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Services

Bikes on Wheels

  • Currently 1.80/5

Rating: 1.8/5 (25 votes)

Posted by Staff / Posted on June 22, 2011

25 Comments

Bikes on WheelsBikes on Wheels is a good option when you're looking for a slick urban commuter bike or accessories for tooling around town. Operating out of Kensington Market for over 20 years, the store added a location at 779 Queen St. West earlier this year. There you'll find the same relaxed atmosphere and brands as at the original. In addition to urban and utility bikes, there's also a selection of MTB and road bikes on offer.

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25 Comments

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yeah right / June 25, 2011 at 09:34 pm
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"Excellent service and a pretension-free atmosphere" HA HA HA HA HA! This is so the complete opposite of the truth its unbelievable. Everyone knows that this place is staffed by the most un-helpful, pretentious, condescending, douchy bike-snobs in the city. BARF
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calvin replying to a comment from yeah right / July 19, 2011 at 04:59 pm
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blogto must have written them and asked them to do a write-up. So much for journalistic intergrity, right blogto?

This store is pathetic, as yeah right says. A close cousin to Duke's and Urbane Cyclist. High prices, lousy condescending service.
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Ross / July 20, 2011 at 07:29 am
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I agree with the prior comments. There is lots of attitude and negativity in this place. Consistently very indifferent service. Limited selection. Sorry - I just don't get it .... This place is totally over-rated.

I am really surprised this store makes the list when Cycle Solutions on Parliament was given the boot. If you want friendly, helpful service and a decent selection of parts/ accessories give them a chance.

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NotHipsterEnough / August 10, 2011 at 04:03 pm
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I was in this store for 15min and no one asked me if I needed any help. But man were they cool… skinny jeans, little beards and reto Campagnolo hats!
Worst service ever.
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marcin / September 25, 2011 at 11:08 pm
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ok, this was my experience, i walked in with a problem with my bike, a friendly guy asked me if i needed help, and then i expained to him, he gave me multiple options, and even though i told him i wouldnt be able to buy anything that day, he still made as much as an effort as possible to help me.

not only that but i have come back for little things here and there and everytime, he (i usually go to the same guy) always helps me find eactly what i need or the price i want and he'll take some time to either explain it or instal it.
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Neeta / November 1, 2011 at 02:41 pm
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I think this bike shop is great. I brought my bike from here. I by no means was very knowledgeable about bikes but the staff her assisted me in a very non-pretentious manner. I also got a bike part fixed here, the bike mechanic was very friendly.
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gary newman / February 13, 2012 at 03:49 pm
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These guys don't even know how to fix a flat tire. Totally rude idiots!
Got a great deal on a bike but their service department is a night mare.
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Heels / March 20, 2012 at 02:36 pm
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Assholes, snobs. Worst retail service I've seen. I was relieved to finally find my dream bike but disgusted to have had to buy it from them.
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diy / April 23, 2012 at 09:59 am
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Not sure who others have dealt with – but my experience at the Kensington Market store was great. Haven’t cycled in 15 years, and went in looking for a commuter bike to ride to work. I was able to browse without being harassed (and yes, they said hello when I enterd) then when I was ready, the guy who helped me answered all my questions, I was encouraged to test drive as many bikes as I wanted to (5 in all) and ended up buying one. He didn’t promote the most expensive and stressed that the bike I should choose was the one that was right for me. I call this great service.
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Cycligal / April 28, 2012 at 12:52 pm
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I'm guessing the overly emotional haters in the above Comments have personal axes to grind or are from competing bike shops, etc. It's just a bike shop for F sakes. Been going there for years and always happy with staff and service.
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Modified bikes in Mumbai / May 7, 2012 at 05:26 am
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Absolutely great service have been started.
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Danny / May 9, 2012 at 06:06 pm
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I recently brought in a used 10 year old bike for a $60 tuneup. Service was prompt & courteous and I was well taken care of. However, after I picked up the bike, I noticed that the rear derailleur still had an accumulated quarter inch of grime on the small wheels. The front cogs and back gears were dirty and looked like they had received no attention. I'm no expert but shouldn't that be part of a tuneup?
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pissed / May 10, 2012 at 03:57 pm
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Most associates here are incredibly rude. I'm SO sorry I've inconvenienced you by asking a bicycle question. Way to affirm the stereotype, assholes.
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Alain / May 18, 2012 at 11:08 am
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I don't know why there are so many negative comments here. I went in yesterday and all staff members were very helpful. One gentleman working at the store showed me 10 different bikes, explaining all the pros/cons of each (I don't know anything about bikes). They also let me test out the bikes and told me to take as along as I want. They also don't work on commission, which is certainly a plus..

