November 23/16 21:11 pm - 2016 Canadian Cyclist Best Bike Shops - The Winners

Posted by Editor on 11/23/16
 

We are pleased to announce the winners in our fifth annual search for the Best Shops in Canada, as chosen by you, the readers of Canadian Cyclist. We were amazed by the number of ballots cast - nearly 5,000 in 10 days! Votes came in from every province.

We have gone through the ballots and broken them down by region to determine the 2015 Canadian Cyclist Best Bike Shops. Thirty (30) shops from across the country have been selected, and they will each receive a certificate identifying them as the local bike shops most respected by their customers.

Fifteen (15) shops repeated as winners, meaning half are newcomers to these awards. The two shops that won in the previous four years - The Cyclery in Ottawa and Pedalhead Road Works in Edmonton - are on our list again, making them the only five-time winners.

Over 200 shops received nominations, with many shops tweeting about the competition, or including a link to it in their newsletters and Facebook pages.

Two things shone through for all of the top ranked stores: customer service and passion for cycling. Congratulations to all our winners. [Note: There were also numerous mentions of great coffee...]

Here are the 2016 Canadian Cyclist Best Bike Shops. We have included a quote from a voter for each shop.

Atlantic Region

Cycle Solutions - Corner Brook, Newfoundland In addition to knowledgeable staff, great selection, and affordable service, Cycle Solutions also run the most amazing children's mountain biking program called Wheels of Thunder. I have a special needs child and they got him out on the trails and he went from shy and cautious to ripping along the trails and excitedly biking 15km on independent rides. They also encourage community activities in trail building and run races for adults and kids. We are so very blessed to have an operation like Cycle Solutions in Corner Brook.

Mike's Bike Shop - Dieppe, New Brunswick Mike's hosts a Family Ride each Monday evening throughout the summer. Families with children of all ages are invited to join. The rides are really fun and ice cream is always served at the end of each ride. My kids don't ever want to miss a Mike's Monday Night Family Ride!!

Consolvo Bikes - Moncton, New Brunswick I was in a severe crash in 2009, where a brain injury resulted. So, my balance was off, still I wanted to get around, plus help out. I got myself a trike from Canadian Tire (single-speed), on a special sale that they were having. It started out with Consolvo Bikes assisting me in gearing up, and the mechanical work, and from there it evolved. I've come from death to frequent riding (my record for is 47.5 km in a couple hours), going back-and-forth to university, and after I was recently struck by a vehicle, then Consolvo Bikes is where I'm picking up my next ride, an upgrade! So, whether it's assisting cyclists with bilingual staff, chatter, questions, or just a pit-stop, they have been the best bike-shop I've been to in my travels! I could just keep going on and on.

Cyclesmith - Halifax, Nova Scotia They take very good care of me and my bikes. They treat me with respect and are very good at what they do. Friendly, caring, awesome people work here and I am very grateful for having this shop in my area. They are the best.

Pictou County Cycle - New Glasgow, Nova Scotia The staff are amazing! When I had a flat tire out on a solo road ride, Allan drove out to where I was and changed my tire for me so I could continue my ride! Free of charge!! Where else do you get that kind of support!!

Quebec - Greater Montréal Region (GMR)

Cycle Technique - Montréal Most bike shop can sell. Only a few will deliver on their promises to support you when you need it. The ones that actually treat you the way you expect are very rare. Cycle Technique and especially Gilbert at the repair shop are among those.

Maglia Rosa Velo Shop - Montréal They offer the best advice based on knowledge and not sales. You feel at home whenever you enter the shop, and also they have the coolest dog in town! Plus their espresso is amazing!

Quebéc - East

Mathieu Performance - Quebéc City I feel the love in this place! Can't find a better bike shop for me and my bike.

Quebéc - West

Centre du Velo La Shop - Gatineau The people that works there put so much heart into their work and invest a lot of time in each and every client that comes to the store. These are also people extremely passionate about what they do, and the service they give to customers is definitely the best I've had.

Ontario - Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

D'Ornellas Bike Shop - Scarborough The staff are all very helpful and knowledgeable. LA [Lori Ann] has done a great job growing the women's cycling community. I feel comfortable walking through the shop doors. So glad I found D'Ornellas.

Evolution Cycles - Richmond Hill They never hesitate to help me in a pinch, including last minute repairs, lending bike parts. The shop is socially responsible and always there to support charitable rides. Jamie and Mike are engaged and dedicated owners.

The 11 Inc. - Toronto The friendly staff and service are great. Heath has made his shop into more than the typical bike shop - it is a new and fresh spin on the bike shop. Even my wife likes to visit!

Hammer City Cycle - Hamilton Courteous, professional, honest advice/direction without attitude or hard sell and the best, most knowledgeable service centre in the area. It's also a really cool space.

Ontario - East

The Cyclery - Ottawa They have everything from Dura-Ace Di2 to wicker baskets and kids bikes. They are always willing to service what they sell, order special stuff and the staff are knowledgeable, friendly without being cliquey and they're involved with the community.

