Western Canada - MEC for bike parts

Hi there,

Im a 5 minute bike ride to MEC and they seem to have a lot of affordable things for sale for bikes so I was wondering if there you have a Top 10 things list to buy/not buy from them. Up until now I've just bought none-bike related stuff there and I do have to admit I love that store!


Thanks in advance

Hi, I use the local MEC for most of my "consumables" EG: cables, tubes, lube etc.
There are some good deals on clothing,tools and parts, but depending on your relationship with your LBS you may get a better deal elsewhere.

'rasher

It totally depends on what kind of cycling you do. MEC caters to an average cyclist. You can buy a reflective vest there for example :) I like their return policy and the stuff they sell is usually of good quality.
They have virtually no good sales and you can always find better deals elsewhere (e.g. http://www.probikekit.com/ free shipping to Canada and usually no duty).

I bought some tools from them, water bottles, a bicycle rack, and a pair of panniers.You can buy clothing there too if you need to try it on but clothing there is never on sale and expensive.

I think they have good prices on tires. I've bought my last two sets from them. Each time I shopped the net a bit (ebay etc) and couldn't beat their price.

I also like their accessories like racks and panniers. Good quality for the price.

I think they have good prices on tires. I've bought my last two sets from them. Each time I shopped the net a bit (ebay etc) and couldn't beat their price.

I also like their accessories like racks and panniers. Good quality for the price.


Thanks:) Your avatar looks familiar..are you also on Live Journal? :)

As mentioned: They are great for the consumables, and the "dongly bits" like flashers, cages, waterbottles etc.
Their clothing for cyclists is also well-priced.

It totally depends on what kind of cycling you do. MEC caters to an average cyclist. .

"Average" is a pretty broad statement and most of us probably fall into this category. However, with the introduction of the full service bike shop they've started carrying some elite gear eg this http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886310&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442630367&bmUID=1247162418016 $1100 wheelset.




I like their return policy and the stuff they sell is usually of good quality.

I agree. I find that the best thing to do is to read the reviews on the MEC site (you can check these in store too). I've never had any issues with their clothing or gear other than a chain cleaner. Then again I did not read the reviews before I bought the chain cleaner.


They have virtually no good sales and you can always find better deals elsewhere ......clothing there is never on sale and expensive

Uh uh. MEC has stuff on sale frequently and in most cases their regular prices are as good as or better than LBS. For example, I paid $45 for Ultra Gatorskins at MEC (their regular price) instead of LBS price $55 - $67. I also picked up a Hydrocycle jacket and Cyclone tights on sale.

Uh uh. MEC has stuff on sale frequently and in most cases their regular prices are as good as or better than LBS. For example, I paid $45 for Ultra Gatorskins at MEC (their regular price) instead of LBS price $55 - $67. I also picked up a Hydrocycle jacket and Cyclone tights on sale.
This is factual.
I always monitor the bottom bins at MEC:
I have seen Mechanic Stands, Park Toolsets, and various other items marked-down because they were missing some small, and easy to replace component.

*meh*

Has anyone bought any tights from them?

I need some and my wife bought me a GC from MEC.

I've always used the lycra tights in the past. I find they've been great for the rain. They get wet but stay warm and the comfort from stretching is unparalleled. Other pants tend to pull against the legs and restrict movement.

A lot of people have a "problem" with the "revealing nature of tights, but I don't. I'm strictly a function over form guy. With that in mind, it looks like MEC sells some tights that might not be quite so "tight" but might still be flexible and warm enough to use through Vancouvers wet winters.

Anyone use any? Thoughts?

I have to admit their prices are cheaper than a typical LBS. I don't know the quality of MEC brand tubes though. $3??? Their chain cleaning device is cheap too. So are the locks. But they don't sell Krypto or OnGuard. Hmm.... Too bad they want me to be a member to purchase.

Has anyone bought any tights from them?

I need some and my wife bought me a GC from MEC.

