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| - 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.
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