Vancouver Weekend: We're Thinking....Bike Shops

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      Need something to do this weekend? In light of Bike to Work Week, which takes place from this Monday (May 30) to June 5, here are five bike shops to hit for all your cycling needs.

      Mac-Talla Cycles, 2626 East Hastings Street

      Somebody was using their noggin when they opened up Mac-Talla on the former arse end of Hastings Street in 2010. In the six years since, Hastings-Sunrise has experienced its boom period, and with its closest competitor a good 30-minute walk away on Commercial Drive, Mac-Talla remains the community's sole source of all things bike. Not that anyone here is sitting on their hands: Mac-Talla's staff are devout riders with divine visions of a two-wheeled city. Hence the focus on urban and commuter bikes, with a strong lean toward reasonably priced local product (Brodie, principally), although the vintage racer frames you see scattered around might inspire a few divine visions of your own.

      Check out Denman Bike Shop for an assortment of speciality cycles and rad accessories, like handlebar tassels and beer-tap valve caps.
      Denman Bike Shop

      Denman Bike Shop, 710 Denman Street and 2607 Main Street

      If you like the sound of a “unique bike boutique”, Denman Bike Shop is for you. Famous for pedalling some of the city's most fashionable designs, Denman has a huge range of speciality cycles to make your commute that little bit hipper—without the effort of growing a 12-inch beard. (A selling point for women, especially.) With friendly experts on-hand to talk you through all the irritating technical jargon (what even is a derailleur, anyway?!), Denman is a great bet for the first-time buyer and experienced roadster alike. Pairing its distinctive catalogue with hilarious customizable accessories, Denman Bikes could set you up with leather handlebar tassels, pinup-girl mud flaps, or beer-tap valve caps to make your ride stand out in the rack. The company offers two stores for your perusal—one (unsurprisingly) on Denman Street, and the other (harder to guess) on Main—meaning you’re covered wherever you hang your helmet. And with the shop doing repairs, tune-ups, and even airplane packing, there’s always a reason to call back soon.

      You can't miss the bright green sign of VanCycle Mobile Bicycle Shop, which travels to your place of cycling need by request.
      VanCycle Mobile Bicycle Shop

      VanCycle Mobile Bicycle Shop, on-call by web request or phone at 778-881-3278

      Unmissable in its hammered-metal vintage milk truck with the screamin'-green sign, the VanCycle Mobile Bicycle Shop rolls up right to your door, your work, or your back yard, as the case may be; if needed, they'll take your two-wheel treasure off-site and return it to you later. The company handles tune-ups, repairs, hard-to-find parts and accessories (think quality theft-proof locks, panniers, kiddie trailers, lights, and helmets), and a boxing service for travel. The vehicle carries a wide range of replacement tires, brakes, and tools from brands like Serfas and Zigo.Prices are good, and props go out for the free tune-ups of kids’ bikes with under-24-inch wheels (parts not included) to promote safety.

      Let the pros at Dream Cycle on Commercial Drive bring the two-wheeler of your wildest dreams to life.
      Dream Cycle

      Dream Cycle, 1010 Commercial Drive

      Bigger isn’t always better, so don’t judge Dream Cycle for being small and cozy compared to the bike stores a little further up the Drive. While the place bills itself as “Vancouver’s finest bicycle repair shop”, you’ll find more than a dedicated team of two-wheel mechanics on site. Start with this: if you can dream a bike, Dream Cycle will make it. Yes, for those who prefer not to look like everyone else while pedalling the Adanac bike route, Dream Cycle will custom-build your own chromoly-steel ride—hand-crafted over a 10-week period after you’ve selected everything from the frame and colour to the seat, pedals, and handlebars. If you prefer someone else doing the thinking for you, opt for prebuilt models by companies like Soma, Brooks, and Salsa. Given Dream Cycle’s store slogan, it’s a given they also fix bikes. We’re still debating what we loved about our last drop-in visit: the fact that the adorable French girl fixed a flat on the spot with no appointment, or that (even better) she finished up the impromptu servicing by announcing, “Okay, now I’ll put some lube on it, and then we can ride this thing.”

      Reckless Bike Stores fixes up everything from kids’ cycles to folding bikes in a space not much larger than a walk-in closet.
      Reckless Bike Shops

      Reckless Bike Stores, 1810 Fir Street and 110 Davie Street

      There’s a reason that Reckless has two outlets in Vancouver, and a third specializing in electric bikes (at 1357 Hornby Street). The maintenance is top-quality and fairly priced (standard tune-up is $60), while the inventory is never less than mouthwatering (or wallet-emptying.) Check out the Reckless outlet on Fir Street and marvel at how they manage to fit, Tardis-like, such an expansive array of products inside a walk-in closet, from fixies, kids’ bikes, and folding bikes to all the brands—Linus, Brodie, Devinci—that Vancouverites seem to favour. Maybe treat yourself to that cute little Simcoe Step Through while you’re at it. There’s an entire seawall waiting for you on the other side.

      Running every Thursday, Vancouver Weekend spotlights five Straight-approved places around the city worth discovering.

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