good bike shops in Toronto?
12-30-01, 08:31 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
good bike shops in Toronto?
Hi Bike Forum,
I am posting here after a suggestion from someone on the rec.bicycles.misc newsgroup. My dad lives in Toronto and my brothers and I are trying to find a good bike shop there to buy him a bike or give him a gift certificate to buy a bike. He is a recreational biker and I'm thinking he would probably be interested in a hybrid-commuter type of bike -- something easy to ride around but which can also take the bumps of a city. (His last bike was a Peugot he bought in France in 1974 or something...) So, we're not looking to get him a serious racing or moutain bike, but something well-made -- we figure we can spend about $ 400-500 USD.
Anyone know of a good shop that would handle this kind of transaction? We all live in the States pretty far away from Toronto, so would have to do this via web or phone. It would be ideal to get him a gift certificate since then he can go into a shop and choose the best bike for him.
Thanks for any help.
By the way, to the webmaster of this site, this is without a doubt the most sophisticated and well-constructed "public" bulletin board I have ever seen on the web. Nice work!
I am posting here after a suggestion from someone on the rec.bicycles.misc newsgroup. My dad lives in Toronto and my brothers and I are trying to find a good bike shop there to buy him a bike or give him a gift certificate to buy a bike. He is a recreational biker and I'm thinking he would probably be interested in a hybrid-commuter type of bike -- something easy to ride around but which can also take the bumps of a city. (His last bike was a Peugot he bought in France in 1974 or something...) So, we're not looking to get him a serious racing or moutain bike, but something well-made -- we figure we can spend about $ 400-500 USD.
Anyone know of a good shop that would handle this kind of transaction? We all live in the States pretty far away from Toronto, so would have to do this via web or phone. It would be ideal to get him a gift certificate since then he can go into a shop and choose the best bike for him.
Thanks for any help.
By the way, to the webmaster of this site, this is without a doubt the most sophisticated and well-constructed "public" bulletin board I have ever seen on the web. Nice work!
12-30-01, 09:14 PM
#2
Guitar Hero
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 403
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi Joe , welcome to the forums , I hope you enjoy your time here , to my knowledge no forum members actually live in Toronto, I would try doing a search on the net for bike shops in that area , good luck .
__________________
Velosophy#1: It is better to have a bicycle and no money , than money and no bicycle ! Velosophy # 2 : "Winning is simple, but not easy." #3: "Give a man a fish and he shall eat for a day , teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day"
Velosophy#1: It is better to have a bicycle and no money , than money and no bicycle ! Velosophy # 2 : "Winning is simple, but not easy." #3: "Give a man a fish and he shall eat for a day , teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day"
12-30-01, 09:23 PM
#3
human
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: living in the moment
Posts: 3,562
Bikes: 2005 Litespeed Teramo, 2000 Marinoni Leggero, 2001 Kona Major Jake (with Campy Centaur), 1997 Specialized S-Works M2, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm a Montrealer [un vrais Montrealais de souche, estie!], so I don't know too much about bike shops in Hogtown. However, some that I have HEARD of are...
La Bicicletta at 2109 Bloor Street West, (416) 762-2679. I've generally heard good things about this one.
Velotique at 1592 Queen St. E. [near the Beaches, I guess], (416) 466-3171. I know nothing about these folks, but they have a pretty good Web site.
Gears Bike shop in Port Credit [near-ish Toronto], which sponsors a pretty well-regarded MTB team...
Not much, but that's what I have.
La Bicicletta at 2109 Bloor Street West, (416) 762-2679. I've generally heard good things about this one.
Velotique at 1592 Queen St. E. [near the Beaches, I guess], (416) 466-3171. I know nothing about these folks, but they have a pretty good Web site.
Gears Bike shop in Port Credit [near-ish Toronto], which sponsors a pretty well-regarded MTB team...
Not much, but that's what I have.
__________________
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
12-30-01, 11:40 PM
#4
Love Me....Love My Bike!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,231
Bikes: Bikes: Giant hybrid, Trek 4500, Cannondale R800 Some commuting 20mi/day, mostly fitness riding - 20-50 mile rides
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by joe-r
By the way, to the webmaster of this site, this is without a doubt the most sophisticated and well-constructed "public" bulletin board I have ever seen on the web. Nice work!
By the way, to the webmaster of this site, this is without a doubt the most sophisticated and well-constructed "public" bulletin board I have ever seen on the web. Nice work!
Maybe Orguasch can help us out here, he's in TO.
Welcome to BFC joe-r, we all think the forums and especially the janitor...er, webmaster, are pretty good, too!
__________________
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
12-31-01, 12:01 AM
#5
BikeForums Founder
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Utah.
