The Best Bike Stores in Toronto
Now that it's Spring, many of us are digging out our trusty aluminum (or iron) steed, and realizing that it needs a thorough tune-up. Or maybe we're getting fed up with the TTC, and looking for a comfortable and dependable human-powered vehicle to take us to and from work. Or perhaps we're gearing up to rip through some trails or roll through some country roads, and all we need is a new bike?
Fortunately, as a city with a healthy cycling culture, Toronto has an abundance of bike shops for cyclists of every stripe, sort and persuasion.
Behold the list of Toronto's best bike stores as determined in our recent Best of Toronto survey.
Top photos by Tanja-Tiziana and Lu from the blogTO Flickr pool.
Urbane Cyclist
A couriers' and commuters' favourite, Urbane carries an assortment of commuting, touring, cyclocross, and fixed gear bikes. Along with Jamis, Bianchi, KHS, and Surly, the store offers highly customizable Urbanite brand cycles. They also offer quite a variety of off-beat machines such as folders and recumbents, an excellent selection of top-notch accessories (some pretty fun and unique - handlebar cup holder anyone?), friendly service and great mechanics. More...
Duke's Cycle
After the devastating Queen St. West fire, Duke's is back in business at a new Richmond St. location. Though relocating and restocking has been a huge challenge, Toronto's oldest bike shop (est. 1914) is almost back to its pre-fire sales levels. Check out their well-rounded selection of roadies, MTBs, and hybrids (brands include Trek, Specialized, Kona, Cannondale, and Cervelo). More...
Bikes on Wheels
Bikes on Wheels believes that bikes are a fun and practical way to get around - especially in Toronto's dense core. The atmosphere in this Kensington Market spot is laid-back, and the bikes are comfortable, robust, and priced right for the casual urban rider - though there plenty of higher-end commuting, touring and MTB alternatives for the more serious cyclist, as well as a selection of used bikes.
The Bike Joint
The Bike Joint's motto is "Good repairs - no attitude". Whether you ride a rusty craigslist special or a feather-weight racing machine composed of unobtainium, you will receive the same great service at a very reasonable price. Focusing on repairs and tune-ups, this little unpretentious shop delivers top bang for your buck. More...
Curbside Cycle
Like most Toronto bike shops, Curbside Cycle stocks a variety of bike styles in all price ranges, but they are unique in carrying genuine European city bikes. These bikes by Batavus, one of Holland's oldest bike manufacturers, are meant to be ridden by everyday people in everyday clothes. They come with full fenders and full chainguards (no more greasy pant legs!), feature an upright riding position, and are virtually bombproof. More...
Velotique
Velotique is a bike shop that doesn't sell bikes - because its mission is to offer the city's widest selection of cycling accessories. Lights, locks, bottles, helmets, bags, books, videos, and even banana guards are found here in profusion. The shop also hosts free bike repair seminars (call or visit their website to register). More...
Cogs Cycle
Cogs Cycle is another down-to-earth repairs-oriented shop that will shower your bike in TLC no matter how fancy or modest your ride is. The mechanics at Cogs take pride in the quality of their repairs and the fast turn-around time. The store also has a selection of new and used bikes. More...
Cyclemotive
The folks at Cyclemotive believe that the reason for their success is great customer service. Honesty, attention to the patron's needs, and superb repairs are what draw customers to this downtown two-wheeler dealer, featuring a variety of bikes by Scott, GT, Giant, and Rocky Mountain. More...
Cycle Solutions
Cycle Solutions is an all-around bike store. They have a particularly wide selection of mountain bikes, but their offerings run the full gamut - from comfort to BMX to road. The store strives to excel in the customer service department, and they must be doing something right, because their two locations (615 Kingston Rd., 444 Parliament St.) are thriving. In winter, Cycle Solutions doubles as a ski shop. More...
The Cyclepath Danforth
The Cyclepath Danforth has bikes of every kind to fit every budget. With over a thousand bikes in stock, they probably have just the bike you want. There is also a wide variety of accessories and parts to choose from, and of course, like any self-respecting bike shop, The Cyclepath Danforth has knowledgeable mechanics and great customer service. More...
Set Me Free
If you need an affordable two-wheeler, look no further. With locations in High Park (381 Roncesvalles Avenue), Little Italy (653 College St.) and the Beach (2130 Queen St. E), Set Me Free carries a variety of used bikes, as well as some new ones, including the store's own brand. After getting a bike or a tune-up, you can complete your urbanite image by picking up some clothing, purses and umbrellas from the store's eclectic collection.
Cyclemania
A few brands and models are represented at Cyclemania, but the dominant one is the shop's very own custom brand. Cyclemania bikes are designed and assembled by the store, and are 100%-customizable. Road, mountain, touring, commuting - you name it, they build it. The store has a no-BS (Belligerent Salesmanship) policy, so the atmosphere is laid-back and unintimidating. More...
Wheels of Bloor
If you love fast sexy ultralight machines, the bikes at Wheels of Bloor will make you drool. Specializing in high-end road and triathlon bikes, the store carries some of the most highly regarded brands in the industry such as Orbea, Colnago, Cinelli, Cervelo and Devinci (the last two are actually Canadian companies despite the Italian-sounding names). More...
Sweet Pete's Bike Shop
Sweet Pete's is a service-oriented store targeted primarily at the commuter market. The shop's approach is to carry only a few trusted brands, but to stock each brand's full product line (except for the exotic high-end models). Sweet Pete's deals mostly in mid-range bikes by Trek, Giant, and Kona. More...
West Side Cycle
West Side Cycle caters to "moms and pops" - people who just want to hop on the bike and ride. Most new bikes are in the modest $300-400 price range and are meant for leisurely recreational riding and around-town trips. There is a healthy selection of kids' bikes as well, so that moms and pops can take the little 'uns along. More...
Comments (119)
These places are great if you're a rich bike snob.
I bought my bike for three-hundred-bucks at sport-chek. I have picked up some better parts here and there and haven't spent a lot of dough. I maintain it myself and encourage everyone to learn how to do the same.
Several places on the above list offer bikes in the $200-400 price range. And unlike Sportchek, these stores offer post-sale tune-ups, professional assembly and knowledgeable advice.
Good to know ... but just worth noting - Sportcheck does tune-ups and assembly and frankly, the guys I have dealt with there are pretty good.
My tune-ups were also free and unlimited for the first year I owned my bike.
Sportchek does free tune-ups and has professional mechanics? Good for them. I guess they aren't quite the Walmart of bike shops that I pictured them to be. (Though since I still want to find something to gripe about :-), a year is an absolute minimum for free tune-ups, imho. Lots of smaller shops offer two to five years worth of tune-ups with a new bike purchase.)
Haha ... a fellow griper ... what a pleasure!
