Bike Maintenance
As Covid-19 spreads, bikes are proving to be a critical resource as we practice social distancing. Below is a list of videos to help with critical bike maintenance as well as a directory of bike shops along with their current business operations. If you own a bike shop, please add your information to the directory below.
About this guide
Below is a list of tips and tutorials to help you out with some basic and critical bike maintenance. This list was assembled specifically to help folks get through Covid-19 social distancing. At the bottom of this page, you will also find a directory of bike shops and whether they are open, closed, or operating with special circumstances. If your local bike shop is not listed, please reach out to them and have them fill in their information. We hope all of you are staying safe and healthy during this difficult time.
Perennial Cycle "Minneapolis, MN" Open 10-6 Everyday "This entry was posted on March 16, 2020 by Luke. We know that cycling is a safe mode of transportation during this crisis. We also know that we need practice social distancing. Toward that end, we have implemented the following changes to our business: 'No-Touch' Bicycle Service Drop-Off Repairs and tunes will continue without you entering the shop. Fill out the form below to give mechanics information about your service needs. Bring your bicycle to the front door of the shop, and knock or give a call. Staff will meet you at door to take your bicycle after you step away. The mechanic will follow up with a phone call after they've looked over your bicycle to discuss service. No work will begin until you've approved it. 'No-Touch' Merchandise Pick-up The majority of our merchandise in on our website and may be purchased online and picked up at the front door. If you need assistance, give a call at (612) 827-8000 or use online chat. Free shipping for orders over $100 Order online and have merchandise delivered. Limited Entry The shop back door and Dunn Bros. entry are locked." covid19-01.jpg 3342 Hennepin Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55408 https://www.perennialcycle.com/ 612-827-8000 McDonald’s Cycle Center "Chicago, IL" Open "7:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday - Friday " 239 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, 60606 http://bikechicago.com/ 312.729.1000 Info@bikechicago.com Boulevard Bikes "Chicago, IL" Open "M,T,W 10-7, Thurs til 8. Fri & Sat 10-6 Sun12-5" We will work with you. If you're uncomfortable coming into the shop, we are happy to communicate via phone or email, etc. You can leave your bike outside. Our customers so far have been cool with full service. 2769 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square http://boulevardbikeshop.com/ 773.235.9109 kevin@kindnet.netGoodSpeed Cycles "Chicago, IL" Open "Effective 3/21:Sunday-Monday : CLOSED Tuesday : 10-2 Wednesday : 2-8 Thursday-Friday : 10-2 Saturday : 10-5 "We’re actually located on the south side in Homewood. We will be focusing on service, with priority going to those who use their bikes for transportation. We’d like to omit bike sales altogether, but we’re not sure how to handle that - sales take a lot of time and closer-than-we’d-like personal interaction. We’re going to run with these hours for a week or so and see if we can manage to stay open. Worst case scenario we’ve discussed so far is that we may open for service only, or by appointment." 2125 W. 183rd St., Homewood, IL 60430 www.GoodSpeedCycles.com 708-957-9888 Goodspeedcycles@gmail.com Four Star Family Cyclery "Chicago, IL" Appointment Only Book an appointment here. https://square.site/appointments/book/GTR7WB4B215J6/four-star-family-cyclery-chicago-il 3101 W. Diversey Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 www.fourstarfamilycyclery.com 224-358-5455 Elsbeth@fourstarfamilycyclery.com Recycled Cycles "Seattle, WA" Open "10am-7pm Monday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday, Sunday" 1007 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA. 98103. www.recycledcycles.com 206 471 2634 King kog Brooklyn "Brooklyn, NY" Open 12-7 call ahead We are operating at a limited service and sales please call ahead for wait time and availability 696 grand st Brooklyn new york https://www.kingkogbrooklyn.com/ 347-689-2299 Kingkogbrooklyn@gmail.com Sun And Air "Brooklyn, NY" Open 9-7 We are open for limited service and sales call ahead for wait time and availability 788 driggs ave Brooklyn New York http://www.sunandair.nyc/ 718-288-1669 Sunandairnyc@gmail.com The Recyclery "Chicago, IL" Appointment Only We’ll make appointments to sell used bikes. Contact us if you need anything. Check out our online store through our website, therecyclery.org. 7628 N. Paulina Ave. https://www.therecyclery.org/ 773-262-5900 info@therecyclery.org Johnny Sprockets "Chicago, IL" Open 11-7 3140 N Broadway Ave https://www.johnnysprockets.com/ 773-244-1079 JohnnySprockets@Gmail.com Chicagoland Bicycle "Chicago, IL" Open "10-5 Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-4 Sat." 10355 S. Kedzie ave. https://www.chicagolandbicycles.com/ 773-445-0811 chicagolandbicycle@gmail.com Greenies "Richland, WA" Open Mon-Sat 10ish to 6ish Trek, Electra, Norco, Glide, retro bikes, and 40 eBikes in stock available for test riding. From their Facebook: "Yes we are open! Yes we can fix your bike in a timely manner (same day or next day). Yes the doors are wide open so you don’t have to touch the handles. Yes we are all wearing gloves and sanitizing everything that gets touched. Yes we will all get through this...hopefully with a better appreciation for the little things in life we take for granted every single day. We love you all, stay safe and come see us (in groups smaller than 10) if you need a quick fix or repair!" 701 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352 https://www.greenielife.com/ (509) 946-3787 greenielife@gmail.com Blue City Cycles "Chicago, IL" Open "Mo - Th: 11:00am - 7:00pm Fr: 11:00am - 6:00pm Sa: 10:00am - 6:00pm Su: 12:00pm - 5:00pm" For customers wishing for limited contact, call ahead and one of the staff will meet them at the door. Payment accepted by phone, and pickup at agreed time. Call ahead / check hours as guidelines may change. 