make the public not take cycling seriously. > bikes are not a bandwagon for political agendas. bikes are a mode of > transportation. they help people get to work, the store, and yes, the bar. > and people eat meat and make sexist remarks just as much on a bike. i am so > sick of being labeled "vegan" or "hippie" or "liberal" because i ride a bike > and don't own a car. hey fringe culture: stop co-opting a yet-unstigmatized > vehicle to turn it into a political soapbox. NOT ALL BIKERS ARE IDEALIST > TEETOTALERS. bikes aren't going to save the world, they're just going to > give a few people reliable transportation. and fun. remember that? fun? > > flame me all you want, > dhx > > > On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 7:11 PM, <undercovercop(a)riseup.net> wrote: > > wow, michael, i'm sure you meant this in jest, but making cracks about a > woman having to wax to impress is pretty horribly sexist and leaves a > real bad taste in my mouth. > > and perhaps you have an understanding with anibal that this kind of > joking around is okay. i have lots of friends i know i can safely tease > in all sorts of offensive ways. however, this is a public list with > lots of folks who don't know one another. especially since you say you > don't know annibal, it's really tempting to read your joke as > straight-up sexist bullshit. > > given how much really good thought and discussion i've seen this > community put into identifying and rooting out sexist bullshit, i gotta > say i think you're out of line. > > hope you don't take offense, > benB > chicago community bike project > > -- > '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.… > > > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > -- > "Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia" - H.G. Wells > _______________________________________________ > 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.… > >

1 0

sexist bs [WAS: RE: Surveys for volunteer retention]
by undercovercop＠riseup.net 17 Mar '08

17 Mar '08

wow, michael, i'm sure you meant this in jest, but making cracks about a woman having to wax to impress is pretty horribly sexist and leaves a real bad taste in my mouth. and perhaps you have an understanding with anibal that this kind of joking around is okay. i have lots of friends i know i can safely tease in all sorts of offensive ways. however, this is a public list with lots of folks who don't know one another. especially since you say you don't know annibal, it's really tempting to read your joke as straight-up sexist bullshit. given how much really good thought and discussion i've seen this community put into identifying and rooting out sexist bullshit, i gotta say i think you're out of line. hope you don't take offense, benB chicago community bike project -- 'every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.' -h.l. mencken

4 4

Re: [TheThinkTank] sexist bs [WAS: RE: Surveys for volunteer retention]
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 16 Mar '08