I'm not trying to be a spokesman for Sportchek or anything ... just passing on my experiences.
I would rather deal with the mom and pop shops myself ... but find that most of the time they are out of my price-range.
I had my biked tuned up at Sportchek this season, since it's now the closest "bike shop" to my work (now that Cavern is gone :( ). The prices were good... $20 for a brake and gear tune up, and $10 for parts (replacement brake pads).
A couple problems, though- their communication system isn't all that good (they mistakenly charged me twice for the pads at the checkout), and a week later I had to get my back tube replaced (I rode over a staple) and the guy near my home in Parkdale (the shop with the big tractor tire out front on Queen West near Ronces) showed me how poorly the Sportchek guys installed my brakes. He re-did the back ones for me (free of charge, the guy's awesome!), and the difference is definitely notable.
I won't bring my bike back to Sportchek.
Yeah, the first time I took mine to sportchek in Scarberia they fucked up my bottom-bracket. So, I took it in right away to the eaton centre location and they fixed it right up and I haven't had any problems since.
So, I guess it really does depend on who happens to be working at the time.
Oh, don't remind me of Cavern! A definitely noticeable loss for the Toronto bike shop scene! :-(
Absolutely, Chris! I thought Cervelo was so high-profile (among roadies anyhow) that it needed no introduction. But it can't hurt mentioning it anyhow; maybe I'll fix this in the write-up. Thanks for the comment.
I went to Urbane Cyclist last week and stood in the store for half an hour while I was ignored by the staff. To make matters worse, three seperate pairs of women/girls walked in and were immediately helped by the staff. I guess next time I will have to strap on a pair of fake breasts if I want to get helped there.
I'm surprised to hear of your experience, Matt. None of my mail friends ever complained about being ignored at Urbane, but then I don't have a statistically representative sample, of course. To be fair, bike stores have been crazy busy the last couple of weeks, as the threat of the TTC strike coincided with the weather warming up. Perhaps they honestly didn't notice you in the hectic mess. Happened to me at various places; usually I forgive it, if it's not a persistent problem.
There's also a place in Kensington Market, up some random alley (there's a sign on a non-alley road). Very very nice guy who repairs bikes, and also sells used bikes. Unfortunately I have no idea if the place has a name, or where it is. I found it by accident. Perhaps someone else can provide some enlightenment.
@ Megan: You're talking about Mike The Bike. Sometimes he has a sign out, but he's usually in that little mall on Kensington just north of St. Andrew, for those trying to find him.
Back in Feb., I emailed Urbane a bunch of questions to start my bike hunt, wanted to start there because of the whole co-op thing. Never heard a word back. It put me off so much that I never bothered. Meanwhile, I got a lovely little model from last year from Sweet Pete's for $225 pre-tax. I've been really happy with that shop.
megan, i think he goes by Mike the Bike. he was super nice to me and completely honest about the used bike i purchased from him (which i loooved, until it got stolen.) his store is on Augusta, south of Bikes on Wheels. mind you, i think he only has a few people working for him so the service all depends on when you see him.
I've had nothing but good experiences at Urbane Cyclist, though I've never had anything serviced there.
Megan, You may be referring to Parts Unknown, which is in the alley by Segovia Meats, off Augusta. I'm still riding a 70's era Fuji Absolute I bought off him (George) several years ago.
I've heard that George and George's is gone now. He supplied the bikes used in the film Monkey Warfare I believe.
Anyone looking for a really cheap way to fix there bike (or get a used one) should check out Bike Pirates on Bathurst South of College.
Mike the Bike http://www.mikethebike.ca/
Great Service and good advice last year when I first started riding.
Are there any bike stores in North York? The only ones I know of are the bike sections in Sportchek and Canadian Tire...
On yonge street btw:P cervelos =drool for car drivers its woud be comparable to a bugatti veyron in cycle version.
I've only ever bought small parts there, but Bayview Cycle just a little north of Bayview and Finch always seemed like a decent shop. I'd avoid any place where the staff seems to turn over every six months (SportChek, Sports Mart, Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart) purely for safety reasons.
For the nearly exhaustive list of Toronto bike shops, check out the Free Toronto cycling map. You can pick it up... um, in a bike shop... okay, that's not very good if you're looking for a bike shop to start with. :-) It is also online at: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/map/map.htm , but in a rather inconvenient format (cumbersome PDF files that take forever to load). Black dots with numbers beside them are bike shops.
While I have nothing to say about the quality of their work, I have been disappointed by the unfriendliness of staff at Cogs Cycle on Gerrard St. E. My last visit there (and I mean my last), I received the coldest retail treatment I have yet experienced in Toronto. And my hunch is it's because I was buying inexpensive accessories and used parts and installing them myself. They volunteered no advice only grudgingly answered my questions. All frowns and tight lips, while their well-chosen classic Funk blared out of an old speaker. At the end of the transaction, it was essentially "you've got your parts, now leave the store." I guess I wasn't in their demographic.
@L: There used to be a "bike shop" across from Trinity Bellwoods Park run by someone named Igor. It was general knowledge that the guy sold stolen bikes. I believe he was forced to shut down. Then he reopened, at least temporarily, but apparently cleaned up his act. I'm not sure whether his shop still exists or not, and couldn't care less - I certainly wouldn't patronize it.
Thanks very much I love these lists and maybe someone here can help me.
My husband bought me the most amazing bike two years ago. I am now one of those people whose bike is much better than their ability to handle it. I need a place to take it that won't make me feel stupid for not knowing all the parts etc. I need a tune up (it's been in storage) and some lessons on how to care for the thing.
@redleaf: Most bike shops on this list would probably be more than happy to help you, and not make you feel dumb. I had a short chat with someone in nearly all of the above places, and most of the owners and managers there told me that they treat all customers with respect, and would never judge anyone based on the bike he/she rides or the amount of bike knowledge he/she does/does not have.
One trouble might be though that right now everyone and her brother are bringing bikes in for a tune-up. Some shops are booking tune-ups for two months from now (i.e. if you bring it to the shop today, you'll get it back on June 30)! Curbside's repair shop is full - they aren't even taking any bikes in for tune-up right now any more. I might phone a few places and ask how long a tune-up would take at this point. The conversation would also give you some idea of whether the folks at that store are helpful or snotty.
CAVERN: In case you all miss Keith dearly, perhaps you might be interested to know that he's now happily wrenching at Cycle Solutions on Parliament St.
CYCLE THERAPY: Another amazing shop that not only sells a wide variety of bike styles (although probably leaning towards the commuter-set, they also carry road/mountain/cyclocross stuff), but also has an amazing team of mechanics. I've never met anyone that can make the brakes on my 'cross bike feel as 'right' as John at CT. Setting up cantilever brakes properly is magic, as far as I'm concerned.