I've always used the lycra tights in the past. I find they've been great for the rain. They get wet but stay warm and the comfort from stretching is unparalleled. Other pants tend to pull against the legs and restrict movement.

A lot of people have a "problem" with the "revealing nature of tights, but I don't. I'm strictly a function over form guy. With that in mind, it looks like MEC sells some tights that might not be quite so "tight" but might still be flexible and warm enough to use through Vancouvers wet winters.

Anyone use any? Thoughts?

In Winnipeg's spring/summer/fall I wear the cylcone tights when I want to stay dry ( http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617947&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692411&bmUID=1247498117756 ). The seams will leak (since untaped seams are never waterproof) if they get sustained direct spray but are otherwise ok. If I remember my fender I usually get wetter from sweat than rain. When it's cooler (i.e. below 0 C) I wear one of the heavier tights that they sell (the name of which escapes me right now). I can check later which one it is if you want.

I looked at those but was put off a bit by some of the comments on the web page.

I was thinking more of the Veluta tights http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692411&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442622316&bmUID=1247495544006&amuc=5,339 where some of the comments were more positive.

^ Follow the instructions from MEC on care and you should not have a problem with the Cyclone tights. I've never had saddle slipperyness isues with them either.

More things for the list:

I second the :thumb: for the bits and bobs that MEC sells but I would think twice about buying a Planet Bike lock or any of their wireless computers. I’m also not a fan of the MEC brand gloves nor their selection of brand name gloves. Those I do shop for at LBSs. However I am going to pick up some paddling gloves for cool weather riding (early spring, late fall, and winter) http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442507835&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885971&bmUID=1247755248445

My bike, lock and helmet came from my LBS. Pretty much everything else is MEC -- fenders, rack, panniers, lights, bottle + cage, clothing, gloves (cycling + paddling), tubes, tools, etc. I've always been happy with my MEC gear. I've also bought a lot of non-cycling gear, and also been happy with performance/quality -- camping, rock climbing, hiking, etc.

MEC is my big favorite bike store. I've been picking up tubes from them for years for $2 each. I usually get quite a few at a time and haven't been there for awhile so could be a few cents more now. A Shimano 5 cog rear sprocket for $8, a pair of fenders for $22 when the lbs wanted $50, etc.

Good rear view mirrors and lights also cheap. They just have basic things and not frames or wheels or a lot of stuff a bike shop would have but I tend to be a pretty basic guy and they suit me perfectly. They have a pretty good selection of tools too.

best wishes, lloyd

MEC is my big favorite bike store. I've been picking up tubes from them for years for $2 each. I usually get quite a few at a time and haven't been there for awhile so could be a few cents more now. A Shimano 5 cog rear sprocket for $8, a pair of fenders for $22 when the lbs wanted $50, etc.

Good rear view mirrors and lights also cheap. They just have basic things and not frames or wheels or a lot of stuff a bike shop would have but I tend to be a pretty basic guy and they suit me perfectly. They have a pretty good selection of tools too.

best wishes, lloyd

They are starting to get in more stuff, they've had wheels for a while, they now even offer Crank Bros Cobalt wheelsets at $1,000 a pop! Still trying to get my head round that.

Thanks everyone:) I did pick up a few things from MEC for my bike and so far I'm pretty satified. They even "lent" me a demo saddle to try out for a few days to see if I liked it before I buy it. I've never even heard of that before so I was pretty impressed.

Thanks everyone:) I did pick up a few things from MEC for my bike and so far I'm pretty satified. They even "lent" me a demo saddle to try out for a few days to see if I liked it before I buy it. I've never even heard of that before so I was pretty impressed.

Most bike shops will do that - you just have to ask. Either that, or they have a return policy where you can bring it back within 30 days if you don't like it.

Most bike shops will do that - you just have to ask. Either that, or they have a return policy where you can bring it back within 30 days if you don't like it.

