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Urbane Cyclist
Category: Shopping Sporting Goods Bikes Bikes [Edit]
180 John StToronto, ON M5T 1X5
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
(416) 979-9733
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 6 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for Urbane Cyclist
16 reviews in English
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Review from Aaron C.
Victoria, BC
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Urbane is my first stop for all bicycle related needs while in Toronto. And as a dedicated year round cyclist commuter, that's quite often it seems.
They have the friendliest staff I've met at a bike shop, and fair prices to match. To top that off, they have a great selection of bikes and accessories specifically catering to the commuter crowd.
Something I've definitely appreciated is their tendency to be candid and recommend the best solutions without trying to sell me the most expensive parts. I've often left with a smaller bill because of their recommendations, and to me that's the best way to retain customers.
A great space in a very convenient downtown location, I'd recommend Urbane to anyone looking for a good ride to zip around town or some friendly bike-related advice. -
Review from Marie F.
11/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Although the products here are fab the staff knowledge is touch and go. I have been here on numerous occasions this summer and have received varied levels of knowledgeable service, however they were all quite nice.
Their bike selection is quite nice and when I bought the last demo front light they had I was given a 10% discount.
When I purchased my $179 Brooks seat the employee seemed very unsure of the differences between the different products and failed to provide me with any care information, claiming that it was in the box. When I got home I realized I had to buy oil for the seat which was not included and required another trip to the bike shop. -
Review from Nora C.
9/1/2011
One of the most fairly priced and helpful staffed bicycle shops in all of Toronto. I know, I checked at least a dozen out.
If you need something and you dont want to go to Pirates, Sauce, or CBN, this is the place.
A wide range of parts and people with hearts!! -
Review from Aaron B.
Updated - 5/12/2011
All of the things I said in my previous review still apply, but I've had some recent experiences there that make me want to bump them up a star.
I'm moving out of Toronto and I wanted to pack up my bikes in boxes rather than have them bang around in the truck. I'm a bike of a bike fanatic, so I needed 9 bike boxes. They are constantly building up new bikes, but space is limited and they usually break down the boxes right away: standard procedure. I asked if they could tuck some away, and they took my phone number. A couple of days later I got a call and they had 5 boxes for me. That is totally above and beyond the call of duty and hugely nice thing to do. Even if they can't get the rest, this is awesome, and I expect they'll have more for me in a few days.
I was looking for other bits and pieces to help package up the bikes and a sales guy who was hanging out in the periphery overheard me and showed me a more permanent solution for spacing out the frame during shipping...I never knew such a thing existed and it was perfect!
I don't know if just anybody would get this high-quality service there, maybe it's my charm or just that I stop by the place regularly for my bike bits. But whatever the case, I am now definitely a fan of the Urbane Cyclist.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/8/2010
This is a decent, but not excellent, independent bike shop. It's definitely a cyclist's bike shop… Read more »
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Review from Vivek S.
Updated - 9/21/2010 4 Check-ins Here
All is well with the Urbane Cyclist and me. Harry was indispensible in helping me find a new bicycle after mine was untimely ripped from the bike post in front of my apartment. His advice was pretty invaluable as I test rode bike-after-bike, even riding a few of them again just to make absolutely sure. Just so you know, bring Gov't ID and a credit card if you want to test ride something. Grange Park nearby is a great place to do it.
Once sold, the bike takes a day or two to build (you don't get the floor model) and you also get 10% off any modifications or accessories you want to buy for your new ride.Listed in: I like to ride my bicycle
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/19/2009
Extremely professional outfit with awesome selection of bikes/accessories and a highly knowledgeable… Read more »
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Review from Cameron O.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2010
I've purchased my commuter bike here and I'll probably get a fixie eventually as I've been pining for one since 2001.
This shop is NOT a high-end shop contrary to what other reviewers say. This shop is for people who love bikes and actually use their bikes on a regular basis, if not every day. This is why a large amount of their patronage is from bicycle couriers and the year round commuters.
