Free Bikes and Bike Repairs for Anyone Affected by the VTA Strike
I work on bikes as a hobby and I want to help my community. Usually, I just find old beaten up bikes on FB marketplace and save them from the garbage, making about $40-60 on each of them. (Pictured are some of the bikes I’ve worked on over the years. They already have good homes.) After fixing up a bike for a housemate and seeing their reaction, I’ve decided to lend my services to the community.
It’s a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, but I don’t really do it for the money. I usually sell them to kids going to SJSU, and usually get them out of someone’s garage or backyard. It’s a great feeling to keep something on the road and improve someone’s quality of life. Owning a mode of transportation can be life changing, and as a walking person before I could afford a car, I remember it well.
I’ve repaired and sold dozens of bikes like this over the past five years across the country. I have all the tools and skills necessary for most repairs and maintenance. I’m here to help.
Please consider DM’ing me to donate a bike for your community or reach out for a quote on parts cost and turnaround time. I will be posting the free bikes in this subreddit in the coming days. No one is turned away without a quote or diagnosis.
Tips are appreciated, but not necessary.
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Here’s what you need to know:
- My Labor is Free, Parts are Not.
I’m happy to chat, diagnose, and fix pretty much anything. I can’t afford to restore bikes for everyone. Please pay for parts. After that, we’re golden. Receipts will be kept and passed along.
If you cannot pay for parts, I cannot release the bike to you.
Most basic parts I can get in a two day window, some may take longer.
- My Skills Have a Limit.
While I wish I was a master mechanic, and have access to the tools necessary for every repair, I simply don’t. I cannot service hydraulic brakes at the moment, for example. I also don’t rebuild suspension components. However, no one will be turned away before a diagnosis and I have the tools for most repairs and maintenance.
- Please Respect My Time.
As I triage bikes and get them out to people, please remember that I have a job and family as well, and that I can only work on these in the evenings and weekends until the strike is over. Thankfully, I have some time management skills and enough experience to offer accurate turnaround times. If something takes longer than I thought it would, you’ll be notified.
- Some Things Can’t Be Fixed.
If your wheel is damaged beyond repair, you’ll need a new wheel. Bikes from big box stores like Walmart are often made with such cheap components they can reach a state where everything needs replacing or service. Vintage bikes are hard to find parts for and often can’t without resorting to eBay and high prices. Please keep this in mind, but remember no one is turned away without a diagnosis. Most fixes are simple, but keep this in mind.
- I Will Not Hand Off Anything to You That is Unsafe on a Test Ride.
I don’t feel comfortable fixing something when I know another issue, like a braking problem, might hurt you. I’ll do my best to make sure every bike is safe enough that I’d use it. I can’t have anyone’s pain and suffering on my conscience. This may lead to parts cost or additional turnaround times, but everyone will be safer and happier for this.
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If you or a loved one could use a bike, or if you have one to donate so someone can have a free bike on here, DM me.
If you would like to donate money, I have a Venmo, and you can DM me. I’ll respond with where your money went and send pics of the bike(s) it went to. If it doesn’t go anywhere I’ll send it back. Tips are appreciated, but not necessary.
I want to be held accountable and this isn’t a throwaway account, I expect someone to blast me on here if I screw anyone over, and I’d prefer to keep my karma and local reputation. So I’ll do my best, and as your neighbor, try and help.
Thanks and ride safe!