16 Mar '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi, All. I can't believe this thread is still ongoing. My first thought when I read the initial comment was: "I think Anibal is a man. I wonder if the other guy knows that." My second thought was that if the guy thought Anibal was a girl, the post was a bit cheeky. Definitely sexist, but compared to the daily grind of BS you get as a woman, it was pretty mild. As the replies to the post came in, I thought "Whoa." I was suprised that there was such immediate condemnation, such a strong, clear line taken against anything that might be percieved as sexist. I liked that people were anxious to ensure that this community remained a space where sexist or racist attitudes were not tolerated. We all strive to make our shops friendly; sometimes this is tricky, as we serve diverse communities with different expectations and standards. It was nice to see the attempt to create a safe space made here, too. I noted with interest that the people involved in both sides of this seemed to be male. Women have been working out all this feminist shit for decades; as a woman, I'd have rolled my eyes at a shaving comment and let it be, saving my worry and attention for something that seemed worth the effort. For example, a "bitch"/"cunt"/"whore" type of thing, or for the kind of shop politics where women end up doing all the cleaning, or the situation where an older male who other guys defer to is rude or mean to female collective members, driving them first to tears and then out. I also care about adequate lighting, and safe buddied up rides home when need be, and child-friendly shops, and women and trans night, and taking the need for more female mechanics seriously. So, in my opinion, the shaving comment, was, as I said, cheeky, and if the write thought Anibal was annibelle, maybe sort of rude, but not worth writing home about. The fact that men were trying to figure out how to create a safe space for women, that was awesome. Thanks. Thanks to all of you, no matter what you wrote, for fretting and stressing and starting to snipe at each other about that issue. It was sort of oddly healing to watch a group of guys working to figure out what is cool and what is not cool. Being called out for sexism or racism or classism or whatever can be embarassing and hurtful and it can seem unfair. The natural tendency is to get defensive, and that happened here. Thanks for writing back anyway. All sorts of things started to get tied into this-- things about hairstyles and politics and beverage choices, considerations of whether what we are doing is social or political, and if either, how... it was a little irritating to read, but also interesting, as people were obviously trying to figure out how all these things fit together. One of the things I love about my community bike shop is the crazy diversity of people who come there. I love our homeless men. I love our two Mormons and our Buhddist monk. I love our fixed gear obsessives, our bike couriers, our single mothers, our homosexual chefs, our senior citizens, and everyone else. I love that while certain similarities exist, we all have really different perspectives, and the weird random conversations about politics or art or whatever that we get into while waiting our turn could go anywhere. (I do think we have a totally disproportionate number of people who believe space aliens intervene in Earth's politics, but maybe that's just me.) That diversity no doubt leads some people to freak out a little. We are always sharing cramped spaces with people who make us a little uncomfortable. Out of that non-politics, comes a politics-- one of diversity, multiplicity, small scales, local things, building and fixing instead of throwing away to buy new, being out in the elements, using our bodies, trusting that our own bodies can do the work, waving to fellow cyclists, assuming that everyone (including the old or children, uneducated people, and people of all genders, etc.) can learn and can teach, sharing tools instead of everyone having to buy their own-- we're plenty political, and even pretty radical, but for my money ***better when we are not assuming a shared ideological outlook or proposing a narrow dogma as our ideal***. Many of the people who come to our shop would hate to have their bike riding connected to Godless Communism; others describe themselves as Maoists, for heaven's sake. I think both those groups are slightly nuts, but whatever. One of the primary reasons I ride my bike is because it gives me pleasure. I feel sexy and strong and good about life when I ride my bike; I'm guessing you all do, too. Knowing about the complicity of the early twentienth century cycling manufacturers in the rubber wars in Congo and Latin America doesn't change my sense that this mode of transportation is the cheapest, most elegant, most liberating, most fun, and just best way of getting around going. Sometimes, that pleasure feels political-- I feel so good, it makes me feel like an outlaw. Thanks for all the earnest angst, folks. It was neat to see you trying to figure some stuff out. If you ended up stressed by each other, I hope you got a chance to ride your bikes to get the kinks out. Sasha P.S. About volunteer surveys-- surveys can be useful, but they are also annoying, and people are complicated. Polls and surveys often get the response that their writers sort of wrote them to get. Just talking to people does actually work, too. I know that I'm underutilized at my shop; everyone knows what I do for a living, and people have a sense of my skill set, and they even talk about needing that kind of help, and I've flat out offered a bunch of times. There are lots of people who come to our shop who have the special skills needed to make it better-- small business people, artists, teachers, computer wizards, etc. But people get their little fiefdoms-- the person who did the fundraiser last year may not want anyone to "take away" her role, or the guy