Posts: 4,249
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Aww, thanks!
"Stop trying to select a bike and start trying to select your bicycle specialist." I think your best bet in this situation would be to call a handful of bike shops in Toronto. Let them know about the situation, find a shop that specialize in recreational riding. You dont need a shop that is going to carry $5k road bikes, or $3k mtn bikes.
I would also defiantly go with the gift certificate, purchasing a bike is a personally thing (see threads on bike fit). I think you would be much better off finding a good bike shop, then going with a gift certificate.
Good luck with the purchase!
"Stop trying to select a bike and start trying to select your bicycle specialist." I think your best bet in this situation would be to call a handful of bike shops in Toronto. Let them know about the situation, find a shop that specialize in recreational riding. You dont need a shop that is going to carry $5k road bikes, or $3k mtn bikes.
I would also defiantly go with the gift certificate, purchasing a bike is a personally thing (see threads on bike fit). I think you would be much better off finding a good bike shop, then going with a gift certificate.
Good luck with the purchase!
12-31-01, 10:14 AM
#6
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: upstate New York
Posts: 1,688
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was considering mentioning both of those shops (I've actually patronised la bicicletta before), but both of them are pretty road bike oriented. I doubt either store stocks much else, or any bikes under about $1200 canadian.
__________________
Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
12-31-01, 11:36 AM
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey, thanks to all for the advice. I have found a bunch of places and have called or will call them. It seems like Toronto has the highest per capita # of bike shops in N. America! Too much to choose from, almost...
RE: this forum, I was talking about the form not the content! (though I'm sure the content lives up to the standard set by the form!)
RE: this forum, I was talking about the form not the content!
(though I'm sure the content lives up to the standard set by the form!)
12-31-01, 11:50 AM
#8
human
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: living in the moment
Posts: 3,562
Bikes: 2005 Litespeed Teramo, 2000 Marinoni Leggero, 2001 Kona Major Jake (with Campy Centaur), 1997 Specialized S-Works M2, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally posted by joe-r
Hey, thanks to all for the advice. I have found a bunch of places and have called or will call them. It seems like Toronto has the highest per capita # of bike shops in N. America!
Hey, thanks to all for the advice. I have found a bunch of places and have called or will call them. It seems like Toronto has the highest per capita # of bike shops in N. America!
__________________
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
01-01-02, 05:17 PM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Bradford, Ontario
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-19-02, 07:29 PM
#10
riding a Pinarello Prince
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Downtown Toronto,Canada
Posts: 2,409
Bikes: Pinarello, Prince and an FP5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just read my private message and got hold of the good bike shop in Toronto, I hope is not to late, I can mentiuon to a couple of good bike shop right here in Toronto, there is Dukes Bike shop at queen street/Bathurst Stree, they deal with Cannondale Bikes, and there is La Bicicleta along Bloor street, also can sell you hybrid and MTB, Racer Sportiff also along Bloor street, Pedlar Bike Shop is Located at Avenue Road and the bike shop I really patronized is Pavan Cycle, which is located at matheson Blvd., in Missasauga, if you need more information I will go out of my way to get there Telephone Number.
__________________
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
02-19-02, 07:43 PM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Another good one is called Wheels of Bloor 416-762-9119. They are a smaller shop but are helpful and know their stuff. They sell mostly commuters and Mountain bikes.
02-19-02, 10:16 PM
#13
Mad For Marinoni !!!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Matheson, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 438
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you get a chance to get to London, Ontario you will find a really top end bike shop there called Champion Bicycles. They carry all the top end bikes and they have some of the best prices anywhere. They will beat any other advertised price.
Here is the site address:
www.cbss.ca
Here is the site address:
www.cbss.ca
02-20-02, 04:44 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Toronto,ontario,Canada
Posts: 299
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hi.. i bought my bike at Dukes.. not bad.. a little pricey but service was great..
for a good selection of bikes..including fs and xc....
www.cyclesolutions.com
they are really nice ppl and there is two locations.
for a good selection of bikes..including fs and xc....
www.cyclesolutions.com
they are really nice ppl and there is two locations.
02-24-02, 10:10 AM
#15
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions, I'm sorry to say I stop monitoring this thread after I decided on a bike shop in mid-Jan. And, the place I ultimately chose was . . . Spinning Wheels on Carleton St. They were very nice and seemed to have a pretty good selection of "comfort bikes" which is the exact fit for my dad (they also have a 2 year warranty under which they do maintenance and repairs for free). Best of all, they are just a few blocks from his place in Toronto. Needless to say he was very excited and is waiting for winter to tail off to take his new bike out.