Good to know...an unnamed LBS didn't offer it to me so I just bought a saddle but I was able to return it last night...I'd rather use a demo though because my luck..I'd scratch up a purchased one and not be able to return it:D

Thanks everyone:) I did pick up a few things from MEC for my bike and so far I'm pretty satified. They even "lent" me a demo saddle to try out for a few days to see if I liked it before I buy it. I've never even heard of that before so I was pretty impressed.MEC has a ridiculously liberal return policy (My wife once returned an 8-month old shirt for a full refund because the material was behaving oddly). Better to let you try out one that's designated as a demo than buy a new one, and return it a week later in un-resaleable condition.

That said, I encourage returning good items in just slightly outside of resaleable condition, because then I can pick them up at gear swap for stupid-cheap.

During the monsoon last Friday I picked up a pair of these http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442507835&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885971&bmUID=1249400683999 paddling gloves. A touch warm in the summer but that was outweiged by the huge increase in grip.

The benefit to MEC getting into bikes is that perhaps they can attract some of their members who are not cyclists into cycling. Once those members have been attracted into cycling, hopefully they'll switch to an LBS where prices are similar and staff is more well versed.

I'm an MEC member, but the only thing bike related I buy there (now) is the gallon size jug of degreaser. Anything else, I'll pickup at the LBS. The LBS does more and puts back so much more into the cycling community than MEC does. And when it comes to product knowledge, I don't know about the rest of the MEC locations - but the Winnipeg staff don't know very much at all. They also have a very poor product selection given the climate - at one point they didn't stock any winter cycling gear, but the stocked it at other stores.

So - degreaser I'll buy there, but not anything else.

***edit***

Just so you don't get the impression that I am an MEC hater - I'm not. I just find that the lack of staff knowledge means that unless you know exactly what you are looking for or have a good level of knowledge yourself, you won't get much help from staff. I'm fine with that, but I worry about people getting into outdoor activities. Case in point - I watched a customer go in and start looking at studded tires for winter riding. In winnipeg, if you are riding winter studded tires aren't really any benefit as we don't get much ice on the streets ( sonw is the problem). I asked where his commute was and he identified a major artery that is plowed to bare concrete. Both he and the store staff were offended/shocked/angry that I would have the audacity to suggest that he doesn't need studs for riding that route. So instead of identifying the customer need - the staff goal was to sell, sell, sell.

Again - MEC is fine if you have a decent level of product knowledge - I'll get camping/climbing/some clothing there. But I'll support my LBS as much as possible because they put mmore back into the community.

The benefit to MEC getting into bikes is that perhaps they can attract some of their members who are not cyclists into cycling. Once those members have been attracted into cycling, hopefully they'll switch to an LBS where prices are similar and staff is more well versed.

I'm an MEC member, but the only thing bike related I buy there (now) is the gallon size jug of degreaser. Anything else, I'll pickup at the LBS. The LBS does more and puts back so much more into the cycling community than MEC does. And when it comes to product knowledge, I don't know about the rest of the MEC locations - but the Winnipeg staff don't know very much at all. They also have a very poor product selection given the climate - at one point they didn't stock any winter cycling gear, but the stocked it at other stores.

So - degreaser I'll buy there, but not anything else.

***edit***

Just so you don't get the impression that I am an MEC hater - I'm not. I just find that the lack of staff knowledge means that unless you know exactly what you are looking for or have a good level of knowledge yourself, you won't get much help from staff. I'm fine with that, but I worry about people getting into outdoor activities. Case in point - I watched a customer go in and start looking at studded tires for winter riding. In winnipeg, if you are riding winter studded tires aren't really any benefit as we don't get much ice on the streets ( sonw is the problem). I asked where his commute was and he identified a major artery that is plowed to bare concrete. Both he and the store staff were offended/shocked/angry that I would have the audacity to suggest that he doesn't need studs for riding that route. So instead of identifying the customer need - the staff goal was to sell, sell, sell.