If you expect their prices to compete with CDN Tire, then you will be disappointed. But consider this: CDN Tire bikes are designed to go from showroom to landfill in about 50kms or less. CDN Tire bikes are the kind that you ride twice, hang up in the garage, feel guilty about it 5 years later, try to ride it again but everything is seized so you hang it up again for another few years then eventually give it the toss to the curb.
Urbane sells bikes in the MID range. Their prices are fair and their service is excellent. They won't sell you what you didn't ask for, nor will they pressure you into spending more than you should.
I will continue to bring my commuter bike here for service whenever it needs it, and I will continue to recommend this place to family and friends. -
Review from Matthew B.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2009
I stopped into Urbane Cyclist today because I had 30 minutes to kill before meeting a friend downtown and because I've seen it almost every day on the way to work.
I want to change the tires on my mountain bike. I was after hybrid/street tires to replace the thick off-road tires which waste far more energy than they should due to high friction levels. For an urban commuter, thinner, smoother tires are the way to go. I spent about 10-15 minutes in the store before leaving completely disappointed.
As a recently converted cyclist, I am constantly in search of improved gear, nicer bikes, and upgrades of all kinds. I bought a cheap used bike from Bike Pirates on Bloor St W [Which I highly recommend for anyone interested in cycling and not blow the bank in the process.]
First, I walked past rows and rows of bikes in the retail area of the shop straight to the service department in the back. There is a reception area in the service department surrounded by glass cases of gear, plus things on the walls/shelves. There are doorways leading to two rooms; an office and the other looked like the service area.
I stood in reception for about 5 minutes - no one came out to ask if they could help me. I even gazed inquisitively into the office, and the people clearly saw me - still didn't come out.
I figured: "Fine, if they don't want my business, I'll take it somewhere else." From what I saw of the parts in the service area, things were extremely pricey in this shop anyways. Tires for $70 each. Axles for $150, $200 and up.
My entire bike cost $80 at Bike Pirates! Yikes.
Anyways, I left the non-service department and had a look at the bikes for the pure joie du vivre. This is a uber high-end bike shop. They had alot of really nice bikes. Their entry level bikes were about $500-600, and the cheapest one in the shop was about $450. The nice ones cost well over $1000.
While I was there, I noticed a staff member helping out a lady who was obviously interested in getting into biking. Although I may be rushing to judgment, her physique led me to guess she was not a seasoned cyclist but rather an entry level, "let's try a new hobby" type person. Commendable, and I'm all for it. However, the bike he had her trying out cost like $1200! A price tag big enough to discourage or bankrupt even the best-intentioned prospective cyclist.
I was really disappointed this shop had nothing to offer the entry-level cyclist, or value-oriented consumer.
When I decided to get back into cycling as an adult, I bought something cheap. I wasn't sure how well it would work out with my lifestyle, and my commute to work [about 7km each way through fairly heavy traffic areas]. I've subsequently found that I like it very much, and in the future I will easily spend $500-$700 on a bicycle. We spend that much to ride the disgusting TTC for 5 months anyways, right? But the point is, that's helluva lot to spend on a hobby if you're not certain it's for you.
I suppose shops like this have their purpose, but for someone interested in value and good service - keep looking.
FYI: Later on that day, I stopped into a couple of shops on Bloor W between Lansdowne and Dufferin, and the staff were far more helpful and prices more reasonable. Tonnes of nice bikes for less than $600. Also, fair prices on tires - $20 each. Plus the staff actually had time to acknowledge my existence. A big plus.
FYI*** Updated: I ended up going to Mountain Equipment Co-op the next weekend, and was extremely pleased with the outcome. The tires were about $11 each, and they only charged $5 per tire to install ($37 including tax). No waiting, they were able to do it in less than a half hour. I highly recommend going to MEC for any bike needs or other hobbies. I find their products are good quality, and also good value. Plus their staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Also, the guy who worked on my bike told me that by the spring MEC is going to be selling their own brand of bikes. Yay! Good value and amazing quality. No rip-offs here. -
Review from Amanda S.
Toronto, ON
5/31/2011
I can see how this shop could seem pretentious, but most of the time I think their attitudes are because they are always so busy.