who's been doing the books for two years feels somehow slighted by the thought that buddy-the-accountant (who offers every time he hears whinging about money troubles) might take a look at them. People want help, but sometimes the whole organization seems to live inside the head of a couple of people, and broadening that network seems to be a larger task than just continuing to do things yourselves. There are also touchy issues of people's feelings. This kind of thing goes on in all organizations, and I'm not sure how helpful surveys are when it comes to addressing these things. On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:18:20 -0400 David Hazardous <davidhazardous(a)gmail.com> wrote: >#1 nobody was being sexist. reading all the thinktank posts tells >us that >the one who doesn't shave enough is in fact a man, and as a man, i >also do >not shave enough. i've considered waxing my face. thus, the >response to >shaving being the suggestion to waxing is just a thoughtful >timesaving >maneuver. > >#2 before bikes were used to spread the gospel of a political >system that >doesn't work except for idealist college kids, they were the toys >of rich >people. as in, the common man (proletariat, bolshevik, etc) >couldn't have >one! who knew? > >#3 before cars were stigmatized, bikes were. bikers were >"hotdoggers" >terrorizing horses and pedestrians. > >#4 ever hear of bikes? responsible for paved roads. > >#5 guess what? people drive more than ride. but more jackasses >ride than >drive. i just don't happen to be a hippie or vegan. but i suffer >just as >much for their political views. > >#6 this is hella fun for me, and i'm a good person to boot > >#7 looks like you contributed to this jackass thread. > >#8 undercovercop, hells yes to drinking whiskey but don't you >think that >"retarded bike games" is offensive to retards? (that's a joke, >like the >original "offensive" comment) > ><3 dhx > >i am offically gone from thinktank as fast as i came > >...unless...people act like stupids again. > >p.s. have fun being white and having dreadlocks. maybe we can all >drink some >yerba mate at the sierra club meeting. oops, too conservative. >monkeywrench >gang reprazent! > >On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 7:34 PM, Geoffrey B <vous.je(a)gmail.com> >wrote: > >> What a jack ass. Threads like these make me not want to >contribute. >> >> Thinking that the bike is not a political tool for change is >deluding, >> selling your self short. British 19 century commies used the >bike to get >> out to factors where the roads have not linked to spread the >word of labour >> rights a liberties. >> >> Cars have been extremely stigmatized. They are a political >force, they are >> killing everything. Dont kid your self about that. Ever heard of >the AAA. >> Responsible for most of the expressways in America. >> >> Dont freak out over being called a hippe vegan. Guess what, >vegans and >> hippies drive more then bike. Its not about sexist comments, >its keeping a >> positive outlook on cycling. Dont degrade your fellow cyclists, >use your >> energy to portray a respectful attitude that motorists lack. >> >> Its not political , its called being a good person. I have fun >being a >> good person, dont you. Being a sexist tyrant creates fun on >another's >> expense. >> >> Canada, >> Geoff >> >> >> >> On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM, David Hazardous < >> davidhazardous(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> > hey jackasses... >> > >> > it's threads like these that make the public not take cycling >seriously. >> > bikes are not a bandwagon for political agendas. bikes are a >mode of >> > transportation. they help people get to work, the store, and >yes, the bar. >> > and people eat meat and make sexist remarks just as much on a >bike. i am so >> > sick of being labeled "vegan" or "hippie" or "liberal" because >i ride a bike >> > and don't own a car. hey fringe culture: stop co-opting a yet- >unstigmatized >> > vehicle to turn it into a political soapbox. NOT ALL BIKERS >ARE IDEALIST >> > TEETOTALERS. bikes aren't going to save the world, they're >just going to >> > give a few people reliable transportation. and fun. remember >that? fun? >> > >> > flame me all you want, >> > dhx >> > >> > >> > On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 7:11 PM, <undercovercop(a)riseup.net> >wrote: >> > >> > > wow, michael, i'm sure you meant this in jest, but making >cracks about >> > > a >> > > woman having to wax to impress is pretty horribly sexist and >leaves a >> > > real bad taste in my mouth. >> > > >> > > and perhaps you have an understanding with anibal that this >kind of >> > > joking around is okay. i have lots of friends i know i can >safely >> > > tease >> > > in all sorts of offensive ways. however, this is a public >list with >> > > lots of folks who don't know one another. especially since >you say you >> > > don't know annibal, it's really tempting to read your joke >as >> > > straight-up sexist bullshit. >> > > >> > > given how much really good thought and discussion i've seen >this >> > > community put into identifying and rooting out sexist >bullshit, i >> > > gotta >> > > say i think you're out of line. >> > > >> > > hope you don't take offense, >> > > benB >> > > chicago community bike project >> > > >> > > -- >> > > '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.org >> > > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Thethinktank mailing list >> > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > >> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> > >> > >> >> >> -- >> "Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia" - H.G. Wells >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> >> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkfd3ZMACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRlPZwCgnzf8gkFYUbyeXCJEJm1MC3RnSjEA n0UoJbvnHIbsYRTaqgke9EVNpSPh =LauN -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