Again - MEC is fine if you have a decent level of product knowledge - I'll get camping/climbing/some clothing there. But I'll support my LBS as much as possible because they put mmore back into the community.

Thanks for adding your edit - I was about to step up on my soap box and unleash hell :bike: in your general direction ;)

I will, however, respectfully address a couple of your points directly:

1. MEC getting into bikes - I believe that this is a result of the pro-bike shop responses in a survey that was done of the membership.

2. MEC staff knowledge - I've run into the open mouthed duh blank look on face response on more than 1 occassion at LBSs. At the Wpg MEC it's hit and miss but the staff will usually look for help from another staffer if they do not know. Plus they are somewhat new to bikes - wait and see.

3. Studs - While I've quit riding all winter for various reasons I do endorse studs over no studs as I've tried both. For example, last fall my riding season was cut short by the freezing rain that we got last November that coated every single exposed flat surface in the city. If I had had studs that would not have been the case. Also, in "normal" years once you get off the main routes (which a bike should be doing anyways, especially in the winter) most of the secondary roads and regular streets have a mix of snow, ice, and bare concrete for most of the winter. Main routes are also only plowed once the snowfall reaches a certain depth since the last snow clearing. So, in the end, it's really a matter of personal preference/opinion whether studs were the right answer. That does not excuse their reaction though.

4. Store stock - While agree with you that inventory at times does not meet my immediate need I don't really think it's fair to judge MEC based on stock selection in one store which is not considered by MEC to be a flagship/full catalogue store. On the other hand you can order online and have your order delivered to your local store without paying shipping. I'm currently waiting on a some bibs that I ordered this way.

5. Giving back - I acknowledge what LBSs do but also recognize that it can happen in many different ways http://www.mec.ca/Main/explore.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883315&bmUID=1249501680632

So, an MEC staffer, huh?




2. MEC staff knowledge - I've run into the open mouthed duh blank look on face response on more than 1 occassion at LBSs. At the Wpg MEC it's hit and miss but the staff will usually look for help from another staffer if they do not know. Plus they are somewhat new to bikes - wait and see.

Yup - you can get that reaction at LBS' too. I find it more common at MEC. And if you know your bike stores, you'll know where to go and who to talk to so you never get that reaction.



3. Studs - While I've quit riding all winter for various reasons I do endorse studs over no studs as I've tried both. For example, last fall my riding season was cut short by the freezing rain that we got last November that coated every single exposed flat surface in the city. If I had had studs that would not have been the case. Also, in "normal" years once you get off the main routes (which a bike should be doing anyways, especially in the winter) most of the secondary roads and regular streets have a mix of snow, ice, and bare concrete for most of the winter. Main routes are also only plowed once the snowfall reaches a certain depth since the last snow clearing. So, in the end, it's really a matter of personal preference/opinion whether studs were the right answer. That does not excuse their reaction though.

Yup - personal choice - but it comes down to being a confidence builder as opposed to having any actual usefulness. That being said I do have a studded front tire that I will ride when I consider it necessary. However, that hasn't been for 2 years. Studded tires add excess weight - there is no need for studs in the middle treads. You only need them in the outer treads as that's where you'll have the slipping.

Sure - you could ride the studs for the week or two that there is ice on the street, but once the ice gets plowed, and problem is snow then they aren't any benefit.



4. Store stock - While agree with you that inventory at times does not meet my immediate need I don't really think it's fair to judge MEC based on stock selection in one store which is not considered by MEC to be a flagship/full catalogue store. On the other hand you can order online and have your order delivered to your local store without paying shipping. I'm currently waiting on a some bibs that I ordered this way.