SPORTCHEK/ETC: If you think the only deals to be had are at Sportchek/etc, you're not looking hard enough. Given the same budget I'd rather have a nice, old, well maintained used bike sold by a shop with experienced mechanics than the new stuff they sell there. I'll take experience over shininess any day, not to mention feeling better by giving my money to a locally run shop. As for the free tune-ups for a year with a new bike, I can't think of any shop I frequent that doesn't already offer this..?
igor definitely "reopened" but you'll only find him at night with PILES of bicycles on the sidewalk. he's a nuisance and i doubt he's dealing legally.
@redleaf You can certainly take your bike to any downtown shop and they'll take care of you, BUT -- prepare to $PEND. They looooove customers like you. On the other hand, as someone who genuinely enjoys restoring old bikes, I've been treated with nothing but contempt when trying to buy parts (especially at #3 and #15), since they know you're not going to pay their mechanics' $50/hr rate.
Tatiana - curious, you have chatted with people in most of these shops? Do you have a financial interest in promoting them?
handfed: see that's exactly what I'm afraid of - some place that'll take advantage because I am clearly new at all of this.
Tatiana: thanks for the advice.
@handfed: Yes, I chatted with the people in most of these shop as part of the blogTO assignment. This is just doing basic research before writing up an article - I'm certainly not affiliated with any of these stores, and have no reason to promote them. Also, in case this was not clear, all of "Best of" lists come from the results of reader polls; writers don't pick the spots.
@redleaf: Of the above, places that especially stressed that they are "no bullshit" and don't try to push expensive products on newbies are The Bike Joint, Cogs Cycle, and West Side Cycle.
Thanks a lot for this article, and the feedback from all the readers!!
I was going through this thread this afternoon, and after seeing poncho's post with MTB's website (Thank you, btw!) I went to the site, and saw a bike I liked, and immediately emailed him to hold it, I dropped by after work (it's so great they close at 8 pm!), gave in a deposit first because they wanted to tune up my bike and fix the brakes before they sold it to me. I love that, I love the genuine service they have to customers, newbies like me, and how they spend time on making the bike function at its best before they sell it.
Anyway, I've been to urbane cyclist too and I have to agree with Danielle... it's not that I emailed them and they never answered, but I went in person and the vibe they gave off there was just... if you're not in the "in" - as hardcore cyclists, or commuters or something, you're not really worth helping. I didn't get any, "is there something I can help you with?", nothing like that at all. But I don't mean to bash them, perhaps they cater to a certain kind of cyclist, and I'm just not one of them. I'm sure they're a great store though, but just not for me.
I think finding a bike takes a lot of research. I learned a lot from researching about buying a bike, different kinds, my framesize, men vs. women bikes, anyway... Thank you so much for this article. It came at the right time :)
a bit more info about bike pirates: A great place if you want to build a bike yourself or learn how to fix bikes. They're open noon-5pm to thursdays and saturdays.
For everyone who refers to SportChek, Canadian Tire and Walmart as bike shops thanks for the laugh. Hold on a second while I catch my breath.
At best SC, CT, and W offer reasonably priced sports equipment. If you're budget allows you to spend a couple hundred dollars on a bike then these shops are perfect for you. You'll get a great bike that will take you from point A to B. But, then if your bike breaks down I wouldn't expect that you could take your bike to the bike shops listed above for repair. The replacement parts might function the same but the quality and the fitting would be different.
Let me put it into another perspective. If I bought a Honda I wouldn't take it to Mercedes for repairs. And, if I did I would probably get funny looks or a raised eye brow. Sure they might be able to do basic repairs like an oil change or rotate the tires but the prices would be astronomical from what I'd be used to at Honda dealership. And here's another example that address the issue of customer service, this time I'll use makeup as an example. Let's say you're used to buying makeup from Shoppers. You walk in, tell them what you need, bang you're at the cash register and on your way. Next time you decide to visit a M.A.C. store. You walk in and it's busy, you have to wait for an artist. When the artist is free they spend the time with you selecting the products to match your skin tone, etc. They also give you advice on application and so on. As you can see the service and expertise is different in both examples.
So for the same reasons that you would have difficulty, frustration and what appears to be attitude by taking your $200 bike to a bike shop is the same reason why I wouldn't take a $2000 bike to SportChek etc.
As for the difficulty in finding the right bike for you especially if it's your first one can seem overwhelming. I've been there, too. In simplest terms buy a bike that's within your budget, comfortable to ride and in a colour that you like and you'll be happy.
Here it is in more detail. First, know your budget. That will tell you where you'll be shopping. Next figure out your need (transportation to work, after work fitness, weekend warrior, etc.) then your preferred riding style (road, mountain, beach cruiser, etc.). Then visit your local bike shops to see what they have that fits your criteria. Don't worry to much about the components because they will be just about the same with all the bikes within certain price ranges. Bike sizing is pretty standard (almost like S, M, L, XL) and you'll know which one is just right for you. Pick a couple of bikes and sit on them to test your comfort, even go for a ride around the block. And, once you've picked a bike make sure you get it fitted to you. Make it your bike.
Well, since I didn't get any replies to my question about bike shops in Durham, I did my own footwork and found two shops in Pickering for those in Durham who are also looking for a bike:
Pedal Peformance
1050 Brock Rd S., Unit #9
Tel: (905) 837 - 2906
Fax: (905) 837 - 5653
http://www.pedalperformance.com/
Bay Cycle Sports
980 Brock Road South
Tel: 905 837-1433
Tel: 1-800-613-3585
Fax: 905 837-1434
http://www.baycyclesports.com
They are both off Brock Rd and Bayly and both have a decent selection of bikes. PP is smaller in the sense it feels more like a Mom n'Pop "personalized-touch" shop (their lower-end bikes are Norcos), whereas BCS is a lot more trendy with a bunch of late teens/early 20's types running the show (they carry Haro and Giant on the lower-end).
I haven't decided which one I'm gonna go with yet, but thought this might be helpful to any others in my area looking.
Cheers!
Chad
Wow, there is a shop on Lawrence just east of Pharmacy and I have been going to CyclePath on Danforth for 12 years, but this other shop D'Ornella's is across the street and the service there is absolutely terrible.
Moved into my new place decided to check them out, needed air for my bike.
They were straight up rude about it. Decided to go back about a month later needed a valve adapter for my tubes and they once again, were rude.
This week I popped a flat on my way to work. CyclePath was the closest walk as I'd left my repair kit at home. When I got there I realised I'd left my wallet/id on my kitchen counter. No Problem! The staff at CyclePath were generous and sent me on my way with a smile!
