Open Toolbox: Sunday Mornings

As some of you know, i am a cycle mechanic, during the day i work at BikeFix in Holborn and in the evenings and on my days off i do some private work through my own workshop. www.thehubcycles.co.uk
With 6 years previous bike shop experience i have built up a large collection of tools.
My tool box ranges from a few Snap-on bits to a full Halfords Socket and spanner set. With bike specific tools from Park, Pedros, Cyclus and Shimano.

I have a complete wheelbuilding set up and two bike workstands, one fixed and one portable.

What i am offering is a chance for people to come over and drop in on a Sunday morning (10-3, Before Polo) with the idea that they are welcome to use my tools and experience to put together their own conversions, add new parts, build their own wheels... etc etc.

If any one is interested in this, what i am asking for in return is a voluntary contribution to cover the cost of tools with the rest being put together to then be donated to the various cycle charities around London... I wouldn't say no to a few cans of Carlsberg either :P

I have a small stock of bottom brackets, chains, spare bolts, most of which you are welcome to at cost. Other than those, i can not really get anything else in, so if you are looking to get parts before hand then i recommend getting in touch with Roberto, Tour de Ville or Freshtripe for that kind of thing

As the nights get brighter and things start warming up, if people really are up for this i might also consider extending the invitation to another weekday evening.

Shacklewell Lane, Dalston
PM me for an address and so i can get an idea of numbers.
I know a few of you have already PMd me and i have been slow in getting back, but i just wanted to check first with my house mates that this would be ok.
....the back yard isn't the largest of places so i cant really fit a great deal of people.

I will upload some photos tomorrow.

-Matt x

really really good idea sbb, I have an idea to run past you, after you have been doing this for a bit.

matt, can i charge 50p for a cup of tea while you fix their bikes?

siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike.

seriously though, if a bunch of people were coming, i could be persuaded to bake.

anyone coming round will have to run the guantlet of freddie 'the tennis ball hunter' johns:

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If he is making tea and cakes and you are wrenching, then I don't see why I can't dance naked for cash.

If he is making tea and cakes and you are wrenching, then I don't see why I can't dance naked for cash.

could you dance in a pink tutu? that would be far more appealing.

could you dance in a pink tutu? that would be far more appealing.

some more of your baking is still more appealing to me

excellent idea, i'm close by but have zero space for bike maintenance in my flat.

I still need to borrow your truing stand but it seems much better to come round, pay the coin to help you out and I missed out on the vegan tastyness at the party...

Let me know when and I'm there.

Photos uploaded...

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Also... i have scrapped the £5 donation rule.. Though anything would be welcome if possible... including vegan beers ;)

Basically it would just be a great way for me to put faces to names.

if you're a mechanic, why are you clamping the top tube instead of the seat post?? :p

oohh thats just cheek.

...because on the post i have a bracket and on the seat tube there are transfers.
Also.. when the wheel is in the frame there isn't much clearance for the clamp.

so nahh ni nah

i meant seat post. (post edited)

I would certainly be up for making use of your experience and in return I'm sure a few beers could be your compensation! Just let me know what days your going to be open..

Wow! I'd also be keen to swap beers / £$£ for knowledge.

brilliant idea. would you happen to have a boss-type freewheel puller to remove a (i presume 1980s) five speed shimano freewheel?

um, mat has about 6 or 7 different freewheel removers so chances are he has, but i guess he can answer that for sure when he sees this post.

brilliant idea. would you happen to have a boss-type freewheel puller to remove a (i presume 1980s) five speed shimano freewheel?

are you saying you need a five speed cassette removed, or a threaded free wheel?

are you saying you need a five speed cassette removed, or a threaded free wheel?

threaded freewheel

this sounds fucken ace! i'll be up for this some time soon, get them oven gloves on xsheepx my lad! :D

Tomorrow Morning
Shacklewell Lane, Dalston (Just off Kingsland/StokeN Rd)

07505 006432
Anytime after 10

Hey sbb - great that you're doing this. i'll pop in at some point. cheers

I'm fuckin wasted, period, but tomorrow I"ll try. we willl see!!!!!!!!!

oops. that was today. I was going to stop by..maybe next week. Incidentally, I dont suppose youve got bb/head tube/crown race facing tools amongst those boxes? :)

unfortunately not.
I have the press but no facings. Always a bit too far out of my tool budget to make the purchase, especially seeing as i wouldn't use them too often.

A few peeps are over at the moment, not much bike fixing happening, mainly cupcake baking and polo mallet making.
Allllssss good