1 0

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.

1 0

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

1 0

good comments on bad idea to create a distribution center for co-op new goods
by Andrew Stepnick 13 Mar '08

13 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.… > >

1 0

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

1 0

bike storage ideas
by Mark Rehder 12 Mar '08

12 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

4 3

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!

1 0

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

4 3

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

2 1

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 >

1 0

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.

2 1

[Fwd: Looking for volunteer bike mechanics to work with kids in Nepal]
by Macho Philipovich 05 Mar '08

05 Mar '08

Maybe someone is interested? And thanks everyone for your replies to my question about formalizing shop use, they are appreciated. macho

1 0

Fwd: [yben] FW: Looking for volunteer bike mechanics to work with kids in Nepal
by Jonathan Morrison 05 Mar '08

05 Mar '08

-----Original Message----- From: Tom Martin [mailto:tom@wrenchnepal.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:26 AM To: Tom Martin Subject: Looking for volunteer bike mechanics to work with kids in Nepal Hello, from Kathmandu! This email is going out to many of the bicycle programs and community contacts I've come across in the last few years. You may have heard from me when we were initially organizing this project, looking for advice. Now that we're off the ground, Wrench Nepal is looking for volunteers. Wrench Nepal (www.WrenchNepal.org) runs a small bike shop here in Kathmandu, Nepal, that is operated by bike mechanic 'interns'-- Nepali teenagers who, for any reason, are in danger of entering adulthood without marketable job skills, or are otherwise at a disadvantage. There are over 400 homes in Kathmandu alone for children who have been orphaned or abandoned by their families. At the moment, we work with kids from a drop-in shelter and a group that supports the families of those in prison, with a seemingly endless supply of possible new interns: teenagers eager to learn a useful skill, to practice their English, and to become self-sufficient. With only one person training them, however, the shop cannot work with more than 2-3 people at a time. That's where you come in. We're looking for two people at a time to act as bike mechanic instructors and program organizers. Two positions are available to be filled immediately; the second shift will be open in May, when the current instructor's visa expires. The requirements are: - Working knowledge of basic bike mechanics - Good communication and organizing skills - Willingness to live in a foreign environment and work with people from a very different culture Bike shop or co-op experience is a major advantage, as is experience in business administration or community activism. Grant writing skills will be helpful. Each position is for approximately 4 months and requires that you live in Kathmandu. As this is an all-volunteer program, there will be no pay, and any profit that the shop raises will be distributed among the Nepali interns for things that they need as future bike mechanics. Cost of living is very low, rent in a comfortable place can be as little as $50 per month. Volunteers can also pursue part-time paid work to support themselves while in Nepal. We encourage those of you who are presently enrolled in universities to consider this as a possible independent study abroad opportunity. We will work with the administration at your school to determine if this can be a for-credit internship for you. If you do not have mechanic skills, we may still be interested in your participation as an organizer. If interested, please send a brief resume of your relevant experience and a short cover letter to tom(a)wrenchnepal.org. Make sure to highlight your experience working with bicycles and working in community organizing positions. Thanks, and hope to hear from you soon. I encourage you to forward or re-post this message anywhere you feel is appropriate. Tom Martin Wrench Nepal tom(a)wrenchnepal.org _______________________________________________ YBEN mailing list Post: YBEN(a)lists.mayfirst.org List info: https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/yben To Unsubscribe Send email to: YBEN-unsubscribe(a)lists.mayfirst.org Or visit: https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/options/yben/info%40slcbikecolle… You are subscribed as: info(a)slcbikecollective.org

1 0

formalizing shop use
by Macho Philipovich 04 Mar '08

04 Mar '08

hey folks. for our first 2.5 years, we've set up our open hours very informally. you show up, you can rip through used parts on your own, pick out a bike to fix up on your own, fix it up on your own, or ask for help fixing your bike if you like, too. this has been great, because it's offered a lot of people access to the shop without feeling overly regimented, but toward the end of each summer (peak season), the shop has gotten really chaotic, and some volunteers have started feeling pretty anxious, with all repair stands in use, more people all over the floor with their bikes turned upside down, kids running around all over the place, people asking for help every 30 seconds when you're already helping someone else, and it just being tricky to keep an eye on everything that's going on in the shop. so, we're looking to move toward a setup where people all have to sign in with a greeter and get assigned to a volunteer to work with, and if there are no free volunteers/stands, you have to wait. i'm sure most other shops are already doing this, so i thought i'd ask for your experiences/strategies/advice. some specific questions: - do you have separate sign-up sheets for quick repairs vs. say building a bike up from scratch? - do you offer a comfy area to wait for those who need to? - do you let people work on bikes without a volunteer? - if so, do you make them "prove" that they know how to use the tools properly or respect the shop? - do you have one volunteer set up at a "flat fixing" station? - how well does all of this stuff work? but feel free to discuss things that those questions don't touch on. thanks everybody, this list is such an amazing resource, macho of the bike dump

