A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Reader Question, Bike Repair
A reader writes in asking if anyone in the neighborhood does minor bike repairs (specifically a brake adjustment). Do you know of anyone who performs such services any closer than Capitol Hill Bikes?
11 comments:
Gonzo
said...
If you're close to BicycleSpace at 5th and I NW, they do good work.
The Bike and Roll BikeStation at Union Station is good for basic work and their rates are reasonable. My feeling was that the guys working there seemed to be "intermediate" level mechanics; I would be comfortable having them do certain basic items like adjustments and tune-ups, but would be hesitant having them do major work on a high-end bike. this was about a year ago so the staff may have changed (for major work I go to District Hardware which is over by Foggy Bottom).
Second the BicycleSpace. It is not in our neighborhood but it is IMO the best in the city. First time I went they did some minor repairs and check up on my bike for free. That brought me back and I don't plan on going anywhere else as long as they're open.
My boyfriend, who lives with me at 8th and K, NE, has been a bike mechanic for 15 years. He works at a shop on the other side of the city but also has a completely functional shop in our house and does freelance work all the time. We have plenty of spare tubes and lots of parts, and he even has a truing stand now so can do pretty much everything from home. He also has been known to do housecalls for repairs! He's chill, ridiculously experienced, charges the same or less than what you'll find in a shop. I feel a little weird pimping him out but at the same time, more money for him means more date nights for me :)
So, any readers who are interested, just comment here and I'll get the follow-up email, and we can figure it out from there.
I like the idea of bike co-ops, but they don't lend themselves well for folks that want to buy bike stuff. The best part about bike shops is that you can go into them, be handed a shot of a tastey beverage, and then look at all the neat stuff that you want to buy to either upgrade or accessorize your bicycle.
Sure, bike co-ops can't do it all, but it's perfect for what the original poster needs done.
A fully operating bike shop on H Street would be great, but with rents so high it's not realistic. A weekly co-op is relatively easy to set up and accessible to all different kinds of bikers. Capitol Hill Bikes does great work, but it's $100 and at least 2 weeks just for a tune-up.
I'd be interested in what mk's manpal is up to, especially if you can get a break on DC prices.
Ok, it's been a couple days, sorry for taking a while to get back. But, I checked with the manpal (switer, I think I'm going to use that moniker for him from now on) and he'd be down with talking to person or people about bike repair. Folks interested can email me at mk2046a at american dot edu.
CHB's price for a full tune-up is pretty much what you're going to find anywhere. Mechanics go by an hourly rate, and usually about $100 an hour is what I've seen.
11 comments:
If you're close to BicycleSpace at 5th and I NW, they do good work.
The Bike and Roll BikeStation at Union Station is good for basic work and their rates are reasonable. My feeling was that the guys working there seemed to be "intermediate" level mechanics; I would be comfortable having them do certain basic items like adjustments and tune-ups, but would be hesitant having them do major work on a high-end bike. this was about a year ago so the staff may have changed (for major work I go to District Hardware which is over by Foggy Bottom).
for repair, i personally go to bike rack on q nw
Ward 6 needs a bike co-op (livable, walkable, BIKE-ABLE!)... Can some H Street movers and shakers talk to the people at Bike House?
http://thebikehouse.org/
They do basic fix-ups for free, teach people how to maintain bikes, and do a roving clinic.
Second the BicycleSpace. It is not in our neighborhood but it is IMO the best in the city. First time I went they did some minor repairs and check up on my bike for free. That brought me back and I don't plan on going anywhere else as long as they're open.
My boyfriend, who lives with me at 8th and K, NE, has been a bike mechanic for 15 years. He works at a shop on the other side of the city but also has a completely functional shop in our house and does freelance work all the time. We have plenty of spare tubes and lots of parts, and he even has a truing stand now so can do pretty much everything from home. He also has been known to do housecalls for repairs! He's chill, ridiculously experienced, charges the same or less than what you'll find in a shop. I feel a little weird pimping him out but at the same time, more money for him means more date nights for me :)
So, any readers who are interested, just comment here and I'll get the follow-up email, and we can figure it out from there.
The BicycleSPACE guys sometimes come to NoMA, and set up a temporary "bike clinic" outside of the CVS.
Arrow Bicycles in Hyatsville MD is the bike shop for you. Their mechanics and shop guys are the best in the area (and arguable the best looking).
I like the idea of bike co-ops, but they don't lend themselves well for folks that want to buy bike stuff. The best part about bike shops is that you can go into them, be handed a shot of a tastey beverage, and then look at all the neat stuff that you want to buy to either upgrade or accessorize your bicycle.
Sure, bike co-ops can't do it all, but it's perfect for what the original poster needs done.
A fully operating bike shop on H Street would be great, but with rents so high it's not realistic. A weekly co-op is relatively easy to set up and accessible to all different kinds of bikers. Capitol Hill Bikes does great work, but it's $100 and at least 2 weeks just for a tune-up.
I'd be interested in what mk's manpal is up to, especially if you can get a break on DC prices.
Ok, it's been a couple days, sorry for taking a while to get back. But, I checked with the manpal (switer, I think I'm going to use that moniker for him from now on) and he'd be down with talking to person or people about bike repair. Folks interested can email me at mk2046a at american dot edu.
CHB's price for a full tune-up is pretty much what you're going to find anywhere. Mechanics go by an hourly rate, and usually about $100 an hour is what I've seen.
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