The Broke Spoke

Just fixed up my own 10-​yr-​old bike here, for the first time. Met some cool folks as well, and it set me back about the same as a few beers next door at West 6^th Brewery…
I saw the Broke Spoke volunteers at a local peace fair and loved what they stand for. Rather than taking people’s bikes in, fixing them, and then charging for it, their mission is to teach folks how to do their own repair and fix up donated bikes to pass back out to the community.
It cost $ 4/​hr to rent the stand space and tools. For a buck each, I got two used (but tested) bike tubes that are holding air better than the «brand new» tubes I had gotten at a bike shop previously (not in Lexington, btw). With the help of some great volunteers, I ended up giving myself a tune-​up for a fraction of what I would’ve paid elsewhere.
I’d hope that everyone would give this place a shot, at least once. You have to spend your own time, you’ll get a little dirty, but you’ll get to know your own bike better and save a little money and help a good cause. Lex seems to have some of the best bike shops around, and I think a place like this is a great addition/​alternative to the services they provide.
They are only open three afternoons a week currently, so be sure to check the website first to make your plans.