The Common Wheel
The Common Wheel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community bicycle organization operating three sites across Lancaster County, PA, combining retail bike sales, professional repair services, and a co-op with educational programming that serves youth, adults, refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, and low-income residents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLancaster, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Common Wheel does
The Common Wheel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community bicycle organization headquartered at 324 N. Queen Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, operating three physical sites across Lancaster County (Queen Street retail/service shop, the King Street Pumphouse co-op, and a Columbia location opened May 17, 2024). Founded in 2014 by Brad Copeland and Chris Caldwell, the organization sells new bicycles from authorized brands (Brooklyn Bicycle Co, Public Bikes, Marin, Raleigh, All-City, Surly, Redline, Strider) alongside refurbished bikes, and operates an eBay storefront for vintage parts. Professional bike repair services (Level I–III tune-ups at $85–$185, $75/hour shop rate) and a self-service co-op membership ($150/year or $10/hour drop-in) round out the commercial offering.
The organization's core technology is non-digital: standard bicycle repair tools, bike stands, and workshop equipment used to deliver hands-on educational programming rather than any software platform. Its community programming includes Earn-a-Bike (youth ages 9–18, 95% subsidized with ~$40 average tuition collected), a Youth Bike Workshop, an Adult Mechanic Class ($210, sliding scale, capped at 4), Bikes for All (refurbished bike packages for refugees and low-income adults), Queers & Gears (LGBTQ+ affinity group with Hellbenders Collective), and the annual Spring Bike Fling / Holiday Bike Drive (100–200 bikes given away annually). A planned Gear Library will add camping-equipment lending.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: hardware sales (new and refurbished bikes), professional repair services, subscription co-op memberships, paid adult classes, individual and corporate donations (including recurring EITC-funded sponsorships from Midpenn Bank, UGI, PPL, and Tröegs Brewing), grants, and eBay vintage-parts sales. Customer segments span youth, adult learners, underserved populations (refugees, formerly incarcerated, low-income), the LGBTQ+ community, and general Lancaster consumers. The organization operates as a social enterprise where retail and service proceeds directly fund nonprofit programming.
The Common Wheel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Common Wheel
- Legal name
- The Common Wheel
- Website
- https://thecommonwheel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Common Wheel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community bicycle organization operating three sites across Lancaster County, PA, combining retail bike sales, professional repair services, and a co-op with educational programming that serves youth, adults, refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, and low-income residents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Common Wheel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Bike Shop & Nonprofit Bicycle Services
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991), Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (441227)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops (CRAMAHAH), Used & Refurbished Bike Retail (CRAMAHAK), Bicycle Programs & Bike Share (Parking, Repair, Rentals) (EDALAKAE)
Keywords
Where The Common Wheel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lancaster
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Common Wheel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Bike Sales: Sale of new and refurbished bicycles including brands such as Brooklyn Bicycle Co, Public Bikes, Marin Bikes, and Raleigh. Proceeds directly support nonprofit programming.
- Maintenance & Repair Services: Professional bike repair and maintenance services including tune-ups, flat repairs, brake adjustments, and complete overhauls performed by experienced mechanics.
- Adult Mechanic Classes: Two-day hands-on workshops teaching adults bicycle maintenance fundamentals, offered at $210 with sliding scale pricing.
- Co-Op Membership: Annual self-service membership at The Pumphouse providing access to tools, bike stands, and 10% discount on parts. Also offers $10/hour drop-in access.
- Donations & Grants: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations, corporate sponsorships through EITC program, and grant funding supporting youth and adult programming.