However, every time I've been in this store, I have to wait a bit to speak to someone--but when I do, they're always extremely helpful/knowledgeable. The associates I spoke to were honest and not pushy at all (I asked for recommendations about where to get used bikes and what types of accessories I should get and got very useful information that I was able to verify from the internet).
I was in today to get one of my bike tires inflated and waited about 5 minutes for someone to help me around (since I just got my bike and needed someone to explain the workings of it). After an associate helped me to inflate the tire, he also helped me choose a bike lock and bell. He put the bell on without asking and even commented on which colour would go with the bike. Very positive experience to say the least. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because I had to wait both times I was there for about 5-10 minutes before getting to speak to someone. -
Review from Tina H.
5/10/2010
I've been here twice. They're a bit overpriced when it comes to buying stuff from them but the service I got the first time I came here was great.
I had just gotten in an accident with a car and the guy working here adjusted my brake which had been stretched because of the impact with the car door. For free. That was very nice of him.
Unfortunately my second impression of the place was less than stellar. Staff was pretentious and they didn't have what I was looking for at a reasonable price.
It all depends who's working when you go in. -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2008
The Urbane Cyclist is a great spot to get a bike fixed. Even if you ride a BMX like me and they are mostly into mountain bikes and stuff. They never try to over charge me or get me to buy stuff I don't need.
Which, has got to be the best endorsement ever. -
Review from Sarah O.
Toronto, ON
2/24/2010
The staff in the store are really nice & helpful. I came in here just to browse for a new bike since the rusted tank I'm riding right now probably won't make it through another winter.
As soon as I walked in, the staff member behind the counter cheerfully said "hi" and said if I needed help with anything to just ask. i did end up having a couple of questions. I'm in the market for an upright commuter bike. She didn't try to upsell me to an expensive one. Their selection is pretty good. I've got to visit a couple of other shops to compare prices but they were in the $500 range (I did check MEC and they had an upright commuter for $650).
This one bike I was looking at, the girl told me that she recommended getting rid of the quick release wheel part which she said was about $5 per wheel. Not bad and I appreciated the tip!
Very helpful and friendly service! -
Review from Kate R.
York, ON
9/8/2010
i'm a huge fan of co-ops (i used to help manage one for student housing) so i was really excited about this place.
i dropped $200 to get my bike tuned up, tires replaced and have a basket added. first thing i noticed was the back tire was still uneven (fatter in one part) and the basket had been attached by plastic twine rather than screws. the worst part, though, was something i discovered while biking down bathurst. the bolt for the basket rack had been installed right next to the smallest gear, so when i changed into that gear the chain jammed into it and stopped working entirely.
very dangerous and unprofessional! -
Review from Jesse H.
Toronto, ON
4/1/2010
I recently bought a bike from Urbane. The experience of buying the bike was top notch, the salespeople were friendly and helpful and I got to test ride bikes to my hearts content. I don't believe they work on a commission basis so there were no pressure tactics used on me to "buy now, right now!!" or any attempts to get me to buy a bike out of my price range. I had two different guys help me on two different days and they were both genuinely nice guys with good knowledge of the bikes.
So I'm really hyped to start riding my bike but it needs to be assembled so I'm told to come in three days from now and pick it up Monday. On Monday I restrain myself and wait until two a-clock to pick up my bike... I'm told that it won't be done until four and that in fact when I was told to come in Monday that meant the end of the day Monday... I look at my receipt and the various papers they gave me but can't find anything written down about the time I was supposed to come pick up the bike... whatever, it's a few hours. I come back at four after going to chapters and reading on the third floor by the big windows. They say come back in another two hours. Now, I don't mind wasting time... but I was thinking, maybe some people do? So I come back for the third time and it's done.
It's raining so I get fenders put on... at a charge for both the product and the labor to put them on mind you, after I've just spent 600 on the bike and 300 on accessories... the mechanic puts on the fenders. The front one is clearly rubbing on the tire and the back one is too close to the back brake, knocking against it every time I hit the slightest bump. After insisting they get the fenders on properly, after all I paid for the installation, I get some attitude from the shop person, like they are frustrated with ME!! Did I do something? After I just spent $900 and am now paying you to put these fenders on you're giving me grief cause you can't install them properly?
