What is the Durham Bike Co-op?
What makes you a Co-op and not another bike shop?
How can I donate parts or bicycles?
How can I learn how to fix bicycles?
How can I volunteer at the shop?
Do I have to bring my own tools?
Do I have to be a member to get help at the co-op?
What are the benefits of being a member?
Do I have to be a bike mechanic to join?
Can I buy new bike parts through the Co-op?
Why are the open hours so limited?
What kinds bike repair projects can you help with?
How can I donate money online?
What is the history of the organization?
What forms of payment do you accept?
How long will you store my bike?
What is the Durham Bike Co-op? back to top
The Durham Bike Co-op is an all volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) membership-driven, direct service, consensus-based organization, located in Durham NC. The main goals of the DBC are bicycle skill-share (learning to fix a broken bicycle), bicycle recovery and redistribution (earning/obtaining a bicycle), and special events (rides, mobile clinics). Please see our mission statement for more information.
The Durham Bike Co-op is an all volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) membership-driven, direct service, consensus-based organization, located in Durham NC. The main goals of the DBC are bicycle skill-share (learning to fix a broken bicycle), bicycle recovery and redistribution (earning/obtaining a bicycle), and special events (rides, mobile clinics). Please see our mission statement for more information.
What makes you a Co-op and not another bike shop? back to top
- A regular bike shop offers a service of dropping off a bike, paying a fee, and getting it repaired by an expert mechanic.
- At the co-op you will instead work on your bike (with the help of volunteer mechanics), turn the wrench, get some grease on your hands, and in the process learn about bicycle repair!
- Whereas most bike stores are privately-owned, for-profit businesses, the Durham Bike Co-op is a non-profit, member-owned, and democratically-operated community bicycle workshop.
When are you open? back to top
The main shop hours are Sunday 2-5pm and Thursday 7-10pm. Wedneday is now DIY Night 6pm-9pm. See the DIY section of the FAQ for more information. We will list any days that we are closed on the Events page. If you would like to contact us to be sure we are open on a particular day, please see the contacts page.
The main shop hours are Sunday 2-5pm and Thursday 7-10pm. Wedneday is now DIY Night 6pm-9pm. See the DIY section of the FAQ for more information. We will list any days that we are closed on the Events page. If you would like to contact us to be sure we are open on a particular day, please see the contacts page.
How can I donate parts or bicycles? back to top
Please drop off any parts or bicycles at the shop during our open hours (Wed/Thurs/Sun). We can often pick up bikes in or near Durham, please contact the Donations Coordinator if you need to arrange a pickup. See our Wish List for items that we are especially interested in getting donated. As a 501(c)(3) we can write you a tax receipt for your donations. Please tell the front desk greeter if you would like a tax receipt.
Please drop off any parts or bicycles at the shop during our open hours (Wed/Thurs/Sun). We can often pick up bikes in or near Durham, please contact the Donations Coordinator if you need to arrange a pickup. See our Wish List for items that we are especially interested in getting donated. As a 501(c)(3) we can write you a tax receipt for your donations. Please tell the front desk greeter if you would like a tax receipt.
How can I learn how to fix bicycles? back to top
Come by the shop on Sunday or Thursday and volunteer. Please arrive early (before we open) to ensure that you get assigned to a team. The front desk greeter will assign you to a 2 to 3 person "mechanic team". No previous mechanic experience is necessary. See below on what volunteers do. Also, watch our events page for any special clinics or classes.
Come by the shop on Sunday or Thursday and volunteer. Please arrive early (before we open) to ensure that you get assigned to a team. The front desk greeter will assign you to a 2 to 3 person "mechanic team". No previous mechanic experience is necessary. See below on what volunteers do. Also, watch our events page for any special clinics or classes.
How can I volunteer at the shop? back to top
We have aprons, but please wear "working-clothes" and closed toe shoes, as fixing up bikes tends to involve grease and dirt. Please arrive early (before we open) to ensure that you get assigned to a team. If you arrive later in the day we may not be able to fit you onto a team.
Volunteer Tasks Include:
We have aprons, but please wear "working-clothes" and closed toe shoes, as fixing up bikes tends to involve grease and dirt. Please arrive early (before we open) to ensure that you get assigned to a team. If you arrive later in the day we may not be able to fit you onto a team.
Volunteer Tasks Include:
- Organizing (sort and label parts)
- Strip Bikes (remove parts off of parts bikes)
- Strip Wheels (remove spokes off of wheels)
- Co-Mechanic (work with a lead mechanic to help someone fix their bike up, note: working on your own bike is not considered volunteering)
- Assist Greeter (help staff the front desk)
How can I get my bike fixed?
You will be assigned to a mechanic team that will include a lead mechanic and potentially an assistant mechanic. They will work with you to fix up your bike. Please clear your schedule, as fixing up a bike often takes longer then you might imagine. Also, we may need to use some new parts to make your bike fully functional (cables, bearings, ...). Please plan and/or budget that you may have to spend several dollars on components if you would like to have a fully working bike. Please arrive early (before we open), to ensure your position in the project wait list. The wait list often fills up quick, and if you arrive later in the day, we may be unable to get to your project.
Durham Bike Co-op, P.O. Box 1225, Durham, NC 27702
You will be assigned to a mechanic team that will include a lead mechanic and potentially an assistant mechanic. They will work with you to fix up your bike. Please clear your schedule, as fixing up a bike often takes longer then you might imagine. Also, we may need to use some new parts to make your bike fully functional (cables, bearings, ...). Please plan and/or budget that you may have to spend several dollars on components if you would like to have a fully working bike. Please arrive early (before we open), to ensure your position in the project wait list. The wait list often fills up quick, and if you arrive later in the day, we may be unable to get to your project.