4 3

who's got membership?
by Jessica McPherson 04 Mar '08

04 Mar '08

Hello everyone, I am wondering who out there has tried having membership requirements, and how that has worked. Has it resulted in greater volunteer committment? How has it affected the demographics of the people that use the shop? Has anyone tried a set-up kind of like a food cooperative, where you have to volunteer hours at the shop in order to be able to use it? thanks, Jessica (Free Ride, Pittsburgh) -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

5 4

Re: [TheThinkTank] formalizing shop use
by Bob Giordano 04 Mar '08

04 Mar '08

it comes in cycles... simple clean shop with 5-12 happy people working at stands with 2-3 vols helping as needed... then boom, shop is over full, 3 hands reach for one chain tool, small kids want help now! so... a year ago we formalized a 'bikewell' program. if you want to build a bike from the 'well' (our sideyard stocked with everything) we ask that you take a class and volunteer 2 hours. 5 different vols teach the classes that are offered 3 times a week. 3 vols run the vol. night. the class covers basic bike laws, basic maintenance, and a _shop orientation_. this one change in our program has brought just enough 'order.' we do have a nice sitting/conversing area too. like austin, we have about 12 stands, and some share tool boards. a solution we would like to see someday: open many more hours, like 10am-7pm daily. but we are all-volunteer like many others. i'm off at city meetings all the time advocating for a connected bicycle infrastruture. but it does work- we trust about 20 people with keys to the shop, and they get it done. sure we lose a tool now and then, and maybe someone that did not take the class gets a sweet bike. we bend 'rules' a lot, and try to stay fair to all. each person that comes thru the door is a relationship not a customer. our donation jar brings in about $600 a month- just enough to cover $500 rent and $100 utilities. tools are always being donated, or bought with extra shop funds and small neighborhood grants. other: -average 30 visitors per 4 hours open shop session -average 3-5 vols running each 4 hour shift (4 shifts per week) -inside space 2,000 sq ft., outside 1,000 -given away 4,000 bikes since '96 -50 green loaner bikes in circulation ($10 deposit, comes with lock, light, basket, fenders) (in process of getting them all sponsored by local businesses- for $100 a year business gets a small logo on basket, or they can decorate the bike) -one section of the shop is 'Pedal Technology' for trailer building, etc. -'people's projects' get tagged (name, date, phone) and can stay at shop for 2 weeks, then it can go back into the 'well'. -we have an annual 'festival of cycles' that is like one huge open shop session- we bring all stuff to a park, invite mechanics and musicians, and we all help each other build bikes that people ride away. (4/19/08) -we have 4 'log books' at the front of the shop: guest book, checkout log, bikewell log, financial log -i can send more info or e-docs of anything in this email... -bob giordano free cycles missoula

1 0

direct-pull brake levers v. everything else
by Erik Stockmeier 04 Mar '08

04 Mar '08

sheldon brown (r.i.p.) went on at length all over his website about not mixing direct-pull ("V" brake, noodle brake) brake levers with any other type of brakes & vice versa. here is one quote, from http://www.sheldonbrown.com/canti-direct.html : Direct-pull cantilevers have double the mechanical advantage compared with traditional brakes, so they require special brake levers. Direct-pull brake levers pull the cable twice as far, half as hard. The lower mechanical advantage of the lever compensates for the higher M.A. of the cantilever. It is not generally safe to mix and match levers/cables between direct pull and other types for this reason. * Conventional brake levers used with direct-pull cantilevers will usually not pull enough cable to stop in wet conditions without bottoming out against the handlebars. In dry conditions, they either won't work, or will grab too suddenly. * Direct-pull brake levers used with any other type of brakes will feel nice and solid when you squeeze them, but due to their lower mechanical advantage you'll need to squeeze twice as hard to stop as you should, so unless you are a lightweight rider with gorilla-like paws, this combination isn't safe either. ...end quote so my question is this... do i need to go through my personal collection of brake levers and somehow identify/separate DP levers from the rest? is there any simple way to do this? it seems like a problem i've seen many people run in to--the brakes seem fine on the stand, nonexistant when the bike goes out for a test ride. so this is probably something we should be on the lookout for, right? ok, thanks erik of course there is this huge and boring page as well: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cantilever-geometry.html#mechanical

5 5

NOLA and back
by Derek Dunham 03 Mar '08

03 Mar '08

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

1 0

First Aid in your shop
by Rich Points 03 Mar '08

03 Mar '08

Collectives, At Community Cycles we have a couple of first aid kits that we keep on the peg boards with the tools. Some people know they're there others don't. The kits get used, mostly band aids and aspirin. We don't have a formal way of replenishing things from the kit as they are used. How does your shop handle first aid and keep the supplies stocked? -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