I will NEVER go to D'Ornella's again. I don't care if I have to travel to CyclePath on the Danforth to get what I need, for the service alone, not to mention great prices, I'll make the trek! Those very rude people at D'Ornella's need to take lessons from the staff at CyclePath, Seriously!
I work in the retail sector and NEVER would I treat people with such discourteous behaviour, regardless of their needs.
Wow, choosing a bike shop seems so complicated. I thought riding bikes was supposed to be fun, seems like a bigger decision on where to place my loyalties.
I'd hate to make the wrong decision, think I better just walk.
I know Urbane is supposed to be a great store, but they scratched my new bike when trying to put on a basket which never fit properly because the guy had no idea what he was doing, they lost my friend's wheels and were late fixing them and I find them to be incredibly rude. Cycle therapy is great now that a mechanic owns the store.
Just bought a used bike from Bikes on Wheels in Kensington. Thanks for this posting and the comments from everyone. Had a good experience. Got to try some out and although I paid more than I could have (off craigslist, for example), I came away with something I felt comfortable with, some measure of assuredness in the okness of the bike, and didn't have to go all over town. The first day I went they didn't have anything out, but I was told the next day there would be a bunch of used bikes ready to go, and it was true.
It's not on the list, but I've had good experiences at CyclePath on Queen W. I marveled at two of the employees arguing over the merits of a unique key locking system for quick release parts. One thought I should buy it, even though it was expensive, because he favoured the convenience of being able to leave my bike intact when I parked it. The other thought it was just as easy to remove the seat and lock the wheel and save some dough. It's not a conversation you would hear in many shops, given that the bottom line tends to be to up-sell. The manager, Brad, was present the entire time and was doing his own thing so clearly this was normal dialogue.
One of the other things that has impressed me is that every time I go there, it's because I have some kind of emergency or another. One of the guys has always dropped whatever he's doing to help me out on the spot. I like that kind of service.
jy
i found this site to be very helpfull. it's nice to see people helping people with advise and such. i just wanted to add another realy great little shop at younge just north of steeles. bike depot. they are a sister store to broadway cycle. i just purshased my langster there.(last year model. lucky for me price break)
staff; mike and jamaal were incredibly polite and knowlageble. i did not feel pushed or rushed into anything. i will be buying my next bike from them very soon. even if i do live on the other side of the city
I have a 1989 Trek 400 in mint condition I would like to sell - can anyone recommend a store's website that allows you to post classifieds? Thanks.
Cyclemania on Danforth is the best. No up sell no nonsense no bull. They don't have the replace everything approach, they just fix what needs to be fixed.
Cyclemotive is a new player on the scene. I have no idea why they are on the list in this blog. I just had my bike there and they did a crap job. Will not go back there.
@Ben: George is still there on Augusta - I bought a sweet 70's cruiser off him last week for $120, and it passed the High Park test, so I'm pretty happy.
I was starting my first triathlon and decided to check aorund to look at some bikes. I came across that shop d'ornellas. They were the worst guys ever. They never took me seriously because I was a student and made me feel that because I was poorer than the general clientele I did not matter. I spent $500 there but it was not enough to win their respect. I will never go there again. They were even rude to my girlfriend whe she tried to rent a wetsuit. I will never spent a penny there from now on even I live just close by.
So awesome. Thanks for BlogTO for conducting the poll, but even more thanks to everyone's who commented. I'm buying a bike (after years of dormancy) and hearing heartfelt opinions is incredibly helpful.
Someone was asking about bike shops in North York -
On Avenue, north of Lawrence there's a place called Spokes and Sports. Same location/owner for 24 years, and a generally family- and commuter-oriented atmosphere. Very relaxed, very helpful, mid-range bikes (new only, no used stuff).
For the sake of full disclosure, I do work there, but I think we're a pretty nice place to buy a bike if you don't want to go all the way downtown.
I have to reccommend a mobile bicycle company called Cadence Mobile bicycle tech. I saw thier advertising around the city and decided to give them a try. The service was excellent! They came to my apartment and were very neat and professional. A+ technician with great personality and very easy to talk to. He walked me through everything he was going to do before performing any work.( no upselling or overcharging for things I don't want) Price was good too and there was no surcharge for them to come to me. I was totally impressed with the service and will do it agian.
Add me to the list of people who won't go back to Urbane Cyclist. I was buying a part from one guy when another employee asked him a question. He walked off and gave her a 5 minute lesson while I waited. When he walked back to hand me the part we had been discussing I handed it back to him and left. I'll shop elewhere. Cycle Solutions and Cyclepath Danforth are both great.
I'd pick Broadway Cycle over Urbane any day of the week. Got my bike there, and rebuilt it there too. Good place. :)
Im sure everyone has heard by now what has happened with Igors shop on Queen. It was mentioned a few times above but no one really know what was happening with his shop. He has been arrested recently and the police have seized over 2500 stolen bikes from various storage garages. Screw that dick hole.
I cannot possibly see how Urbane made the top of your list. They carry bikes that are seemingly only for the commuter market, and the eclectic one at that. They seem to cater more to scene riders and cruisers more then anything (single speeds galore) and do nothing for the high end mountain or road rider. Add in thier less then impressive parts selection, and your number one choice seems far more personal then professional to me.
Jeff, the choices were made not by me, but by blogTO readers. Apparently, among our readers there are more bike commuters than there are "high end mountain or road riders" (funny, I always thought "high-end" typically meant "expensive and fancy" and was applied to equipment, not people... ;-) )
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Cyclemania on Danforth is _great_, but their frame measurements on their bikes can be hinky. Cycle Therapy is, hands-down, the best and best-priced-for-the-work place to get stuff done on your bike in the city. They're knowledgeable, friendly, and accessible. But for my money, I'd take the bike pirates any day. If you want your repairs done right, it's best to do 'em yourself, or at least learn how the machine works so that you can call a bad mechanic on their bad job. Otherwise it's all "You didn't tell me I'd be needing a new chain!" and etc.
Here's a price comparison I did this week on the ubiquitous Kryptonite Evolution STD (big red U-Lock).
Urbane on John St.: $65
Curbside on Bloor: $79
Bikes On Wheels on Augusta: $89
Velotique on Queen: $65
compare:
Amazon.com with free ship to USA: $55
Ebay incl. shipping to Toronto from USA: ~$50USD
Given that the stores have no function in warrantying or servicing this item, I find the prices in Toronto absolutely outrageous!
Hey... Thanks for this awesome review of bike shops! I used it to find Cycle Path. I actually tried CycleMania first but their hours are not what are on their website.... Loved the Cycle Path guys! No pressure, GREAT service... and 2 years of free tuneups with any new bike. Awesome!
The storebrand bike frames at Cyclemania are imported direct from the factory (from Slovakia, I think), and are built at the store, which lets you pick whatever features you want on your bke without any extra cost. Not for racers, mind you, but great if you need a reliable/strong commuter bike for 400-500 dollar range.
