Community Spokes
303 Simpson St. P7C 3H8 Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

Apply for a job as a bike mechanic at Rollin' Thunder, Fresh Air Thunder Bay, 3RIDE BIKE SHOP For Rollin' Thunder - Resume and cover letter emailed to [email protected] or drop it off in person For Fresh Air - Resume emailed to [email protected] (put attn: Jeff or Pete in the subject line) or drop it off in person... For 3RIDE - Resume emailed to [email protected] If you are going to use me (Ian) as a reference let me know. I also am good at providing feedback resumes/cover letters. Send them my way to be fine tuned for these awesome local bike shops! And if you are looking for more experience to apply you can always come and volunteer at Community Spokes!

Ian falls off his fat bike!

Hours update, every week: - Tues/Thur/Fri 1-9 - Sat 12-6... DIY bike repair open, volunteers are welcome, build your own bike!

Digital Main Street has supported Community Spokes with grants to help us grow our digital presence. If you run a business in Ontario, contact Digital Main Street to see how they can support you.

Winter Cyclist hype in the walleye, I LUV IT!! Thank you EcoSuperior and The Walleye - Thunder Bay's Arts & Culture Magazine for interviewing me about my winter cycling tips and tricks. Read the full story by going to the Feb. 2021 issue at http://www.thewalleye.ca/

Look who's got a bike trailer and bike! Have fun with your new set up Randy. Thanks CarolAnn Tilly, Westfort Neighbourhood - Thunder Bay, Ontario - Thunder Bay, Ontario for the fundraising and Wike Bicycle Trailers for the quality bike trailer and super fast shipping. Randy used the free DIY repair service at Community Spokes to assemble his new trailer (DIY bike repair is an essential service). He also bought the winter bike equipped with studded tires from Community Spokes ...as well. Shoot us a message if you are looking to pick one up or build one for yourself! Stay safe out there.

Hey folks, the shop is temporarily closed until further notice for lockdown (plus I need to take a break... I've been working over time since March!!) I'll be popping in an out of the shop every couple of days so feel free to call/text/message me if you need to buy a bike, get a part, etc. The DIY repair service, build your own bike program and volunteering opportunities will be put on hold as well. I was looking really forward to fixing up bikes this winter with all the volu...nteers so I'll be working hard to get that back online ASAP. 18077902328 text/call/voicemail [email protected]

Soooooo, a customer sent me a photo of their wrecked bike today and I freaked out and asked if they were okay. They said yes and that they accidently dropped their bike down these stairs. So yeah, that happened lol.

Winter Bikes for sale! https://www.facebook.com/communityspokes/shop/ - Studded tires ... - Fenders - Free repair and cleaning plan for all of winter! - You can just throw the bike back at me for all of winter and I'll be your pit-stop mechanic at no extra cost!! See more

Jayden's bike cave is now complete

Gonna do another winter bike tire order! Who wants a set of studded tires? I'm also selling fully equipped winter commuter bikes, shoot me a message if your interested. 18077902328 text,call,voicemail, [email protected]

The shop is closed Wednesday November 11th for Remembrance Day. On a related note, I've been learning a lot from this series on youtube, it goes through the world wars week by week providing detailed accounts of personal stories and tragedies. Remember the fallen. https://youtu.be/6FgaL0xIazk

Now is the time to order winter tires for your commuter bike! $80 each (that is the final price, shipping and taxes already included). I'm taking orders now as they will be sold out soon. I'm selling these just slightly above my wholesale cost as to try to get more folks into winter cycling. The attached picture is the size and model I recommend for winter commuting by bike in Thunder Bay. There are different sizes available (for road bikes/bmx/etc) and different stud counts ...which will differ in price. Feel free to ask me about those as well. To order some studded tires through me reach out to me ASAP! 18077902328 [email protected]. I require the money upfront before ordering. If you miss this opportunity I've linked to some other distributors/shop you can get these tires at: https://www.freshairexperience.ca//schwalbe-marathon-winte https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-m/rp-prod80796

Amy Hadley from CBC interviewed me about the new shop, why I choose Simpson street and what the plans are long term. If you don't mind hearing me talking excitedly about bikes, community and computers for 7 mins then check it out. Thanks Amy!!! Here is the video on youtube as well: https://youtu.be/kcnDf6i_gbQ

Now I see why they put Jayden on the front page instead of me Thanks Chronicle Journal for spreading the word!

