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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 at Dumbo’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.
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.
127 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)
2 years ago
SeaGlassJournal says:
A very timely article. Methinks it's time to take the bike out of the attic. Thanks!
2 years 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
2 years 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
2 years ago
Verdurebydesign says:
I have the best conversations with my daughter when we are riding along together. The kids just love it!!
2 years ago
DecadesOfVintage says:
i just noticed the bike bell and the 6-pack frame. they are both great
2 years 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 :)
2 years ago
silkstory says:
My one is already tuned up :) Spring in full active program.. Sky helmet pic fantastic!!
2 years ago
ikabags says:
Awesome ! Yay for bikes :)
2 years ago
NotYourGrandmasAttic says:
I love the six pack frame cinch! What a great idea. . . .
2 years 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.
2 years 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
2 years ago
rope says:
Thank you! So much helpful information. Cute video, too.
2 years ago
lauraprentice says:
Just pulled my bike out yesterday! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!
2 years 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
2 years ago
KathyGDesigns says:
ikabags...Riding a bike in Paris is on my to do list! Enjoyed the video.
2 years ago
VintageMarketPlace says:
just got the beach cruiser all tuned up and have been out everyday for a ride since. Love Spring!!!
2 years 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....
2 years ago
accentonvintage says:
Still cool! Love our bikes!
2 years ago
TeenahTime says:
Great bike accessories! How about some vintage bikes for sale.
2 years ago
VogueByVague says:
I just tuned my bikes up today! Yay :)
2 years ago
Waterrose says:
We just tuned up ours yesterday! Great way to wear out our new puppy!
2 years ago
fluxproductions says:
Thanks for including my bike bag!
2 years ago
KettleConfections says:
Great video, wish more people did get around on bikes, especially here in the city where everything is close by.
2 years ago
perfectwear says:
Like the video...lots of useful info.
2 years ago
gallery32 says:
Very timely and informative for the upcoming Spring. Thanks so much :) Trina
2 years ago
CashmereJewels says:
this is definitely for Seattle!:)
2 years ago
joretta says:
and now i want to go hop on my bike!
2 years ago
theroyal says:
thanks so much. nice tips for us cyclists
2 years ago
lindasmile007 says:
love it
2 years ago
TheMillineryShop says:
Great tips. I am SO ready to hop on the bike!
2 years ago
rebourne says:
Good thing I married a bike mechanic/ wheel builder!!!
2 years ago
Armalique says:
great tutorial :)
2 years ago
PersonalizedSketches says:
This was great info! And love the two on the video! Thanks!
2 years ago
rozzie says:
That 6 pack beer holder cinch is so cool!
2 years ago
Tanith says:
Lots of good information!
2 years ago
ACupOfSparkle says:
I love bikes and biking... Thanks for sharing!!
2 years ago
blessedvintage says:
reminds me the summers i spent on my bike
2 years 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
2 years ago
Seymour says:
Feeling very excited about getting back behind the wheel, thanks for the tips!
2 years 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!
2 years ago
spontaneousreality says:
Awesome tips...happy cycling etsyans!
2 years ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
Excited to start riding again!!! Thanks for the great tips!
2 years 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!!
2 years 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!
2 years ago
MarleyLondon says:
Awesome! My brother has to read this. He loves biking!
2 years ago
lovelygifts says:
Awesome!
2 years 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.
2 years 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? ;)
2 years 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!
2 years ago
daisyvortex says:
All my bikes have flat tires right now. I hang my head.
2 years ago
SkateBetty says:
Nice filming!
2 years 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.
2 years ago
lrobertas says:
xe xe love this tutorial. passion for bicykles!!!
2 years 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
2 years ago
marymary says:
Jacob always cracks me up - I so look forward to these videos. Entertaining and educational!
2 years 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
2 years ago
collectiblesatoz says:
Fun article. Thanks for sharing.
2 years ago
Amelie66 says:
Thanks, this is a great article. Shared it as fast as I could.
2 years 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!
2 years ago
ReGEARED says:
ride on!!! :) love it!