That's fine for some items. But when I'm looking to order winter cycling shoes and they don't have stock? They won't bring stock in different sizes for me to try, so I have to buy them first and hope they fit. (if I am going to do that I'll mail order nashbar, it will work out much cheaper). The excuse that it isn't a flagship store is weak at best. They should tailor their stock to activity and climate where the store is located ( hence their miniscule climbing gear selection)


5. Giving back - I acknowledge what LBSs do but also recognize that it can happen in many different ways http://www.mec.ca/Main/explore.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883315&bmUID=1249501680632

Sure they give back - they actually have given grants to groups I am involved with. But I haven't seen any type of giving back to the local bike community. Trail Maintenance/Building/Running events? If I'm going to support a bike store, the fact that that bike store supports the local cycling community is important. Put a different way - what would be the effect on the local bike community if MEC stopped selling bikes? Miniscule, if any. If one of the other LBS pulled out? Depends on which one, but losing some of them would leave a huge hole in the local cycling community.

And don't even get me started on the total lack of corporate governance! ;)

So, an MEC staffer, huh?

nope, my occupation is one of the professions.


That's fine for some items. But when I'm looking to order winter cycling shoes and they don't have stock?

Like any retailer they have stock when it's the season to have that stock. Try and buy skis right now at one of the LBS that does skiing in the winter. And as I said before, their new commitment to bikes is very very new. Wait til they sort things out. And remember I'm not anti-LBS, I just see MEC as another source for things I can get at the LBS and the source for things I can't.



But I haven't seen any type of giving back to the local bike community. Trail Maintenance/Building/Running events?

2 examples from here http://www.mec.ca/Apps/GrantRecipients/enviroFundResults.jsp?region=MB&bmUID=1249517405899

2009 Olympia Cycling Club Birds Hill Park Mountain Bike Trail Network $2500
2006 Fort Whyte Centre Green Corridor: Connecting People and Nature $10000

MEC has donated over $250,000 to Manitoba initiatives in the last 10 years.

Like any retailer they have stock when it's the season to have that stock. Try and buy skis right now at one of the LBS that does skiing in the winter. And as I said before, their new commitment to bikes is very very new. Wait til they sort things out. And remember I'm not anti-LBS, I just see MEC as another source for things I can get at the LBS and the source for things I can't.

You're assuming I am looking for winter cycling shoes in summer. They didn't stock them in the winter and they don't stock them in the summer. However, I will say that I did get a repsonse from the store manager when I dropped a suggestion into the suggestion box about it. He said they would try to get stock - they were still 'sorting out' winter cycling gear. But that was last year.




2 examples from here http://www.mec.ca/Apps/GrantRecipients/enviroFundResults.jsp?region=MB&bmUID=1249517405899


2009 Olympia Cycling Club Birds Hill Park Mountain Bike Trail Network $2500
2006 Fort Whyte Centre Green Corridor: Connecting People and Nature $10000

MEC has donated over $250,000 to Manitoba initiatives in the last 10 years.[/QUOTE]

Interesting list. Intersting that of the grants listed, Nature Conservancy got almost half. The list is incomplete though. A goup I volunteer with received a couple of grants from MEC, but they aren't listed.

I wasn't really talking about financially supporting an initiative spearheaded by someone else, but moreso spearheading the initiative or doing the actual legwork for an event or initiative.

You're assuming I am looking for winter cycling shoes in summer. They didn't stock them in the winter and they don't stock them in the summer. However, I will say that I did get a repsonse from the store manager when I dropped a suggestion into the suggestion box about it. He said they would try to get stock - they were still 'sorting out' winter cycling gear. But that was last year.

FWIW they had the Exustar E-SM450 Cold Weather Cycling Shoes http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619907&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692667&bmUID=1249522211931 on the shelf in the new cycling section when I was there last Friday afternoon.

I don't know the quality of MEC brand tubes though. $3??? Too bad they want me to be a member to purchase.

The tubes can't be worse than the name brand KENDRA's I bought at my LBS. The presta valve completely separated after 24hrs.

$5 membership usually pays itself off after one purchase, and they mail you catalogues every year.

FWIW they had the Exustar E-SM450 Cold Weather Cycling Shoes http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619907&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692667&bmUID=1249522211931 on the shelf in the new cycling section when I was there last Friday afternoon.

