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There’s something so universally awesome about “the basics.” Biology 101. Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. A beginner’s yoga class. If you can break any task down to its fundamentals, suddenly, doing it is actually imaginable. This week, we learned that the ABC’s of tuning your bike are no different. We caught up with Brooklyn’s own Susan Lindell atDumbo’s Recycle-A-Bicycle; there, multi-tool in hand, she showed us the five things you need to do to get your bike ready to ride.
If you’ve been on the fence of this pedaling renaissance, now’s the time to get your gears in motion. As Susan says, “It’s really cheap, good for your mental health, and it’s a lot of fun.” Not to mention that you’ll be helping yourself, your community, and the planet in a way that you never could otherwise, even if you were driving a 2011 Toyota Prius.
To learn more about the ABC Quick Check and find inspiration for biking, check out the League of American Bicyclists.
About the filmmakers: Buffalo Picture House is a production company founded by a select group of award-winning, young filmmakers and producers in New York City. Check them out at www.buffalopicturehouse.com.
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85 comments
Sign in to add your ownJasmineLund says:
Fun! My little brothers have been tearing apart and re-building the family bikes since they were first able to sneak out of the house with Dad's tools. Unfortunately, the bikes don't always turn out better than they started. :o)
1 year ago
SeaGlassJournal says:
A very timely article. Methinks it's time to take the bike out of the attic. Thanks!
1 year ago
sacredsuds says:
Awesome! My husband just tuned up my road bike for me. Now I'm just waiting for the street sweepers - the true sign that winter is over in the Twin Cities :-D
1 year ago
DecadesOfVintage says:
hopefully my son will tune my bike up for me soon. now, does anyone have a tutorial on fixing the clothes dryer. i have been trying all day to fix-it-myself. i am not quite there
1 year ago
Verdurebydesign says:
I have the best conversations with my daughter when we are riding along together. The kids just love it!!
1 year ago
DecadesOfVintage says:
i just noticed the bike bell and the 6-pack frame. they are both great
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Love this! Can't wait till it warms up a bit more here at the Jersey Shore! My daughter and I love to go bike riding together :)
1 year ago
silkstory says:
My one is already tuned up :) Spring in full active program.. Sky helmet pic fantastic!!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Awesome ! Yay for bikes :)
1 year ago
NotYourGrandmasAttic says:
I love the six pack frame cinch! What a great idea. . . .
1 year ago
artemisartbiju says:
now i remembered that i have an old bicycle at my grandma's house. one of these days i will go to see if it's still there.
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
I can never decide if a bike is right for me since i tend to walk everywhere but I'd love to see more people taking up cycling
1 year ago
rope says:
Thank you! So much helpful information. Cute video, too.
1 year ago
lauraprentice says:
Just pulled my bike out yesterday! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
When you come to Paris ,you can rent bicycle and you can visit everywhere :) Here is few links . http://www.parisvelosympa.com/en/ http://www.parisbiketour.net/visite-velo-paris.php
1 year ago
KathyGDesigns says:
ikabags...Riding a bike in Paris is on my to do list! Enjoyed the video.
1 year ago
VintageMarketPlace says:
just got the beach cruiser all tuned up and have been out everyday for a ride since. Love Spring!!!
1 year ago
StuckOnACloud says:
I love my bike, she even has a name - Pretty Princess-. She is a pink beach cruiser with basket and all. I take her out almost everyday, I enjoy my rides. I get away from all the worlds craziness and escape to my own world that lives in my head. I see the world differently when slowing down and riding my bike. I get a lot of my new ideas when I go for a ride....
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Still cool! Love our bikes!
1 year ago
TeenahTime says:
Great bike accessories! How about some vintage bikes for sale.
1 year ago
VogueByVague says:
I just tuned my bikes up today! Yay :)
1 year ago
Waterrose says:
We just tuned up ours yesterday! Great way to wear out our new puppy!
1 year ago
fluxproductions says:
Thanks for including my bike bag!
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
Great video, wish more people did get around on bikes, especially here in the city where everything is close by.
1 year ago
perfectwear says:
Like the video...lots of useful info.
1 year ago
gallery32 says:
Very timely and informative for the upcoming Spring. Thanks so much :) Trina
1 year ago
CashmereJewels says:
this is definitely for Seattle!:)
1 year ago
joretta says:
and now i want to go hop on my bike!
1 year ago
theroyal says:
thanks so much. nice tips for us cyclists
1 year ago
lindasmile007 says:
love it
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
Great tips. I am SO ready to hop on the bike!
1 year ago
rebourne says:
Good thing I married a bike mechanic/ wheel builder!!!
1 year ago
Armalique says:
great tutorial :)
1 year ago
PersonalizedSketches says:
This was great info! And love the two on the video! Thanks!
1 year ago
rozzie says:
That 6 pack beer holder cinch is so cool!
1 year ago
Tanith says:
Lots of good information!
1 year ago
ACupOfSparkle says:
I love bikes and biking... Thanks for sharing!!
1 year ago
blessedvintage says:
reminds me the summers i spent on my bike
1 year ago
jiang888 says:
Good work man. Perhaps i was not able to earn this amount in the same month but you did very good. Keep it up. Microsoft OneNote 2010
1 year ago
Seymour says:
Feeling very excited about getting back behind the wheel, thanks for the tips!
1 year ago
POOPOOLALA says:
My first bike was called Blue Bird, i was ten at the time! Going to repaint my current bike gold i think! I love dressing up bikes, and beating the bus!
1 year ago
spontaneousreality says:
Awesome tips...happy cycling etsyans!
