DocRay

If you ever visit Toronto, check out Mountain Equipment Co-op (www.mec.ca).

I've been going here for years, they have the best priced cycling wear, but it is also among the highest quality stuff. They are a real cooperative, and rely on a lot of customer feedback and will not carry low quality stuff. I've got some cold weather gear that I realized yesterday is >12 years old and looks like new. MEC is not secret in Toronto, as most cyclist in the city wear their windbreakers, but for those visiting, even with the current US dollar, its a bargain (but you need a $5 lifetime membership). Cool place.

hmai18

Amen; MEC is da bomb. It's not really a secret anywhere, though. There are stores in the major city in each province and they do mail order.

I'm certainly glad they have a location here in Ottawa.

ETQC

Don't tell anyone, but I wear their 27$ cycling shorts, and they're the bomb. All over canada is correct.

90% of my clothes come from there, biological cotton stuff, polos, etc.<

Also:

25$ for a wireless speed, wired candence computer
12$ for leather-palmed cycling gloves
13.50$ (x2) for continental ultra sport kevlar belted tires : automn tires for me.

ViperZ

I love MEC and have been a card carrying member since 1989.

I bought my Sidi Dominator 5s there. They were $245 at MEC, however $330 at a local LBS. Plus I don't get charged 7% provincial sales tax

The Continental GP3000 are $49 each at MEC, $68 at a LBS.


Everytime I go to the MEC in Calgary, I load the basket real good. I have purchased a lot of my Back Packing gear from there.


I also do a lot of shopping on line MEC.ca

Shipping is always reasonable. $6 on my last order of shoes, Jersey and some tools.

lethbri1

This sounds very similar the the REI stores we have in the states. I do believe it is also some sort of Co-Op. You can't beat the deals on outdoor equipment at these places.

DocRay

MEC shipping is reasonable..it's actually cheaper for me to ship than drive to Toronto to pick up the stuff.

ViperZ

Simular concept. REI store are cool in that they carry more brand name stuff like The North Face, Mountain Hardware...etc . MEC carries brand name equipment (Hardware), however it's more geared towards good valued clothing branded with their own name (Nice stuff regardless of price). All other equipment is brand name.

MEC credits you purchases with a points system that accumalates based on purchases, however it's never paid out unless you cash in your member ship. I like REI's virtual dollar system more, however I suppose the system we have works for usually the prices on the gear at MEC is much lower than retail.