Wild Rock Outfitters - Peterborough I did a 4 day, 600km ride for charity, and on the third day my cable shifter broke on my Trek Madone, (internal cable housing). The guys at Wild Rock fixed my bike in 15 mins, gave it a solid tune up and threw in a water bottle for an extremely low price. Officially my favourite bike shop in Canada (and I've been to a lot).

Ontario - North

Parry Sound Bikes - Parry Sound They treat the kids so well, going above & beyond. Our Grandson always knows if there is problem with his bike & he can't make it home the next best bet is the Bike Shop.

Sessions Ride - Sudbury They are bringing a much needed new vibe to the biking and cross country skiing scene in Sudbury. They are interested and devoted to getting youth active, which can be seen from their help with youth programming (coaching) and fixing up the local BMX park. From helping with an endless amount of community events to excellent bike service, these guys are the new "Go-To" bike and ski shop in Sudbury!

Ontario - Southwest

Liberty! Bicycles - St Catharines Have always been available to help when I walk in. Quick service, friendly helpful staff. Have bought 3 bikes over the past 5 years. When my son started mtbing, they took the extra time to teach him how to care for his bike and encourage him through his learning process. I would not hesitate to recommend Liberty to anyone!

Forks Bicycle Shop - Erin The owner (Brian Travis) provides an unparalleled level of customer service and takes the time to get to know his customers and their families on a personal level. He's an active community supporter and regularly brings fresh thinking to his store which makes for a new and fun experience every time one visits. He's never too busy to just talk bikes, gear or whatever and is quick to provide an "emergency" repair and get you back on the road or trail. Can't say enough about how proud I am to have Brian and his shop as our local.

Manitoba/Saskatchewan

Woodcock Cycle Works - Winnipeg, Manitoba Woodcock Cycle is all about community. They quietly contribute to the community constantly and support so many great initiatives. When you walk in the shop, you also feel part of a community. The staff are welcoming, there is a coffee shop inside the shop, and you feel as if you could spend the whole day there looking at everything they sell.

Dutch Cycle - Regina, Saskatchewan I can depend on their service and they treat me like family.

Alberta

BikeBike - Calgary The classic "Mom and Pop Shop". Sean and Nadia are great friends. They promote community through bicycles and cycling. Also, they pay their employees a living wage (no minimum wage here!). This is an urban cycling shop. Cargo bikes. Commuters. Folding. Sit up right and look tight!

Bike Bros. - Cochrane Bike Bros is one of the reasons we decided to move to Cochrane. Whether it's for bikes, service, trail info or just good company over a coffee, the folks at Bike Bros bring cyclists together. A welcoming bike shop is important especially when you're new to town. Bike Bros is our community hub!

Cafe Roubaix - Cochrane Because Dan Richter. He is amazing. He goes out of his way to support riding and to support riders and to teach bike maintenance. It's a true community centre for cyclists as well as a top notch bike independent bike store.

Hardcore Bikes - Edmonton This bike shop was one of the first connections I made when I moved to Edmonton three years ago. The staff at this shop made every effort to make me feel at home in my new town. They took the time to chat to me and show me all the sweet single track in town on their amazing weekly rides. They tried to help me find a job, and they got me set up on a nice old commuter bike (I only had to pay for parts and labour!) so I could get around. Since their warm welcome I go nowhere else. Their service and repairs have always been amazing, and kept my old mountain bike in tip top shape. They are always honest and incredible, and a pleasure to deal with. The staff make a ton of effort to remember their customers names, and regularly go the extra mile. Plus...they really really really like bikes! Hardcore really is the best!

Pedalhead Road Works - Edmonton Welcoming atmosphere with a great combination of new bike lust, reverence for the past and an appreciation for just bike riding. Guri and his team support riding the bike. Having the right product and superior service is just icing on the cake. The shop stays fresh, is always welcoming for new people and helps make riding the bike more fun.

British Columbia - Mainland

La Bicicletta Pro Shop - Vancouver Friendly staff who takes the time to speak with anyone whether they are new to cycling or a seasoned racer. They also always have a large selection of bike oriented stuff and are always current.

Wentings Cycle & Mountain Shop - Mission I was told by a few different people to go to this shop for my first real bike as an adult. Being new and hoping to start triathlons I stopped by and spoke to Bruce, owner/operator. We talked awhile (budget, goals, etc) and then he measured me, then recommended a couple of bikes. When it came in he set me up and I was on my way. With each piece of add-on equipment he has never upsold me nor did I ever leave feeling nothing but happy to be involved in the sport. As a side note: Bruce invests time with a few local bicycle clubs and a few youth groups. He is even involved with other community athletic endeavours. He is an asset to the community.

British Columbia - Island

Cycle Therapy - Duncan They have always treated me and my family with the utmost care and quality that any store dealing with customer service should have.

Oak Bay Bicycles - Victoria They rock! Great service and attention to detail. Awesome options and products. Supported group rides and awesome grassroots local events. Yummy brownies. Awesome kit. Great affiliation with our local club, the Victoria Wheelers. Awesome fondo. Winner winner chicken dinner.