Any co-op bicycle shops in Jozi?

[3Rensho]

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.

[itscraig]

if you do not find what you need PM me I have the tools to do most bicycle repairs and you are more than welcome to come and use them.

[3Rensho]

if you do not find what you need PM me I have the tools to do most bicycle repairs and you are more than welcome to come and use them.

 

Thanks itscraig that is extremely generous of you!

[SoftTail]

if you do not find what you need PM me I have the tools to do most bicycle repairs and you are more than welcome to come and use them.

 

What a cool attitude. Respect man!

[kosmonooit]

So the Bike Co-op is along the line of housing and other co-ops in London then, but there is a tradition of that there. Here is more about me, why do it if you cant make money out of it .. kind of thing. Not that that mindset can not be changed... I have been involved in a few outreach / non-profits and often got asked, why are you doing this? .. because they cant see how I can make money out of it. Perhaps its a legacy of our recent fascist past.

 

Pity I didn't know about the London Co-ops when I was there: I bought a new bike and bits at Evans in Wandsworth, asked if I could use their workshop to fit them, a firm NO was the answer, (Health & Safety Regs was the excuse) so ended up working on the pavement outside their shop.

 

There are a few bike shops where the owners have hands-on in terms of work done, the workstands in the bike shops are a good indication. Northcliff Cycles and Dunkeld Cycles are two that come to mind, and I am sure Mnr Earp at Summit Cycles will give you his expert personal attention.

Edited December 11, 2013 by kosmonooit

[Flowta]

Not Joburg or bicycle related (well there is a guy there that uses the space for working on bikes)

 

In Hout Bay we have a similar idea going in terms of workshop space and tools

http://www.justdiy.co.za/

 

Haven't used the facilities yet myself but will make time in the New Year

[Thug]

Try Whippet Cycling

 

http://10and5.com/2013/11/14/made-in-maboneng-the-whippet-cycling-co/

[Dirtbreath]

Yellow Saddle would have been great to expand this concept. There were many pepple, including myself, who used Johans's facilities.

[Gandalf]

Oh man that's a cool idea. The best workshop i have seen is Torq Zone Cycles, their shop is basically one big workshop with a bunch of stands. I am not sure if they already do this, but it would be cool to see them do this.

[3Rensho]

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!

[lone one]

I have not come across a co-op set as highlighted in these posts - HOWEVER i have many a time had to mission to find a LBS to assist with fixing small things on my bikes (transferring/replacing - cassettes, BB's etc)

 

I can fix most things on the bikes, but the cost of some of the specialized tools often leads me on this mission.

 

I see a multiple benefit for many of us out of this co-op set up and if other see this to, i suggest we start putting something together - thoughts??

[3Rensho]

I have not come across a co-op set as highlighted in these posts - HOWEVER i have many a time had to mission to find a LBS to assist with fixing small things on my bikes (transferring/replacing - cassettes, BB's etc)

 

I can fix most things on the bikes, but the cost of some of the specialized tools often leads me on this mission.

 

I see a multiple benefit for many of us out of this co-op set up and if other see this to, i suggest we start putting something together - thoughts??

 

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