Eastern Canada - Mec has bikes.

I was in mec in Toronto today to replace my superflash, which committed suicide earlier this month.

Instead of gear and bike parts they now have bikes. (They still have some gear and bike parts, but selection seems to be reduced, and stuff is spread out over the store.)

The bikes look interesting - a cyclocross style bike with canti brakes and cables on the top of the top tube caught my eye. They are all about the same price as a bike with comparable components would be at an LBS. October is sort of a strange time to launch your new bike line too. I had heard that they were going to be launching a touring bike as well, but didn't see anything while I was in there. Nothing on the website yet either.

I was in the Calgary store today and I was actually quite impressed by the new selection! I think they did get a bit low on stock (parts etc) before all the new stuff came in all at once this week, but that's certainly not the case now. There is a crazy amount of new stuff - parts, tools (LOTS of tools), and gear, better than before in my opinion. And I drooled quite shamelessly over the bikes, just because. I want a cyclocross bike....

Yes, I spent way too much money today, thanks. :lol: Maintenance book, warm mittens, and tools today; new wheelset and more tools next week I think!

They have been doing repairs for a little while in Toronto, but bikes is a new one for me.

Now I know what I'm doing at lunchtime.

It was basically the next best step for the. I find they have such a great selection of bike accessories than any bike store I've been to and at MUCH better prices! I've seen many bike stores that where less than adequate and one that was just elitist (road bikes and overpriced stuff only).

MEC is one of my favourite stores but as we have a "B" store here it is unlikely they will be carrying bikes... they just don't have the available space.

How does a Superflash commit suicide ?

And how do we know it wasn't murder ?

http://www.youtube.com/user/GiantAntMedia#p/u

I saw the bikes yesterday and was amazed at how nice the cosmetics and build were - and the price is right. My current ride is a Giant Seek with an IGH. The MEC Hold Steady seems to be much better - the carbon fork should make the ride much smoother than the aluminum of the Giant.

How does a Superflash commit suicide ?

And how do we know it wasn't murder ?

I had it hooked on the back of my bike rack. It was so fed up with being crowded by traffic that it leaped from the back of the rack to its death on the pavement down below.

At least, that's my version of events, and I am sticking to it...

I saw the bikes yesterday (...) The MEC Hold Steady seems to be much better

Does it have 700c or 26" wheels?

Thanks

I'm eagerly awaiting their release of a folding bike, since I'm looking to purchase one for multi-modal commuting in Toronto. It looks like that particular model hasn't been released yet, but hopefully it'll be out soon. Now I just have to obsessively check their website waiting for the specs to be posted.

Does it have 700c or 26" wheels?

Thanks


I remember 700C - but I am older than I used to be and my memory is unreliable.

I remember 700C.

correct

I wonder if they will be getting more bikes in for the spring. It was a pretty limited selection right now.

Pretty boring looking bikes.

I'm eagerly awaiting their release of a folding bike, since I'm looking to purchase one for multi-modal commuting in Toronto. It looks like that particular model hasn't been released yet, but hopefully it'll be out soon. Now I just have to obsessively check their website waiting for the specs to be posted.

I was visiting the new MEC store on the South Shore of Montreal last week and was told that a folding bike, probably from Dahon, will soon join the line-up.

Cheers,
Ron

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/mountain-equipment-co-op-raises-ire-of-bicycle-industry/article1350204/

I asked about the folding bikes on their website Q&A system, and a staff member told me that they'd be in stores sometime in December. I can't wait!

It looks like the prices and specs are now online: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886456&bmUID=1257360248940

Pretty boring looking bikes.

See, for me it was "yay! Nice basic bikes!". I don't like paying extra for a fancy decal or paintjob (I have friends who can do those - handy to know a motorcycle specialist... :)) and for city riding I'm not sure if I want a bike that looks exciting - because that usually means it looks expensive and therefore steal-able.

The other thing is I'd rather get a good quality frame and starting components, then upgrade later bit by bit. That's basically what I did with all my hiking and camping gear (also MEC) as well. Just a personal preference enforced by many, many years on a student budget! I hate cheap gear that falls apart but I can't afford all the good stuff at once.

Looks like reasonable entry-level bikes.But the prices! Yikes! Do you normally pay $1400 for an alu frame (and not even with carbon rear or forks) with 105 in Canada? You'd get a full carbon frame with ultegra for not much more than that from many firms in the UK. Lucky I brought my bikes with me...