3201 S Halsted St https://bluecitycycles.com 3122253780 bluecitycycles@gmail.com Cosmic Bikes "Chicago, IL" Open "Mon-Thu 11-7 Fri-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-6" We offer FREE pick-up and delivery throughout Chicagoland for repairs and new bikes. We have a selection of new bikes that can be purchased online and delivered fully assembled to your door. Tune-ups and gift cards are also available for purchase on or website. 4641 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60630 www.cosmicbikes.com 773-850-0510 info@cosmicbikes.com Robert's Cycle Shop "Chicago, IL" Open "Monday: 10 - 5 Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10 - 5 Friday: 10 - 5 Saturday: 10 - 5 Sunday: Closed" We are an honest shop that will deal squarely with you. 7054 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60626 https://robertscycle.com/ (773) 274-9281 info@robertscycle.com Let’s Roast Cycles "Chicago, IL" Open "Tues-Fri 12-8 Sat- 10-6 Sun- 10-4" Faster alone, further together. 2355 w grand ave. Chicago IL 60612 https://www.letsroastcycles.com/ 773-278-7820 Letsroastcycles@gmail.com The Bike Lane "Chicago, IL" Open "Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm Sunday 10am-6pm" 2130 N Milwaukee Ave. https://www.bikelanechicago.com/ 7738882453 info@bikelanechicago.com Working Bikes "Chicago, IL" Appointment Only "Wednesday 12-7 Thursday 12-7 Friday 12-7 Saturday 12-5" "Stay safe and socially distant! We know our warehouse is a cyclist & parts pickers wonderland, but it is closed to the public until further notice. We're scheduling appointments to drop off bikes for service here: https://calendly.com/wbsales/bicycle-repair?month=2020-03 We're working on populating our webstore with refurbished bikes here: store.workingbikes.org And we're happy to take calls at 773.847.5440 for other needs. Please understand that we're trying to keep as many people rolling as possible during this crisis, we will not be able to dig out the period correct chain guard for your Stingray restoration, but we will be happy to sell a used saddle (cushy or non) if someone swiped yours and that's keeping you from riding. Ride on!" 2434 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608 https://workingbikes.org/ 7738475440 info@workingbikes.org Evergreen Cycles And Repair "Lansing, MI" Open "Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am-4pm" Customer Repair Workstand available! 545 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823 www.evergreencyclesandrepair.com 517-337-2453 North Brooklyn Cycles NBKC "Brooklyn, NY" Open "12-7 7 days a week" Great prices and deals on bikes, accessories and services. We are stocked up for spring and ready to keep NYC moving. All bikes coming in and out are sanitized. Our tools are sanitized regularly. Hand sanitizer is available at the counter. We have a garage door for entrance so our shop is well ventilated. Come on down and support your local bike shop! 121 knickerbocker https://nbkcycles.business.site/ 3474606252 Nbkcycles@gmail.com Urban AdvenTours "Boston, MA" Open Tues - Sun: 9am - 6pm Urban AdvenTours has a full service bike shop, as well as new and used bicycles for purchase. We are open during operating hours listed but encourage you to call ahead. Stay safe. Ride on. 103 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110 Urban Adventours.com 617.670.0637 Info@urbanadventours.com Mack's Bike and Goods "Evanston, IL" Other - See comments for details "Tuesday-Friday: noon-5pm Saturday: 9-2pmSunday: 10-2pm" We are open but operating on modified hours. Currently, we are taking appointments for repair and service work. 2536 Ewing, Evanston IL 60201 www.macksbikeandgoods.com 8478778877 kelly@macksbikeandgoods.com Ciclo Urbano "Chicago, IL" Open Tues - Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri & Sat 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Closed Monday Ciclo Urbano is the full service bike shop of West Town Bikes 2459 W Division St, Chicago IL 60622 http://westtownbikes.org/ciclo-urbano/ 773-772-4870 ciclourbano@westtownbikes.org
Help Prevent Flats
Go clean a bike lane. Even on a good day, bike lanes are often poorly maintained and overlooked by street sweepers. The easiest way to prevent flat tires for you (and those needing to use them for critical transportation), is to ensure lanes are free from debris. You're likely stir crazy and looking for an outdoor activity anyhow. What better way to get a bit of physical activity than to lend a hand. View our bike lane obstruction maps for bike lanes to prioritize or simply go for a bike ride or walk and pick up bike lane debris along the way. Critical service workers will thank you. I was thanked today by a passing cyclist who spotted me picking up large metal debris from a bike lane.
What to Pack
Before Covid-19, we published a guide called, 'How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse...On Your Commute'. The article was written to be a guide to help bike commuters prepare for anything on their ride to work. The article has a very different meaning now and can help you be self sufficient to reduce exposure.
Drivetrain Cleaning
Scrub a dub dub, does your bike fit in your tub?
Fix a Flat
Here's a great tutorial on how to remove and replace a bike tire tube. It was recommended by not one but two of our our volunteers. One of them replaced at least 6 flat last year alone. (Talk about bad luck)
Replace a Chain
Here's a another great tutorial from ParkTool on how to replace a bike chain.
Brakes
Depending on what type you have, here are two tutorials from ParkTool on brakes; rim and disc. Not sure what type of brakes you have? No worries. These videos will help you figure things out.
Rim Brakes
Disc Brakes
Bike Shop Directory
Need help from a bike shop? Below is a directory of bike shops that are staying open during this time. Please contact them ahead of time as many are practicing special operations to keep you and their staff safe. Many shops began practicing extra safety precautions early on. We've also heard shops are prioritizing service work for folks that need their bikes for critical transportation - let them know if that's you. If your local bike shop is not listed, please reach out and have them and have them add their information to our directory. Desktop users, you may filter and sort the directory below.