1 year ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
Excited to start riding again!!! Thanks for the great tips!
1 year ago
littleshopofphotos says:
Great! I love biking! My husband and I each have child seats on our bikes and we take the kids all the time! There is a great trail that connects us to the Bronx...long ride and haven't gone the whole way yet, but maybe this year!!
1 year ago
birdie1 says:
Thank you! My husband and I are avid cyclists. When we first met we knew it was meant to be because we rode the exact same model bike. My bicycle is named The Black Squirrel after the squirrels we saw biking in Michigan. Thanks again!
1 year ago
MarleyLondon says:
Awesome! My brother has to read this. He loves biking!
1 year ago
lovelygifts says:
Awesome!
1 year ago
BlueStarrGallery says:
We're looking for a used bicycle right now so we can ride around in our neighborhood, sold our others before we moved, great hints here.
1 year ago
sarantos says:
Great video! Need to tune mine up and replace the tires. Will there be a part two for taping the handlebars and changing the tires? ;)
1 year ago
PolClary says:
;) I'm Dutch, we use our bikes all year around, so none of this 'get it ready for spring'. Great video, though!
1 year ago
daisyvortex says:
All my bikes have flat tires right now. I hang my head.
1 year ago
SkateBetty says:
Nice filming!
1 year ago
ArtForMore says:
I love my bike, helps me get to my landscape painting destinations. I recently found some bikes on the road and peiced them apart to repair tires and tubes on my bike and my bfs.
1 year ago
lrobertas says:
xe xe love this tutorial. passion for bicykles!!!
1 year ago
daweigreat says:
Wow,very beautiful,Thanks for share~ I also have my own unique designs and welcome to visit my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/daweigreat
1 year ago
marymary says:
Jacob always cracks me up - I so look forward to these videos. Entertaining and educational!
1 year ago
tropicraft says:
I love my 2 bikes but now they are just hanging there collecting dust :<. And the saddest part was after long period of idle, I found out that they need a major parts replacement!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/tropicraft
1 year ago
collectiblesatoz says:
Fun article. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
Amelie66 says:
Thanks, this is a great article. Shared it as fast as I could.
1 year ago
RiverBazaar says:
Yeah...I like to ride my bicycle...I like to ride my bike! Just pulled it out of the shed to do laps around the yard with my labradoodle. Feeling the need to use it to go up to the grocery five miles away...when I was a kid I used to get on restriction from using my bike when I would go too far away and not come in before dark...bikes are fun!
1 year ago
ReGEARED says:
ride on!!! :) love it!
1 year ago
redemptionart says:
My bike has been calling me to take it out of the storage shed...spring is here! Thank you for the wisdom! Aloha~Connie
1 year ago
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1 year ago
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1 year ago
HulaGirl1922 says:
YUM! there's nothing like a good bike ride....nothing! :) thx for a great post... cycle on!!!
1 year ago
LauraBKG says:
Just got my bike out of its winter 'hibernation!' Thanks for the tips!
1 year ago
foxpots says:
Cool video. We went for our first 15 mile ride last weekend. Can't wait for more!
1 year ago
ReVelo says:
And if you are tossing out bike inner tubes, take them to a bike shop. Someone like me might make something out of them!
1 year ago
SamanthasEclectics says:
Thanks for the great tutorial. My bike is dusty and needs a little love. Think I need to replace the inner tubes though.....another tutorial?
1 year ago
girliepains says:
Yet again, the most beautiful movie.
1 year ago
RouDesigns says:
Perfect! Nice job!
1 year ago
kittybblove says:
someone's feeling a little flirty! that was such a cute + information video. <3 thanks for sharing =^_____^=
1 year ago
Iammie says:
Cool!
1 year ago
whimsicaljewellery says:
beautiful! nice job! love the video!
1 year ago
conspiracytheory74 says:
Nice video, thanks for the ABC check!
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
There is NOTHING like jumping on my bike, something I have not done yet this year. Waiting for some warmer Spring weather and until I view the video to tune my beloved bike. Thanks.
1 year ago
MagpieQuilts says:
Great tutorial and timely! Will be hauling the bike out of the shed this year - it's been put away for far too long!
1 year ago
laTeefahDoLLs1898 says:
{; ) ♥!!!
1 year ago
BicycleBeautiful says:
Handy Tutorial! I have a shop here on Etsy themed on bicycle related stuff, so I was so happy to see this bike video being showcased here! Check out my Etsy listing with a link my DIY Bicycle Handlebar Bag: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62680262/handlebar-bicycle-bag-upcycled Enjoy!
1 year ago
pasin says:
Perfect video, thanks
1 year ago
pinkAmanda says:
fyi chicago.. not an etsy meet up but could be this saturday, 6/11: www.calsagcycles.com. cal-sag cycles, an earn-a-bike program, students will be heading basic bike maintenance.. other community fun for all!
362 days ago
Craft Night on Two Wheels | The Etsy Blog says:
[...] Lindell, the knowledgeable mechanic in our bike tune-up video, will be here to demonstrate fixing a flat. Be sure to visit Recycle-a-Bicycle for all your cycling [...]
331 days ago
caloriebiking says:
any one try :calorie biking
238 days ago
Sandra Ananda from ChikkVintage says:
I was so inspired by this that I built a Treasury around it. Check it out: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTk2OTgzOTB8MjcyMDEwMjU5Mw/bycicle
51 days ago
Erin O'Rourke from Fiume says:
thanks, etsy! i'm not at all mechanically inclined and the local bike shop intimidates me, so this was just what i needed.
15 days ago