Two wheels good; four wheels bad. With designated bike lanes popping up around the city, an increasing number of Vancouverites are opting to pedal their way across town rather than sitting behind the wheel in traffic. If you’re looking to score a new set of wheels, or if your ride is in need of a tune up, check out these cycle shops where you’ll find knowledgeable staff and a range of bikes to suit every style and price point.
Want a cool ride with a cushy seat? This award-winning recreational bike boutique (located on Denman and in Mount Pleasant) is Vancouver’s unofficial cruiser capital. Hip riders love the selection of Linus, Opus, Electra and Louis Garneau bikes that are as stylish as they are sporty. Personalize your ride with customized seats, grips, tires, lights and colourful bells. All bikes receive a lifetime warranty on the frame and free tune-ups for one year.
From colourful Electra cruisers to hard-core Trek road bikes, you’ll find wheels for novice and professional cyclists of all ages at this full-service bicycle emporium with locations downtown, in Langley and in North Vancouver. The accessories department is filled with functional parts and wearables that range from safety-conscious helmets from Giro and Bontrager to sleek racing jerseys. If you ride needs servicing, basic tune ups and gold-level overhauls are available. You’ll also find Trek, Schwinn and Cannondale bikes for rent.
Whether you’re a total newbie or experienced cyclist, Bike Doctor owner Pol Bogaert and his experienced staff will help get you road ready in no time. The sprawling bike shop on West Broadway carries hundreds of commuter bikes and cruisers to suit almost any budget. The shop also stocks rental bikes: Asama Sea-to-Sky bikes work for a leisurely cruise while high-performance Devinci Manchester and Norco Valence A3 models are suited for more athletic riders. And true to his Bike Doctor moniker, Pol also offers specialized repair and maintenance services for road-weary wheels in need of a check up.
A Vancouver institution for over 25 years, this Robson Street bike shop has an impressive fleet of rental bikes for locals and visitors who want to take a self-guided tour along the nearby seawall. Those shopping for their own set of wheels can choose from an impressive selection of road, cross-country, mountain, hybrid, urban and trail bikes from Rocky Mountain Bikes. The Canadian-made bikes range from about $500 for youth bikes to over $5,000 for elite models. If you need to suit up before you hop in the saddle, check out riding gear and accessories from Oakley, Giro and Activo.
This West Broadway store carries new and used bicycles and has an onsite repair shop with a team of fully trained mechanics. Entry-level road bikes from Raleigh and Brodie start at about $750 while higher-end models like the Masi EVOLUZIONE are priced in the $2,000 range. You’ll also find a great selection of specialty rides – including fixed gear and single speed bikes, hybrids and commuters, BMX models, cruisers and even electric bikes – and plenty of parts and accessories.
This community-oriented bike shop in Burnaby Heights was born out of a love of cycling and caters to riders of all abilities. From mountain bikes to hybrids to comfortable cruisers, you can have your pick among a range of models designed for fun or fitness from well-known brands such as Raleigh, Haro, Diamondback and Felt Bicycles. There’s also a good selection of rental bikes (including e-bikes) and child trailers for those with little ones in tow.
Cappuccinos and cycling go hand in hand at this charming bike-shop-cum-espresso-bar on Heather Street. The neighbourhood spot specializes in bicycle maintenance (a-la-carte repair services start at $9 while a complete tune up will set you back $50) and a delectable daytime menu that features coffee, tea, soups and sandwiches. The café doesn’t have a large retail section, but does stock a few bike parts and accessories. Visit often and you might even find a used bike for sale – although the reasonably priced refurbished rides are usually snapped up quickly.
Part bike shop, part social enterprise, this full-service repair shop and educational space on Main Street lets you take a do-it-yourself approach to bicycle repair. The in-house team of friendly bike pros and volunteers will guide you through the tools you need to get your broken bike back on the road. The shop also stocks plenty of new and used parts and like-new bikes for sale.
This West Broadway pro shop is focused on specialized gear for serious road riders and triathletes. These cycling experts are happy to share their knowledge and walk customers through the roster of high-performance brands, which includes BMC, Felt and Colnago. Want to go the extra mile with your ride? Experienced bike fitter Noa Deutsch offers pro-fitting services in store. During his one-on-one consultations, Noa uses a series of dynamic data-capturing tools to evaluate your riding technique and posture and adjusts your bike accordingly. Ask about the community group rides if you’re looking to hit the road with new biking buddies.
This family-owned bike store in Kits has been serving local cycle enthusiasts for over 60 years. The shop stocks a good selection of mid-range hybrid, mountain, road and youth bikes from Brodie, Opus, Marin and Louis Garneau. You’ll also find brand-name parts and accessories – helmets, lights, locks, saddles, fenders and child seats – that’ll get you ready to ride in all seasons. Best of all, the super friendly staff are helpful without being too pushy.