I know this is in Scotland but thought I'd share it as I think it's great. A registered charity that takes unwanted bikes, refurbishes them then sells them on to the public at good prices to stop them ending up in landfill. Not just rubbish bikes either, some very tidy and desireable ones come through them, frames and parts also available, I paid £2.00 for a used 9 speed shifter. They chased and faced my bottom bracket then fitted the bearings I supplied for £8.00. Work bench and tool hire with mechanics on hand to give advice, maintenance classes, mechanic courses, build your own bamboo bike. Like I said, I think it's great.

http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/

Very worthy cause Ray. I wish they were nearer, I'd happily devote some free time ... and I'd also hopefully find something old and steel to have a play with

most big city's have something similar so worth a look, Glasgow has 3 or 4 of these type of places, though I think BikeStation is the largest.

I have a pile of stuff I keep meaning to send over to them, mainly kids bikes that my sons have out grown.

most big city's have something similar so worth a look

And there lies the problem

Have been meaning to find something similar in Cardiff. Have a bunch of useful old parts that are just going to end up in the skip otherwise.

One in Swansea - https://recyclesouthwales.wordpress.com/

s8tannorm wrote:

most big city's have something similar so worth a look

And there lies the problem

its a nice "problem" though )

its a nice "problem" though

It is a nice problem ... I've just been outside in the sun, strimming the grass and watching the local weasels trying to catch birds

I was looking at getting rid of some frames last summer through these sort of schemes, yet Chester had nothing to offer Was tempted to ship them elsewhere but several frames/forks soon add up

Thankfully, a few weeks later, a friend of mine up-cyled a very old Voodoo Hoodoo steel frame of mine into a touring/hybrid bike, was a little jealous when I saw what he had done with it! Nice to see the bike getting used though