Eastern Canada - Good news for MEC and bike owners

MEC in Montreal now has a bike repair shop, call and ask for Robin Black to make an appointment, he's the main man.
I'm posting this because Robin has taken A+++ care of my bikes, he's a real guru and about as honest a person I know.
Hopefully if all goes well - and knowing MEC, it probably will - this new venture will spread out to the other MEC stores.
Mike

Now if they would just start to sell bikes. Nice utilitarian, get you to work bikes which are reasonably priced... maybe one day.

Now if they would just start to sell bikes. Nice utilitarian, get you to work bikes which are reasonably priced... maybe one day.

They are looking to start selling bikes in about 2 years time.

They are looking to start selling bikes in about 2 years time.

Right on - if I could hold out for another year with only one bike my next bike will be from mec :D ( I don't think I can hold out though)

Right on - if I could hold out for another year with only one bike my next bike will be from mec :D ( I don't think I can hold out though)

An idea came to mind... with the dollar being what it is and the discrepancy between pricing, buy it in the states and sell it in 2 years time for a MEC bike, I don't think you would lose much on your purchase.

MEC selling bikes? I'd like to see how they'd rearrange the Ottawa store to fit in a bike mix including mtb, hybrids, and roadies. Maybe they could just specialize in a few popular hybrid models that could do MUP as well as light trails. I have a solution to their space issue: bounce the canoes! ;)

MEC has a great space in Toronto, but not much room for expansion. They've recently moved the bike department downstairs which is good but I don't see room for bike repairs or sales. That's okay, Urbane Cyclist is a couple of blocks away.

Robin is also a volunteer at RTM (bike coop)
For those who wants to gets thier hands dirty :)

MEC has a great space in Toronto, but not much room for expansion. They've recently moved the bike department downstairs which is good but I don't see room for bike repairs or sales. That's okay, Urbane Cyclist is a couple of blocks away.

This weekend I saw one of the MEC bike staff hanging out behind the repair counter at Urbane. He doesn't actually work there of course but I guess they're all there talking bike.

It would be cool if the Toronto store started doing repairs, but like stokell said, room is an issue. :)

It would be cool if the Toronto store started doing repairs, but like stokell said, room is an issue. :)

They should just refer bike-buyers to philosophically compatible stores, like Urbane which is a worker co-op.

like Urbane which is a worker co-op.

Technically, it is a workers co-op.

I am a card carrying,advocate of MEC.However,i think they should stick to their core business.I live at St.Jovite[ mont-tremblant] Quebec.For a small community, we are blessed with 3 bike shops{all they sell is bikes} and they cannot afford to compete with the equivalent of a big box store.I have purchased bike gear at MEC.....no name jersey,tools etc.However,I think i will be exclusive to the small independent even if it costs a bit more.Friendship,convenience,and expertise is worth a few bucks.

I spoke to an MEC staff in Toronto recently. They plan on doing a lot of training on bike repairs and then practising on employees bikes for a while. Will it impact on other businesses? Perhaps, I'll still continue to use my local bike shop.

I don't see MEC as being a big box. Wally World is a big box, and since they don't offer service on anything I'd be unlikely to buy anything from them.

hi stokel...if i lived in toronto i would agree with you.there is a large market....and i'm sure the consumer does not have to worry about losing one lbs.However in a small community it is different...if everyone from my community shopped in Montreal for their bike needs we would lose our lbs.
I know 2 of the owners really well...it is a strugle for them to compete.

Haha, that's great....Robin Black and the Intergallactic Rockstars is a band. I'm sure it's a coincidence though. (Sorry off topic but I thought it was amusing).

I am a card carrying,advocate of MEC.However,i think they should stick to their core business.I live at St.Jovite[ mont-tremblant] Quebec.For a small community, we are blessed with 3 bike shops{all they sell is bikes} and they cannot afford to compete with the equivalent of a big box store.I have purchased bike gear at MEC.....no name jersey,tools etc.However,I think i will be exclusive to the small independent even if it costs a bit more.Friendship,convenience,and expertise is worth a few bucks.