From the West Canuckistanian forum http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=10038584&postcount=12

Looks like reasonable entry-level bikes.But the prices! Yikes! Do you normally pay $1400 for an alu frame (and not even with carbon rear or forks) with 105 in Canada? You'd get a full carbon frame with ultegra for not much more than that from many firms in the UK. Lucky I brought my bikes with me...

2-8 hours by car south and I'll pay 30% less. It's about economies of scale - Canada is a small market.

The bikes that caught my eye from MEC were clearly superior value to the comparable offering from Trek or Giant.

I remember 700C - but I am older than I used to be and my memory is unreliable.

That happens to me so often that I have the technical explanation. It's a photographic memory with no film in the camera. (Mine isn't digital.)

The bikes seemed pretty decent there when I was in last week. But I'll agree with the value thing. I didn't see anything on the price tag that would get me to buy one from there. I got my Trek 7.5 FX from my local bike specialty store and my bike was cheaper than the comparable one at MEC. I don't want to go on a rant here.. Cause, I love shopping at MEC and I know they sell fairly decent stuff, but sometimes I feel it's like a big box store disguised as a trendy, environmentally friendly outdoor specialty shop.

i think it will take a few years until their bikes have proven themselves in terms of longevity and reliability. i decided to go with the proven reputation of giant over a mec bike at the same price point.

I still love mec for their prices on accessories and clothing.

j

It would generally be a mistake to buy a bike at MEC - this upon careful consideration. There is no advantage and they are more costly than at a LBS. Selling bicycles is also very far outside the original MEC mandate. It appears that MEC is becoming Wal-mart.

It would generally be a mistake to buy a bike at MEC - this upon careful consideration. There is no advantage and they are more costly than at a LBS. Selling bicycles is also very far outside the original MEC mandate. It appears that MEC is becoming Wal-mart.

A bit of a exaggeration.

One thing you can count on is MEC supporting their products to a far larger degree than your LBS. Chances are you can ride it for a year, and if at any point don't like it, they'd take it back. Also, they won't sell you a bike for the sake of making a sale....my experience is that if they don't have what your looking for they will refer you to someone that does.

While I wouldn't by my racing bike from MEC, should I require a commuter or MTB for tool'ing around they would be on my list.

[/B]

A bit of a exaggeration.

One thing you can count on is MEC supporting their products to a far larger degree than your LBS. Chances are you can ride it for a year, and if at any point don't like it, they'd take it back. Also, they won't sell you a bike for the sake of making a sale....my experience is that if they don't have what your looking for they will refer you to someone that does.

While I wouldn't by my racing bike from MEC, should I require a commuter or MTB for tool'ing around they would be on my list.


No, I used to think more along the lines you suggest. But the service and all that at MEC is demonstrably terrible when it comes to bikes and a solid relationship with a real bike store would be much better. MEC bikes are pricey and the service is dodgy.

The service in general at the Toronto Mec is horrid.

[QUOTE]The service in general at the Toronto Mec is horrid./QUOTE]

This has NOT been my experience.

Cyril

[QUOTE]The service in general at the Toronto Mec is horrid./QUOTE]

This has NOT been my experience.

Cyril


That must be because you chose the self-serve option and chose to not seek out the hiding smug employees.

I just bought the Origami folding bike from the Toronto MEC store today. The employee who helped me was incredibly friendly and helpful. He showed me how to fold it, answered all my questions and didn't show an ounce of impatience as I took my time to look the bike over and make up my mind. He even invited me to take it for a test run, which I did, without me even having to ask. Also, the bike shop mechanic who checked over the bike before I took it home was very friendly and even gave me some free bolts to mount my water bottle cage. Every time I've been to the Toronto MEC, the staff have happily assisted me and answered my questions. I've never felt any sales pressure from them either.

As for the bike, the Origami is very zippy. It accelerates much faster than my Trek 7.2 FX and the gear range on the IGH easily gets me up moderate hills and lets me go bombing down them while pedaling at a reasonable pace. I rode it for several hours once I got it home and I loved it.

It would generally be a mistake to buy a bike at MEC - this upon careful consideration. There is no advantage and they are more costly than at a LBS. Selling bicycles is also very far outside the original MEC mandate. It appears that MEC is becoming Wal-mart.

Just a quick look...but an Alloy 105 bike is around $1600-$1700 elsewhere while it is $1400 at MEC.. I've purchased lots at MEC and my LBS but to say they're more expensive is incorrect.

