518 E. 31st St. Kansas City, MO 64108
Frequently Asked Questions
THE BASICS
HOURS:
Saturdays 12-5
Thursdays 3-6
LOCATION:
518 E. 31st. St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
**Use the entrance on Cherry St.**
PHONE:
EMAIL:
THE BASIC PREMISE:
We are a non-profit community bicycle repair-and-rescue shop. Here you can get a bike, learn how to work on a bike, find parts, donate a bike, tools or parts to be recycled, and volunteer.
How do I make a donation?
Physical donations may be dropped off during shop hours only!
BIKES: We are accepting complete bicycles but we are asking that they be reasonably repairable. If you are unsure about the condition of a bicycle you want to donate, please contact us before bringing it by.
PARTS & TOOLS: We are also accepting parts and tools, but we ask that they be in usable condition.
Money also helps!
How do I get a bicycle?
All bicycles take time & resources to be built up.
We are not a 'free' bicycle shop.
A variety of bike styles and sizes are available on the floor on a first come first served basis.
Our inventory is always changing.
We ask for a suggested donation for all bicycles.
Ranging from 25 $ - 350$.
We try to list the suggested donation amounts according to the quality of the bicycle, but we will work with you.
We also accept donations for unbuilt bikes listed 'as is' but they cannot be stored at the shop.
No holds - No Trade Ins - Payment Plans - Or Returns
*If you are experiencing homelessness, in transitional housing, un/under employed, we will do our best work with you to get you on the road.
Please just talk to a volunteer about your situation and your needs*
How does the shop work?
When you arrive, please sign in with the reason you came here.
[When you sign in you agree to the shop rules and terms of our waiver.]
RESPECT the space and each other. That is the #1 shop rule.
A volunteer will be with you as soon as possible.
If you know how to fix your bicycle yourself that's great! Wait patiently for a volunteer to find you a spot.
If you need help, a volunteer will help you as soon as they can. All patrons are served in the order they arrive, but a priority is given to emergency repairs for low income commuters.
If you can swing it consider donating $5 an hour for shop time.
Will you fix my bike for me?
No. This is a D.I.Y. do it yourself shop with tools and mechanics here to help you. We are not a bike shop here to do things for you.
We are all volunteers and are often learning ourselves while working with recycled materials, thanks in advance for being patient.
Our priority is to first get your bike safe to ride. Air in the tires, brakes working, chain oiled.
Please keep in mind that larger projects and repairs sometimes take many hours, or multiple days to address. So plan accordingly.
No you cannot store your bicycle here.
How do I get a part?
A big part of our mission is to re-use parts from bicycles that would otherwise be thrown away.
So we have a large selection of used bicycle parts.
If you are not sure what you need - bring your bicycle to the shop.
Or take some pictures.
We ask for a sliding scale suggested donation for all parts based on the quality and quantity.
After browsing through parts containers you MUST immediately pickup after yourself :)
How do I volunteer?
We are a 100% volunteer-run shop - and this place is about more than just bicycles.
There is no other organization like us in the city. We are NOT a capital driven shop.
IF YOU BELIEVE in the power of people to make change and want to join our organization - come by the shop and talk to a volunteer about your availability, goals and needs.
What is a WRENCH mechanic?
WRENCH mechanics help patrons at the collective with bike needs during shop hours and are responsible for opening, greeting, running, and closing the shop.
WRENCH mechanics will go through orientation, which happens monthly. And bike school which happens each Spring and Fall.
WRENCHERS have a say in how the shop is run, serve as both a student and teacher, and have an overall understanding of how the shop works.