Do I have to bring my own tools? back to top
The co-op has a large selection of tools, and we recommend you leave personal tools at home.
The co-op has a large selection of tools, and we recommend you leave personal tools at home.
Do I have to be a member to get help at the co-op? back to top
Non-members may use the shop via a trial membership. The trial costs $10 and is usable once per year.
Non-members may use the shop via a trial membership. The trial costs $10 and is usable once per year.
How do I become a member? back to top
A yearly membership is available for: 5 hrs volunteering at the shop, or $40 donation. See the Membership page for online options.
A yearly membership is available for: 5 hrs volunteering at the shop, or $40 donation. See the Membership page for online options.
How can I get a bike? back to top
After obtaining a membership, you may pick a regular bike out from the back pile, and then work with a mechanic team to tune it up. Inside are several nicer bikes that are priced higher (and we ask for additional volunteer or $$). Also, consider that we may may need to utilize some new parts to make the bike fully functional. It is very common to need to install new cables or new bearings. Please plan / budget that you may need to spend several dollars on components. Please arrive early (before we open), as the project wait list often fills up quick. If you arrive later in the day, we may not be able to get to your project.
After obtaining a membership, you may pick a regular bike out from the back pile, and then work with a mechanic team to tune it up. Inside are several nicer bikes that are priced higher (and we ask for additional volunteer or $$). Also, consider that we may may need to utilize some new parts to make the bike fully functional. It is very common to need to install new cables or new bearings. Please plan / budget that you may need to spend several dollars on components. Please arrive early (before we open), as the project wait list often fills up quick. If you arrive later in the day, we may not be able to get to your project.
How many bikes can I get? back to top
If you are volunteering to get a bike, we have a limit of 1 per year. There is currently no limit on bikes purchased for $$.
If you are volunteering to get a bike, we have a limit of 1 per year. There is currently no limit on bikes purchased for $$.
Can I buy new bike parts through the Co-op? back to top
We try to reuse as many used parts as possible, but sometimes new parts are needed. We have some new parts available (tires, tubes, cables, bearings, brake pads, brake noodles, cotter pins, and axle nuts), that are priced. For a full selection of new parts and accessories, please see a local bike shop - Seven Star Cycles by the Motorco
We try to reuse as many used parts as possible, but sometimes new parts are needed. We have some new parts available (tires, tubes, cables, bearings, brake pads, brake noodles, cotter pins, and axle nuts), that are priced. For a full selection of new parts and accessories, please see a local bike shop - Seven Star Cycles by the Motorco
What kinds bike repair projects can you help with? back to top
Changing out tires/tubes. Patching a flat tube. Adjusting derailers. Adjusting brakes. Adjusting seat height. Rebuilding hubs, bottom brackets, and headsets, Rewiring shifter and brake cables, Trueing wheels, Building wheels.
What is the history of the organization? back to top
- 10/29/2006 - First Meeting
- 03/25/2007 - Opened at 723 N. Mangum St.
- 07/08/2010 - Moved to 715 Washington St.
What is DIY Night?
There will be regular do-it-yourself, evening sessions provided to current Durham Bicycle Cooperative members, every Wednesday from 6 - 9 PM. Members should arrive prepared to perform and complete their own work. Please arrange backup transportation if your project will take more than one session. The space is not large enough to provide project storage. We will close promptly at 9 PM and require participants to organize and clean up the work space so that it will be ready for the ongoing open shops on Thursdays and Sundays. Memberships can be purchased or renewed but participants will not accumulate volunteer hours (for earn-a-bike or membership) while working on personal projects during DIY sessions. These sessions are intended to provide our members a benefit. Donations can be dropped off during this time.
There will be regular do-it-yourself, evening sessions provided to current Durham Bicycle Cooperative members, every Wednesday from 6 - 9 PM. Members should arrive prepared to perform and complete their own work. Please arrange backup transportation if your project will take more than one session. The space is not large enough to provide project storage. We will close promptly at 9 PM and require participants to organize and clean up the work space so that it will be ready for the ongoing open shops on Thursdays and Sundays. Memberships can be purchased or renewed but participants will not accumulate volunteer hours (for earn-a-bike or membership) while working on personal projects during DIY sessions. These sessions are intended to provide our members a benefit. Donations can be dropped off during this time.
What forms of payment do you accept?
- cash
- check
- Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and debit cards. We do not accept American Express
How long will you store my bike?
We have extremely limited storage space. Any bike not worked on in 30 days will be returned to the pile or sold. If you are leaving town for the summer, traveling, etc, please make arrangements to store your bike somewhere other then the co-op.
We have extremely limited storage space. Any bike not worked on in 30 days will be returned to the pile or sold. If you are leaving town for the summer, traveling, etc, please make arrangements to store your bike somewhere other then the co-op.
Can I just come and get parts?
In general we would rather help you install the parts on your bicycle at the shop. This ensures that your bicycle actually gets working. Often times parts look very similar but they are actually incompatible and do not fit your bicycle.
In general we would rather help you install the parts on your bicycle at the shop. This ensures that your bicycle actually gets working. Often times parts look very similar but they are actually incompatible and do not fit your bicycle.
Can I rent a bicycle?
Sorry we do not offer this service. If you are a Duke Student, you may be able to utilize the Duke Bike Loan program. See this link for more information
Sorry we do not offer this service. If you are a Duke Student, you may be able to utilize the Duke Bike Loan program. See this link for more information
Durham Bike Co-op, P.O. Box 1225, Durham, NC 27702
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License