For example a Bikeforums favourite Caad 9: http://www.sportinglife.ca/sportinglife/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=23418742&categoryId=BIKE_TYPES_ROAD_BIKES

[QUOTE=Cyril;10718097]


That must be because you chose the self-serve option and chose to not seek out the hiding smug employees.

LOL!
While it is true that I tend to prefer to "self-serve", the last time I was in the Toronto MEC, Sunday April 19th,
I was waited on promptly and courteously by three employees in the Bike, Paddling,and Backpacking departments , respectively.
The Man I talked to in the bike department advised me on sizing for rain covers for my road shoes....and ran to the back room to get a pair when we found XXL was not out on the rack. We also talked about Touring-- He's toured a few times in Chile, Cuba, and takes bunch of MEC members to Manitoulin Island on tour every year. He Commutes 30 km to work (round trip) and recommends x-country ski glove for warmth on those days where the temp is just above freezing and it is raining buckets. Great guy.

The other employees I dealt with were equally as friendly and helpful.

The smug ones must have been hiding out or on break.....I never saw them.


Cyril

I was drooling over a winter jacket that was in the sale rack at MEC, but it still showed as full price, which was over $150. Helpful employee looked in the computer, told me no it wasn't priced down, but it was the last one in the system -- not just the last one in Toronto, but the last one in MEC Canada.

He offered me 25 percent off, so I took it.

I have a road bike I love, a folding (maybe touring) bike and a road bike that I turned into a commuter. If I need a real commuter, with disc breaks, internal hub and flat bars I'd buy the MEC city bike in a heartbeat.

No, I used to think more along the lines you suggest. But the service and all that at MEC is demonstrably terrible when it comes to bikes and a solid relationship with a real bike store would be much better. MEC bikes are pricey and the service is dodgy.

The service in general at the Toronto Mec is horrid.


The LBS closest to me is staffed partly by pleasant knowledgeable people (mostly part-timer staff, unfortunately) and partly by smug know-nothing wanna-be rebel posers (mostly full-timers) who provide poor service and poorer (and often dead wrong) advice. If I shop there now I go there only because a) they have exactly what I am looking for and b) they don't have to touch my bike to give me what I'm looking for (their techs forget to do the little things like properly tighten your wheel quick releases after servicing your bike and actually putting the parts on that they charge your for) and c) they are the same price as other LBS.



OTOH, ther's a LBS that is twice as far away from me and much less convenient to get to but their staff and service are top drawer. I'll go there sometimes just to browse.



The same goes for MEC which is not quite as far away but parking can be a bugger. I was looking for a bottom bracket wrench and the MEC tech took the time to look my bike up on the web (not a MEC bike) and tell me which wrench I needed. Then I needed help in the paddling section and he paged someone for me as it was not his area of expertise.



As for MEC pricing, I did a price comparision based on components and frame types and found the MEC bikes to be less expensive than similarly equiped Specialized and Trek models.

[QUOTE=RedWhiteandRed;10718450]

LOL!
While it is true that I tend to prefer to "self-serve", the last time I was in the Toronto MEC, Sunday April 19th,
I was waited on promptly and courteously by three employees in the Bike, Paddling,and Backpacking departments , respectively.

The other employees I dealt with were equally as friendly and helpful.

The smug ones must have been hiding out or on break.....I never saw them.
Cyril


The smugness goes down on the weekend and in the evening. The full time day staff are laughably soviet. I asked the check-out girl about the surliness and she said that it was normal. I inquired about the store manager and was informed that he was rarely at the store.

I have been an MEC member since 1982 and have shopped at most locations: Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and more ---->>>> the Toronto store is a tragedy.

There is no MEC store where I live, but I've ordered many things online (lights, fenders, locks, tools, etc.) The only store I've ever visited is in Burlington - which I get to do everytime my wife wants me to take her to IKEA which is right down the road. A win-win situation (I don't mind IKEA's products, either, I'm sitting on one of their easy chairs as I type this.) I really like the looks of the Hold Steady, but I prefer a full chromo frameset over an aluminum frame/carbon fork setup. I'd consider it if it MEC had a great sale, though.

... I have been an MEC member since 1982 and have shopped at most locations: Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and more ---->>>> the Toronto store is a tragedy.

I've been an MEC member since about 1985. I've never yet had anything but a pleasant experience with staff, including the Toronto store bike staff while shopping for bikes this winter.

I was tempted by the 1971 model but ran out of shopping time. Maybe on my next visit to TO.