Des Moines Bicycle Collective

What do you do when you a blow a tube out? Well, if you are me, you go to a shop, wait 15 minutes and hand a tech $ 40. At the Bike Collective, they actually let me use a bench, showed me how to replace the tube, and only charged me for the tube itself. The men working there were all incredibly nice. (And patient with my ineptitude) After talking to the people who work there, it sounds like they are a used bike store. They take donated bikes, fix them up and sell them at very affordable prices. With that being said, you may not find your Bianchi, Trek or Cannondale here, but a reconditioned Magna that will at least get you going can be had at a super reasonable price. (Give them that Schwinn you don’t ride anymore, or that Huffy your kid out grew, and they will fix it up and match them with a new owner) This operation is almost entirely volunteer based. They also coordinate the free bike valet at the Farmer’s Market! This is an awesome store and organization to have in your city.

I’ve wanted a bicycle for about a year now, but just now came to the conclusion the Dutch import I’ve been stalking online isn’t in my current budget.
In a pamphlet about bike month, I heard about the Des Moines bicycle collective. The atmosphere is great, and the guy that helped me was sooo helpful. He had me ride three bikes so I could see the difference and choose what was best for me. I found a bike in my price range, and that feels just right. I will definitely be coming back, and telling my friends.
They also seem like a great place for bike maintenance. While I was test driving, my friend asked about fixing up her old bike. They said she could rent a bench and they would help her fix it and get it ready to go.

What a great thing that they started here in Des Moines.
Do you want to get into biking but not ready to drop $ 500 on a nice bike. If that is the case check this place out.
This is a non-​profit organization that is trying to help build the bike friendly community in DeMo. Don’t you think we should be? We do have one of the largest state bike rides in the nation/​world with RAGBRAI. They take old bikes and make them new again, and sale them for a low price $ 40 — $ 125. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about bikes. They are trying to keep bikes out of landfills.
If you are looking to upgrade your bike please consider donating it to the Des Moines Bicycle Collective. Even if it is a bike that is not in the best of shape they will take it.
I can’t say enough about how awesome I think this group is! I even donate money to them once a year. They are the first place to ever write me a letter and what they did with the money and to thank me.