Well that's good. When they first started selling them they wouldn't stock them in Winnipeg.

The tubes can't be worse than the name brand KENDRA's I bought at my LBS. The presta valve completely separated after 24hrs.

$5 membership usually pays itself off after one purchase, and they mail you catalogues every year.

You mean Kendas? ;)

I've been pretty happy with continentals.

DO NOT SHOP WITH MEC.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=394937

Please see my other post about mec.
I have nothing against them really, but what is their reasoning for being in the bicycle market? They are a co-op, skirt corporate taxes, and are the 1200lb. gorilla of the outdoor business.
When making a purchase, it's interesting to know where those 'low' prices come from.

SHOP AT MEC!

I'm sure if the bicycle market wasn't profitable for the co-op over the last 15ish or more years I'm sure they would get out of it. I'm a fan of their supermicroft Cycling jacket that has been a staple article on wet streets, and trails for cyclists and runners alike. I bought the Woosh Cycling pants last year too and found them to be excellent with indestructible construction. I like being able to buy solid, neutral coloured garments with unobtrusive logos at reasonable prices. I have yet to find an LBS that does that well.

As for being a co-op, skirting taxes, and being 1200lbs I say good, if they keep providing products the membership wants. It's not like the consumer is brainwashed. It's their hard earned money, and if it were unlimited MEC could change it's name to Mountain Equipment and Bentley Rolls-Royce Co-Op. For a company that started out in the back of a VW Van and not some multinational corporate giant I would say that their business model is probably simple enough for anyone including LBS’s to follow.

Explain to me why I should pay more than is required for the products and or service I desire. Not to be a cynic but usually I find that when I pay more for apparent quality or personal service whether it's bike service or buying houses and everything in between it turns out to be mediocre or crap anyway. I might as well shop at a place that sends me a catalogue and accepts returns with no hassles.

So shop at MEC or not. But it makes good economic sense to purchase the best valued products and services available as that will promote the expansion of good valued services and products in any market whether that is MEC or a small specialty shop. Supporting mediocre services and overpriced products does not.

You mean Kendas? ;)

I've been pretty happy with continentals.

Yes. Kendas. Re: Conti's. Me too. Maybe I should have kept continental tubes under the GP4000's that are on the rim.

I'm curious to see the specs and who is building the bikes they will be selling. It's quite a wide range they intend to appeal to (from their website) :

We believe the line will appeal to members who ride for recreation, who commute to work and around town, as well as those who cycle tour or ride off-road. Details about the bikes will be available online in November 2009.

In terms of selling bikes and repairs, I get the impression that they will be either equivlent to or just slightly above a SportChek or Sportmart. Problem is that I think a lot of people will anticipate their bike sales and service to be on par with an LBS. I'd be shocked if it was.

The tubes can't be worse than the name brand KENDRA's I bought at my LBS. The presta valve completely separated after 24hrs.

$5 membership usually pays itself off after one purchase, and they mail you catalogues every year.

Huh? More flyers to flood my mailbox? No thanks.
the issue is not about it worse than KENDAs or what not. I mean a rubber tube is a rubber tube. They are prolly made from the same mfg in China. My problem is I don't live close to MEC at all and on that one day when I was there it was a impulse buy. So why should my $3 tube becomes a $8 tube?

Anyhoo.... MEC is one of the main sponsors for the Great Rides in the Lower Mainland. They are offering free tune-ups. That's gotta be something.

SHOP AT MEC!

+1

being a co-operative doesn't lower prices because they somehow magically 'skirt' taxes. it lowers prices because the objective of a co-op is to provide the best stuff at the best price for the members. the objective of a corporation or proprietorship is to make the owner's rich in the most efficient way possible.

i choose to partronize co-ops first, and well-run proprietorships second. that means 1) goodlife 2) mec 3) campione 4) bow 5) all others last) cyclepath

MEC's cheap tubes are the typical Chinese no-name. I had a problem with the narrow road tubes with 60mm valves (the long ones designed to use in high-profile rims). They would start to develop leaks at the base of the valve. I pointed this out on one of the store's suggestion forms and got to meet with Craig Oliver, their bike accessories buyer. I gave him a few of the tubes that had failed. He never got back to me (not unusual), but I have noticed that these tubes appear to have gotten more reliable.

