Spring Break
Mr. Fix It
Senior repairs bikes for free
By: Steve Humeniuk
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Features
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Every Friday afternoon in Academic Plaza, Swink will fix anyone's bicycle for free. It is a service he has been providing the entire semester, and any student is free to take part.
"I was like, 'Why not?' I see these people riding by with really terrible, rusty bikes and the chains are grinding around, and I love fixing bikes. I used to race and ride mountain bikes in high school," said Swink, a senior bioenvironmental science major.
Swink's operation is relatively straightforward: he sits outside in the shade in front of Academic Plaza wearing a "Free Bike Repair" shirt. He carries all the tools he needs with him in his backpack. He sits down, smiles, has friendly conversations with fellow Aggies and waits for students to take him up on his free services.
"I like to show people how to fix them, too," Swink said. "Bikes are fairly simple machines and most of the adjustments I make are relatively easy. I think they're fun to fix. Everything is simple to get to, and you don't need that many tools."
Swink said he fixes just about everything from bent handlebars and wheels, rusty chains that need adjustment, and brakes that don't work to loose seats.
"The most common is a bent wheel, and it can be fixed really easily by adjusting the tension on the spokes with a spoke wrench that can be bought for just a few dollars at a bike shop," Swink said. "I can fix pretty much anything other than the rebuilding of bearings or something major like that."
Swink said he provides the Friday service out of the goodness of his heart, and will not accept payment for his work unless someone is thoughtful enough to bring him snacks or a cold drink.
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