- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Our Community Bikes
Category: Shopping Sporting Goods Bikes Bikes [Edit]
3283 Main StVancouver, BC V5V 3M6
Neighbourhood: Riley Park
(604) 879-2453
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for Our Community Bikes
Review Highlights
"They teach you how to fix your bike, regardless of your..."
(in 7 reviews)
"...with a large selection of tools (they got urrthang), and..."
(in 9 reviews)
"...a mystery that only those magic bike mechanics can fix."
(in 2 reviews)
Loading...
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Mister S.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our Community Bikes is my favourite place to go on a rainy day. They're always helpful, even when they're super busy.
It seems like a lot of people have some misconceptions about what OCB is. It's a co-op, not a retail store. If you're expecting full service bike repair, think again. OCB is for those who want to get their hands dirty. Come here to learn how to fix your own problems. The staff and volunteers are generally swamped, so be patient. While I have had bad service there before, it was a long time ago and seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
With a large selection of second hand parts and economy brand new parts, along with a large selection of tools (they got urrthang), and knowledgeable staff, OCB is the place to go for a quick fix and an easy lesson.
I do recommend showing up early, as some projects will take a lot longer than you think they will! -
Review from Robin M.
5/20/2011 1 photo
During garage sale season a few years ago, the sun was beginning to set in the suburbs, and I was having a hard time finding anything worth my money. But then there it was: just hanging in the back of a suburban garage was the most overwhelmingly perfect red road bike. Even though it wasn't officially for sale, I inquired about the flawless little guy... and that was the day I bought me some suburban road bike gold.
But gold or not, a bike still needs some love.
After a few recommendations, I decided to check out OCB. Thank god I did. Even though it's a community bike shop, actually knowing how to fix everything yourself isn't a prerequisite to renting space. It's the opposite actually -- there are tons of *real* bike mechanics/fixers/gurus/geniuses to help guide you along. A perfect set-up for people like me who don't necessarily want to know how to fix every single thing on a bike, OCB is ideal for learning basic trouble-shooting just in case something does go awry on the road.
The only downfall of OCB is that it can sometimes be super hectic, and finding space (or help) when you need it doesn't always materialize. But at prices so low, I find it hard to complain. Besides, because of OCB, my red bike stays gold. -
Review from Brian S.
Vancouver, BC
10/23/2011
The Hipster & gender politics can be thick. Today the shop was clean and the tools where all put away. Its not always like that. They take donations. If you have a little coin and less time on your hands go retail. I have booked their workshops in the past but someone from the shop always called and canceled them before the date. This place is still A-OK in my books.
-
Review from Helen T.
Vancouver, BC
7/18/2011
I completely get why people love this place. They teach you how to fix your bike, regardless of your knowledge level, they provide cheap rates, tools, expertise and they empower people to do things themselves through various community programs and services. And they are enthusiastic about their bikes. Woo, are they ever.
But before I continue patting OCB on the back, I must detail my lone experience at this shop. I came in, looking for some help. I had two hours and a hole in my tire. I did not think that it would require this much time. I patiently waited after I completed each task, as my instructor talked about her weekend and her upcoming trip to Berlin with her coworkers. I didn't interrupt or anything, but after a while I stated losing my patience after hearing her telling the 8th person about her trip while I waited. Why am I paying for this?!
And when I asked for clarification, I was made to feel like I was a total nimrod.
Not super eager to come back, but I am intrigued about learning more, so I might attend a focussed session when I might actually have someone's attention. -
Review from Cait j.
Vancouver, BC
4/1/2011
OCB is great for the in and out, do-it-yourself, find a part, quick fix, borrow a tool, get the hell out of there rider. I dont expect a lot of attention when I am there, in fact I try to fly as low under the radar as possible. I like it that way, and I am fairly certain they do too. Yea yea, they are there to help, but unless you are paying for something, anything, you can pretty much forget about it. Most of the staff are friendly enough that when its slow you can have a chat while you wade through the parts for a lucky find. The space is really very small considering it typically tries to host 10+ weekend warriors and their rides in need of a tune up. So, I can understand the frustration of the volunteers and employees.
In all, OCB is serving its purpose and I am thankful for its convenience and low prices for lightly used parts that I have found. -
Review from Eric R.
Vancouver, BC
12/8/2010
Thank God for OCB.
$5/hour-do it yourself
$10/hour-verbal help
$15/hour-hands-on help
$40/hour-they'll do everything.
Their mandate is to educate and empower the public to fix their own bikes and they provide all the tools you'll need, plus stands, plus sweet tunes. Everyone is cool and friendly as long as you give them no guff.
OCB has saved me $100's by not having to shell out for very expensive bike tools, supplying good quality parts at good prices, and service that can't be beat.
Non-profit! Support! -
Review from Pete S.
Vancouver, BC
5/28/2010
I have mixed feelings about OCB. I've been here on a number of occasions to work on a few different bikes I own. I would say i am an intermediate bike mechanic - i can't build a wheel but i know how to fix a flat and do a basic tune.