I've been buying small bike stuff at MEC for years. They used to cater solely to the "utilitarian cyclist," but lately I've noticed they've been expanding their lines. The reason many big distributors won't sell to them is because these companies require their retailers to sell at one set MRP. I find this to be an objectionable form of "price-fixing," somewhat at odds with free enterprise and a competitive market.

One thing that has been disappointing at MEC lately has been the decline in the quality of zippers used in their clothing. The zippers have been separating, especially the new waterproof zippers on their cycling rain jackets. Not sure if this is a problem with the manufacturer. The other knock against MEC is that they tend to run out of stock. But I find that some items, like fall and winter gloves, are way better than what you can get at an LBS.

L.

I'm curious to see the specs and who is building the bikes they will be selling. It's quite a wide range they intend to appeal to (from their website) :

We believe the line will appeal to members who ride for recreation, who commute to work and around town, as well as those who cycle tour or ride off-road. Details about the bikes will be available online in November 2009.

In terms of selling bikes and repairs, I get the impression that they will be either equivlent to or just slightly above a SportChek or Sportmart. Problem is that I think a lot of people will anticipate their bike sales and service to be on par with an LBS. I'd be shocked if it was.

From conversations I have had with some of their people, I think there will be at least some with Hub Gears, I'm thinking Nexus/Alfine, but may be the SRAM ones. Don't really expect Rolhoff, can dream though. I would expect good, if basic CroMo frames, though might be Aluminum.

As to the "SportCheck equivalent" doubt that very much, several grades up from that. My bet is the price range will be from about $500 to $1500, with fairly good level of components for the price. Little flash.

As to the "SportCheck equivalent" doubt that very much, several grades up from that.

Me too. If the target customer continues to be the utilitarian daily cyclist I would think that the bikes they sell will be better than the 'my first bike for one weekend on paths' or 'the I just lost my drivers licence and I know sod all about bikes' varieties. I would guess from the components that MEC already sells their bikes will start out pretty well spec'd and have frames worthy of upgrades. I would think they would be something along the lines of some of the large US online sites like BD or pricepoint.

Me too. If the target customer continues to be the utilitarian daily cyclist I would think that the bikes they sell will be better than the 'my first bike for one weekend on paths' or 'the I just lost my drivers licence and I know sod all about bikes' varieties. I would guess from the components that MEC already sells their bikes will start out pretty well spec'd and have frames worthy of upgrades. I would think they would be something along the lines of some of the large US online sites like BD or pricepoint.
I've said it here before, if someone with the purchasing power of WalMart decided to do no-frills , solid bike, they could supply a very respectable bike for $250, trouble is, not enough people would buy it. Given MEC's customer base, and considering they don't have any where near Big W's clout, I'm expecting a bike at $500 that will suit a lot of commuters. Looking forward to see what they come up with.

From conversations I have had with some of their people, I think there will be at least some with Hub Gears, I'm thinking Nexus/Alfine, but may be the SRAM ones. Don't really expect Rolhoff, can dream though. I would expect good, if basic CroMo frames, though might be Aluminum.

As to the "SportCheck equivalent" doubt that very much, several grades up from that. My bet is the price range will be from about $500 to $1500, with fairly good level of components for the price. Little flash.

You assume I meant price. Not necessarily. While I can't speak for other locations, from my experience with the Winnipeg store my opinion is that:

MEC will be on par with sport check/sport mart in terms of bike knowledge/service. The staff in this store generally isn't that knowledgable, so why should that change when they sell bikes?

