General Cycling Discussion - Kids always want free bicycle repairs..?What to do

Yes I've even thoght of throwing all my bicycle tools in the bottom of the river everything I'm fed up with kids that want everything for nothing and irresponsible parents that do no maintenace on there kids bikes.I've given away countless tubes[used]patches I could go on and on
Our town should subsidize it or something?:mad:

Uh.... just say 'no'?

How about some more details, I'm not sure what your post is all about. Do you run an LBS or something? Are you talking about when you are out cycling?

hmmm....ever thought about opening your own bike shop?

It is for the children...

Why not teach the children how to work on their bike, in the long run this will help them more then anything and they ask for you're help less.

No I do not run a bicycle repair shop
I maintain my own bicycles thou...It's just that everyone caught on to this and they come to me for fixes...It's kinda getting out of hand thou with them kids expecting everything for nothing?:mad:

Trade bike work for yardwork & house cleaning. I'll gladly fix a flat if somebody wants to do my dishes ;)

I know for some folks in this country this may seam like an outlandish idea, but tell them NO!!!
Yes it is ok to tell kids no sometimes in fact it may be good for them to hear it every once in a while.

If you're as cranky in person as you are in writing I am sure they'll catch on to that and stop coming to you for fixes.

My friend wanted to get something for her flat-mates bike for her birthday, so I suggested I give it a service (which it probably needs more than anything else) and she give me a bit of baking or something :D

Brendon
:beer:

Originally posted by chip
No I do not run a bicycle repair shop
I maintain my own bicycles thou...It's just that everyone caught on to this and they come to me for fixes...It's kinda getting out of hand thou with them kids expecting everything for nothing?:mad:

I don't understand: so why don't you just politely say no? You can't be taken advantage of if you don't let it happen.

You help people, which is admirable. But then you resent helping them? So just don't help them. People want to hold it against you that you don't because they aren't appreciative, that's their problem.

Don't grow weeds in your backyard just so you have to complain about pulling them later, know what I mean?

Right I'm telling them bastard kids ...NO

The thought has a occured to me at times that the privaledge of telling them the tools are on the bottom of the river..out weighs any cost I would get selling them so to speak?It is just something I'm contimplating thats all I don't think I would actually throw my tools in river thou..NOT:angel:

Originally posted by chip
Right I'm telling them bastard kids ...NO

Bastard kids, huh? All because they don't show enough appreciation for favors you do that you don't have to in the first place?

I think you're begining to show yourself to be someone those kids probably shouldn't be around anyway. They don't need to learn to have that kind of attitude about doing favors and resentment.

Please do not take things the wrong way cause the kids really appreciate getting fixes made cause there drunken parents arn't much help...I suspect is the case?
Enough is enough the town better start a subsidy program or something:)

I agree with the subsidy thing.

If you're interested, I'm willing to go through some grant programs that will pay good money for you to work with kids and give them some skills. Who knows? Maybe you'll find a grant that you can use to pay yourself some decent money, and give weekend workshops to kids so they can learn to fix bikes, and then they can go out into the neighborhood and help other people fix their bikes for money.

We have a few people in Chicago getting paid good money through grants to do just that.

Turn that frown upside down! ;)

I say turn the negative into a positive if you can...

Koffee

Originally posted by chip
Please do not take things the wrong way cause the kids really appreciate getting fixes made cause there drunken parents arn't much help...I suspect is the case?
Enough is enough the town better start a subsidy program or something:)

So now we've moved on from calling them bastards to calling their parents drunks. I'm not sure that's an improvement.

Chip, I know what your talking about. My shed is 12x24' and inside looks more like a bike shop then a garden shed (Im building another smaller shed for the garden equipment)
My house is at the bottom of a hill, the kids like to race down the hill. One day I was watching the kids flying down the hill when one crashed into another at the bottom. I went out to see if he was alright. The cables on his bike had rusted so he had no brakes. So I fixed his brakes by replacing the cable. And sent him on his way.
The next day I'm out working in the shed when two kids show up "Hay, Mister can you fix my bike?" OK, not a big deal. I think I have repaired most of the kids bikes for blocks around. I don't mind doing the work, and I tell the kids they have to have to supply the parts.
Now your going to love this. Last week I'm working in the back yard when a mother of one of the kids comes waddling into the yard, beer in one hand and a cigareat in the other. (its 9:00 am, and shes plowed) She's all pissed off at me because I did not fix her son's brakes on his bike. (He had no parts) I told her to buy the parts and I would be happy to fix her sons bike. She got even madder at me. "You should buy them, I can't be bothered with that" she tells me. I told her that's not the way it works, and to please leave. It takes all kinds I guess.

We run a school holiday fun program for kids just after Christmas (summer here), a gymkhana type of thing. Part of the process is checking bikes mechanically beforehand. Sometimes they are excellent (brand new Christmas presents), sometimes really woeful. Often something needs to be done, even if its inflating tyres.

But as the socio-economic profile dips, the bikes become worse, and in the end the work required is too much becasue of the need for spare parts. Fortunately, the areas we conduct the program are grassed sports grounds, with a defined boundary, so not too much can happen with one missing brake, or missing headset (you had better believe it!!), or lousy chain/gears/shifter, etc.

Lack of parental knowledge is an issue in all socio-economic areas, though. The wealthier ones buy bikes that are way too big for the child on th expectation they will "grow" into it in a couple of years -- sure, like their school shoes. Funny, I think those parents should be able to afford a well-fitting upgrade each YEAR.