@handfed: It pays to know the price, but I don't see $10 as an unreasonable amount to spend for the convenience of walking into a local store to buy a U-lock.
As for the local store not adding value to you lock purchase, they will advise you what to buy (unlike eBay), answer your questions about how to install it (unlike Amazon), or even exchange it for a different size when you realize it's too small.
Buy Local!
What about buying a bike from the Toronto police ebay auction site? I notice no one's mentioned that as an option.
The Toronto police auctions are no bargain. Most of the bikes that end up there are low-end and abused or missing parts, and the prices quickly ramp up to unreasonable. And anything that's even vaguely new, high-end or name brand immediately becomes subject to an auction frenzy that pushes the price up to within 20% of a brand new model of the same bike. If you look really hard and are religious about sniping an auction, you might be able to find a good deal, but I wouldn't put my money on it.
For the record, I bought a bike this summer at Urbane Cyclist. Service wasn't necessarily any better or worse than anywhere else, but they had the bike I wanted in the size I wanted at the price I wanted, so after about 16 different bikes around the city, that's where I ended up.
Can anyone tell me why the bikes on the above mentioned stores are higher than the average hmmm lets say sportscheck?
is it because of the materials used?
or other reasons?
(newb on the bike scene)
Ivor, in short it is not so much the materials (although to some extent that too), but:
* better frame design (for weight, stiffness, geometry etc.)
* better components (derailleurs, shifters, brakes etc.)
* better selection
* better qualified salespeople
* better assembly and post-sale tune-ups
thanks Tatiana! appreciate you taking the time to give me a heads up. Ive been thinking about getting a bike for awhile but the prices has been keeping me at bay from purchasing one. but i will go in to the store and check them out now.
any other helpful tips is appreciated!
You don't need to pay $1000+ for a new bike - a reasonable, reliable bike can be had for about $300-350. It is very common to be put off by bike prices, but it helps to keep things in perspective. You can get a good solid bike for the same amount of money as one car tire change, or some new little techical gadget that will be obsolete faster than you can say "Apple iPhone". And with proper care (and, in Toronto, a good lock or two!) your bike should last you many fun-filled years. If you actually use it as transportation, in lieu of the TTC or a car, it would soon pay for itself.
I checked out Sweet Pete's and they had some great deals heading into the Fall bike show. Was specifically looking at the Giant OCR C3 that they had. The sales guy was nice and fairly helpful when you could get him to come over. Took the bike for a test ride on twice. Both times he was no where to be found when I came back. None of the other staff would help (especially guy at front counter).
After being ignored twice in two visits I decided to take my business a couple stores down to broadway cycle (Dufferin). The staff there were busy getting ready for the show but dropped everything every time I walked in the door.
hi from chile
please ...i need a rear hubs flip-flop,
somebody know a bike store in toronto where i can find it ?
gracias ...
It's mid November, and I have been looking for a good way to store my bikes. I found a garage outfitting store in North Toronto and they have a several great ideas for my storage problem. One of them is the Slingger, http://www.1stchoicegarage.com/slingger_electric_hoist.html
If you need a way to get your bike out of the way for the winter, you have to check this out.
Jonathan
Agostino's bicycle shop on Queen St. West near Roncesvalles, there is no sign on the wall. Maybe you have seen his giant truck tire on the side of the road offering free air. His prices are the best and his service is amazing, you dont have to wait hours or days to get your bike on the road because he does it right away.
I believe the address is 1652 Queen St. west and he operates as "MOJO CYCLES" ...check him out and you will not be disappointed. My friend recommended this place to me after he went there for a road bike conversion. I recently had a tune-up done on my bike and was happy to see that my bike was all cleaned up, even the rust was gone. He takes the time to clean every inch.
Ps: Don't mind the mess, his service makes up for it !
Tony
I checked out Cyclemotive over on Bthurst St, definitely one of the nicer shops in the Toronto area. Great staff and awesome selection.
West Side Cycle is the worst. That guy is crazy rude in there. I've been in three times and each time he's been snippy. One time he even said, "I don't have any competition". He also told me there was no such thing as 700x18-25 tubes, even though I buy them at Urbane no problem.
And for the folks who find Urbane staff rude, I'm frankly baffled. I find them very down to earth. Mind you, I usually walk into the back service department and ask for help as I generally just have questions or are buying parts. The main floor I always think of as just for buying whole bikes. I've never had a bad experience there.
Last year I bought a new frame on eBay and wanted them to take all the parts off of my current bike and throw them onto the new frame. They did it in the time it took me to go eat lunch and I was just a walk in customer. $40. That's pretty impressive if you ask me.
I used to really like Sports Swap at Yonge and Eg but now it's a Trek store, which blows.
I am pretty new to purchasing new bikes.
I need an oppinion on the new bike (CCM by Canadian tire)is is a good bike.
Man oh man, having trouble with bike shopping.
Dukes is out of my price range although do love it there. Helpful and answer your questions.
Had a great experience at Cyclemotive. Knowledgeable and listened to what I wanted.
Was really disappointed at Bikes on Wheels (who, two years ago, sold me my first bike - total newbie here - a large frame (5'9" and over ish) when I am 5'3".) They told me that the bike I had seen at Cyclemotive and the advice I was given (to 'pimp' up a TCR bike to my needs to commuting and 80-100km rides) was BS and that anyone who would give me that advice had no clue what they were talking about. Oh, and that I wouldn't be able to find anything for less than $1K.
Will try Urbane tomorrow although last time I went, I was treated like I was invisible and ignored. Probably too many couriers and people who knew what they were doing (and looked like they were ready to spend money) to waste their time with me.
Totally confused and frustrated by the process,
A
Alice, you can get a $1000 bike for those rides, or just a little more. All of my choices are steel, which is my strong preference.
http://ucycle.com/products/bikes/commuters/masi-randonneur
http://ucycle.com/node/159
http://ucycle.com/products/bikes/commuters/jamis-satellite
http://www.sweetpetesbikeshop.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=124&category_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
As for bike shop rudeness, it does depend on the particular staff member, though I've never had good luck at Bikes on Wheels! If you have a number of questions, or need extra time, do NOT go when it is busy: weekends, Th/Fr evenings or sunny days. Go early in the week when it is cold and cloudy, and you'll get all the help you could want!
Thanks James. Funny enough, I went to Bikes on Wheels on a rainy Tuesday at 4pm.
The bikes you recommend there - and a steel bike at that - would they be any good to transition from daily riding to road races and triathlons?
In the rudeness stakes -- which are apparently chock full of contenders in the bike shop world -- my personal pick is Wheels of Bloor.
