3Rensho

What a beautiful frame. Feel free to post as many detailed high-resolution pics as the servers can handle. Makes me green with envy.

I think it would be great to start a co-op. Even better to start several! The first steps would be for people to become familiar with how they work and after that would be to find and fund a workshop for everyone to learn and work on their bikes. It is no simple affair, and requires a great deal of commitment and communication, but it can work! Here is a link where you can learn a little more and begin exploring this topic further. http://www.uk.coop/start-co-op/things-think-about-starting-co-operative

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions! You are being very helpful. Whippet looks like my kind of shop because the owner seems to be oriented to the community co-op side of business. I am curious to see what kind of old parts they might have for a geared bike though. Thanks kosmonooit for the other suggestions, I will try and go to every bike shop and see where I feel the most comfortable and at home!

Thanks itscraig that is extremely generous of you!

Haha, well it's good to see interest! I think it is the kind of thing that works only when enough people understand it and are willing to commit their time to do. It could definitely work in town or even big residential areas like dainfern, but only after people have the willingness to work directly for their needs rather than to work for the money to pay for those needs. I think the reason it works so well in Canada is because they live in a "welfare state" and have a more socialist attitude to things I guess.

yes truly amazing. I got all my school books, organic food, bicycle needs taken care of by co-ops It can happen, the only requirement for a co-op to function is active participation by members. Ok I will go and look for a container in Maboneng. I have seen pictures of it I think. An old frame builder? Thanks I will look there too! Thanks everyone for your great input!

A co-op bike shop is a not for profit bike shop, where you pay a small membership fee and are allowed to make use of their tools and space to work on your bike. Co-op means that the shop is run by a board of governors, but that any member has a say in the decision making process at AGM's. The one I went to had a bunch of bike enthusiasts who volounteered when they could and would help you with your repairs, guiding you but never doing the work for you. It was a really fun and educational environment! I know about Hunter cycles, I just thought they might be expensive because their shop looks so nice. It also seems to only stock parts for SS/Fixed gear bikes. Thanks, I will try there. I know a cafe called the Whippet in Linden.. are the two linked at all? If not, where is Whippet cycles?

Hello Hubbers, I have only been active on the classifieds, but I finally got my dream bike! When I lived in Canada, I used to just ride to my nearest co-op to work on my bike, as I could never afford tools and stands myself. Now that I am here, I am at a loss. I don't know where to go! I don't believe there are any co-op bike shops in Jozi, but if there are let me know! Alternatively, could anyone suggest an LBS where I could take my bike with shimano exage sport components to get sorted? My co-op usually had a wealth of old parts so I never had to worry about spacing my beloved steel frame to accomodate a new drive-train. I am looking for a place that takes good care of old bikes and components, and would fix old parts rather than encourage me to put on modern ones. I am sorry if this seems like a dumb question. I know any old bike shop will "fix" my bike up, but I want a place where the staff and owners appreciate a collectable and will take good care of it. Someone like Olaf at Crosstown Cycles in Kenilworth. Thanks for any help!

Please do not molest this bike. Leave it as a road bike. It is a beautiful bicycle, and worth keeping as original as possible (already a bit late seeing as the DT shifters are gone). PM as soon as you grow tired of it, I would love to have it.