One of the great things about MEC, they are a true co-operative and as such require members like you to buy a share. As a member you have the right to voice your concerns.

I am a card carrying,advocate of MEC.However,i think they should stick to their core business.I live at St.Jovite[ mont-tremblant] Quebec.For a small community, we are blessed with 3 bike shops{all they sell is bikes} and they cannot afford to compete with the equivalent of a big box store.I have purchased bike gear at MEC.....no name jersey,tools etc.However,I think i will be exclusive to the small independent even if it costs a bit more.Friendship,convenience,and expertise is worth a few bucks.

I'm not sure if folks around Tremblant would travel the 1.5-2 hours to get to MEC to shop, never mind the Montreal traffic. Doesn't seem convienient, although maybe the chalet owners would...?

Regardless, it's a good topic of discussion. Is your local LBS are already feeling the pressure? From what business/geographical area are they feeling it?

Haha, that's great....Robin Black and the Intergallactic Rockstars is a band. I'm sure it's a coincidence though. (Sorry off topic but I thought it was amusing).

That is The Man.

as much as i hate shopping,i would gladlydrive 1:30 hrs to buy gear.....you know boys and their toys

as much as i hate shopping,i would gladlydrive 1:30 hrs to buy gear.....you know boys and their toys

It seems if that were to happen, then your LBS' would really be in trouble.

[QUOTE=tremblant17;6360734]However,i think they should stick to their core business.I live at St.Jovite[ mont-tremblant] Quebec.For a small community, we are blessed with 3 bike shops{all they sell is bikes} and they cannot afford to compete with the equivalent of a big box store.

I can't see how the repair shop at the MEC in Montreal can work unless the repairs are done while the customer waits as the store is not in a residential area.

I know that MEC did not want to sell bikes b/c of the effect on local bike shops but La Cordee is selling bikes and top brands such as Trek, Argon, Gary Fisher, etc, so they may change their attitude.

Also, Wal Mart are going to have bike boutiques which will include a repair shop and higher end parts and accesories.

Was in the Toronto MEC yesterday - - they had a bunch of cycling jerseys in the kids' section - - and, scary thing, I could actually find ones that fit me!

And I'm not terribly small either - 5'11", 57" chest. $23 each for plain ones, and they also had some awful Primal Wear ones with lizards on in the bargain rack for even less.

I ended up getting a kids' long sleeve jumper - partially just to say I could. The GF got one of the cycling jerseys - she didn't even have to get the largest.

Are kids really that big these days?

I can't see how the repair shop at the MEC in Montreal can work unless the repairs are done while the customer waits as the store is not in a residential area.

I know that MEC did not want to sell bikes b/c of the effect on local bike shops but La Cordee is selling bikes and top brands such as Trek, Argon, Gary Fisher, etc, so they may change their attitude.

Also, Wal Mart are going to have bike boutiques which will include a repair shop and higher end parts and accesories.

We live on the South Shore suburbs and love trekking out to MEC every once in a while. However, their location is a real pain traffic-wise. For our bike parts and bike maintenance, they will never be an option for us. We'll stick to our LBS.

The fact that Wal-Mart would scale up its bike department is interesting in that it shows that cycling is becoming a market force. Also, Wal-Mart have not hidden that they are trying to reach out to a higher income market segment.

Cheers,

Are kids really that big these days?

Hmmm!!! You have been around a high school recently have you!!! :D In short... yes... kids are really that big nowadays... :eek:

Cheers,

Hmmm!!! You have been around a high school recently have you!!! :D In short... yes... kids are really that big nowadays... :eek:

Cheers,

Well it gets me cheap tax-free clothing, I suppose.

I have, of course, been the same height since I was 14. But I was lanky as hell then.