Local CO-ops.

[Flying Zombie]

Silly question probably, but I've seen a number of people say they go to a local CoOp"? For cheap parts, help.. discount cruiser stuff.. Is there something like that in Rhode Island? All I keep finding are college bike shops with snotty little jerks running it who dont know a thing outside a 3000$ fixie...I go in there with my Otasco and ask for some advice, or information.."Its a bike.. or..was once..".. was the best they could offer. Sick to the point of seeing red, I left without so much as a 'Keep on truckin'.

Does Rhode Island have a polite bike shop or CoOp shop? both?

Thanks all!

 

[honestherman]

Out here in the Midwest. We have Farmers Co-op. It is several stores all in one area. A Hardware store, A Bakery, A Fuel Stop. etc. The Hardware store has things like Bike Tubes etc.
Then they have a Fleet and Farm store that has almost Everything you need. Batterys. Tractor parts. Tubes for everything from Bikes to Trucks and Tractors.
Then there is the Bike shops in the tourist area. With the five thousand dollar bikes. Everything is new and they replace parts. They have a Bike tech who will adjust everything on any bike. But beware, They are always working on expensive bikes. The rate is one hundred dollars an hour.
When you have one of the older bikes, it is best to do the work yourself. People in bike stores like the one I described have no knowledge of older bikes. Old Bike clubs are the key for all of us.
Oh make sure you find a person who actually rides and fixes their bikes. NOT a person who just likes to talk a lot about what you need to do and pushes their ideas without any actual experience.
Those people are everywhere....

 

[Flying Zombie]

Out here in the Midwest. We have Farmers Co-op. It is several stores all in one area. A Hardware store, A Bakery, A Fuel Stop. etc. The Hardware store has things like Bike Tubes etc.
Then they have a Fleet and Farm store that has almost Everything you need. Batterys. Tractor parts. Tubes for everything from Bikes to Trucks and Tractors.
Then there is the Bike shops in the tourist area. With the five thousand dollar bikes. Everything is new and they replace parts. They have a Bike tech who will adjust everything on any bike. But beware, They are always working on expensive bikes. The rate is one hundred dollars an hour.
When you have one of the older bikes, it is best to do the work yourself. People in bike stores like the one I described have no knowledge of older bikes. Old Bike clubs are the key for all of us.
Oh make sure you find a person who actually rides and fixes their bikes. NOT a person who just likes to talk a lot about what you need to do and pushes their ideas without any actual experience.
Those people are everywhere....

I absolutely agree on the advice, and I really like how it sounds like its set up, maybe a photo on the next turn? The layout sounds like a ratters dream with Tractor parts at arms reach!

I can do most of the maintenance myself, parts is where Im losing patience. Two members I know of live in the same state here, and Im not on speaking terms with one. I need some source to find discount parts and supplies like headlights, fenders..grips as formentioned.. etc.. I buy most of my parts off the bay due to a lack of CL posts worth a hoot, or bikes old enough to actually get use out of the cost. I do buy used bikes for parts at the right price, but these 50$ tankers that seem to sprout up all over sure dont see Providence, outside Bri-in-RI , Whos trade secrets I wouldnt begin to paw for out of respect.

Im kinda stuck here with the very basics ~

FZ

 

[Bicycle808]

http://www.recycleabike.org/
http://www.wrwc.org/gwyRedShed.php

Careful; many co-ops have snotty little jerks volunteering at them, too.

 

[user 135]

I volunteer at our local one about once a week plus big events. I also work on my bike occasionally, buy parts (new and used) and been known to buy a bike or two from them.

 

[honestherman]

http://www.recycleabike.org/
http://www.wrwc.org/gwyRedShed.php

Careful; many co-ops have snotty little jerks volunteering at them, too.

Is that True, They only accept help by short people that have colds and Runny Noses?
Wow ... I think everyone here should be careful, They might catch a cold from those guys.. Especially in a building.

 

[Bicycle808]

Is that True, They only accept help by short people that have colds and Runny Noses?
Wow ... I think everyone here should be careful, They might catch a cold from those guys.. Especially in a building.

I didn't say they ONLY have snotty little jerks volunteering at them. It's been my experience that cyclists like FZ described in his original post tend to pop up anywhere that other cyclists congregate.

 

[Flying Zombie]

Nice r

http://www.recycleabike.org/
http://www.wrwc.org/gwyRedShed.php

Careful; many co-ops have snotty little jerks volunteering at them, too.

Nice Resources, thank you, Im looking into the first of the two now.
Why IS it that a particularly large number of jerks end up with the mass of bikes? I mean I know the saying "they're everywhere you go, and do anything you do.."..but to this abundance is a bit noticeable.

 

[Bicycle808]

I can't really say for sure, but I think that for some, snobbery is part of the cycling tradition. And I think that jerkiness breeds more jerkiness. As in, cyclists who run in some snobbish circles may become defensive until, ultimately, they become jerks themselves. That's my theory, but who knows?

I think the second one looks more promising, but they don't start back up til the summer.

 

[user 135]

Luckily my local co-op is only full of nice guys. They even made these cool stickers to place on bikes that they sell.



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[Bicycle808]

I'm diggin' the sticker, Clancy.

 

[honestherman]

I can't really say for sure, but I think that for some, snobbery is part of the cycling tradition. And I think that jerkiness breeds more jerkiness. As in, cyclists who run in some snobbish circles may become defensive until, ultimately, they become jerks themselves. That's my theory, but who knows?

I think the second one looks more promising, but they don't start back up til the summer.

I find that I agree with your theory. I think this is something to remember and make sure it never happens to themselves. Some people who think they are trying to help, But they just fall into the same circle you are talking about. I find SOME people here are . When that is true it is taken as you say " Snobbery" and "Jerkiness"

Here is my personal take on your theory. I changed it to work for me.

I think that for some, snobbery is part of these times here in our country. I don't feel its right, People just feel that if they tell people what to do, It makes them Important in their own minds. I think that jerkiness breeds more jerkiness. Like people run in snobbish circles and are really just jerks themselves. Most people have a Mirror in the bathroom, We should all use it. That's MY theory, but who knows?

 

[user 135]

I'm diggin' the sticker, Clancy.

You will like this one to then. This was our "Christmas present" this year.



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[honestherman]

Cman, Where does your Co op meet? Seems like they would have a lot of stuff to haul around. Sounds like you are lucky to be part of the BBP. Congrats to you and all of them for keeping the co op as it was intended to be.

 

[user 135]

Herman, BBP owns the building that they are in through hardwork and lots of fundraising. In 7 years, they have become an institution in our community and well respected. They offer a memberships to work on your own bike, to learn at weekly classes and to receive discounts on new and used parts. They also offer many volunteer opportunities for fixing up bikes for their various programs that offer free and reduced price bikes to refugees, kids, and individuals with legal problems. This is a good read on how far the BBP has come from the first meeting in 2007 (I attended). http://www.boisebicycleproject.org/vision/