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Foster's Sports Centre Ltd
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
5 reviews for Foster's Sports Centre Ltd
5 reviews in English
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Review from V d.
Ottawa, ON
Updated - 3/25/2012
I started biking regularly last summer in Ottawa and have had nothing but great service from Foster's. They've outfitted my new bike (9 months old - so cute and pink!), with a basket, raised my seat and done some magic on my gears and brakes. Occasionally they've even done me some favours! Great local bike shop. I just took mine back in to fix some shaky tires today.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/28/2010
I just bought my husband a pair of expensive biking gloves on the 22 Dec. When I purchased them, I… Read more »
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Review from Azim A.
Ottawa, ON
10/19/2008
A very helpful and fast servicve can be found here at Foster's. While they specialize in bike repair and services, they also have other sporting equipment in hunting, off-roading, and even martial arts. In fact, they have fairly extensive martial arts section.
The prices are reasonable, the location is decent, and the service is outstanding. Not much more you can ask for from a sports store. -
Review from Hannah V.
Vancouver, BC
6/27/2011
I am a regular commuter cyclist and that includes in Ottawa's winter. Thank you, transit strike of 2008-2009 for introducing me to that desperation. I also happen to be female and moderately knowledgeable about bike maintenance and repair. What all this is leading up to is that I refuse to give money to businesses that can't come to terms with the above facts. I've have some pretty negative bike store experiences in Ottawa, including guys switching from gear talk to dumbed down "girl friendly" language and making statements like "that installation is pretty good...for a girl!" Seriously. For that reason, I haven't gone anywhere but Fosters in about 3 years. The owners and staff are knowledgeable, respectful and have never pushed me to spend more. In fact, I've been told that a cheaper products will do, had quick tuneups done gratis, and even been chased down the street when I left a purchase in store.
Despite all this talk about being strong and tough, I do ride an old-fashioned Dutch granny bike that Foster's ordered and assembled from a non-local distributor for no extra cost when they didn't have what I wanted in stock. They also offer a year's maintenance on bike purchased in store at no extra cost, which they honoured by working on a fairly tricky hub repair for my pricey foreign bike. This is not the place to go if you want the cheapest bike possible, but you will get advice and service far beyond cheaper sports-mart type places.
I almost deducted a star for once being lectured for riding my new bike all winter, despite the fact that winter riding was the reason I chose a steel bike with coaster brakes. It is actually sound advice, so fine, 5 stars it is. -
Review from Cherry B.
Ottawa, ON
8/5/2011
I have been to Fosters twice in the last 3 years that I have lived in Ottawa and both times the people who I asked for help with my bike were complete bike snobs. The first time I went there was shortly after I bought a used bike off of Kijiji. The bike wasn't an expensive bike it was just something to get me from point A to B. I have had bikes stolen a few times so I just didn't want to spend a ton of money on a bike because if it gets stolen I lose lots of money as well as my bike. I went in to Fosters to ask about having the callipars replaced because the ones on my bike were old and made of plastic. The guy reluctantly showed me a set that were over a hundred dollars so I asked if there was anything cheaper and he said. "We only have parts for bikes that cost over 500 dollars; so maybe you should just bring your bike back to Canadian Tire and get them to have a look at it."
I was floored! I couldn't believe he said that to me. I left and took my bike to Peccos on Murry St. They were very friendly and not judgemental about the cost of my bike or how old and heavy it was. They fixed it up for me.
The guys at Peccos were friendly and polite.
The other time I went to Fosters was with the same bike. I only went there because I was at work on Lisgar and Fostesr was the closest place I could go to. Someone had hit my bike with their car. The frame holding the back tire was a bit bent and when I was riding it to work in the morning the tire was rubbing into the frame. It was pretty awful and upsetting to get on my bike that morning and realize that it was damaged pretty badly. So with a little optimism I walked it to Fosters and brought it inside and asked if there was anything they could do to hel[p me.
The two guys working there looked at it and said there was nothing they could do; the bike was a write off and they didn't even touch it or really look at it. I was so upset i was on the verge of tears when I left.
So after work I brought my bike to Peccos again. The guys working there rememberd me and my bike. I told them of both my experiences at Fosters and they totally got where I was coming from. They said they couldn't do anything to take the bend out of the frame because it would compromise the safety of the bike. They did say that they could re-adjust the back tire/ wheel, and fix the spokes so I could still ride it and use it.
They fixed it, I've been riding it for over a year with no problems.
I am now looking to buy a better bike because I love biking on the trails here in Ottawa. I'm planning on spending more money for a better bike.
I most definitely will not be spending any money at Fosters. -
Review from Jeff Y.
8/20/2011
Absolutely the worst, surliest, unhelpful service I've had in a bike shop. Staff was rude, I had to chase them around to ask for help, and on top of it the prices were high and the quality of the tire tube questionable. I've given this place a few chances, and each time it's been unpleasant. go to phat moose or mccranks for a way better experience.