2 years 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
2 years ago
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2 years ago
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2 years ago
HulaGirl1922 says:
YUM! there's nothing like a good bike ride....nothing! :) thx for a great post... cycle on!!!
2 years ago
LauraBKG says:
Just got my bike out of its winter 'hibernation!' Thanks for the tips!
2 years ago
foxpots says:
Cool video. We went for our first 15 mile ride last weekend. Can't wait for more!
2 years 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!
2 years 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?
2 years ago
girliepains says:
Yet again, the most beautiful movie.
2 years ago
RouDesigns says:
Perfect! Nice job!
2 years ago
kittybblove says:
someone's feeling a little flirty! that was such a cute + information video. <3 thanks for sharing =^_____^=
2 years ago
Iammie says:
Cool!
2 years ago
whimsicaljewellery says:
beautiful! nice job! love the video!
2 years ago
conspiracytheory74 says:
Nice video, thanks for the ABC check!
2 years 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.
2 years 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!
2 years ago
laTeefahDoLLs1898 says:
{; ) ♥!!!
2 years 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!
2 years ago
pasin says:
Perfect video, thanks
2 years 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!
1 year 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 [...]
1 year ago
caloriebiking says:
any one try :calorie biking
1 year 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
1 year ago
Erin O'Rourke from Aruguletta says:
thanks, etsy! i'm not at all mechanically inclined and the local bike shop intimidates me, so this was just what i needed.
1 year ago
Jess Greenleaf from GREENLEAFblueberry says:
Now that it's finally warming up, I'm excited to start bike commuting again!
66 days ago
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 says:
Thank-you for sharing the video!
66 days ago
Patrick from EdelweissPost says:
I make a habit of delivering my mail goods to the post office via bicycle {except during the icy Minnesota winters!}
66 days ago
Rachida Selvidge from KnitByCoutureStudio says:
Great ideas :)
66 days ago
Marcia Lacher from TheMillineryShop says:
I love my bike too and can think of almost nothing nicer than bike riding. I miss it in the Winter but the tune up video has given me Spring fever! And a new chore for my husband to do too. Can't wait to ride.
66 days ago
Bilal Hito from FireIslandSoap says:
i cant wait to ride my beach cruiser :) gnarly days ahead!
66 days ago
Kimberlee from GracefullyGirly says:
...I love to ride my bicycle... I love to ride my bike!... So fun and such great exercise. I think at one time I had 5 bikes - all different kinds for different riding - my favorite was a vintage cruiser that I fixed up. I really look forward to getting back out there riding again this spring. We're so lucky in CA that we can ride a bike pretty comfortably about any time of year.
66 days ago
Matejka Max from NattyMatty says:
Yes,yes!
66 days ago
LivingVintage from LivingVintage says:
Got snow yesterday, waiting for Spring!
66 days ago
IKA PARIS from ikabags says:
My one is already tuned up :) yay :)
66 days ago
Jane Priser from JanePriserArts says:
So fun and great exercise. Thanks for the tips!
66 days ago
Julia K Walton from LoveButtons says:
Great 'how to' - thank you - might even encourage me to get my bike out of the garage once the snow's gone ;o)
66 days ago
Anthony from MerchandiseLoft says:
i have 2 older mountain bikes, one is tuned for the street to deliver packages to the post office.
66 days ago
kathi roussel from 5gardenias says:
awesome! I'm so ready to ride!!!
66 days ago
Ingus Jākobsons from Furniply says:
And after fixing... one more thing needed - Good weather! ;)
66 days ago
Kelly Coleman Coursey from KellyColemanCoursey says:
Nothing compares to a bike ride in the spring!!
66 days ago
H88255 from HillarysSuperfoods says:
Bikes are such a great way to have fun and exercise at the same time!
66 days ago
VintageMarketPlace from VintageMarketPlace says:
i have had my beach cruiser out for weeks now riding in the afternoon sun. It is so great to free your mind and ride
66 days ago
Haru Aki from HARUAKI says:
We are a family of six intentionally living without a car. All year long we cruise around on our bikes, through rain, snow, wind, and heat. I carry three littles plus myself on the mama bike. Bike tune-ups are essential but we usually just let the bike shop pros handle it. Now I feel like I can handle at least part of the chore. Thanks!
