Community Bike Shop

FAQ

Frequently Asked…

We sure do! A strong selection of donated bikes and parts is really important to our core operations. A few things to keep in mind if you’re considering donating things to B!KE: 

Please only drop off items during retail hours. Donations left unlocked on the bike rack when we’re not around will definitely go back out into the community, but maybe not in the way you’d like (i.e., they’ll disappear real quick!).

We accept all donated bikes, bikes in very poor condition will be stripped by our volunteers but only after we salvage anything useful! Any bike we can salvage we will, getting more people riding for cheap is a big part of what we do.

Yes. We offer a selection of used bicycles which have been totally overhauled and are ready to ride. Please come by the shop and have a look. Used bikes sold at B!KE are serviced to a high standard of care and purchasing a re-built bike gets you out riding fast! Purchasing a used bicycle directly supports the ongoing operation of B!KE. We also carry a wide selection of donated bikes in various states of repair that are available for members to purchase. Sold in as-is condition, these bikes become projects for members to re-build with the help of our mechanics (most of our as-is bikes are unrideable off the rack). We do not sell as-is bikes to non-members.

Yes. We’re a Kona dealer and often have a variety of new bikes in stock! You can check out Kona’s full lineup here. For  accurate availability call the shop at 705-775-7227.

No.

Nope, we only teach how to fix them. Our staff and volunteers do not work on members’ bikes – they only advise and teach to the best of their ability. There are a few great bike shops in town that will fix your bike for you (Wild Rock Outfitters, Fontaine Source for Sports, Spokes ‘N’ Pedals).

You betcha! Since the largest group in our membership base are transportational cyclists, there is a demand for the shop to stay open in the chilly months. Granted, it gets a fair bit slower, so it’s actually a great time to get some one-on-one teaching time with the volunteers. If you’re riding in the winter, its also the most important part of the year to undertake regular maintenance on your bicycle.

We have 4 different types of memberships at B!KE, but you get the same things with each one.

  • General membership – $45/year – For 18+ shop users that don’t fall into the categories below.
  • Family membership – $70/year – For 2 adults living in the same household + their accompanying kids.
  • Student membership – $20/year – For active Trent University students.
  • Youth membership – $20/year – For youth below the age of 18.

If cost is a barrier, we can assist you in covering some or all of your membership costs.

Members get:

  • Unlimited access to the workshop space for one year, by appointment
  • Help from a knowledgable instructor to guide you through bicycle maintenance and repairs
  • Access to basic tools, bike wash, degreaser, chain lube, etc. for bicycle repairs
  • Access to a wide variety of specialized bike tools for more in-depth bicycle repairs.
  • Access to borrow select tools, equipment, and kits from B!KE’s Tool Library
  • Knowledge that you have helped to foster Peterborough’s cycling community
  • Velo Love! 

No. We’re unable to support trading because of the potential of dealing in stolen goods.

We stock a basic selection of new parts and accessories for sale (cables, brake pads, grips, pedals, fenders, baskets, etc.) for sale. 85% of bike repairs require those simple parts. For the remaining 15% of repairs, there are three options:

1) Replace it with something from our used parts selection. The bins have a pretty good selection of old/rare parts.

2) Replace it with something from our competitively priced new parts selection.

3) Go to one of Peterborough’s three independent local bike shops to get what you need:

Wild Rock Outfitters (169 Charlotte St)

Fontaine Source for Sports (384 Queen St)

Spokes N’ Pedals (464 Aylmer St)

Yes. We only have the resources for mineral oil brake bleeds (all Shimano hydraulic brakes + some others), and do not do DOT fluid brake bleeds.

You are welcome to use our facilities to service your suspension, but our open-shop instructors don’t have the ability to help with suspension services and we don’t stock the fluids and seal kits to do them. We recommend taking your bikes to Fontaine’s if you’re wanting to have a suspension service done.

While we’re really excited about the big time resurgence in cycling and bike culture in the past few years, we’re not a political group. We pride ourselves on being accessible to everyone, and just want to help folks feel more comfortable, empowered and confident using and caring for their bikes.