- Ebay Sales: Sale of rare and vintage bicycle parts through Ebay to fund programming and operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Co-Op Membership - $150/year |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Mechanic Class - $210 (sliding scale available) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Earn-a-Bike Program - Subsidized/sliding scale |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bike Maintenance & Repair Services |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation Tiers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Common Wheel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Common Wheel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community bike organization that sells new bicycles from authorized brands (Brooklyn Bicycle Co., Public Bikes, Marin, Raleigh, All-City, Surly, Redline, Strider) and refurbished used bikes, while providing professional bike maintenance and repair services. The organization operates a bicycle co-op with self-service workshop access, runs paid and sliding-scale adult mechanic classes, and delivers youth-focused programs such as Earn-a-Bike and the Youth Bike Workshop. All retail and service proceeds directly fund community programming, including transportation access for refugees and low-income residents (Bikes for All) and an LGBTQ+ affinity group (Queers & Gears).
Product overview
The Common Wheel is a community bike organization operating as a dual-location nonprofit (Lancaster and Columbia, PA) with a platform of integrated products and services centered on bicycle sales, professional maintenance/repair, and community education programs. The core retail offering includes new bicycles from authorized dealer brands (Brooklyn Bicycle Company, Public Bikes, Marin Bikes, Raleigh, All-City, Surly, Redline, Strider) and refurbished bikes, supported by professional repair services. The educational platform consists of youth programs (Earn-a-Bike for ages 9-18, Youth Bike Workshop) and adult programming (Adult Mechanic Class, Co-Op Membership). Community impact programs include Bikes for All (serving refugees and low-income adults), Queers & Gears (LGBTQ+ affinity group), and the Spring Bike Fling/Holiday Bike Drive (annual bike giveaway). A planned Gear Library will expand outdoor access. An eBay shop sells vintage parts. All retail proceeds fund the nonprofit programming.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- New Bicycle Sales Sale of new bicycles from authorized dealer brands for recreation, commuting, gravel/road racing, mountain, and youth riders.
- Refurbished Bicycle Sales Sale of expertly overhauled used bicycles by experienced mechanics, offering better quality than department store bikes at reasonable prices. Proceeds support community programming.
- Maintenance & Repair Services Professional bike maintenance and repair services including flat tire repair, derailleur adjustment, brake adjustment, three levels of tune-ups, and suspension rebuilds. Hourly shop rate $75; Level I $85, Level II $125, Level III $185.
- Co-Op Membership (The Pumphouse Crew) Annual self-service co-op membership at the King Street location providing access to bike stands, tools, and skilled staff guidance. $150/year with 10% off new parts and accessories; $10/hour drop-in rate available without membership; free first month with bike purchase.
- Earn-a-Bike Program After-school program for youth ages 9-18 teaching bicycle assembly, maintenance, and safety through hands-on training; participants refurbish and keep a bike. Includes road safety instruction. Subsidized/sliding scale tuition, with 95% of 2024 students on reduced or scholarship tuition at average tuition of approximately $40 per student.
- Youth Bike Workshop Weekly drop-in workshop for youth through high school to fix and maintain their bikes in a structured, supervised environment. Used parts available for $1 each.
- Adult Mechanic Class Two-day hands-on workshop teaching adults (18+) bicycle maintenance fundamentals including M Check safety inspection and basic repairs. $210 with sliding scale pricing and priority to BIPOC; capped at 4 adults. Includes free 1-month co-op membership after completion.
- Bikes for All Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of Earn-a-Bike students paid reduced tuition or received full scholarship in 2024
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Common Wheel
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
The Common Wheel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Common Wheel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Hellbenders CollectivecorePartnership with Hellbenders Collective to run Queers & Gears, an affinity group for the LGBTQ+ community. Hellbenders is a community to inspire, encourage and support women and gender-diverse cyclists to explore bikepacking and adventure cycling in PA. The program includes quarterly supported bike camping trips, rides, meetings, and development of South Central PA's first Gear Library.
- Church World ServicecoreImmigration program helping refugees resettle in the US. Partner for Bikes for All program identifying community members in need of essential transportation. Velarmino and Boniface came to TCW through CWS referrals.
- Tabor Community ServicescorePartner organization for Bikes for All program, referring clients who need affordable transportation assistance.
- Transitional Living CentercorePartner organization for Bikes for All program serving adults in need of essential transportation.
