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Questions about bike hire abroad and everything light bike related. No off-topic chat please

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Rishie
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:24 pm

by Rishie

Hi all,

New to Toronto (moved to the downtown area for a year) and I was wondering if some of the locals would be able to guide/ help with some queries?

1. A decent bike mechanic. Not just someone who services bikes but also someone who takes the time to fix problems because they like to and don't just want to sell you a new part. I appreciate this involves building a relationship but would be happy to do so as am already working on a purchasing a decent commuter.

2. A place that sells decent second hand bikes? I'm here for a year and have bought a nice bike across but want a cheap and reliable commuter to do about 20K a day comfortably and quickly.

3. A cycle club to join. I have cycled with a few and am aware of etiquette of group riding etc. I'd prefer to join one that does not meeet far out from downtown but equally would be happy to go 5 - 10 km for a decent one.

FWIW, I have searched for a lot of these online and on the forum but thought I'd ask in case there some fresh ideas.

Thanks in advance.

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LouisN
Posts: 3510
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:44 am
Location: Canada

by LouisN

Hi Rishie,

1. Can't help you with that. I'm over 1000 km's north east.
2. Look for Facebook "cycling buy and sell" groups. Zillions of offers there. Craigslist is out. You might be able to find what you're looking for in "1." also in these same FB groups.
3. Look here, : https://ontariocycling.org/clubs/

LOuis :)

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Rishie
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:24 pm

by Rishie

Hi Louis, thanks for responding. To be honest, I have seen most of those and read a lot about the various clubs. Just looking for some personal recommendations really,

bikeboy1tr
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Location: Southern Ontario Canada

by bikeboy1tr

Technical Difficulties.
Last edited by bikeboy1tr on Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=154188
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bikeboy1tr
Posts: 1395
Joined: Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:19 am
Location: Southern Ontario Canada

by bikeboy1tr

Hey Rishi I am outside the TO area but I am familiar with a few of the shops there. Wheels of Bloor has good deals on bikes but I wouldnt take my bikes there for service as I could tell you a few horror stories I have heard and experienced myself. La Bicicletta is good for service and carry some high end bikes as well. They do as far as I know have some rides going out of the store.
A friend has been going to Via Ciclante who carry high end bikes and he claims the service is excellent.
https://www.viaciclante.com
Blacksmith Cycle carries some really nice high end parts and bikes but not familiar with the service but they do build wheels their.
https://blacksmithcycle.com
Black Inc is another shop that I have no personal experience with but one of the guys their who once worked for La Bici did a bike fit for my wife and it was spot on.
https://blackinc.cc
As far as the clubs go in that area cant really say much other than the Donut ride that is a good sportif ride that seems to be quite popular.
http://www.donutride-toronto.ca/ride_routes.html
Also Midweek cycling organises some good race training if you are into it.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=154188
2018 Colnago V2R Rim Brake
2019 Colnago V2R Disc Brake
2014 Norco Threshold Disc Brake
2006 Ridley Crosswind Rim Brake

Rishie
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:24 pm

by Rishie

bikeboy1tr wrote:
Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:39 am
Hey Rishi I am outside the TO area but I am familiar with a few of the shops there. Wheels of Bloor has good deals on bikes but I wouldnt take my bikes there for service as I could tell you a few horror stories I have heard and experienced myself. La Bicicletta is good for service and carry some high end bikes as well. They do as far as I know have some rides going out of the store.
A friend has been going to Via Ciclante who carry high end bikes and he claims the service is excellent.
https://www.viaciclante.com
Blacksmith Cycle carries some really nice high end parts and bikes but not familiar with the service but they do build wheels their.
https://blacksmithcycle.com
Black Inc is another shop that I have no personal experience with but one of the guys their who once worked for La Bici did a bike fit for my wife and it was spot on.
https://blackinc.cc
As far as the clubs go in that area cant really say much other than the Donut ride that is a good sportif ride that seems to be quite popular.
http://www.donutride-toronto.ca/ride_routes.html
Also Midweek cycling organises some good race training if you are into it.
Thanks, that's pretty comprehensive. :thumbup:

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torob
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:28 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario

by torob

Rishie wrote:
Sat Jul 17, 2021 1:55 pm
bikeboy1tr wrote:
Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:39 am
Hey Rishi I am outside the TO area but I am familiar with a few of the shops there. Wheels of Bloor has good deals on bikes but I wouldnt take my bikes there for service as I could tell you a few horror stories I have heard and experienced myself. La Bicicletta is good for service and carry some high end bikes as well. They do as far as I know have some rides going out of the store.
A friend has been going to Via Ciclante who carry high end bikes and he claims the service is excellent.
https://www.viaciclante.com
Blacksmith Cycle carries some really nice high end parts and bikes but not familiar with the service but they do build wheels their.
https://blacksmithcycle.com
Black Inc is another shop that I have no personal experience with but one of the guys their who once worked for La Bici did a bike fit for my wife and it was spot on.
https://blackinc.cc
As far as the clubs go in that area cant really say much other than the Donut ride that is a good sportif ride that seems to be quite popular.
http://www.donutride-toronto.ca/ride_routes.html
Also Midweek cycling organises some good race training if you are into it.
Thanks, that's pretty comprehensive. :thumbup:
I think by blackinc you probably meant the11inc. (https://the11inc.com) which is owned by a former labicicletta shop (https://labicicletta.com) partner. If you're looking for the weight weenies type builds blacksmith is THE spot :up: . I buy from the latter two.

Be careful with the donut ride. It can be a lot of fun, but keep your elbows out. It's a weird mix of seasoned vets, local team riders and new-to-grouprides.

For legitimate clubs (you know, with a license and insurance and all that good stuff :smartass: ), the most accessible / organized is Morning Glory Cycle Club. It's by far the largest. Others (depending on your area) would be Darkhorse and Beaches Cycling Club.
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MarkoP
Posts: 218
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2019 7:48 pm

by MarkoP

Via Ciclante has excellent service and bike fitting. I speak from personal experience. JP is the owner.

I have read that Kind Human have excellent service and that their mech is highly regarded -https://www.kindhuman.cc/

I'm not sure about group rides or second hand bikes but for the latter you can start with Toronto Facebook road bike marketplace, Pink Bike and Kijiji.
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Rishie
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:24 pm

by Rishie

Thanks, all very useful.

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Mr.Gib
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by Mr.Gib

Just a second caution on the donut ride. Beyond "elbows out", if you are not strong enough to hang in the front third of the peloton, (so really strong) than best to avoid it. Many days it would take 400 watts just to hold position in the long drag up Keele Street.
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gwilson
Posts: 138
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2018 3:41 am
Location: Canada

by gwilson

Hi Rishie, not sure where in Toronto you plan on being located but I'd definitely say the11 is the best service I've found for mid to high end road bikes in Toronto. They sell quite a few brands but will service any decent road bike. A lot of groups have had their last two years ruined by covid so many have changed. A lot of them are neighbourhood/area specific but if you're somewhat close to downtown I'll say that I've heard a lot of good things about Dark Horse Flyers. Good riding while friendly and welcoming.

Rishie
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:24 pm

by Rishie

Thanks Mr.Gib and GWilson.

Message received re: donut ride. I'm well and truly downtown, just on College off Yonge so will look at Dark Horse too.

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VTR1000SP2
Posts: 930
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:21 pm

by VTR1000SP2

Cheapest service is in Mississauga at MBS Tandems
In Toronto proper, some options above have been mentioned.

For clubs, start with MGCC for sure. They have a Leaside, a High Park, and a Oakville chapter.

For used bikes, My Little Bike Shop or used marketplace on Kijiji and Facebook.


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GonaSovereign
Posts: 550
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:34 pm
Location: New Zero Kanada 43° 40' 0" N, 79° 25' 0" W

by GonaSovereign

Blacksmith is a nice shop with high-end/boutique brands.
Wheels of Bloor is a good shop with Cervélo, BMC, Specialized, etc
Batemans is a good shop with more of an MTB focus as well as road and less expensive bikes.
Any of them are good for service.

The Donut Ride is fine and a solid hard ride if you’re quite fit and will stay at the front. Otherwise it’s a sh*t show of people hanging on for dear life. Expect one hour of hard riding and an hour of meandering.
Check out Midweek Club. They run most of the local races and are a good group. They are more west of the core.
Morning Glory is an established club with a number of local rides east and west.

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