CALTECH BIKE LAB: November 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

TOOLS!

Thanks to the combined generosity of the Caltech Parking Office, the Graduate Student Council, and ASCIT the bike shop has managed to raise several hundred dollars for the purchase of new tools. We've got our first batch in today, with plenty of wrenches, freewheel removers, and other wonderful bits of shaped metal and plastic. Come by the shop to see some of our new purchases!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Class this Sunday

The BikeLab will be hosting a class on Sunday on wheel maintenance--how to true your wheel and fix a bad hub. The class will be from 4-6--come on by!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Updated list of needed tools

Hi all,

We're getting funding from Parking and GSC (and hopefully ASCIT) for a whole bunch of new tools. If anyone is interested in donating to the shop, here's what we need that won't be covered by the grants:

- Shock pump (e.g. Rockshox)
- Drumstix disc brake levers (http://www.sicklines.com/reviews/morningstardrumstix/)
- ~~Large adjustable wrenches~~
- ~~15 mm bolt crank wrench (shop has 14 mm sizing)~~
- ~~11 mm metric wrench~~
- ~~Shop apron~~
- ~~Channel-lock pliers~~
- Lubricant
- Penetrating oil
- Citrus degreaser
- Rags

Bike Lab Office Hours and Location

We sometimes have to cancel office hours due to schedule conflicts. See our Google Calendar for up-to-date office hour availability and for Bike Lab classes and events!

We are on the north side of California Blvd between Arden Ave and Hill Ave (closer to Arden than Hill). Enter the driveway with the black metal gates. We're immediately on your left below Dabney House.

Approximate Address: 1331 East California Boulevard, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA

(Google Maps)

Latitude : 34.136135
Longitude: -118.122987

What is the Caltech Bike Lab?

Caltech Bike Lab is a bike cooperative run by volunteers at Caltech, particularly students.

Joining Caltech Bike Lab is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills!

We are always interested in having members of the Caltech/JPL community visit the Bike Lab workspace, and help out by donating or volunteering at the shop or to host events. No prior experience required to get involved, just email us at bikeshop AT caltech DOT edu

We teach you how to fix/maintain your bike, organize classes on how to ride safely in the streets, host rides and other club events, teach classes on bike repair, and participate in local Pasadena/Los Angeles bike community outreach to try to make the streets safer for everyone, not just cars.

How can I access the Bike Lab?

The Caltech bike lab is open to the entire Caltech and JPL community.

Visitors may drop in on our regular office hours, where anyone can come and get access to tools and assistance with bike repair FREE without needing to get a key. See the schedule above.

Key access requires an annual membership fee of $10 or donation of a tool. E-mail us at bikeshop AT caltech.edu and we'll show you around the shop. If you're interested in volunteering at office hours, please contact us via email. Annual dues for volunteers are waived!

How to pay your annual dues:
For those of you who have a key -- you will find a stack of envelopes next to the donation box in the shop. Slip $10 in an envelope, write your name & email on it and put it in the donation box. Don't seal it, we can re-use the envelopes. Thank you! 45% of our annual budget is covered by you, the users.

We DO NOT have bikes for sale (we only do repair & have basic repair supplies in stock). If you are looking for a cheap bike, read this.

Yes, we take donations of bike parts and bikes. Come to any one of our volunteer office hours to donate (see Google Calendar above). Thanks!

Caltech Metro TAP subsidy

Caltech METRO Passes

Members of the Caltech community can now receive a Free Metro Pass that is valid for unlimited rides on all Metro bus and rail lines, as well as many local bus systems including Pasadena Transit. All active Caltech personnel are qualified to receive a Free Metro Pass

It is a subsidy provided by Caltech Transportation Office to support public transit use by members of Caltech community. Find METRO PASSES information here.

Student passes must be renewed quarterly at the Caltech Bookstore

Also: Caltech Bookstore sells U-locks and bike lights!