We are back to normal walk-in hours!! Our open shop hours are: 6-9pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. No appointment needed. Masks are required to be worn at all times while indoors or within 6 feet of other people.
Opening Status Update
Homemade shop vise
We have upgraded our clamping capability with a new larger vise. And we decided to give it its very own custom built stand. No stubborn freewheel or stuck seatpost will now be safe from our new shop vise! Thanks to Zack and Troy for making the time to design and build it!
Bike-in Movie #2
Our second bike-in movie of the year was Radical! Thanks to everyone who came out. Hope we can have more of these soon!
A new shelf is born!
We’ve cleared out one wall of the shop, to add some improvised shelving and organization. Our bike repair library, small parts bins, and mobile tool kits will now exist in a more accessible location, and our tabletop workspace is a lot larger! Thanks to our staff member Luis for putting this together!
Cannonsnail is sold!
The ‘Cannonsnail’ a bike lovingly built entirely of SBK donated parts, was sold today. Enjoy that sweet ride!
Fork oil change
One of our staff did an oil change for their fork at SBK the other week. Here are some shots of the process. Nothing like some clean fork oil to keep your suspension parts supple!
We have Venmo!
People have been asking us, and we’re happy to report we now have a Venmo account for SBK. You can Venmo us at @SomervilleBikeKitchen for donations, memberships, or parts purchases. Cash is still welcome too, of course!
Introducing Mobile Tool Kits
We’ve put together some mobile tool kits here at SBK to make working outside the main shop space easier and simpler. We’re also hoping to use these at local events. Each kit comes with a basic set of tools that should allow you to do a basic bike tune up and any minor adjustments: Allen wrench set Chain checker Tire levers Chain tool Screwdrivers Cone wrenches Box wrenches
Let there be lights!
We’re glad to announce that working outside at SBK will be a lot brighter from now on. We recently purchased some flood lights to better illuminate our outdoor workspace.
SBK Racing Team has its first win!
Our one-man racing team racked up its first 1st place finish. Tom, one of our staff, won the Men’s Novice 30-39 category at the Freetown 50 this past weekend, one of the toughest XC races in New England. He is also the winner of the Eastern Fat Tire Assocation New England Championship Series (EFTA NECS) in his category, as he placed 3rd at The Treasure Valley Ralley and Wallum Lake races earlier this year. Congrats Tom! And good luck with your Cyclocross season! Want to learn about bike racing in New England or great trails to ride? Stop by SBK and ask around!
SBK T-Shirts Now Available!
We’re proud to announce we have our very first batch of Somerville Bike Kitchen T-shirts! Available in multiple unisex sizes in either black or red for $15. These T-shirts are made with recycled materials by unionized workers, so you can be triple proud to wear them! Stop on by and pick yours up during open shop or email the staff list if you’d like to purchase one! Early buyers may get a bonus as well!
Open Shop, Thus. Aug 17 2017
Busy night here at SBK! Some bike tear downs and tune ups. Truing a wheel. Fixing a flat.
Drivetrain Upgrade
Mid-summer is always a great time to upgrade your ride. One of our staff switched out their old 3×10 drivetrain for a new 1×10 setup. Want to do your own upgrades? At SBK you can do that too!
New Bike Day from an old bike at SBK
One of our staff mechanics rebuilt this 1998 Specialized Stumpjumper from a mix of used/new parts. It was built mostly from donations to SBK from community members and local bike shops. This old frame/fork has been restored to life and is now is ready to roll with a modern 1×10 MTB drivetrian. You can make what’s old new again at SBK!
Seven Cycles Tour
A couple of us dropped by Seven Cycles, one of the oldest and most revered custom bike manufacturers in New England, one day and were given a tour of their facilities. Lots to drool over!
Paramount Bicycles Open Again!
For a while we were passing by Paramount Bicycles and wondering why it wasn’t open during normal hours. Turned out the owner/only employee, Tyler, had been in a hospice center for 20 days before making a remarkable comeback. He’s reopened his shop and is back to normal for the time being, although he might cut down open shop hours later this year. After reading this whole story, go and pay Tyler a visit – he’s really something else! He’s also one of Boston’s best mechanics! http://scoutsomerville.com/paramount-bicycle-repair/
Fort Collins Bike Co-op Tour
Last time he was in Colorado Luis visited the Fort Collins Bike Co-op, which has been around since 2003. They also started in a small garage – maybe we’ll grow in a similar way?
Austin Yellow Bike Tour
Luis visited Austin Yellow Bike, a collective that’s been around since 1997. We have a lot to learn from their processes and accomplishments!
Move a Couch with a Bike
Troy and Val decided to move a couch one day without a motor vehicle. Believe it or not they survived the experience!
Tom Rebuilt a Fork
Tom, one of our staff, rebuilt this classic ’98 Marzocchi Z3 Bomber suspension fork tonight. Take a look! Restoring life to old parts and bikes is just one of the things you can do at SBK!
Sam’s generator-hub-powered bike light
We’re starting to document Sam’s generator-hub-powered bike light. I’ve been using an earlier version for the past few years and this new design is ah-mazing. We’d like to get folks together for a build-night if you’d like to make your own. The total cost is about $25 per light, which is crazy cheap for a very *bright*, indestructible light that you never have to charge or forget at home. Keep posted for build-night details.