Made the trek out past High Park to their shop last year and was treated disgustingly. True, I was not in the market for a $3000 Cervelo, but I WAS interested in some of the under-$1000 Devincis they sold. They were NOT interested in selling me a bike, once I revealed my price range, and basically pretended to have other things to do like deal with *non-existant* other customers.
Never, ever, will I stroll in there again, even if I do decide to lay down $3000 on a bike.
As for good service? Sweet Petes on Bloor West. Great place! Was just there yesterday and will be back soon.
IGOR. Whenever I had a bike stolen in the past (hasn't happened for years, touch wood), the police would shrug and say, "You can probably buy it back from Igor. Otherwise, not much we can do."
Hi Tatiana:
There's a type on the Bikes on Wheels description: ...though there ARE plenty of higher-end commuting...
Also, they're website is: http://bikesonwheels.ca/
I’ve only had good experiences at West Side Cycle and Urbane, and I’ve never bought or looked for expensive items at those locations (mainly accessories rather than bikes).
I bought a new bike last year at Duke’s, and they’re great.
Set Me Free, however, which is up the street from West Side Cycle, is completely useless.
I took my bike to Urbane Cyclist last week to get a new back wheel (it was bent in a minor accident). The mechanic recommends I also get new brake pads and a tune-up (it’s a brand new bike that I had already adjusted and fine tuned after having bought it about a month ago). I decide to get the brake pads changed anyway (just in case), but declined the tune-up. When I go back to pick it up, the repair report attached to my bike says “***Did safety check anyway***” (highlighted in pink!). So I’m appreciative, pay the $144, and leave. I walk my bike home because I had not brought my helmet with me, and I am a fanatic about wearing helmets. Then on the weekend, I take my bike for a ride, get on it, go down the hill that is right outside my building, AND tada – my back brakes aren’t working. Tell me someone – what constitutes a safety check? Something about brakes and safety go hand-in-hand in my opinion. Not only did they mess up the back brakes which worked fine before, but also let me walk out the store with messed up brakes. You would think the first thing you do is spin the back wheel and check the brake. I am taking it back today and hoping not to explode on them. How can you suck so badly at something you probably do for a living?
sport swap moved to bayview & millwood (i believe...on bayveiw for sure) and they're still in the bike biz. i've been looking for a new commuter and they recommended me to a small shop on the corner of bayview and manor...if you're ever in that 'hood & interested.
Checked out Cyclemotive on Bathurst to get my mtb bike tuned. Definitely a recommendation here for for service and selection. The staff there are real helpful and laid back, unlike many of the other T.O shops. I even have my eye on a Scott road bike in there after wondering around. Sweet shop!
They can be found at www.cyclemotive.com
Set Me Free is really terrible. Useless is probably the best description. West Side Cycle seems competent and very nice, but I'm certainly no expert. Bikes on Wheels were pretty helpful to me. Can try out their bikes no problem (at least the used ones). They seem fairly knowledgeable.
@sm your experience at Urbane Cyclist does not surprise me.
I would NEVER recommend Urbane Cyclist. Every experience I have had there has been bad....I went to get a tune-up and they did as little as possible in order to turn around the bike quickly so that they wouldn't have to store it. When I got it back, the valve on the tire they replaced was damaged. So, I had to go back and have the tire and valve looked at and repaired. They changed the inner tube and the next day I got a flat - hard to believe this is a coincidence given that I have had the bike for 5 years and have NEVER had a flat. Poor work, poor service, poor attitude. DON'T GO THERE.
Well, since going to Duke's, Urbane, and Sweet Pete's, I have to say that Sweet Pete seems to have the most responsive, on the ball staff. That's a I will probably buy from Urbane though since they seem to be one of the few bike shops that stock a steel hybrid. I'd much rather buy from Sweet Pete. Still have to check out Curbside Cycle though.
As of this season Bikes on Wheels isn't selling used bikes. There are several shops in Kensington that offer good used stuff at more than reasonable prices. Shannen at Red Arrow Bikes (on Kensington Ave, between Exile and C-pub) is always more than helpful with any repairs. Don't be off put by the back alley location and the massive pile of bikes out back, he's a truly stand up guy and a great mechanic
If your looking for used bike parts or used/refurbished bikes at reasonable prices, I recommend checking out Community Bicycle Network. There is tons of parts scatter around. Whatever part your looking for, they most likely will have. You can also save money on repair cost by taking advantage on their ToolWorks program. For six bucks, you get to use their equipment, grease and tools to fix your bike for an hour with 10 minutes of mechanic assistance (every additional 10 minutes is three bucks). The people there were really friendly and accommodating with any questions I had. You get a sense of satisfaction of fixing your bike yourself and you don't have to worry about getting screw over by lousy bike mechanics. Its on 101-761 Queen Street West (take the alleyway behind the building).
Here's their website for more info:
http://www.communitybicyclenetwork.org/
Yeah, the costumer service at D'Ornella is fucking lousy. Unless your a rich hardcore cyclist with a 3000$ bike, they won't give you the time of day. I went there once a few years back to ask about getting my back wheel repair and the guy there was a straight-up asshole. I was given the snob treatment and no help at all.
After a number of problems with Urbane (which I have included in the stream above), I decided to go to Duke's to repair a flat. Though Duke's confirmed it was the result of shotty work done at Urbane, I proceeded to get another flat after a $25 charge at Duke's. Coincidence - I find it unlikely. I have had the bike 5 years and never had a flat - as soon as the tire was changed at Urbane - tada! 3 flats one after the next. Anyway, I ended up changing the inner tube myself (something I should have done from the start) and have had no trouble with it since. Word of advice, if you can stick around and watch your bike being repaired, I would highly recommend it. Otherwise they'll charge for work they haven't done, or use old parts and claim them as new...Still on the hunt for a decent bike shop in the city with good service and NO ATTITUDE.
By the way, if anyone knows where the mechanics from Cycle Therapy ended up, I would love to find them. They were top notch.
thanks for this informative post blogTO.
@handfed: thanks for the pricing info about locks.. that's exactly what i was looking for actually, and now i'm sad because i need a lock ASAP and can't be waiting around for shipping. looks like i'll be paying 50%+ more, depending on which lock i go with.