66 days ago
D George from GeorgieGirlLLC says:
Love bikes, our extended family Oscar the peek-a-pooh (and yes, he looks like Oscar the Grouch except, he is not blue) and Sophie our Jack Russell Terrier love riding in their little trailer behind us looking at the scenery. Yeah Bikes!!
66 days ago
Kristen Briggs from LotusStone says:
Awesome!
66 days ago
Amy Brown from jumbojibbles says:
I'm so happy to be living in a bikeable community. With support, I hope biking becomes a viable option across the US.
65 days ago
Bessie from BessiesCreations says:
Perfect article for this spring weather! I love riding my bike up along the small canal in the mountains near my house :)
65 days ago
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger says:
It is about the time to get the bikes out....Nice if you live in an area to be able to bike more often....
65 days ago
Marina from anhaicabagworks says:
Luckliy I get to ride my bike year-round! No car for me :) I volunteer as a bike mechanic at a community bike shop ( all volunteer run, donation based) where we teach people the basics and more. If you are interested in learning how to work on a bike you should check and see if your city has one!
65 days ago
Kelly Engel from GrowingUpWild says:
There is no better method of transportation in the world! I am just thrilled that my youngest will be one this summer so I can strap him into the Charriot and use my bike much more often this summer. Thanks for the reminder to tune up!
65 days ago
Cat Horn from CatMHorn says:
Thanks for such a helpful video. I ride year round to get to and form work but my bike could use a tune up. very helpful thanks.
65 days ago
Colleen Smith from UnderABedWithLeonard says:
I love my bike; the river runs right by my home and I love cycling down the trail; the best part about my bike -an antique wine bottle carrier with leather straps! Perfect for a picnic! Lovin' it, guys!
65 days ago
iammie from iammie says:
Love riding the bicycle!
65 days ago
Eleanore from FiberBeads says:
Mine's still hanging upside down waiting for the snow to clear. Cannot WAIT for the first mild evening ride along the corn fields!
65 days ago
Tabi Ferguson from sericin says:
I ride 5000+miles per year, race and do self supported touring. This video is a GREAT reminder for EVERYONE who rides! Thank you Etsy!
65 days ago
david dellano from Manthreadz says:
Just got back from my daily six mile ride. Might have to break out the Hiawatha !
65 days ago
sarantos from SARANTOS says:
Great video. I just had mine tuned at the shop but the tires keep losing air even though they are all new. Must search for the pump and check things. :)
65 days ago
Stephanie Maslow Blackman from metalicious says:
Wow, this couldn't be easier to remember the ABCs! Thanks for breaking it down.
64 days ago
Gino Escate from GyGante says:
Thanks!
64 days ago
Hallie Franco from HallieJohanna says:
Great to know, my husband would be especially thankful if I l learned how to do this!
64 days ago
Lina Rodogianni from LinaNstitch says:
So cool! I've missed my bike during the winter...it was just too cold to ride!
64 days ago
Sandro Stumpo from GalleryDiModa says:
I used to go biking around the neighborhood with my mom as child. We would decided which houses were landscaped nicely and which ones needed a little love.
64 days ago
Barry Savage from FloatingLeafArts says:
Great post! I live in Portland Oregon where everyone is bike crazy. I hope this will help me catch up a little.
63 days ago
Christina Cassidy from tinaswaycrochet says:
Very helpful and thanks for the reminder we live on a sailboat and have fold-up bikes that require alot of attention because we are so close to salt water. We love our ikes and they help keep us in shape. I always include Barefoot sandals in my basket just in case a selling opportunity is available...;)
63 days ago
RodofGod says:
But, but... what if I messup my hair, makeup or worst of all, chip one of my nails? Eeeek! Then I shall surely die! Best to get my stupid boyfriend to pay someone else to do it. Then I can admire it for 2 seconds in the garage, where it will stay, forever, when he brings it back.
63 days ago
Caitlin Edge from knitsbycaitlin says:
I can't wait to get on my bike for the first time this year.
57 days ago