2 1

bike racks
by Liza Mattana 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Hey, is there a group on this list, or does someone know of group, that is working to put more bike racks in place? a friend of mine is working with our city for more bike facilities, and i mentioned that there are bike groups around that work to put racks out there for folks. did i imagine this, or do those groups really exist? please let me know if you do this kind of work, and if you do, what kind of racks are you building and/or using. or maybe you know of someone and send me a link. thanks, liza -- Liza Mattana www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Shop Competition
by troy neiman 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

I would like to agree with Jonathan and add to his points of establishing communication with your LBS. Keep in mind that the more people on bikes is better for everyone and especially bike shop business in general. I have found that in the case of anyone that is buying/fixing a bike at our community shop will inevitably need a retail store to buy parts/labor from at some point, and might I add that many folks who come to BICAS are just getting in to the idea of riding a bike for transportation and will many times upgrade once they get to enjoy that idea. Also, a bike rider that can fix their own flat tire, lube the chain and diagnose the problems is a happy rider and far less likely to become frustrated and stop riding all together. At BICAS we do stock some necessary new parts such as cables, some tubes and tires, chains, and simple locks/lights (priced the same as LBS as not to undercut) which we order directly from QBP or J&B importers. We do not advertise the new parts but make known the availability of these items when needed. These are also the distributors we use to get our tools. I myself work part time at BICAS and part at the LBS and can say first hand that this is an essential and benificial relationship for both. We send many folks to the LBS for newer and specific parts that we may not have and they send folks down for older, used or obsolete parts that they don't have and it works great for both. I have also noticed that when I tell someone about BICAS when I am working at the LBS they are thrilled to know about the resource and usually impressed at the honesty and collaboration between the two, which equals loyal customers. Truth is some people are Community bike people and some are bike shop people and if we can work together that means more people on bikes and more business for everyone so lets get people on bikes people! Troy Neiman BICAS Tucson, AZ > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "the816bikecollective Kansascity" <the816bike(a)gmail.com> > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Shop Competition > Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:22:44 -0500 > > > Hey, I'm Sean with the not yet operational 816 Bicycle Collective in Kansas > City, MO. We've raised money already by holding a benefit event. We had > bands, food, and fun, and we charged a five dollar suggested donation. In > order to help us, we had some really kick ass bands. As far as spare parts > go, we've been posting all over the board asking for old parts for the last > 10 months. This actually created an excess of parts. In order to try to > avoid competition with the LBSs, we presented them (at their request) with > information about who we are and what we're doing. > > There is one LBS in our area that has helped us getting tools at cost, but > they're an owner operated company that has long wondered where the > collective was in KC. We're lucky. Basically, money and parts are free, they > just take a lot of organized effort. We have a cap of something like $80 for > all bike sales. We only sell bikes to raise funds, so basically we don't > sell bikes out of the shop. If there's a nice bike we come into and we need > money, we'll try to get it to someone via craigslist or word of mouth. > > One more thing, I personally work as a mechanic at an LBS (not the owner > operated one) and rather than an interview from my current employer, I was > basically interrogated as to how my being employed by him and being a > volunteer at the collective was not a conflict of interest. > > Again, we're not yet operational, so take this advice as you will. Also feel > free to check out our myspace page, > http://www.myspace.com/the816bicyclecollective. Look at our blog and you'll > find some specifics about our soon to be operation. Best of luck!!! > > -Sean in the 816 > > On 2/27/08, Stuart O Anderson <soa(a)ri.cmu.edu> wrote: > > > > I'm familiar with Devil Gear, and they have some unique features that > > make this difficult. Unlike most the LBS's we have in Pittsburgh, > > Devils Gear sells repaired used bikes in the 100-150 dollar range. > > That puts them in competition for both resources and market segments > > with a volunteer based community shop that's fixing up bikes for sale. > > Last time I was in New Haven they were charging about double what we > > would have priced bikes for at Free Ride, but had a somewhat higher > > median quality of bike. They also stock a fair selection of new > > bikes. > > > > I'd suggest that the New Haven collective try to avoid competition for > > now by focusing on educational program rather than bike sales. I.E. > > offering a 3 week, 6 session class in bike mechanics for