They have a giant selection of tools to work on all sorts of bikes. the exception being mountain bikes. i don't fault them for this as they are geared to the road/commuter crowd, but fixing my big DH rig at OCB got me a few funny looks. and if you want to learn to do a brake bleed, bring your own bleed kit and be prepared to wait a while for instructions.
I find the biggest problems with OCB to be the crowds and the space provided to work on bikes. This is a reflection of what a good idea OCB is. if you go on a weekend, get there early and be prepared to wait a while if you need some help.
For the most part their staff are great. A couple of them give you the standard 'i know more about bikes so i'm going to be condescending' attitude, but a couple of their staff are real gems.
if you need to work on your bike, try to bring it in on a weekday, early on weekend mornings or in the winter, otherwise this place turns into a madhouse. also, come in with a plan of what you want to do to your bike so you're not at a loss when you get in the door. even if you don't know what needs fixing, be prepared to describe what the problem is.
happy riding! -
Review from Vanessa S.
Vancouver, BC
8/21/2009
Wait forever to deal with staff with (bad) attitude.
So I walked into Our Community Bikes on a "quiet day", a rainy weekday afternoon with my brand-new-to-me, hand-me-down bike. I had never worked on a bike before, had almost no knowledge of bike workings, but I was super keen to learn by doing.
I was very patient and polite about waiting for my turn on a bike clamp (holder), and very clear that I needed lots of informational assistance and direction.
Everyone that worked there that I dealt with was very curt, and the woman who was helping me was inattentive, so that I was continously waiting to learn the next step of what I should do.
It wasn't until the very end that she told me I could have asked anyone in the shop for help (I didn't because everyone seemed super busy and I thought I had been "assigned" her).
Let me be clear about how frustrating this experience was: at one point I was feeling so stupid about my lack of knowledge that I was near tears.
My experience was redeemed by a very kind man with a sense of humour, who didn't even work there! But they should hire more people like him, or train the staff better. (I was there for a total of five 1/2hours).
I absolutely love the idea of our community bikes, and I stuck it out because I have patience, humility and a sense of humour and was rewarded with new brakes and a new wheel that I put on myself.
But I think there is no reason the experience should be that agonizing! Something is wrong with their system, because with staff acting like that they are alienating exactly the people they should be trying to draw into their shop.
I may return, because that's how keen I am on the idea of empowering people to fix their own bikes, but I'm trying out the Bike Kitchen first. -
Review from vanessa G.
Vancouver, BC
7/10/2010 2 Check-ins Here
After a few people recommended this place to me, i decided to finally check it out. And i have to say... wow.. this is my kind of shop. If you couldn't tell by the name already it's a community bike shop. You can show up, put your name on a list and someone will help you for a small fee. If you want to just work on your own bike and use there tools it will cost you $6 and hour.
They also take all sorts of donations, including bikes. It's a good place to pick up a used bike that has been tuned up, and will also come with a 3 month parts warranty. I donated some pedals and the gratitude was genuine. So they thank me, and i thank them. Win win. That's community. -
Review from Tim L.
Vancouver, BC
7/30/2009
For all those people like me who wish they actually knew how to fix that noisy rear derailleur or put an end to those mushy brakes, Our Community Bikes is the answer my friends.
So the concept is pretty simple: they are pretty much an open-to-all style bike shop replete with all the proper tools and replacement parts (all fairly low quality, recycled but usable, parts mind you), but most importantly the shop comes stocked with helpful bike-gurus to guide you on your way. Though it should be noted that you can go in and simply use their space and tools for those "soloists" out there.
But how is it in practice, when the rubber hits the road, so to speak? To be honest with you, the place is usually fairly busy and you have to be both extremely patient and assertive with flagging down someone for help. Try not to get frustrated. In the big picture though, you get bike fixed up pretty quickly compared to taking your bike in to a regular bike shop and, most importantly, you will have figured out how to do it yourself. So if you're planning a somewhat different cycling adventure at OCB, good luck and godspeed! -
Review from Dani B.
2/16/2009
I like the feel of this place, but I did find the staff very unfriendly.
Unfortunately, at the moment I don't have enough time to learn how to fix my bike, and since I ride it to work every day, I appreciate good service.
Unfortunately the staff probably saw me and thought I was a poser or something because they were less then enthused to help me, however they did tell me where to get the best deals on bike parts.
All in all, they keep it legit at Our Community Bikes and they are a-ok, and if you are a bike wiz this is definitely the place for you. -
Review from wanderlust c.
Vancouver, BC
5/9/2009
The name says it all. I agree its a gem on main street.
Had a rear flat. They were great. Just enough elbow room. I got help and assistance. Rode home happy. -
Review from Luke L.
