The Build-A-Bike Program brought to you by The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign allows members to refurbish a bike for their own use. You can choose from the assortment donated bikes, and Campus Bike Center volunteer mechanics will help you learn the skills to get your bike road-worthy. This is the best way to learn how to fix your bike and save money. The prices shown below include all the used parts necessary to fix your bike, and new parts are available to you at our discounted member pricing.

How it works

First, you must be a member of The Bike Project to participate in this program.

Once you are a member, you can request a staffer to tag an available bike as a Build-a-Bike. You will fill out the contact information, as well as today’s date.

The staffer can tell you a “base” cost for the bike. The base cost includes any used parts necessary to complete the bike. Any new parts you use on the bike will be available at the member price for that part. Chains and tires are common new components used in the Build-a-Bike program. Additionally, a set of Planet Bike Blinkies lights are included in the base cost. If you demonstrate you have lights and don’t need a set, you can deduct $5 from the base price.

Each time you work on the bike, update the tag with today’s date. This functions as the “last day worked on” date. If this is ever more than two weeks (14 days) old, the bike is assumed to have been abandoned and is available for other purposes, like a Build-a-Bike for someone else, or a refurbished bike.

Cost Structure

All Build-a-Bikes are checked for structural damage/safety and the following parts are overhauled/replaced:

• Bottom bracket
• Headset
• Wheel bearings

Base prices start at $50 and go up from there depending on the condition and quality of the bike, components, and labor costs for the aforementioned service.