@lisa & andrew: RE: the police auctions, i disagree about them being bad. i bought my bike off there and got an excellent deal on an excellent bike. they do a great job at describing the damage. i honestly thought it was going to be worse than it was, and was thrilled to realize i got a great bike at an amazing price. i paid around $300 for a bike that retails new for ~$700 and it came with lights. only thing is i had to replace the chain because there was too much rust, though the bike shop i went to said i didn't even need to replace the chain. they did a great job describing the damage, and they were nice and friendly when i went there. i think the police auctions are great if you know what you're looking for and willing to risk.
i would go to cyclepath on yonge at eglinton/lawrence area, and seemed to not have any problems with them. the first time they were really helpful with locks, but the other times i just came in to grab bells and stuff. inexpensive bells, which they let me use their tools to install on my bike, which is nice of them. if i'm in the area and need something i'll stop by but i wouldn't go out of my way.
as for urbane, i had good experiences with them the first time i went in when no one was there.. this nice guy helped me out, he lived in my neighbourhood he was telling me. i had just gotten doored right outside of there so it was by chance i stumbled in, and they fixed up my brakes for me for free. i thought that was really nice of them. they were really nice. today (wednesday afternoon) i went in to buy a lock but their prices advertised on their website are much lower than the actual prices they're charging ($80 vs. $90). so i left and decided to go to dukes.
i wanted to go to dukes because they had them for cheaper and the girl seemed really firendly on the phone. they were really really nice there. most of them anyhow, there was one older guy who was kinda weird, but three out of four isn't bad. the mechanic joey was able to help me right away, and he was really great too. he explained everything to me as he did it so i would learn, which was really helpful, i really like when people treat you like you aren't an invalid and you can also learn just like they did. very nice guy and i definitely learned from that experience. another guy helped me mount my lock holder.. very nice of him to offer! prior to going in i was shopping around online and over the phone and decided to call and ask about prices for locks, and the girl i spoke to on the phone was really nice, which is why i decided to go there instead of buying the lock at urbane, especially after learning their prices were $10 higher than they advertised on their site. overall, excellent experience at dukes!! i'd definitely go back if i need something!! i think customer service is really important, because when you're dropping all kinds of cash on things like locks and bikes and labour you want it to be good, and i really like the way joey works (he seems to be somewhat of a perfectionist).. the staff are friendly mostly.. so yeah, definitely a good spot. i went on a wednesday afternoon. i think they're really cool there.
If you're going to be heading up north (or live there) the staff at SILENT SPORTS are ridiculously helpful and knowledgable. The store is giant and full of everything human powered.
Yonge and Steeles
To Jay: "rich bike snob" ? You get what you pay for. You can spend more money and have a bike that's tailored to your needs and to your body measurements; one that you will likely keep and maintain for decades. Or you can go to Sportcheck, buy a crappy bike, and let it rust in your garage, or have it crap out on you after a couple years.
"Rich bike snobs" might be snobs, but you don't have to be rich to save up for a good bike - and it certainly is better value, in the long run, than the choice you have chosen to make. I guess that makes you a "cheap person that doesn't know anything about cycling or value."
Is there a difference in the bike you get by spending $400 at Sportcheck (their mid-upper range) or $400 at one of the above mentioned specialty shops (their lower range)?
@Orelga: YES. There is a huge difference. Sportchek or Wallmart sell bikes that are made in china and use low grade steel for the frames. A bike that's made in North America using Reynolds steel or any other highgrade steel will not rust within 10 years and will be a lot lighter and easier to ride. The components on those Sportchek bikes are also low quality and will likely need repairs often.
Example: If you go to Bikes on Wheels and spend 400 dollars on a Fuji or a Devinci it will not only ride better, but last longer than the 400 dollar Supercycle you buy from Canadian Tire. The Supercycle will rust, as its made from the same quality steel that your household plumbing uses.
One more question: do bikes depreciate like cars at all? i.e: does a bike lose 20% of its value once its off the lot (or 1 year old)? If so, do these used bikes end up in bike shops or private sale?
So I dropped into Sweet Pete's today for a repair. My bike needed a new star nut inside the headset which isn't a big job but I think taking it to Urbane or Bikes On Wheels (two of my regular shops) woulda been an overnight thing. Sweet Pete's turned it around in the time it took me to go eat a hot dog and come back. Total cost for parts and service was under $15, including tax. Everyone there was super nice--no attitude whatsoever. I will definitely return.
hello dose anyone know ware i can get a good road bike for $600 with the curved handle bars? and what would be a good brand for that price?
Bikes depreciate way more than cars, generally. As soon as you ride it out of the store good luck selling it for more than half of what you paid... But if you find a bike you like and that fits properly there isn't really any reason to be selling the bike anyways. In my experience, once a person finds a bike they like they keep it for a very long time. Finding a good used bike is more often than not an exercise in frustration, just like with buying a used car your often buying other people problems and more often than not a used bike will have a worn out drivetrain which can be a couple hundred bucks to get it all replaced. And very often as well you make a compromise on fit when buying a used bike as size selection on a particular type or quality of used bike is limited to whatever is in the store. Buying privately can yield good results but you need to be educated as to what is a good bike and what isn't.. You need to know what your looking for. But to actually answer your question.. I'm fairly sure that most used bikes go the route of private sales, but it can be a risky proposition.
Also something to remember when buying a bike, your buying a frame and buying into the way a frame rides, feels and fits. The rest of the components are generally unimportant unless you really value some particular part like a really good fork but don't care about drivetrain, brakes, etc. as much.. but bikes at similar price points feature about the same value of the parts on it just often with a different distribution of high end and lower end parts. i.e. A Kona may have cheaper wheels but has some nicer Race Face cranks than say a Trek which has some nice Bontrager wheels with a cheaper Shimano or Icon crank.
Full Disclosure, I work at Sport Swap.
Where can I buy a cheap entry road bike like trek 1000 or giant ocr? The cheapest price I can find is over $700.
hi there! did anybody recently saw where to buy INEXPENSIVE bicycle shorts, not the fancy style, but regular, baggy shorts?
thanks!
Thats how much an entry level road bike costs. You should budget between 700 and 1200 for a decent entry level road bike.
Buyer beware regarding bike warranties at Curbside Cycle.
I had my freewheel stop working on a $400 Marin bike after only 3 months of casual summer riding. The store manager insisted that this was due to "wear and tear" rather than a manufacture defect and that it was not covered under warranty. After multiple "encounters" and a call to the manufacturer they finally agreed to fix it, however it remained in their shop for 1.5 months.
Great bikes, but poor service when it counts.
Hi, I'm looking into purchasing a bike that I can use to get to work everyday instead of driving. I'm looking for something with a full chain guard or chainless, full mud guards and a coat guard. However, the only bikes I can find like these are those European city bikes that cost over $1000 a piece. Does anyone know of a place in Toronto that sells bikes like these for under $500? Something I can use to ride through rain, slush, snow and salt?
Thanks
Hi Edward,
One such bike is Opus Classico. It costs $525 from Cogs Cycle. It has chain guard, fenders and rack. It does not have a coat guard.
