I've been thinking lately about a way to use my bicycling hobby in a way that benefits others who may need help. Maybe it's because sometimes I feel a little a bit of gluttony when I go out back and look at how many bikes I own Maybe it's something else; I don't know.

Anyway, here's what I've been thinking about, and I'd like to hear from some people if they think it would work and more importantly, if it's needed.

Let's say someone from the forum knows someone who could use a bike. Maybe they lost their job and are trying to get in shape, maybe they need it for transportation, maybe someone stole their bike and they can't afford another one. That member(the one who knows the person in need) posts here and tells us what his needs are, what size and style bike the person could best use, and basically posts what parts he/she needs. We send that forum member the parts, he builds it and gives it to the person in need.

I know that I have parts lying around that I don't really need and would be happy to give away to someone else I know could really use them and I'm sure a lot of you do too. I'm not talking about a "pay it forward" for bike forums members, we have plenty of bikes and parts, I'm talking about using our hobby, our surplus of stuff, and a little bit of our time and generosity to help someone out who needs it.

This would have to be on the honor system, but we're not really talking about a lot here. We wouldn't be building someone a Masi or a Raleigh pro and donating Super Record cranks, that's clearly not what someone in need requires.

What do you guys think? I know there are a lot of nice and very helpful people here, and I feel like maybe we might be able to help some people in need. Maybe you guys already do this on your own (I know I'll put together a cheap bike for a friend when I can) , but I feel like if more people are involved we can help even more.

Does anyone here know anyone in need who we could help? I don't at the moment, but I plan to keep my eye out. Surely with this economy and the state of some things these days someone must have someone in mind. If not, well then I guess there is no need and this thread can just fall off the page. It's just something I've been thinking about.

I don't know of anyone at the moment, but I would send parts if this ever came to fruition. I have a whole bunch of parts that I will probably never use, shimano eagle derailers and such.

Count me in

Well, we're starting a volunteer run bike co-operative in Victoria, which has to be one of the most bike-starved cities on the West Coast. Seriously, you can move anything that has two wheels and a frame for $100. We're trying to provide a fix your bike low cost alternative, so if anyone wants to throw some parts our way we'll make sure they get homes eventually. In April we start teaching bike mechanics in an Auto Tech 9 class at a local high school, and we're actually doing a bike drive this Saturday to get some bikes for that.

Victoria is only bike-starved because Cyclotoine got all the good ones!


But yes, honestly, I do have a suggestion.

I have a friend named Jim. I've known him for about 10 years (remember, I'm 19) and he's never been super well to do. His parents recently got divorced, and he's trying to save up for college. He doesn't drive and wishes he had a bike. His brother, quite the marijuana-smoker, rides a relatively nice mountain bike and has two more less-nice ones from the 90's.

Jim has repeatedly asked and asked Joe, his brother, about borrowing or buying one, but joe has been very stingy and flatly said "no." Jim has no real method to get around anywhere, let alone college. One day, I let him ride one of my road bikes, and he was smiling and happy and loved it. I told him I'd build him one also, but to be honest, I don't have any of the parts to do so and would love your help, all.

He doesn't have much in terms of money or tools, so I was thinking something low-maintainence, something that you know I'm being honest about, because I'd never ride:

I was thinking a fixie, or at most, a singlespeed.

I have a red Univega frame/fork/headset that're in his size. I've got the stem and handlebars.
Not much else.
Here it is:


It'd mean the world to him, and myself, if anyone could help with the build.

And of course, this will disappear from my "for trade" listing if I can give it to Jim instead.

Thanks, guys.

-Nick

...and whatever he didn't get, I got...that was, before I left...

...but to answer your questions (or maybe relate to you nonetheless), I feel the same way about this bike hobby (as well as other pursuits and hobbies in my life); I look around at all the bikes and parts and sometimes say to myself, "do I really need all this stuff?" If only I could help someone else out who just plain needs a bike. Maybe someone who has no other alternative but to ride a decent, but cheap form of transport. I'd be interested in seeing where this kind of discussion can go...

I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think your Univega takes a 26.8 seatpost. Is that correct? I can send you a saddle, brake levers, and the seatpost to help you along.

EDIT: Come to think of it, I can send you the brake, and shift cables too.

Double EDIT: I have a complete Golden arrow group I could donate too. You would only need wheels, brakes, chain, tires and tubes.

I have derailleurs I can offer if you decide to go that route.

Last November I was out in Portland, OR on business and made an appointment to tour the Community Cycling Center located a few miles North of the Convention Center. It is a terrific organization that builds adult bikes for the low income commuters, and gives them out along with a helmet & other basics for free. They also run a cycling oriented summer camp for needy kids, along with a Christmas build program.

They also run a full service bike shop, repairing and selling a wonderful assortment of recycled bikes.

This is what I want to do with my life when I grow up! Oops, retire....