MEC will be on par with the higher end or above sport check/sport mart in terms of bike quality & price. $500-$1500 is a pretty wide range. Depending on what you are riding for you can get a decent bike from an LBS for $500. And Sport Check sells $600 bikes.

My concern is that the general public will assume that they would be equivilent to some of the better LBS. I'd be shocked if they were.

There are, of course, some really bad LBS in this city, so yes they could be equivilent to them ( not saying that they are going to be bad, but that their level of bikes/service won't be as high as most of the LBS in the city).

You assume I meant price. Not necessarily. While I can't speak for other locations, from my experience with the Winnipeg store my opinion is that:

MEC will be on par with sport check/sport mart in terms of bike knowledge/service. The staff in this store generally isn't that knowledgable, so why should that change when they sell bikes?

MEC will be on par with the higher end or above sport check/sport mart in terms of bike quality & price. $500-$1500 is a pretty wide range. Depending on what you are riding for you can get a decent bike from an LBS for $500. And Sport Check sells $600 bikes.

My concern is that the general public will assume that they would be equivilent to some of the better LBS. I'd be shocked if they were.

There are, of course, some really bad LBS in this city, so yes they could be equivilent to them ( not saying that they are going to be bad, but that their level of bikes/service won't be as high as most of the LBS in the city).

Actually, I didn't think you only meant price, though my answer focused only on that. My experience here in Calgary has been that although most of the mechanics are not much more knowledgeable than myself, ( in one case possibly less ) they don't have the same urge to snow you with BS just to make a sale or get you out of the store. They have at least one guy who is pretty good. SportCheck, on the other hand, (I've done some bike building there,) there might be some branches that have good guys, haven't seen it though.

I think it will take them some time to get as good as the better LBS around here. Thats a function of the pay structure.

My experience here in Calgary has been that although most of the mechanics are not much more knowledgeable than myself, ( in one case possibly less ) they don't have the same urge to snow you with BS just to make a sale or get you out of the store.

if it's mechanicals you want and calgary you're in then it's the good life co-op you should be going to. mechanics to teach you to do it yourself and they have all the tools on site. prices range from extremely cheap all the way down to free.

And now we have the first report on what they will sell. From the latest catalog.

1 fixie, 2 geared road bikes, 3 hardtail MTBs including a kids model, 2 Hub geared bikes, ( Hybrids? Comfort? City? <shrug> ) 2 Cyclocross, ( according to a source in the store, 1 is high end with disc, 1 has cantis and is more cross/tour/commute ) there's a retro road model and a folder to finish up.

Pricing on the bikes? Or does the catalog just mention "what is coming"?

Pricing on the bikes? Or does the catalog just mention "what is coming"?
No prices, just the description.

If you look at page 38 (or 36 I can't really remember right now) There is a guy with a bike, if you look at the picture it has a MEC Badge on it.

If you look at page 38 (or 36 I can't really remember right now) There is a guy with a bike, if you look at the picture it has a MEC Badge on it.Yes, I think its the high end CycloCross model.

I called the MEC bike shop here in Winnipeg looking for a Candy rebuild kit and sure enough it's listed in their back room (as opposed to online catalogue) computer system. They did not have stock here yet but the tech told me I could order from the warehouse via phone and free-ship to the store. So, if you're looking for something in particular it's worth a call to either your local store or the national sales number.

My MEC doesn't have reflective bike tape, then again I haven't found it anywhere else, either. Other than that they have 239502340304034 bike accessories, I was in there today drooling over bike stuff.

My local MEC has a bike repair section now, they did a fantastic job on the old road bike I bought off my roommate. My favourite thing was that they didn't turn their noses up at a 25 year old steel road bike, unlike the snooty bike shop in Yaletown.

However, the guy sort of turned his nose up at my 4 month old hybrid, something about some part of it being "cheap" and I should replace it maybe, some day. While he's probably right this bike works great for me, I've already put more than 1000 km on it and so far all I needed was near rear brake pads and once, a bolt tightened.

So my verdict is, great prices, they do a good job.