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Wheel it on over to Cyclemania

Posted by Staff / April 11, 2005

6 Comments

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I like nice stores as much as the next person, but I don't like it when I end up paying for that nice store through my purchases. I dislike that even more, when I am buying something practical, like a bike tune-up.

Toronto is loaded with fancy bike-gear-wearing sales teams in these fancy stores, selling fancy bikes and shiney locks. That might be fine for someone in the biking 'scene', but I just want a simple service for my bike, man.

For those who know what I am talking about, I have found the perfect solution.

People, meet Cyclemania. (863 Bloor Street West, 416-533-0080)

Allow the unassuming entrance to welcome you. Rows upon rows of bikes will lead you in, inviting you to explore the store at will.
More adventurous visitors will enjoy the random and scattered workspace out the back door, and if you are nice, you might even see the basement they proudly escavated themselves.

The very fact that the place is so open is a direct reflection of the service there. They help you as much as you need to be helped, offering the assistance they can to meet your needs. So rarely in stores can you see what you are getting right in front of you. They are not hiding behind anything.

The guys are cool, the price is right and my bike has never looked better. Enough said.

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6 Comments

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bort / April 11, 2005 at 11:21 pm
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I was extremely disappointed in NOW magazine for it's vicious attack on Cyclemania in last weeks issue. I myself have visited the store on numerous occasions and have never once had a negative experience. The employee's have always been friendly and without the kind of fru fru, "i only ride carbon" attitude you find at places like dukes. This is a REAL bike shop. The floor is dirty, there are LOTS of used bikes, and the air reeks of grease. I urge all cyclists to give shops like Cyclemania a chance. Don't let the disorder intimidate you. More often than not, the employees in these shops will bend over backwards to help you find what you need. FUCK NOW MAGAZINE FOR SLANDERING HONEST PEOPLE WITH NO REGARD FOR WHAT IT MAY DO TO THEIR BUSINESS. For the record, I am in no way affiliated with Cyclemania. I'm simply a guy who likes bikes and see's the need to support these "mom n pop" shops. The people at On the Go at Bloor and Dovercourt are realy nice and helpful as well. Support!!!
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catherine / April 11, 2005 at 11:35 pm
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thank you for mentioning that. i was equally upset about the NOW review. you know it's badly done when the critic loosely and inaccurately and unfoundedly refers to the guys as, 'crackheads'. that is NOT journalism. or a fair or truthful review. i hate when people try to jazz up their writing at the expense of other people. especially when they have got the crit so wrong.
i'm so glad you share my sentiment.
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Disco / April 12, 2005 at 12:57 am
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Too often writers will bash something in a review because they think it will make their article more interesting. Kudos to you for publishing the straight goods! Vive Le Cyclemania Libre!
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zydeco fish / April 12, 2005 at 11:54 am
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I agree with the other comments. I find that other bike shops--I won't mention any names--do a really hard sell. I have asked for a few adjustments and the guy is suggesting a new seat, new grips, a wash, full tune up, etc etc. At Cyclemania, they just do what you ask without the sales job. That's cool
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victoria / July 17, 2006 at 11:20 am
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Wow, I am glad I missed this negative article-although NOW magazine being negative about anything? Nah! (Note the sarcasm dripping offa my keyboard here). I have been to virtually every bike store in the downtown core. They have mostly been rude, condescending, and patronizing-and I ride my bike at least 2 hours a day!, which is probably a lot more than most of the salesguys...but, d I am female! I had such shoddy service on Parliament street-they charged me almost $50 to install my baby seat and didn't even put it on correctly, and when I went back, they charged me again to fix it, and when I complained, the guy threatened my baby's life! True story. Now I won't go anyhwere but cyclemania. They are really nice, supportive, the best prices, and they have great bikes! I LOVE my Cyclemania bike! If you need something re-done they don't hassle you, they just fix it. The only other store I found like this is the little place on harbord street, north side, also a place that actaully cares about you and cycling. Once I waited at Duke's counter for 10 minutes with a purchase in my hand and no one, including the cashier (who was on the phone) even said hello to me! I put down my purchase and left. Was I invisible because the purchase wasn't big enough? Who knows. But please, buyers and cyclists, support the guys who care about cycling! And if you want help with your baby seat, defintley go to Cyclemania, because they are, in my experience, the best.
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Paul / August 10, 2010 at 04:15 pm
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while I generally have a positive disposition towards the unpretentious, small guys blabla I unfortunately have to say that I wasted $30 on a recent tune-up that I could have done better (in fact, that I did have to fix). They are nice guys but they really don't know what they are doing (at least not with high end bikes) and it seemed to me that the guy who did my "tune-up" literally did nothing. The bike was in good shape but straightening the spokes would have been good (not done) and maybe pumping up the tires (not done). But what he did do was tighten my steering wheel so much that it would not really turn to one side. The guy then told me the fork was probably bent...dude, that's when I knew I just blew $30 on these clowns. I was glad that they did not ruin my steering system by tightening it too much. They might be OK for an old beat-up bike that needs some basic adjustments but don't go for anything that requires knowledge and experience.
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