BikeBike Southeast 2009/How to Stock Your Shop

Notes from the BikeBike Southeast 2009 How to Stock Your Shop workshop

Shop Supplies: Lubes, Tires, Cables, Tubes

• Hawley
• Distributors (ex: United Bicycle Supply)
• work with local bike shops

Locks

• cable locks
• bulk chain
• padlocks

Helmets

• BikeHelmets.org
• local fire dept

Tools vital for starting a shop

• chain breakers
• wrenches
• personal tools
• freewheel tools
• crank arm tools
• workstands
• calipers and/or spoke rulers (with bearing gauge)
• separate tool bags w/ complete tool sets
• multi-hex tool

Bike parts to start

• local organizations
  • big donations
• [www.craigslist.org Craigslist] ask for parts
• dumpsters
• apartment complexes
• university complexes / university police
• word of mouth
• bike/parts pickups
• local cycling clubs (invite them in to the shop)
• put a specific wish list on your website
• scrap metal collectors
• local clean-up / trash amnesty
• explain shopping lists
• buy cables and housing
  • suggested donations (i.e. $1/ ft or cable)

After / Farther Down the Line

• truing stands
  • arrange spoke wrenches small -> large to prevent spoke stripping
• DIY taps
  • file an old pedal bolt to look like a tap; will work a few times before wearing out
• derailleur hanger tool
• crank puller
• frame aligner for dropouts
• headset press
• welder for metal working
  • grinder
• bench vice
• parts washer
  • put a magnet in the bottom to collect metal junk
  • clean & reuse the solvent with a coffee filter
• dispenser bottles for bulk lube, cleaners
  • or at least non-aerosol lubes (cheaper, kids don't enjoy spraying as much)
• hand cleaner
• cone wrenches
• more freewheel tools
• cheater bars (make from bike frame piece, etc)
• separate specialty tools
• radio
  • but not a piano
• coffee maker

Consumables

• hardware store partnerships
• soaps
• lubes
• degreasers
• get donated from wish list
• corporate donations to non-profits

Make your own repair stands

• DIY clothes hanger
• Freeride Pittsburgh has diagrams
• DIY scissor stand holds front hub & bottom bracket
• huge vice grip pliers as a stand clamp
  • C-clamp vice grips
• no-weld workstands from Instructables
• old car trunk bike racks mounted to walls
• car bike racks left on peoples' cars when they visit

Recycling

• recycle metals
• art schools
• BICAS
• cut up old frames & practice welding
• ship old tubes to people who make stuff (in Oregon?)
• make wallet, change purses from tubes
• rear triangle stool (Freeride Pittsburgh to provide specs)
• use old wheels/rims to hang parts/tools
• use spokes to hang kids' wheels / helmets
• use half drop bars to hang bikes (smash end flat with bench vice to bolt to wall)
• angle down hooks so they don't break off
• old rags & bike shop / auto shops
  • dumpsters, old shirts
• bottle opener made from old cassette
• belt from old tires
• jewelery
• storage
  • complete bikes - turn handlebars & remove pedals
  • use pallets to make 2 levels
  • stack bike 2 high by using plywood between layers
• use forks as racks
• fix old allen wrenches with a Dremel (cut off rounded-off tip; shaft becomes new tip)
• make a spoke driver by cutting the center out of a flat head screwdriver tip

Other

• Official letters w/ wish list
  • use letterhead, graphics for professional appearance
  • for socialization
• make a mini-tent from a tarp