hipsters? yes. It's in Kensington Market -- what were you expecting? Pretentious and condescending? Not at all.
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Motorcycle in India / June 4, 2012 at 03:07 am
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It would be more convenient for the people. Great!!!
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WTF / June 7, 2012 at 06:45 pm
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Aw man, I was so excited to check out the bikes in this place and was saddened by the up front attitude. What a shitty experience.
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simon / June 9, 2012 at 11:07 am
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I found no snobbery or condescending attitude at this shop. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and willing to answer any and all questions if not busy with customers. Mechanics are top notch and the after sales experience is great. I highly recommend this shop.
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just maybe... / June 13, 2012 at 01:45 pm
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Maybe the way your treated here depends on how hipster-friendly you appear to be.
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peachy / July 5, 2012 at 02:24 pm
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are people here getting REALLY grumpy or what. i buy locks etc here (lose a lot). bought one for my son which turned out not to have a key and they swapped happily without a reciept while pumping up my tire. prices good, if i didnt have a bike already i'd buy from here. they def dont jump all over you but i have had waaay more attitude at other stores on this list.
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Torono / July 8, 2012 at 02:41 pm
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Rude people in Toronto....

What else is new?

Hahahaha!
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mic. / August 28, 2012 at 07:00 am
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greatest. experience. ever.

intimidated by the reviews that said the shop was manned by assholes, decided i'd risk it as BOW is the closest bike shop to my work. glad i did - the patient and honest customer service that i observed and experienced were top notch. left the store feeling really satisfied, and am quite excited about riding my new bike around the city!

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AC / October 30, 2012 at 10:30 pm
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I'd be willing to bet that the people who had terrible service were probably women. Among cyclists I know (I live in Kensington) no girl likes this shop. I live nearby but had decided to shop elsewhere after several offensive experiences of standing and waiting while men were served ahead of me. There is a very dude-bro vibe in this shop, and no female staff to be seen. They need to shape up.
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Constantly Varied / January 29, 2013 at 09:48 am
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We interviewed the Owner, Sean, and two of the employees for our podcast. Awesome people! http://constantlyvaried.briancauley.ca/2013/01/29/episode-8-bikes-on-wheels/
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jomo / April 7, 2013 at 01:15 am
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Didn't get the best service in there today. They were busy, granted, but the bike guys didn't seem all that interested in helping me out. After waiting quite a while, I finally got more assertive and asked to try a bike. I was also trying to get a description of it's features so I could compare with other similar bikes, and this guy just couldn't be bothered. So I just settled for a test ride, but he didn't even check the seat height and adjust it so that my legs extended.....at all. When I got back, he'd completely forgotten about me and would have walked right by me if I hadn't grabbed his attention again. It was a pretty pitiful display of customer service. I gave up on him, and later got some better service from a couple other guys, but despite finding a pretty nice bike there, I'm going to keep searching for another place to either buy the same or a similar bike.....it's kind of nice to be treated well, and to have the features of an expensive product explained to you before you buy it.
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Kw / April 28, 2013 at 10:50 am
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Recently bought a bike from the Queen location. This was the first sunny saturday afternoon and the store was chaotic with people coming in to buy bikes, the phone ringing off the hook and the repair people running around. Despite the chaos the staff was very helpful and took extra time to make sure I picked the right bike. I found them to be very helpful and friendly. I found that a lot of the customers that walked in were very rude and overly demanding. I get that with a higher price point, people demand additional service, but the bike costs the same anywhere including online. You can't act like the staff are your personal assistants just because your buying an expensive bike.
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Location and Contact Details

309 Augusta Ave (Get Directions)
416.966.2453
Kensington Market
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