Vancouver, BC
3/2/2011
okay, you're gonna get frusterated when you go to this place, but you gotta set your expectations to a different standard when you're checking in at OCB.
first, it's slow. real slow. it's busy, you're gonna have to wait for a stand, and if you need help, it'll come when someones got time to direct you for a few minutes. don't walk in the door if you've only got an hour; wait for a rainy afternoon with nohting to do, and set yourself to learning something that day and you'll draw a great OCB experience.
they've got a variety of staff that will teach you how to problem-solve your bike, not just fix it. You may get it mickey-moused, but it'll go, and you'll have learned to do it yourself. ask for Jesse or Jen to help you if you need help and they're around, they're both fantastic.
they've got mostly used and some new parts, and lots of tools in various states of functionality. the whole deal at this place is like McGyver for your bike, and you get to be McGyver!
it's very affordable, and while unconventional techniques are the norm at this DIY-repair shop, seriously it's a great service to people who want to learn what it is to be a cyclist and rule your ride.Listed in: shop
-
Review from Daniel L.
10/20/2010 3 Check-ins Here
We are so blessed to have this service in our community, and to have the group of workers that give their time to it... You have to remember that most of the staff are volunteers, so at times it does show, but for the most part (99%) they are great !! Also Pedal Power the other shop has a "Do It Yourself" section with their help. I cant say enough about these guys and what they provide the community and this sort of service and commitment gets a five star all the time !!
-
Review from Teresa N.
Vancouver, BC
4/6/2010
The people here really know what they are doing and don't try to rip you off like other places. learned a lot and had a lot of fun fixing my own bike.
-
Review from Rae M.
Vancouver, BC
7/10/2009
Went in here broke and nervous. The chain snapped on my bike, and as it is one of my first bikes I had no idea how to fix it. Turns out the chain was too short in the first place.
I came on a busy Saturday afternoon and it was about a 15 minute wait before they could get me on a stand. It was extremely crowded, with those who knew how simply using the waiting area as a work station. Those (like me) who did not know how socialized, and the wait was altogether pleasant as a result.
They paired me up with a staff member named Ian, who was very friendly and was good at pushing me. As I had not asked for full service he had the sort of helps-only-when-asked-to but for all the right reasons attitude that actually forces you to start thinking critically about how to fix things. Whenever I came up to something I couldn't figure out, or even something I thought I knew but wasn't certain about, he was right there with answers. I was truly shocked to find out that this was his first day in the store (having come from the Bike Depot.)
I came out of there very happy, without a dent in my pocket (If you can't afford it, they will let you volunteer your time in exchange for work!) On my way out there was another girl at the till trying to insist on giving them more money then the ridiculously low amount they were asking. Best of all, I came out feeling like I'd accomplished something, and that my bike was no longer a mystery that only those magic bike mechanics can fix. -
Review from J B.
Vancouver, BC
8/4/2009
As others have said, it can be crowded and hectic. But if you don't have your own tools, and you don't want to take it to a regular shop because you're into DIY, or you're just broke, this is the place.
Staff are really on the ball with their knowledge, and in general I've found them super friendly. If you can go in on a weekday, it's way less crazy. If you want a walkthrough on general maintenance, they have regular, inexpensive workshops--one of those, plus a bit of patience, and you'll be able to navigate the scrum with good grace.
It's not perfect, but it's top notch for what it is, so I give them five stars. All they really need is more space! -
Review from Peter N.
Vancouver, BC
5/12/2009
I wasn't really prepared for the intense experience that awaited me in my attempt to swap a frame and components on my bike. The place was packed for the two days it took to get my bike back in shape and trying to accomplish this was a frustrating ordeal for me as a cycle novice. But I have to say everybody there was extremely helpful and friendly under duress. They are all bike repair wizards, especially Jessie and Richard who managed to dispense advice and keep their cool under some very stressful conditions. I look back on it as my lost weekend at the anarchist cycleshop bootcamp. I think they're a terrific bunch of people and salute them for their eco friendly approach. They are definitely walking the walk. If they had more room in the workshop things would no doubt have been considerably less hectic. I guess it didn't help that I picked one of the busier weekends to do my tear down. If you're a novice you might want to bone up on your cycle repair skills by taking one of their workshops before attempting a major rebuild. In any event, I recommend the place wholeheartedly.
-
Review from J G.
Vancouver, BC
9/19/2008 1 photo
On a scale of 1-10 this store gets at least 11 points for being socially engaged, environmentally sustainable and above all, everyone here seems really friendly. Our Community Bikes is not your average bike store. First of all, they reclaim old bikes and refurbish and sell them thereby reducing waste. They'll fix your bike for you, but they're more into teaching you to fix it yourself and to promote this they offer workshops and classes in bicycle-fixing and empowerment. One of the greatest things they have on offer though, is the five week program that allows youth to build their own bicycle and then ride away with the satisfaction of having built their own transportation. This place is like a do-gooder community centre for lovers of two-wheel transportation. Just remember that they close early on the last Friday of each month so that they can go on Critical Mass. Yeah!