Whatever, a few days later I'm still tweaking the fenders, which clearly don't fit on my bike but are the ones the people at the store chose for my bike. On closer inspection I encounter a screw to lock in one side of the front fender that isn't even screwed in. There are all of FOUR screws on the fender. Wow.
Then I'm looking at the bike further and notice the handlebar tape doesn't go all the way to the stem on one side.... guess they ran out of tape on the spool? Then I push down hard on the handlebars and they slip down, I have the bull horn handles. So I get out the ole allen key and tighten it up.
When I take it to the shop they make a point of telling me I only tightened the top screw of the handlebars and not the bottom. Um ya, I think, and you never tightened them well to begin with and that's your job. I could have gotten seriously injured if I'd been riding and they slipped but hey, apparently that's beside the point.
The last time I went in there, I've had my bike about a week now and I absolutely love it, I wanted to get the chain guard taken off. I hadn't asked for a chain guard and the bike that I test rode and agreed to buy didn't have a chain guard but whoever built my bike decided I needed one. I'm told that I'll have to be charged 25$ in labor to take the chain guard off. I politely remind the mechanic that the whole chain guard thing wasn't my idea and that I didn't want it to begin with. She retorts with "there's a good analogy for what you're asking me to do, but I can't think of one right now". I've had time to think on one! It's like this, you go to a restaurant and order a green salad... and when the salad comes it's got lobster in it. You clearly didn't order the Lobster salad. You tell this to the waiter he responds. "Well, I can take the lobster off your salad, but I'll have to charge you for taking it off"
Then she says "If I'm doing this for free I certainly can't do it now" implying that if I had paid the 25 bucks she could find the time to do it now but for free, for me, who had only just bought this bike and who's assembler put on a chain guard against his wishes, well, to rectify their own mistakes..... for free.... I would have to wait.
P.S. in the amount of time the mechanic was chatting away with one of her friends who had entered the store while I patiently waited for a communication on what was to happen with my chain guard she could have easily taken it off. Instead I hung around the area for four hours to come back at closing time.
The screws have come loose on my toe-clips and I lost one before I noticed and tightened the rest sufficiently.... they consistently screw me sufficiently but ignore my poor bike. -
Review from Stephen B.
Toronto, ON
1/14/2010
I took my bike here for some repairs on a friend's recommendation. They were fast, did a great job and were friendly. I will use them again.
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Review from Margaret S.
Toronto, ON
7/17/2010
I needed to have my handlebars adjusted in a hurry (long story). I went to Urbane Cyclist because they were the closest bike shop and were open at that time.
Good things: They did it immediately, did not charge me, and the mechanic showed me a couple of tricks for using bike tools.
Bad things: The mechanic deliberately scratched the stem. Apparently the idea was to mark the stem so that if I ever wanted to move the handlebars back to the original position, I would know exactly where it had been. He did it before I understood what he was doing, and then sort of made a joke about it.
Er, OK, but what. the. feck. Who scratches any part of bicycle deliberately? Especially a brand-new (I had picked it up only the day before) imported-from-Europe and really quite nice bike? And if I want to adjust the handlebars later, I'll deal with it later. DO NOT SCRATCH MY BIKE YOU FECKWIT.
Has anyone ever heard of doing this?
When I complained they offered to replace the stem but I am fairly sure that I would have gotten something inferior to what I had. And it is only a scratch. But still - my brand new bike, scratched by a bike mechanic.
So, I have to recommend not going there for repairs. Niceness doesn't make up for damaging my bike. And I must say it was a dumb move - I own three bikes, two of them at the upper end of the scale, I'm not at all averse to spending $$ on bikes - and they just lost all my potential business. -
Review from Xander L.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2009
they didnt kick me out when i decided to test drive the sound of every bicycle bell in the store.
and they even lent me a screwdriver to put it on!