Calling all teachers:

Now I see why they put Jayden on the front page instead of me Thanks Chronicle Journal for spreading the word!

Robin and Derrick dropped by last night to do a tune up and put some baskets on her bike that she built at my old shop a couple years ago. The free DIY repair space is open till 9pm Tuesday through Friday every week so that folks can work on bikes if they are free in the evenings. I hope that this allows some great social circles to form, especially in the winter when we're all cooped up inside and need an excuse to get out!

The shop is now open! The final product is still in the works, but the workshop is ready to be used and be shared. - 303 Simpson St. - Tue->Fri 1pm-9pm / Sat 12pm-6pm every week - Free DIY bike repair services and the build you own bike program is back online!... - Used bikes for sale/rent - Volunteers are always welcome - Book an appointment for tool use by using the contact information below - We are facilitating drop-ins as well, just know you may be asked to come back later if the shop is full COVID Safe precautions - Masks are mandatory - You will be asked a couple questions about signs and symptoms - Contact information will be taken for folks who are using tools/facilities for contact tracing purposes - Tools you use will be wiped down before putting them away - There are limits to persons in the space, thankfully we can use the back patio outside to put up extra bike stands - We will pivot depending on the provincial guidelines and stage/lockdown status Feel free to text/call/voicemail/email/message Ian for any questions! 18077902328 [email protected]

Thank you Lori and The Hub Bazaar for the opportunity to start my own business! It's a great space to learn and grow as an entrepreneur. With low expenses I was able to set aside resources to invest in new ideas and expand services. Lori has been an excellent mentor in developing the skills and capacity to run a successful business. If you are looking to see if you and your ideas have potential, this is a valuable starting point. You can now find me and all the tools and bikes at 303 Simpson St. and the shop reopening date, hours and services will be announced and posted tomorrow :)

There will be final moving out and cleaning work party at the old bike shop tomorrow Saturday Sept. 26th 11am (507 Victoria Ave. E.) if anyone wants to help out! Message me on facebook or text/call/voicemail me at 18077902328 if you have any questions. Free pizza will be provided throughout the event!

So close! Full time public hours will resume in October at the new shop at 303 Simpson St. In the meantime keep on pinning me down via appointment call/text/voicemail 18077902328

We're almost there! Please start dropping by 303 Simpson St. for services via appointment (call/text/voicemail 18077902328). The DIY repair space will be open shortly as well :)

The sign arrived today from Signs Now Thunder Bay and we picked up some cedar and dark walnut stain from Chimo Building Centre, this sign is gonna look sick!!!

The shop is closed as we are currently moving to a new location! We can help you via appointment using the contact info below. Please continue to come to 507 Victoria. Ave. E. for these appointments until directed to do otherwise. 1(807)790-2328 [email protected]

Wanna see the new space under construction and hear me beat box?

I’m proud to announce that Community Spokes is moving to 303 Simpson Street! We have not moved yet though, so keep on visiting our Victoria. Ave. location in the mean time until you see a post saying to do otherwise. I’ll be having a two-tiered opening: 1) Soft Launch (Early Fall): The free DIY repair space and build your own bike program will be offered once again! Bikes for sale/rent, repairs and customers will be asked to come to this location as well. Only the workshop ar...ea will be ready at this point, the sitting areas will not be ready yet. The space in its entirety is being built to prevent the spread of COVID, I’m frequently checking in with the local health unit for feedback and advice. 2) Grand Opening (Late Fall): The community will now be able to sit and chat with friends in the bike shop! I’m super excited to have these dedicated social spaces in both the front and the back of the shop. The front will have the sales floor mixed with couches, plants and bookshelves full of bicycle magazines and books. The back will have a kitchenette, personal item lockers and bar stools with counter top for staff and volunteers find some peace and quiet. The decor and feel of the space will be finished at this point as well. I’m so excited for all the opportunities for new relationships to form within the cycling and DIY communities. The space will be free to access as it has always been. Don’t worry, I’m bringing in outside help to assist me with interior design because I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to that! I’m going to need help with building the space so message/text/call/email me and we’ll get in contact about how you can help (18077902328, [email protected]). I’ll also be having big moving days where we’ll be tossing bikes into the trailer from one basement to another. I realize these photos don’t show much, or really any of the space at all, and that is intentional. I can’t wait for this to all be done and we can all build bikes together again!

