Our bikes may be accompanied with different coloured tags to indicate their state of repair or to indicate any special attention needed. Tags are usually hung on the handlebars. Please do not write on the tags as they will be reused on other bikes and any existing messages on them may not apply to future bikes.

Please check for any tags before starting a repair.

No Tag #

If a bike has no tag, assume it has not been given any attention yet.

These bikes can usually be sold with the as-is price of $50 (unless they are brand name bikes, which should be sold at a higher price). As soon as any attention has been given to a bike (repairs, new parts, etc), it will need a checklist and a RED TAG.

BLACK TAG #

Black tagged bikes have been reviewed and deemed not worth the repair:

• The cost of parts and/or time to repair it would not make the bike very profitable (ie: needing to spend $70 in new parts to sell the bike for $100-125).
• It would take too long to complete repair, especially if it needs parts we do not come into very often (ie: 27.5″ rear wheels, specialized drivetrain parts, vintage parts, etc).
• The frame is too rusted or structurally damaged to the point it could be a safety concern.

These bikes should be disassembled and striped of all usable parts and everything else disposed or recycled. These bikes are also useful for training new volunteers on.

RED TAG #

Red tagged bikes are currently in the process of being repaired.

Bikes should have a red tag until everything on the checklist has been checked and initialed and all new parts documented.

BLUE TAG #

Blue tagged bikes are an indication that it requires some attention and should be accompanied by a note indicating what that attention should be, ie:

• “Do not repair; we will donate this to Wheels for Kids.”
• “Save this bike for X; he/she/they wants to learn how to fix Y on it.”

Blue tags are also not necessarily an indication of the bike’s repair status and can accompany another tag, ie:

• Red with Blue tags: “This needs the rear wheel bearings repacked.”
• Red with Blue tags: “I put on a 3-speed shifter but it needs a 2-speed shifter.”
• Black with Blue tags: “Disassemble, but save the wheels for the Trek mountain bike.”

YELLOW TAG #

Yellow tagged bikes have been repaired and needs a final test ride by another volunteer who did not complete the repair.

GREEN TAG #

This bike:

• has a completed checklist,
• has been test ridden by another volunteer who did not complete the repair,
• has been posted on #bikes-for-sale,
• and ready for a new home!