adults or > > offering a build-a-bike program to local youth organizations, or > > having a sponsored tune-up-day event at one of the local universities. > > These sorts of programs take a little more effort to set up, but > > could be quite profitable. > > > > We get our parts through QBP (Quality Bike Parts) - you'll need to > > have liability insurance to get an account with them. > > > > Stuart > > > > On Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 7:01 PM, Jonathan Morrison > > <jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org> wrote: > > > Most of the problems I have seen in other cities are due to poor > > > communication and misunderstandings. This is my pitch, it works in salt > > > lake city -- feel free to use, modify, and/or ignore it. > > > > > > Community Bike Shops don't compete with Local Bike Shops (LBS), instead > > they > > > form a tight symbiotic relationship. Why? > > > > > > First, we serve different demographics. We serve the people that can't > > > afford or are scared of the LBS. Someone can buy a bike from a thrift > > store > > > for $25, a bike from Walmart for $100 or a low end bike from a LBS for > > $350. > > > We sell bikes anywhere from $50 to $150, so if anything we compete with > > > Walmart, but they don't seem to care. If someone can't afford a bike at > > > your LBS, send them to us! If someone is looking for a nicer bike and > > has > > > money to spend we will send them to you! > > > > > > Second, we create business for the LBS! While we have our own > > distributor > > > accounts, they are reserved for our most dedicated volunteers, everyone > > else > > > we redirect to the LBS. Our shop is open from 5-9pm so we tell them if > > they > > > can make it make it to the LBS before it closes (7PM), they could make > > it > > > back in time to install the part. > > > > > > Third, we are a tax writeoff! Get rid of used, new, old stock and make > > room > > > for things that can sell! Give it to us, and not only can you go to > > sleep > > > knowing it went into good hands -- you can get a much needed tax > > writeoff. > > > We will also publicize the fact you help your community by doing so. > > > > > > Fourth, we are your source for future mechanics. Not sure who to hire? > > > While our volunteers don't always deal with the high-end bikes, we can > > > recommend potential employees based on the more important things like > > their > > > ability to learn, reliability, ability to take direction, and their > > level of > > > customer service and passion for cycling. We train them to the point > > where > > > they could be molded into the perfect employee. > > > > > > -- > > > 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/ > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 4:05 PM, Cris Shirley <cgshirley(a)gmail.com> > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hey! > > > > So we are starting a bike collective in New Haven, and had the support > > > > of our local bike shop Devil's Gear Bikes where the owner said that he > > > > would provide parts at cost and help us out on stuff. Well, now he is > > > > feeling treaten because he thinks we might start moving in a direction > > > > that may in competition with him (right now we need some start up > > > > money so we are going to fix up and sell some of the bikes we have.) > > > > Note that we have not given one bike away yet. So, I was wondering if > > > > anyone had any experiences of this sort and how they were managed? > > > > How do y'all get parts for bikes like cables and tubes and tires, and > > > chains? > > > > Thanks > > > > cris > > > > > > > > On 2/25/08, Edward France <edfrance(a)bicicentro.org> wrote: > > > > > Bike Peeps - Thought about taking a weekend out in Santa Barbara? > > > > > This is the perfect time, and we'll do our best to find hosting for > > > > > cooks, clerks, wrenches, and other forms of shop creatures that > > travel > > > > > out to celebrate with us. > > > > > > > > > > Save the Date- > > > > > Dia de Bici Cultura- the Grand Opening of Bici > > > > > Centro's new retail/educational/shop space in Santa Barbara. April > > 5th > > > > > will mark the event with Bike Art, Bike People and Bike Fun, BBQ, > > > > > evening reception with dinner, and a night ride. > > > > > > > > > > After a year of once monthly repair days, months of once weekly > > shop, > > > > > and infinite hours of shuffling around our stuff to serve in a > > modular > > > > > manner, Bici Centro finds its own 1,200 sq ft. space. We've got our > > > > > youth Earn-a-bike churning out bikes and biking kids, community > > > > > support, and a solid core of 15 volunteers working to get SB cycling > > > > > in style. > > > > > > > > > > A more detailed invite to be sent out this week. > > > > > > > > > > <a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/xrudolfx/2285845544/' > > > > > title='Bicicentroopening by xRUDOLFx, on Flickr'><img > > > > > src=' > > http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2285845544_744700953e_b.jpg' > > > > > width='1024' height='775' alt='Bicicentroopening' /></a> > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > 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.… > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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.… > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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!