It always amazes me how kids can compensate for serious deficiencies in their bikes, though, and still have lots of fun.

R

Chip,
I work as a apartment super, and tenants would come to me to have this and that fix in their apartment, I don't mind, and when kids go to my apartment to have their bike fix, I don't mind it either because fixing their bike< i know that they will not make my building dirty, and beside I like fixing broken bike, they know that I am a seriuos cyclist. so they would come to me to have their bike fix. and as for you Chip, if you don't like fixing kids bike that is your right.
and you can say "no"
Oscar

Originally posted by jatkins679
Bastard kids, huh? All because they don't show enough appreciation for favors you do that you don't have to in the first place?

I think you're begining to show yourself to be someone those kids probably shouldn't be around anyway. They don't need to learn to have that kind of attitude about doing favors and resentment.

No reason to over-react. After all, we have few facts to go on for evaluating this person. One fact is that he has apparently been helping kids. Another is that he is apparently being asked quite often which isn't something we would expect if he was a mean person.

We know he is upset and feels he is being taken advantage of (which he probably is).

That leaves us with the "bastard kids" comment. People often say things they probably shouldn't - and which may not be representative of themselves.

As to his question, I like the idea of trading help for work. Or if he prefers, just say no.

Bob

The kids that come in the shop NEVER have any money and always want something fixed. If I am not busy and can fix it quick without using parts I (usually) do it. If the kid is cocky or a jerk, No Dice. If it needs parts, I tell them what the parts cost and to hit their parents up for the moola then come back.

I live in an apartment complex with lots of kids. I do small repair for free, like lubricating the chain, patching a flat. As for the repairs that need parts, get cash up front from the parents. Some kids are really nice and say thank you. I have one little American Indian girl who always seems to need a repair when I'm outside fixing my own bike.

Originally posted by Rowan
It always amazes me how kids can compensate for serious deficiencies in their bikes, though, and still have lots of fun.

R

this is how it should be for everyone. you don't need a "nice" bike to have fun and gain skills. you don't need special shoes or pedals or pants or shirts or water bottle bags (enema anyone?)

Send the kids to my place. I'll fix their bikes for them.

Originally posted by mike
Send the kids to my place. I'll fix their bikes for them.
I wish you lived in my neighborhood, mIKE.

Originally posted by mike
Send the kids to my place. I'll fix their bikes for them.
Well, OK, as long as they don't expect me to buy them their plane tickets from California! ;)

I always fix them, and give them the parts too. After all life is all about the children, they will grow up and be the next generation that you will encounter in cars, when they see you riding in your older years they will think back and remember how they were helped as a child and may show a little kindness by giving you your section of road.

Start charging them a little for labor and parts. Or have them rake your yard in exchange for a tune-up. Or maybe have their parents make your family a nice dinner or something. Think of the possibility of having a whole neighborhood of slaves! Vwa ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Seriously though, politely tell them that you are trading your services under a bartering system and that they must give you something (labor or baseball cards or gum) in return for the services you are giving them. If they really need the fix then they'll be happy (or at least willing) to shell out if they can save a few pennies over going to the LBS.

I work on the local kids' (and parents') bikes and agree with some of the comments above:

--tell the kids you'll show them how to do it, and have them do the tire patching or chain lubing or repairs with you. No drop offs.

--or, have them do something for you: raking yard, picking weeds, sweeping the garage/shed, cleaning another bike, pumping the keg...you know, whatever makes sense.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
I wish you lived in my neighborhood, mIKE.

Sure, Pete, I'd fix your bike too.:)

What's the big deal? I've fixed more than a few neighbourhood bikes in my time, even taught a guy how to build a wheel. I'd rather have them happily riding a bike than any thing else. I only do it one day a week (Sundays) and only when I'm working on my bikes on my porch. Set a time you'll do it and some ground rules, that's all. I also strip alley junkers for usable parts, as well. Helps with some of the costs. Some folks have even given me old bikes because of this, and every now and then it works out well for me-- I recently fixed a ladies' bike, and her boyfriend gave me an old motobecane with dura-ace parts for 0$.

I guess this goes with the territory of being your local adult cyclist (with a tool box). I worked with kids for 17 years and teaching them to fix their bikes was a big part of building relationships and confidence.

Wherever I've lived, the kids have quickly identified me as a source of bike lore. Even now, when I live in the back of beyond, they still come knocking at the door.....

Best to put energy into teaching, to demand attention as you are showing why you are using a certain tool or method. I also give away all those cheap allen keys that come with flat-packed goods and little containers of oil (with instructions). I only provide free the parts that are littering up my workshop. Sometimes I send a note to parents if new brake blocks or a chain are needed.

Hmmm...parents. If you aren't ready to deal with them, or can't abide the absence of them, this is an aspect of being your neighbourhood bikie best avoided; easier said than done, mind........

Two kids last summer went threw 7 rear derailluers just because they were kicking there own derailluers around and they expect me to fix that kind of abuse...NOT
I will not fix anything for some people unless I get paid first,simply because I've been stung a lot.Some people you can trust..you just know the people you can trust and you just know the people that are going to take you?:)

Originally posted by TheRCF
That leaves us with the "bastard kids" comment. People often say things they probably shouldn't - and which may not be representative of themselves.



Some kids are lovely, some are in between... and sometimes kids are indeed "bastards".

HTH

I usualy fix the neighbors kids bikes , some I think are stolen (handpained Mongoose BMX ???), It stops them breaking in our home when were not there ,or vandalising the property :eek: A bit like a protection racket , an unspoken aggreement;) :( ;)