The shop will be closed Saturday August 1st for the long weekend. We are open next on Tuesday August 4th 11am.

Hey folks, I've temporarily removed the online shop as bikes are flying out the door so quick I don't even have time to post them online! Feel free to come by the shop and pick one out. Remember to bring a mask and to come to the back door!

Just a reminder that we are closed Tuesday June 30th and Wednesday July 1st! We are open Thursday July 2nd at 1pm. Enjoy the weather!!

Hey folks, some updates: 1) I'm still working on and consulting with the health unit to develop a safe way to open the bike shop to the public for DIY bike repair and the build your own bike program. In the mean time volunteers can come to the shop via appointment, let me know if you are interested in doing that. 2) I'm in the final processes of securing the new shop, I can't wait to show you all!!... 3) My shop hours every week are tue/thur/fri 1-6 sat 1-4. This Tuesday June 30th I'll be closed to give me a super long weekend since Wednesday is Canada Day and sun/mon are my usual weekends. That means I wont be open till Thursday July 2nd. I Hope you are all doing well and I encourage you to go enjoy the weather this weekend even if you're still waiting for me to fix your bike up! (I'm sorry for taking so long!!!)

Thank you CBC Thunder Bay for sharing my story about running a bike shop during COVID lock down. Link to radio interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGnFY5vEtiM... Check out the web news article as well at the link below: https://www.cbc.ca//thunder-/bike-sales-pandemic-1.5624088

Minor update to the store since last weekend, couple more mountain bikes, a hybrid and some 24in rim bikes (kids bikes for ages 8-13)

The update is here! Let me know which one you want ASAP!

Update to the bike store with town bikes is happening at 10am tomorrow (Saturday June 13th). If you or someone you know still needs a bike make sure to pick one out quick. You can drop by the shop in person and pay cash (the shop is open 10-4pm tomorrow) or send an e-transfer to reserve a bike you like. It's on a first come first serve basis. I'll post a link at 10am tomorrow to the new subsection within the store. Another update will follow with downhill mountain bikes (pri...ces $350-550) in the coming weeks, more kids bikes (specifically 24in and 20in will be coming as well). When you buy a bike from me the bike is fully functional and can also be rented instead of being purchased. 6 week servicing plan included. Can be returned/traded in: 1st week full refund, after 1 week full refund minus rental time you had the bike for. Helmet and lock included with rental. If you already picked up a bike we are doing repairs, tune ups, and upgrades as well!

The shop is closed today (Saturday May 30th), it will be open next on Tuesday at 1pm (June 2nd)!

Update on Shop reopening: I'll be delaying the opening of the DIY bike repair services and build your own bike program until further notice. In the meantime people can still do the following: - volunteer at the shop via appointment - drop off bikes for tune up/repair/assembly - buy/rent a used bike (https://www.facebook.com/pg/communityspokes/shop/)... - buy used/new parts/accessories I'm doing all exchanges through the back door. I’m open every week tue/thur/fri 1-6 sat 12-4. Hope you are all well! Can't wait to have folks back in the shop building bikes together :)

Hello folks just wanted to let you know I'm working as hard as I can to get bikes out the door and I can't give enough thanks to the volunteers! Also, I've had customers and volunteers reporting their bikes are being stolen and here are some tips for prevention: - store your bike INSIDE your home, not in the shed/garage, and definitely not outside (even if its locked up)... - Thieves regularly break into sheds/garages to steal bikes - When you are out always lock your bike up - Lock your frame of your bike, and then lock your wheels if you have the ability to do so - only leave your bike locked up for 10 mins if you have a cheap lock - you can leave your bike locked up longer (but never longer than 12 hours, and not overnight) if you have a good lock, plus the wheels are locked up as well. - RECORD your serial number, plus the brand and model of your bike, DO IT NOW!!! Get a picture with you and the bike in it. See more

Tons of kids bikes/bmx/trailers added to the store, plus an adult cruiser bike! Check it out!

The shop is a freaking mess because I got slammed this easter weekend with sales and tune ups! Thank you for sharing posts and letting people know about my bike shop. I hope you are all safe. Looking forward to the day where I can have DIY bike repair services and build your own bike programming. I like how I'm not getting distracted by those services as I try to do sales, but, I started this business for the community and collaboration so fingers crossed we can share the shop together in the near future.

