Our Mission: Serving the community while
inspiring people to learn the art of bicycle repair.
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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
Featured Bicycles: Two American Classics from the 1960s
- Details
- 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
- Details
- 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
- Details
- 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.
Featured SVBE Volunteer: David Kamp
- Details
- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 02 May 2021 02 May 2021
Regular readers of the BikeX newsletter may recall the beautiful restoration of a 1930s Rudge-Whitworth. This stunning relic of bicycle history was revitalized thanks to this month’s Volunteer of the Month, David Kamp. In addition to lovingly bringing this historic bicycle back to life, David has been an integral part of BikeX during the pandemic by repairing numerous take-home bicycle projects, getting broken carbon frames repaired, and most recently, overhauling dozens of pedals. David has a fascinating background outside of BikeX. Read on to learn more about the endurance athlete and tireless mechanic.
Bicycle Film Festival Comes to Silicon Valley
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- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 28 April 2021 28 April 2021
The Bicycle Film Festival is coming to Silicon Valley and we're proud to partner with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to spread the word.
The 20th Anniversary of the Bicycle Film Festival is going virtual and coming to your home!
Dates: May 7 – 16, 2021
Location: Silicon Valley (virtual platform)
Host: Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Tickets: boldtypetickets.com
Selected Shorts for the Silicon Valley BFF:
Bicycle Exchange Tech Tip: ETRTO - Three Important Digits and Five Letters in Tire Sizing
- Details
- Written by Andrew Y Andrew Y
- Published: 09 April 2021 09 April 2021
At the Bicycle Exchange, we end up replacing a lot of tires on our bikes. It's a big portion of the expense in refurbishing the hundreds of bikes we donate each year. We replace tires on kid's bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, cruisers, vintage 3-speeds and road bikes. At times, we also have to replace wheels as well, to get these bikes rolling again.
Read more: Bicycle Exchange Tech Tip: ETRTO - Three Important Digits and Five Letters in Tire Sizing