Is there a time of year that one is more likely to get a deal on a new bike? For example, when next year's models come out? Or just before winter when bike sales probably slow?
hi, i found a store called Broadway Cycle on Bloor and Dufferin, does anyone know if its good or not? On their website, i found a pretty good deal on an '08 specialized hardrock comp disc, can someone tell me any other place that has a great lineup of hardrocks??plz
I build and maintain my own bikes. On occasion, I also build and/or maintain bikes for others (family, friends). At any given time I have at least 4 built bikes and 1 partially built bike in my possession. My bikes range in price and purpose from a converted singlespeed winter/beater bike that would fetch no more than $100 on Craigslist to a fully customized carbon road bike that altogether would retail well over $4000. I get my parts from many sources, and have dealt with almost every single one of the stores listed on this list, in addition to many others that weren't mentioned.
All of this is to say... I believe I have an unusually intimate perspective with regards to bike stores. In that spirit, I'd like to share the following observations. No promises here, just observations from an experienced bike lover and amateur mechanic.
La Bicicletta was left off the list. This is my favourite high end road/cross store for a number of reasons: excellent selection, very well trained staff. For anyone who's been stung by Wheels of Bloor's complete disregard for customer service, treat yourself to La Bicicletta. They're at least as good as Racer Sportif in terms of selection and price, but they get the nod for friendliness and customer service over all other high end roadie stores in Toronto. Frankly, I don't know how Wheels of Bloor could have possibly made this list. The prevailing attitude I've experienced there made me feel like I was an inconvenience.
MEC is like the Ikea for cycling parts. Don't expect a lot of knowledgeable service or high quality stuff. But it's great for cheap commidities and the occasional deal on decent gear.
I have given Urbane chance after chance to demonstrate to my satisfaction that they've earned such a great reputation. I am still looking for any significant reason to give them my vote. Your mileage may vary. They DO seem to be the only shop in town that has a good selection of more esoteric bikes: recumbents, folding, tandems. I'm not really in that market, but I'll bet my first recumbent will come from them someday.
Similarly, I feel that Duke's to some degree became a victim of their own success, at least prior to the fire. They DID have very good stock and they DID have fairly good service, and they DID have somewhat competitive pricing. However, I never once felt like my business was truly appreciated. No matter if I spent $10 or $1000, it seemed like the general attitude was "meh... we get lots of other business. Take it or leave it". Things may have changed, although I doubt it; they still have the same people running the shop.
Cyclemotive, just around the corner from the old Duke's, was a real gem, and a stark contrast to the level of customer service I'd been accustomed to. Cyclemotive is very attractive to a cyclophile like me: very good selection, competitive prices, a depth of knowledge, and above all excellent mannerisms. There's a certain earnestness in all the staff - from the owner to the part time clerk - to listen and understand the customer. Despite what other posters suggested, Cyclomotive proper is relatively new, however the same family had been operating The Cycle Shoppe on Queen for many years. Cycle Shoppe is intended for the more casual rider whereas Cyclemotive is oriented towards performance riders. Same people running the shops. I do most of my business with Cyclemotive because of a solid relationship that was created over positive experience after positive experience. I also wonder about another poster's experience with their mechanic... from my experience they're definitely among the better shops in town. I ask them to do things that I'd rather not do myself (cut steerer, bleed brake lines, mount new headset cups, rebuild an internal 3 speed hub), and get great advice on more difficult tasks (wheel building, tapping a frame). Their work is as good as mine, if not better. The confidence that inspires is well worth the money.
CycleSolutions is also very good on the service side of things. Staff are really friendly... you could just drop by to chat instead of shop and they seem just as happy to see you. They also routinely have the best prices around. I go mainly to the Beaches location (higher end stuff), and have joined in a few group rides. The beaches crew are a laid back bunch. There are many deals to be had at the Parliament location too. A lot of my MTB stuff comes from them.
Curbside really helped me with my pet project to rebuild a classic '71 Raleigh Superbe. They had both older parts and more obscure parts in stock, and also gave solid advice on how to service this stuff. If you like classy rollers and city cruisers, this is the place for you. Prices aren't so hot, but the selection can't be beat for this bike segment.
long-ass post. Hope it was helpful in some way.
@Jove
I completely agree with you Jove; however there's a few things you should know about this list before stating a few of those points. Curbside is actually owned by the same people as BOW, and while they are a very good shop also, it would be a little regardless to put two of the same businesses on a top 15 list. That said, curbside does have all sorts of more obscure components and a huge variety of brooks saddles and they offer the best in the city for dutch cruisers and commuters, and they are definitely a great store.
I totally agree with you about Dukes, though. That place has jumped the shark. Once a great store, they now over charge for everything and the staff aren't that knowledgeable. I asked to see their 'riser bars' and the guy had no idea what I was talking about. I asked for 'track grips' and the guy had no idea what I was talking about, then had the gall to accuse me of making terms up!!
Curious: do you ride Fixed at all, Jove? Since I do, I have a penchant for fixed-friendly stores. Stores that stock track components and parts that aren't just ordered from the Specialized/Norco/Trek distributor catalogues. A lot of stores, even Dukes, just seem to stock catalogue parts.
Hey Sebastian. I checked out the new Dukes just to see how they were doing. Still seems pretty much like business as usual. Not bad, but really, not great.They still have their "Best of Now Magazine 2001" clipping up on the wall. Seriously... living in the past.
I have a single speed mtb for winter bashing. I haven't gone all out with fixed becuase I've grown too dependent on back pedalling to negotiate over/through piles of snow. Still, I have window shopped for fixie parts and gear. It's just a matter of time before I get or build my first fixed gear. For now, I'm just looking at what's out there and making plans on my first fixie.
To that degree, I'd suggest you look at Cyclemotive. Last I checked they had parts/frames from IRO, Masi, Fuji, Phil Woods, Formula, CInelli, KHS, and a few others, in addition to the more common catalogues. They had a Bianchi Pista that caught my eye, pimped up with a white chain and other niceness. If it isn't in stock at the moment, Aasif will order it in within a week. They don't do Specialized, btw... some kind of rift between Aasif and the Specialized rep. Even though I have a Specizlied Epic M4, it's never been an issue for me, asides from the ribbing I get every time I bring it into the store.
You could also take a look at Urbane and La Carrera. They both have a pretty decent stock of single and fixed gear stuff. Like I said before, I find Urbane to be good, but not as good as their reputation. I hope someone proves me wrong, truly. I have no comment on their mech skills/quality of work, since I've never had the need to get anything done by them. La Carrera seems to specialize in road/single/fixed. Nadir, the owner is really straightforward and seems totally trustworthy.
Finally, I still should mention La Bicicletta. They are beyond most people's budgets, but it's worth going there just to check out the bikes. Easily the best bike porn in the city. Everything is carefully selected, and the staff can tell you everything you might want to know about the gear. You might spot something within your budget.
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