2 1

further thought on bike shop competition
by AndaLaLucha 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Hello, Another positive symbiotic aspect of the LBS/Recycled Bike Collective relationship that wasn't mentioned yet is that of the repair. Countless people buy used bikes from Free Ride in some state of disrepair and then bring them to a Local Bike Shop to be repaired. This is because we only teach people how to do repairs, and don't actually repair the bikes for them. Many people have limited time, energy etc. and it is easier for them to bring their bike in to another shop for reapir. So even if people are getting the bikes in working condition from a recycled bike shop, they may later bring the bikes in to a LBS for repairs. Also, I have seen many people get their first bike at Free Ride! and then when they get really into biking, upgrade and get a nicer bike at a Local Bike Shop. Additionally, a local bike retail shop, Gatto's, that was down the street from us, loved our proximity because they could send all the people with shitty Huffy's etc. to us for repair help, instead of them having to tell the people that the repairs would cost more than the bike itself. Bike on, Andalusia

1 0

Bike Shop Competition
by Cris Shirley 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Hey! So we are starting a bike collective in New Haven, and had the support of our local bike shop Devil's Gear Bikes where the owner said that he would provide parts at cost and help us out on stuff. Well, now he is feeling treaten because he thinks we might start moving in a direction that may in competition with him (right now we need some start up money so we are going to fix up and sell some of the bikes we have.) Note that we have not given one bike away yet. So, I was wondering if anyone had any experiences of this sort and how they were managed? How do y'all get parts for bikes like cables and tubes and tires, and chains? Thanks cris On 2/25/08, Edward France <edfrance(a)bicicentro.org> wrote: > Bike Peeps - Thought about taking a weekend out in Santa Barbara? > This is the perfect time, and we'll do our best to find hosting for > cooks, clerks, wrenches, and other forms of shop creatures that travel > out to celebrate with us. > > Save the Date- > Dia de Bici Cultura- the Grand Opening of Bici > Centro's new retail/educational/shop space in Santa Barbara. April 5th > will mark the event with Bike Art, Bike People and Bike Fun, BBQ, > evening reception with dinner, and a night ride. > > After a year of once monthly repair days, months of once weekly shop, > and infinite hours of shuffling around our stuff to serve in a modular > manner, Bici Centro finds its own 1,200 sq ft. space. We've got our > youth Earn-a-bike churning out bikes and biking kids, community > support, and a solid core of 15 volunteers working to get SB cycling > in style. > > A more detailed invite to be sent out this week. > > <a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/xrudolfx/2285845544/' > title='Bicicentroopening by xRUDOLFx, on Flickr'><img > src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2285845544_744700953e_b.jpg' > width='1024' height='775' alt='Bicicentroopening' /></a> > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > >

6 5

Calling out Cali Especially - Grand Opening of Bici Centro in Santa Barbara -Dia de BiciCultura
by Edward France 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Bike Peeps - Thought about taking a weekend out in Santa Barbara? This is the perfect time, and we'll do our best to find hosting for cooks, clerks, wrenches, and other forms of shop creatures that travel out to celebrate with us. Save the Date- Dia de Bici Cultura- the Grand Opening of Bici Centro's new retail/educational/shop space in Santa Barbara. April 5th will mark the event with Bike Art, Bike People and Bike Fun, BBQ, evening reception with dinner, and a night ride. After a year of once monthly repair days, months of once weekly shop, and infinite hours of shuffling around our stuff to serve in a modular manner, Bici Centro finds its own 1,200 sq ft. space. We've got our youth Earn-a-bike churning out bikes and biking kids, community support, and a solid core of 15 volunteers working to get SB cycling in style. A more detailed invite to be sent out this week. <a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/xrudolfx/2285845544/' title='Bicicentroopening by xRUDOLFx, on Flickr'><img src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2285845544_744700953e_b.jpg' width='1024' height='775' alt='Bicicentroopening' /></a>

1 0

Need help with outdoor bike racks
by Jonathan Morrison 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

We are starting to get businesses interested in bike racks. I started a wiki page for it, but I was hoping those with greater experience could help add to it... http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Outdoor_Bicycle_Racks -- 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/

2 1