Our Mission: Serving the community while
inspiring people to learn the art of bicycle repair.
Quick Answers
Location: 3961 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA MAP
Volunteer days are back, in a new format! They're the second and fourth Saturdays, on a smaller scale. See our Eventbrite site at bikex.eventbrite.com for details and to RSVP. Grab your spot and join in on the wrenching for good! See the event calendar for more events and volunteer days.
Donate bicycles and parts by appointment. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and details of what you have. We have specific drop-off times on Wednesday and Friday and other times by special arrangement. We'll let you know if we have a need for your items and get you drop-off details.
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange is a Section 501c(3) non-profit organization.
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What's New
We're Having a Sale! Used Bikes, Parts and Gear - August 29, 2021
- Details
- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 08 August 2021 08 August 2021
Your favorite bicycle repurposing non-profit is having a HUGE fundraising sale, August 29, 2021 from 10am-2pm! Help us clear space and support our bike donations that provide transportation to those in need.
Read more: We're Having a Sale! Used Bikes, Parts and Gear - August 29, 2021
Bikes of the Month: Gravel Cruisers
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- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 07 August 2021 07 August 2021
At BikeX, we are quite experienced tuning up bikes donated to us and ensuring they're in fine, safe operational shape. That's been the key to donating thousands of bikes to our partner charities over the years.
Typically our repairs involve cleaning the bike, replacing or patching tubes, changing tires, replacing cables and housing, and swapping grips or wrapping handlebars. If we've done our jobs well, the bike works well is then ready to be donated, or in some cases sold, to its next owner. Hopefully, each bike we work on delivers many miles of reliable riding.
Building such reliable, practical bikes is a rewarding bike mechanic experience, but it's not the only aspect of working on bikes that some of us find appealing. There's a creative process of building out a bike with a certain kind of riding and rider in mind, and with a certain style.
Featured SVBE Team Member: Gregg Kato
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- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 06 August 2021 06 August 2021
This month’s spotlight shines brightly on our Shop Manager Gregg Kato, who has been invaluable in helping with retail, donor and volunteer activities in the shop for the last year.
Featured Bicycles: Two American Classics from the 1960s
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- Written by Cap'n Jonny Felch Cap'n Jonny Felch
- Published: 11 July 2021 11 July 2021
Volunteer John Felch is back to his magic this month, but appropriately for the July 4th holiday, his polish and wrenching were spent on good ol' American steel, this time working on a few stylish American vintage bikes from the 60s. Hear about this month's bikes from John below. See more of our past featured bicycles here.
Read more: Featured Bicycles: Two American Classics from the 1960s
Bicycle Exchange Tech Tip: JIS Screws and Phillips Screwdrivers - Don't Do It
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- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 10 July 2021 10 July 2021
Ever find the limit screws of your derailleur or centering screws of your brake hard to adjust with your Phillips (+) screwdriver? If you've ever volunteered at BikeX over the last 28 years, we're confident that's a big "YES!"
At BikeX, we pride ourselves on having the right tool for the job, but sometimes we find we're missing the right tool for an unusual project. Usually, it's because of newer technologies that aren't quite commonplace in our shop. For example, we don't always have the right hydraulic bleed kit for the latest disc brakes, nor all the Campagnolo EPS connection tools. Just last month, we bought our first hydraulic hose cutter and barb driver. But screwdrivers? We have plenty. Twenty-eight years' worth, to be sure. But are they the right ones?
Read more: Bicycle Exchange Tech Tip: JIS Screws and Phillips Screwdrivers - Don't Do It
Los Altos Community Foundation Awards SVBE a 2021 Grant
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- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 09 July 2021 09 July 2021
We're honored, humbled and thrilled to receive a grant from the Los Altos Community Foundation this year.
The Los Altos Community Foundation (LACF) awards $2.5 million in grants and scholarships to the Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View communities to help the most vulnerable in the community, including youth.
Read more: Los Altos Community Foundation Awards SVBE a 2021 Grant
Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund Awards SVBE a 2021 Grant
- Details
- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 08 June 2021 08 June 2021
Read more: Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund Awards SVBE a 2021 Grant
Featured Bicycle: Bianchi Brava
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- Written by Cap'n Jonny Felch Cap'n Jonny Felch
- Published: 07 June 2021 07 June 2021
I just finished work on this 1988 Canadian Bianchi Brava. It came into the Bike Exchange quite dirty and with a dent in the top tube. I really worked at cleaning it using both white polishing and rubbing compound in an attempt to reduce the craquelure in the paint.
Energize This Friday at SVBE's Bike-to-Wherever Energizer Station
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- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 17 May 2021 17 May 2021
Recharge, refuel and energize at SVBE's Energizer Station this Friday!
May is Bike Month, and that means it’s the perfect time for you to get out and ride! Get started by pledging to ride for free with our partner Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and you’ll be supported all Bike Month long. SVBC will provide you with activities, challenges, and goodies - all you have to do is ride!
Read more: Energize This Friday at SVBE's Bike-to-Wherever Energizer Station
Featured Bicycle: Windsor Carrera Sport Vintage Road Bike Part III - The Thrilling Conclusion!
- Details
- Written by Cap'n Jonny Felch Cap'n Jonny Felch
- Published: 03 May 2021 03 May 2021
With passionate volunteers, we don't always take the most time-efficient path to restore and refurbish bicycles. This fine restoration is a perfect example of a volunteer going the extra mile.
At long last, John Felch's Windsor Carrera Sport is done. Here’s an update on the long process of restoring the Windsor Carrera Sport. For the history of this restoration, check out Part 1 and Part 2 on our website from earlier this year. Read on for his thrilling conclusion, in his own words, to this three-part series.