These forums are allready very helpful, the information that is given out is incredibly useful. With out well informed members posting knowledge to less knowable users with bike problems, many of my projects would be stuck so THANK YOU!

banjo,
what brake set up does that frame need? I can probably help there depending on what it takes.

Okay, all! Let's get started!

I've decided that as far as these things go, it won't be a fixie after all. It'd be too inappropriate for this C&V'er, and not effective enough for Jim.

Machin Shin, I'll take you up on that Golden Arrow groupset offer... What kind of shift levers does it have?

To be effective, I'll compose a list here of parts this thing needs, and I'll chop it down as I get parts-

1. Crankset. En route.
2. Pedals.
3. Down tube clamp on shift levers. En route.
4. Front deraileur, clamp on. En route.
5. Rear deraileur with hanger, probably long-cage.En route.
6. Brakes. Recessed mount. Normal reach will be fine.
7. Brake levers. Mkeller234 took care of 'em.
7. Bar tape. Anything works.
8. Maybe a bottom bracket. I have the cups.
9. Tire liners would be nice.
10. Saddle and seat post... I'll measure it later. En route..

I'll personally supply a tool bag with leveres and patches, an extra tube, and I'll buy two new tires. I have some wheels that'll work, though the spokes are surface rusted.

So...

Let's get started, all.

Oh. And PS, any parts I get that don't end up getting used will move into the Pass it Forward thread or go back to their original owners. I will refuse to take any profit out of this.

Well... Has the enthusiasm suddenly died, or what?

I'm still here, I see you have derailleurs covered. I have some decent Shimano 600 brake levers that you can have. If you need stem shifters I have some shimano ones to donate.

Edit: Machin Shin also sent me a bunch of brake cable housing, I could send some of it with the brake levers. I also have some dia-compe center pull calipers

Okay. Tossing out a few PM's.

Are there some legit charitable/not for profit bike co-op in the U.S. that we can send some unneeded bike parts?

Tons. Especially in big cities and college cities, there's lots and lots of bike co-ops. I hope to work at one when I move off to a university. I don't know of any near me, though...

I can send some Campy Xenon calipers (mounted but never used), and if you think a newer indexed group would be better, I'd swap some shimano light actions for the golden arrow group(I do need to keep something on the bike to make it rideable, and I would prefer friction anyhow).

I run a small project here as space permits collecting free/donated bikes and parts and selling them to shelters and directly to low income people for $25-$50(basically whatever I pay out-of-pocket for supplies) My LBS usually gets me stuff for cost on these bikes. I'm working on setting up wholesale accounts to et parts and stuff myself.

Banjo,

Got your PM. Saw that you are going the "geared" route and will send the parts I mentioned.

The golden arrow group which includes:
G.A. Cranks (it will need an axle, I'm sorry but I don't have any spares)
G.A. downtube shifters
G.A. front and rear derailleurs
Will also send:
Brake cables and housings
Shift cables and housings
Aero brake levers
Saddle
Seatpost (26.8 which should fit a Univega.)

Not completely off-topic - but since the thread mentioned helping folks in need. There was an interesting story with the Philly marathon. A runner would pass a homeless shelter everyday on her workout. Eventually she stopped and spoke with some and found that there were actually a number of homeless people interested in running with her. She organized it as a team and found some sponsors to compete a team of homeless to run Philly marathon.

Now I am just a commuter - but wouldn't it be cool to expand this riding (C&V forum could sponsor some starter bikes, forum jerseys). City hall could sponsor a safe/secure place to store and lock bikes...Just a thought - latch onto this group "back on my feet", find a real rider in the forum to lead a team ride for the wachovia amateur race. Just a thought...

https://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/...ss_Release.pdf

https://backonmyfeet.org/main/index.html

what spindle length does the GA crank/BB need? I can send a tire liner or maybe 2...what else is missing?

Not sure on the spindle length as I've never mounted the group. Maybe 107mm? I was hopiing someone local could assist him with this. I have a couple of spindles, but they are 121mm or larger.

Quick update:
1. Crankset. En route.
2. Pedals.
3. Down tube clamp on shift levers. En route.
4. Front deraileur, clamp on. En route.
5. Rear deraileur with hanger, probably long-cage.En route.
6. Brakes. Recessed mount. Normal reach will be fine.
7. Brake levers. Mkeller234 took care of 'em.
7. Bar tape. Anything works.
8. Maybe a bottom bracket. I have the cups.
9. Tire liners would be nice.
10. Saddle and seat post... I'll measure it later. En route..

PM sent.

I don't know what size spindle the GA group needs, but the spindle the bike had before was marked:

3S
Mori
<<BORON>>
86-B

Hmm. Spindles aren't my specialty...

And thank you again everyone for the help. The completed build/gifting will be fully photographed and posted, and it'll be awesome.

I put wheels on the Univega, it's actually in pretty darn good shape-



Just for giggles, I think this would look nice in green:


My only real concern is the front spokes...


Thanks again, all-

Nick