Core77

Bicycle Self-Repair Vending Machines

By Rain Noe - August 10, 2011

in Cars

While it's difficult to predict the location where your bike will crap out on you, I'm still digging the idea of Minneapolis-based Bike Fixtation's bicycle repair vending machines. In addition to selling refrigerated drinks and snacks, the machines are stocked with commonly-needed parts; next to it is a free air compressor, and several feet away, a work stand is mounted to the ground, with eight tools permanently attached to it via aircraft cable.

Started by two guys known only as Chad and Alex, Bike Fixtation's gig is to sell the vending machines to entrepreneurs in bike-friendly cities. So far there's just one installed, at a train station in their home city of Minneapolis, but we'd like to see the trend catch on and expand to other cities. At the very least these ought to do well in cities that still have a bike messenger presence.

o

Favorite This
Q
3

Comment

Comments

TM

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This is a great concept and I wish we lived in a society that would allow these sorts of things to proliferate. One of my first thoughts, sadly, was of legal considerations. I worked in a shop for many years, many years ago, and it was always verboten to allow customers to use shop tools to perform even minor repairs. Of course we did loan out tools on occasion but we always checked the work before letting anybody ride out.
!Report as spam
Ray

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

But wait, there's more: http://www.core77.com/blog/transportation/bicycle_vending_machine_part_2_video_documentation_20179.asp
!Report as spam
Randy

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I believe this is an awesome idea! I was riding a bike trail over here in Fresno, CA, and was talking to a riding buddy about the same concept along the trail. I hope to see more of these installed soon!
!Report as spam