Community Based, Brooklyn Bicycle Shop: Recycle A Bicycle

I got very, very greedy leaving my bike out for more than 24 hours with fast release wheels and no cable for my Kryptonite U-Lock. My first time offense I expected to see it ransacked and on the side of the street and yet I was ok! Now the second time I wasn't very lucky, and as expected, my wheels were stolen, easily. I totally brought this upon myself - I was just relieved to see my frame holding strong and the U-Lock doing its duty. You can take my wheels but you can't take me completely!

My next steps were to start combing the internet looking for a deal to get back out on the road. I started with Facebook Marketplace. Inventory was low considering I needed road wheels for an 8 gear bike with a medium/ large frame. I later went to Craigslist, and similarly, there weren't many options, and wheels/ tires that were a good fit needed to be shipped as they were out of state.

A friend suggested I try a newish to the neighborhood, but has been around for decades, Recycle A Bicycle, on the corner of Fulton St and Clinton Ave. The shop is honestly a godsend, and because of their community based, 501(c)(3) status, they are every bit affordable, especially if you're ok with used bike parts - exactly what I was seeking. So instead of dealing directly with the bicycle owner selling their part(s) online and going to a bike shop for help after, I was able to literally do it all at Recycle A Bicycle on the spot.

The shop and programs they run help salvage 1,800 bikes each year, keeping 45,000 pounds of waste from hitting NYC's landfills. It's comforting to know this great place exists and provides honest and reasonable pricing. It also feels good knowing my bike is using recycled parts and having a positive impact on the environment.