- Lancaster Bikes!coreLocal bike coalition dedicated to making Lancaster a premier city for cycling. The Common Wheel values this partnership for bike advocacy and community collaboration. Lancaster Bikes! installed over 10 miles of bike lanes in 2017.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Common Wheel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bike Works: Seattle-based nonprofit community bike organization also named as a direct inspiration for The Common Wheel. Runs youth Earn-a-Bike-equivalent programs, retail, and repair services targeting underserved youth.
- Recycle-a-Bicycle: NYC-based nonprofit combining bicycle reuse, youth job training, and retail. Highly comparable mission of using bikes to provide job skills, environmental stewardship, and transportation access to underserved youth.
- Community Cycling Center: Portland-based nonprofit community bike shop explicitly cited as inspiration for The Common Wheel. Operates the same integrated model: retail, repair, youth education, and community access programs serving underserved populations.
- Yellow Bike Project: Austin-based community bike shop offering refurbished bike sales, repair services, and DIY workshops. Shares the same nonprofit hybrid model of retail/service revenue funding community programming.
- Working Bikes: Chicago nonprofit that sells refurbished bikes, runs youth education programs, and donates bikes locally and internationally. Closely mirrors The Common Wheel's combination of retail revenue, repair services, and social impact programming.
- Bikes Not Bombs: Boston-based nonprofit using bicycles as a vehicle for social change. Operates an Earn-a-Bike youth program, refurbished bike sales, mechanic training, and international bike shipment — directly comparable mission and operating model.
- Free Cycles: Bozeman, MT nonprofit community bike shop offering refurbished bikes, repair services, and youth/adult education — comparable small-scale nonprofit bike shop model in a college-town market.
Others
- Hellbenders Collective: PA-based community supporting women and gender-diverse cyclists in bikepacking and adventure cycling. Partners with The Common Wheel to run Queers & Gears and is co-developing South Central PA's first Gear Library — directly tied partnership peer.
Broad incumbents
- REI Co-op: National outdoor retailer with deep cycling assortment (sales, service, classes, community programming). Operates in the same retail and service categories as The Common Wheel but at vastly greater scale and with a for-profit cooperative structure.
Regional players
- Lancaster Bicycle Club: Local cycling advocacy and recreational riding club that supports The Common Wheel's Bikes for All program. Operates in the same Lancaster geography but focuses on member rides and advocacy rather than retail/repair/programming.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Common Wheel social profiles
Digital presenceThe Common Wheel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Common Wheel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
The Common Wheel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Common Wheel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Common Wheel
What does The Common Wheel do?
The Common Wheel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community bike organization that sells new bicycles from authorized brands (Brooklyn Bicycle Co., Public Bikes, Marin, Raleigh, All-City, Surly, Redline, Strider) and refurbished used bikes, while providing professional bike maintenance and repair services. The organization operates a bicycle co-op with self-service workshop access, runs paid and sliding-scale adult mechanic classes, and delivers youth-focused programs such as Earn-a-Bike and the Youth Bike Workshop. All retail and service proceeds directly fund community programming, including transportation access for refugees and low-income residents (Bikes for All) and an LGBTQ+ affinity group (Queers & Gears).
Is The Common Wheel a public or private company?
The Common Wheel is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Common Wheel founded?
The Common Wheel was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Common Wheel based?
The Common Wheel is headquartered in Lancaster, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Common Wheel make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Bike Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance & Repair Services, adult Mechanic Classes, co-Op Membership, donations & Grants and ebay Sales.
Who are The Common Wheel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bike Works, Recycle-a-Bicycle, Community Cycling Center, Yellow Bike Project, Working Bikes, Bikes Not Bombs and Free Cycles. Hellbenders Collective is listed as an others. REI Co-op is listed as a broad incumbent. Lancaster Bicycle Club is listed as a regional player.
Does The Common Wheel have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Common Wheel.
What industry is The Common Wheel in?
The Common Wheel's product category is Community Bike Shop & Nonprofit Bicycle Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMABAH, Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories), with a secondary code of CRAMAHAH, Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.