Ya know that old cliche about feeding a man a fish versus teaching him to fish? So he can eat forever? That's kinda what Spokeland is like. Maybe it would be easier to pay someone to fix my bike for me, but then I would have to keep on doing that every time something goes wrong. At Spokeland, instead of doing repairs for you, they let you do it yourself but give you helpful guidance throughout. I now know much more about fixing my own bike thanks to these awesome people!
I've come here to fix a flat, change out a cassette, and tune up my brakes. The volunteers that run Spokeland have been helpful and friendly every time. Sometimes things can take a while cause they're understaffed and don't have many open hours (a few hours Tu/Th evenings and Sunday afternoons). This is fine. They're volunteer-run and can only help so many people at once. Plus the vibes are welcoming, so it's not a bad place to spend a while!
In addition to providing knowledge and a workshop space, Spokeland has lotsa parts and used bikes for sale. Think I saw some helmets too. I believe they also offer classes on occasion. Not sure how often these actually happen, but they seem to range from bike basics up to more advanced concepts and look super helpful.
The best part of Spokeland is their determination to make bikes accessible for all. If you don't have the money, you can volunteer to pay off your shop time. And if you prefer to use money, it's super affordable. I've been twice, fixed several things on my bike, and only paid $10 total. Not bad for to get moving again and gain bike knowledge that will help me maintain my bike-friendly lifestyle long-term! read more