I'm open this Easter weekend Friday 1-6pm and Saturday 12-4pm. Feel free to drop by and test ride a bike or get a same day tune up! - All exchanges are occurring through the back door - I accept cash and e-transfer (debit/credit coming soon!!) - Customers are not permitted to enter the store, I'll fetch things, wipe them down, and bring them to you... - DIY bike repair and build your own bike services have been turned off due to COVID - Check out my selection of bikes before hand on my online store https://www.facebook.com/pg/communityspokes/shop/?ref=page_internal

The bike shop is now online! Mountain bikes, hybrids, road bikes, kids bikes and more. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped me get this amazing fleet of bikes fully fixed up! To name a few: Dawna Jane Fummerton Steve Lunn Kaleb Dias Joseph Yellowback Bikes for sale include the following:... - 6 week servicing plan free of charge - Can be returned or traded in - You can rent out the bike as well to try it out Contact me to set up a time to buy a bike! - 1(807) 790-2328 (text/call/voicemail) - [email protected] - facebook message me More bikes are going to be posted shortly (kids bikes and trailers). Thank you for your support and stay safe during these hard times.

Hello fellow hermits, I hope you are doing well in these hard times. Community Spokes’ shop hours will remain closed but some of its services are currently available. This includes fee-for-service tune ups, bike repairs, parts for purchase and bike sales/rentals. Unfortunately the do-it-yourself repair service and build your own bike program will remain offline until the COVID situation cools off. As I adjust shop protocol and set up my online store I can be reached by appointment. Feel free to text/call my work cell, message me on facebook or email me at the information below. I am available to do same-day tune ups and sales/rentals immediately by appointment at the shop. 1(807)790-2328 [email protected]

Hey folks, turns out I cancelled my trip and I'm still in town! If anybody needs help with their bicycles or needs a bike let me know and we'll set something up. I am able to bring bike repair and bike sales/rentals to you.

Hello bike builders! I'm taking a trip with my family for March Break and the shop will be closed from March 15th - March 30th and it will reopen Tuesday March 31st at 11am.

It's a beautiful day to ride your bike to work

Community Spokes is back again running a build your own bike program at Evergreen A United Neighbourhood. Thanks to City of Thunder Bay - Municipal Government, Ontario, Canada for funding this program and EcoSuperior for lending its portable bike shop. I'd also like to thank Bicycles for Humanity Thunder Bay for giving me a bunch of those bikes for this program, as well as Roots to Harvest for lending me their employee Joe for many hours a week to support my shop and off-site programs like this. There are a lot of awesome organizations in Thunder Bay and I'm glad that I can help blend their resources and initiatives together.

There are multiple winter cyclists!

Scout is helping Jayce tune up the gears on the Raleigh

Great job today folks, we are getting a bunch of bikes built for the bike 2020 season Thank you Dawna, Steve, Gary and John. `

Hey folks I'm going to be visiting my family for the holidays and the shop will be closed from Dec. 18th to Jan 3rd. The last day it's open is Tuesday Dec. 17th 11am-6pm and it reopens Saturdays Jan 4th 10am-4pm. Feel free to message me for any questions or ideas during the break though. Happy Holidays!... Ian

We're closing @ 5pm today! Thursday November 28th. Sorry for the short notice folks.

I'm cleaning the shop this week, you can still use our tools and bike stands, just dont mind the mess!

The shop is closed today (Thursday Nov 21st) because I want it to be a snow day. I'll be open tomorrow Friday Nov 22nd @ 11am. Safe travels out there!

We are closing early today @ 4pm (Thursday November 7th), the shop will be open next @ 11am Friday November 8th.

I'm closing @ 5pm today (Thursday October 17th), I'm open next 11am tomorrow. Ian

Hey folks, this weekend I'm bringing my portable bike shop to County Park and Franklin Park! I'll be providing free bike tune ups and a free to use DIY bike repair space. Here are the times: Saturday October 5th County Park 1-4pm Sunday October 6th Franklin Park 1-4pm... My shop downtown will be open as usual on Saturday from 10-4, Jayce will be coordinating that. Let me know in advance if you want me to bring any special parts for a certain bike repair you need done. Ian https://www.facebook.com/events/580632022473243

Hi folks, The shop will be closed August 29th-31st (Thursday to Saturday) next week. The shop will be open again Tuesday September 3rd @ 11am. Ian

Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club and Underground Gym fixed up some bikes at Community Spokes and then they took those bikes out to the trails with the youth. Awesome!