Different Spokes

Downtown Brampton DIY Bike Repair Co-op

Workshop Schedule

Get Your Bearings – Practice bottom brackets and packing hubs
Wednesday, May 26th, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Route Planning – How to find some secret spots, map out rides, plan trips, and navigate and plan using apps.
Wednesday, May 31st from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Gears & Shifters (Drivetrain) – Learn to fix seized and skipping gears, chains that fall off, and chains that squeak while pedaling.
Wednesday, June 7th from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Wheel Truing – Wheel shaped like a pringle rather than a CD? Drop by and learn the basics of wheel truing.
Friday, June 9th, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Introduction to Repair – Covers stuck chains, tool handling, fixing a flat, and tool selection.
Wednesday, June 14th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Brakes – Learn when & how to replace pads, reduce noise, and adjust the fit & position of brakes.
Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Registration link for Education & Repair Workshops & Rides
Workshops are free. Space is limited. Registration required for attendance at all our events.

Spring Rides

Spring ride June 3rd! Vivian Lane is east off Main Street, just south of Nelson St W/Theatre Lane. Google map We meet at 1pm, ride in a group, then stop for a snack & drink. Register at link above.

Social Ride Safety Briefing

Who we are at Different Spokes

Different Spokes, 8 Nelson St W, is Brampton’s downtown DIY bike repair co-operative, operating BikeWrx for Brampton & Caledon Bike Hubs

Different Spokes is located on the northwest corner of Nelson and Main Street, where the ZUM bus stops under CN Rail. Google map. The GO train parking lot is immediate north of the train tracks on the west side of Main.

Roll into Different Spokes where we have the tools, knowledge, and some used parts to get your bike rolling smoothly. Please read the policies and guidelines below.

Membership

Only Members of the Bike Hub can use the space. Membership* for the Bike Hub is currently free. To become a member, sign-up here and fill in the registration form that follows, or arrive early before your appointment to have one of our staff walk you through the survey.

Hours

Different Spokes is scheduled for Mondays and Fridays 3-8 p.m., and Wednesdays 3-6 p.m.
We have 4 work benches. Drop-ins are okay provided there is space. Appointments take priority. Use the link below to select your time so you are not disappointed.

Select a Date & 1 1/2 hr time slot

Reserve your spot on the calendar by clicking on the date and selecting the time you want to attend

Members do their own work (DIY).

Mechanics and volunteers are available to provide support, advice and explanatory instruction. The actual work is to be done by the member and not the mechanic. In conjunction with a mechanic, members are responsible for assessing their ability level relative to their project, including the time required to complete it.

Volunteers advise within the limits of their individual abilities.

Volunteers are of varying skill levels and defer to the Lead Mechanic or simply decline guidance on any area in which they are not experienced. This means that Different Spokes may not have the tools, parts or experience to help you with your project. There are some great for-profit bike shops in town that will be able to help you if we’re at a loss!

Respect the Hours

We keep regular hours & we don’t store bikes overnight. If you have a lot of work to do, plan ahead and come early to get it done. Please have a plan for taking a bike project home that may not be rideable.

Using Different Spokes facilities, parts and tools for profit, is not allowed.

This means no building bikes or buying parts to sell to others, or charging others for work you’re doing while at the shop.

Specific parts or accessories may not be available at Different Spokes.

Code of Conduct

Different Spokes is committed to maintaining a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere and require everyone using the space agree to the following:

• Be kind, respectful and courteous of all people regardless of gender, age, ability, race, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Be respectful of someone’s pronouns, and if uncertain please ask which pronouns they use.
• Refrain from harassment or violence of or by staff, volunteers, or Bike Hub users. Harassment includes but is not limited to the following: verbal or physical abuse, deliberate intimidation targeting individuals in a manner that makes them feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or afraid; teasing or ridicule.
• Refrain from using alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
• Respect others, their personal belongings, and their personal spaces.
• Be respectful towards the space by returning tools to their designated homes, leaving workstations neat and tidy after finished, disposing of waste in the appropriate bin, and leaving the washroom and other areas clean.

Different Spokes has a zero tolerance policy regarding the items listed above. If there is a breach in the Code of Conduct, the staff reserve the right to respond in a manner they deem appropriate, which may include, but not limited to: being asked to leave, permanent bans, and/or referral to external authorities. 

*Regarding the Membership Survey – We will not share your personal information with anyone. Identifiable information about you may only be shared with mentors and program administrators from The Brampton Bike Hub and Caledon Bike Hub. Non-identifiable, aggregated data (without any names) will be shared with staff from the Region of Peel (which provides funding for this program), and may be included in reports and promotions for the program.

More Information about Programming

LinkTree
Brampton Bike Hub
Caledon Bike Hub
Bike Library
Pedalwise
Pedalwise Mentors
Track Kilometres
Bike Donations
Bike Theft

Blog Posts

Summarizing 5 Years of Community Cycling in Peel Region
BikeWrx 2022 Success
Different Spokes Grand Opening of Do it Yourself Bike Repair Co-operative in Downtown Brampton

Comments

comments