The Bike Connector

05/07/2026

Friends, The Bike Connector, Lowell’s non-profit community bike program, is collecting bikes at Concord Public Works & REUSIT DropOff/SwapOff Event Saturday, May 16, 2026 9:30AM-3:00PM. We need volunteers to help us pump tires, remove pedals, turn handlebars, and load bikes onto our truck. We also need volunteers with pickup trucks to help us shuttle bikes from a drop-off in Wayland to Concord. Please sign up here.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

03/25/2026

In addition to our Earn-Your-Bike program, The Bike Connector has bikes for sale, including hybrids, cruisers, road bikes, vintage bikes, and mountain bikes. Prices start as low as $50 and go to $500. All bikes are tuned up and ready to ride. Each sale comes with a tuneup and free maintenance. Don't miss out on these great spring deals. Visit us at 47 Lee Street in Lowell. Check out our webpage for shop hours https://www.bikeconnector.org/

03/19/2026

We're open for our Spring Sale until 8pm tonight, then 10am-4pm on Saturday.

My faves are the old step-thrus (photos 1 and 2) -these are vintage frames that used to have drop bars; we swap them out for straight bars to make them into hybrid/city-ish bikes. They're zippy on the road, they look cool, and they're super cheap! What's not to like?

Our sale week helps us make some revenue, while also finding new homes for some excess inventory. Send all your friends!

03/12/2026

Next week!
Reposting this because I got the hours wrong in the last post - we are open until 8pm on Thursday!

03/04/2026

The Bike Connector is having our annual Spring Warehouse Sale!

Tuesday March 17, 10am-5pm
Wednesday March 18, 10am-5pm
Thursday March 19, 10am-8pm
Saturday March 21, 10am-4pm

There will be over 150 used bikes to choose from- road bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, single-speed, comfort bikes, and vintage 3-speed/10-speed. All bikes are ready to ride and include a post-sale tune-up. Get a great deal on a bike and support The Bike Connector’s programs in Lowell.

New this year: BIKE COMPONENT SHOP - we have frames, forks, wheels, pedals, cranksets, and other components available. Come and browse!

Cash, Paypal, Venmo and credit cards accepted

02/19/2026

The Bike Connector is searching for an experienced Executive Director to lead us into the future... check out more information at www.bikeconnector.org

11/12/2025

📢Next Saturday, November 15th is The Bike Connector’s Annual Holiday Giveaway for children’s bikes! 🤶🚲🥰❄️⛄️
We'll be open 10am to 1pm for families to pick bikes for children from Pre-schooler to Grade 6 (ages 4 to 11). 👧🧒
Parents should bring their child to pick a FREE bike and helmet. The limit is one bike per child.
We're at 47 Lee St in downtown Lowell. Look for the Bike Connector sign; the shop is down the stairs.📢

Hope to see you there!

11/05/2025

Tad Irving, local bicycle guru and professional mechanic, will be leading hands-on workshops starting in December. Six 3-hour Saturday classes cover topics needed to keep your bike in top shape. Click on the link below to see the content being offered. Classes are limited to four students per class. To cover our costs, we recommend a donation of $50/class.

Week 1 - Wheels
How to fix a flat
Removing the wheel from the frame
Removing the tire & tube from the rim
Finding the flat
Patching or replacing the tube
Reassembling the tube and tire on the rim
Reinstalling the wheel
How to rebuild a hub and service hub bearings
How to service front wheel hub cup & cone
How to service a rear wheel hubcup & cone
How to service a freewheel
How to service a freehub & cassette
Hands-on: Practice installing and removing tires, fixing punctures, truing wheels with a wheel truing stand, and rebuilding a hub.

Week 2 - Wheel truing
How to true a wheel
Dish a wheel
Lateral truing a wheel
Radial truing a wheel

Week 3 - Cable pulled rim brakes
Rim brake system(s) overview
V-Brakes
Cantilevered
Dual Pivot Side Pull
Side Pull
U-Brakes
Brake pad replacement
Handlebar & brake lever positioning
Flat bar
Drop bar
Installing brake housing and cable
Brake caliper mounting and adjustment
Hands-on: Brake pad replacement, replacing brake cables and housings.

Week 4 - Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Hydraulic brake system(s) overview - fluid types
Installing and aligning calipers
Replacing and adjusting pads
Evaluating and replacing brake lines
Bleeding and testing brake system
Hands-on: Brake pad replacement and hydraulic fluid bleeding

Week 5 - Drivetrain
Drivetrain system overview
How to remove and install two piece & three piece crankset
How to service a bottom bracket
How to test a chain
How to replace a chain
How to adjust a front derailleur
How to adjust a rear derailleur
Hands-on: Bottom bracket replacement, chain testing, chain sizing and replacement, front derailleur adjustment, rear derailleur adjustment.

Week 6 - Frame/Fork/Headset/Stems
How to evaluate a bike frame for safety
How to evaluate, service, and replace a headset
Threaded
Threadless
How to install a bike fork
How to size and install stems
Hands-on: Bottom bracket replacement, chain testing, chain sizing and replacement, front derailleur adjustment, rear derailleur adjustment.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48ACA923A0F4C25-60116792-bike

08/25/2025

Bike donations are on hold until October 15th.

06/28/2025

SquashBusters visit The Bike Connector! A great day. 🚲🚲🚲