HD Transmission wants to help local kids get their bikes in gear

Riding a bike was important to Dustin Geisel when he was a kid.

Now Geisel wants to make sure that a blown tire or bad brakes doesn’t prevent other children from being able to ride their own bicycles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HD Transmission and Auto Repair, 2406 E. Main St., is providing free bicycle repairs throughout the summer for kids ages 14 and younger.

“I just wanted to do my part,” says Geisel, who owns the shop.

HD Transmissions typically specializes in automatic transmission rebuilds but can fix nearly any auto issue, Geisel says. The business all summer long will be adding bicycle repairs to its list of services.

Residents who would like a bicycle fixed should call the business at 937-505-9099 to schedule an appointment. If the repair requires a new part, the customer will be asked to purchase anything over $25 and bring the part back to be fixed.

In addition to tires and brakes, Geisel says the shop can make repairs or adjustments to bike parts including inner tubes, chains, seats and handlebars.

HD Transmissions began offering free bike repairs a couple of weeks ago, and Geisel says a couple of people are scheduled to have theirs fixed.

When he was growing up, Geisel’s family didn’t always have money for bike repairs.

“I can’t tell you how many times I blew a tire,” says Geisel, who lives in Northridge with his wife, Erika, and their two children. Six-month-old Logan isn’t yet ready for a bike, but six-year-old Rowan is almost ready to take off her training wheels.

The pandemic has put many on edge, and even watching the news can be depressing when it seems that some people have lost their decency, he says. By fixing bicycles for free, Geisel hopes to play a part in reversing that.

“I just wanted everyone to know that there’s still good people out there, there’s still things to look forward to, and don’t believe everything you see on TV,” Geisel says.