Bike Shops? Vancouver, CA

[Clancy]

My wife and I are in Vancouver for a few days on vacation. Yesterday we rented bikes from a typical small LBS and rode the clunkers around..... what a spectacular city, one of the bike friendliest cities we’ve been to.

Wondering if there’s a cool or high end bike shop(s) that would be worth a visit while we’re here?

Also I’m hoping to one day come back and spend a couple of weeks backpacking the area. Is there a shop that might cater to backpacking?

If you live in Vancouver or the surrounding suburbs you are living in one of the most beautiful areas my wife and I have ever visited. We can see that Vancouver is struggling with growth and sustainable housing but none-the-less what a wonderful city.

[45K10]

We lived in Vancouver (Pt. Grey by Spanish Banks) about 4 years ago. So some of this information maybe outdated. There are several decent bike shops around but none that I would call "must see". Bike Gallery was in Kits up by UBC it was pretty cool, Different Bikes is also pretty cool and they used to have three shops in the Vancouver metro area.

As far as backpacking stuff the best place to go is MEC. It is like the REI of Canada but you used to have a membership to buy stuff there, if I recall correctly. I am not sure if you guys are from the US or not but stuff in Canada used to be way more expensive than stuff in the US. That is why there was a store called Pirate Joe's in Vancouver that used to bootleg Trader Joe goods across the border and sell them at their store. It was always packed.

Have a good vacation!

[m_sasso]

Most exotic, worth a visit, Veloholic Cycles = https://veloholiccycles.com Phil and Peter Liu, owners, https://www.vancourier.com/sports/vancouver-bike-shop-wants-to-turn-everyone-into-a-veloholic-1.11364677

Best quality outdoor gear, Valhalla Pure Outfitters = https://vpo.ca Ask for Juerg Martig, store manager.

Really the entire Broadway outdoor shop corridor, many will say MEC, quantity = https://www.mec.ca/en/ Ask for Terence Dament, store manager.

I worked as the technical rep for Marmot and Osprey in Vancouver for a few years and you can tell these guys I said hello!

[damocles]

Also a Vancouver local and agree wholeheartedly with m_sasso's post.

Phil and the guys at Veloholic are just fantastic. Two big thumbs up if high end zoot is your thing, or just dudes that do amazing service and love bikes.


Most exotic, worth a visit, Veloholic Cycles = https://veloholiccycles.com Phil and Peter Liu, owners, https://www.vancourier.com/sports/vancouver-bike-shop-wants-to-turn-everyone-into-a-veloholic-1.11364677

Best quality outdoor gear, Valhalla Pure Outfitters = https://vpo.ca Ask for Juerg Martig, store manager.

Really the entire Broadway outdoor shop corridor, many will say MEC, quantity = https://www.mec.ca/en/ Ask for Terence Dament, store manager.

I worked as the technical rep for Marmot and Osprey in Vancouver for a few years and you can tell these guys I said hello!

[d_douglas]

Also a Vancouver local and agree wholeheartedly with m_sasso's post.

Phil and the guys at Veloholic are just fantastic. Two big thumbs up if high end zoot is your thing, or just dudes that do amazing service and love bikes.

I can agree that this place is staggering. I am not into irridescent pink carbon Italian wonderbikes, but I couldn't help but touch them and drool on them.

He also had two Speedvagens in for repair the one time I visited.

La Bicicletta right near MEC is also pretty cool.

[shuttlenote]

Of the suggestions made so far, the only two worth going as a destination may be Veloholics and Bicicletta.

[m_sasso]

I will mention a couple of other shops that might be of interest, if you like old stuff and character, in the China Town/East Side/Gastown area go visit Jamie Hooper at Super Champion. Parts of the neighbourhood can be a bit sketchy, keep your eyes open and you nose clean and you will be fine. He generally has some interesting classic/vintage stuff hanging around and always interesting to talk with. http://superchampionshop.org/about/

If you get around to the Commercial Street area for dinner or shopping, Kissing Crows Cyclery http://www.kissingcrowscyclery.com and its sister shop Dream Cycle are worth a stop in https://dream-cycle.com however I would not make a special trip to the area just to visit those shops.

[metalheart]

so, if someone wanted to spend a week or so riding in the Vancouver area while someone's spouse did spouse things, how's the riding for a weeks worth of 40-60 mile rides in early September?

[hmai18]

Stop for a coffee at http://musettecaffe.com/. If you're still in town on Sunday, check their social media to confirm; the owner usually opens up early (like 5:30AM) to watch broadcasts of the euro races (Liege is on Sunday).

[paredown]

so, if someone wanted to spend a week or so riding in the Vancouver area while someone's spouse did spouse things, how's the riding for a weeks worth of 40-60 mile rides in early September?
I'd say go for it!

It all depends on the rain--usually late July through August is dry, and fairly warm--and then the standing joke was that the rain would start Labour Day weekend--so that you would have to register at UBC in the rain--which used to involve traipsing all over the campus...

Now they have computer registration, so all bets are off. :>)

August is the driest month though, and September is usually pretty good.

Marc will have more information, since I haven't lived there for years, but there are some good scenic rides, with the usual caveats that it is a crowded urban area with quite a lot of cars. Back in the day, we'd ride up Cypress Bowl (straight up, straight down), same with the ride up to the bottom of the Grouse Mountain chairlift, ride West Van to Horseshoe Bay and back on lower Marine Drive (or start in the city and ride over the Lion's Gate), do the circuit along Spanish Banks, around UBC and back... Also many rides out through Burnaby/out the Valley too.

There are also a whole lot of bike paths/trails that have been established since I was riding much--I may get a chance to learn them myself this summer...

[45K10]

so, if someone wanted to spend a week or so riding in the Vancouver area while someone's spouse did spouse things, how's the riding for a weeks worth of 40-60 mile rides in early September?

Not sure what your spouse is into but I would say go to Kelowna, BC if he/she is just going to be shopping. If the cultural things are more important then stick to Vancouver. You can definitely get rides in everyday but depending on where you stay it can be a pain to get to some decent road riding and go after Labor Day. Now if you are into to MTB the North Shore, Squamish and of course Whistler are awesome.

[fellowsun]

Tons of riding to do in Vancouver especially if you aren't afraid to go off the beaten path. Easy access to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands from my front door, it takes a day to ride out and get set up camping by the ocean. Plenty of interesting trails to explore in North Van.

There's a great community of cyclists/bike nerds that are easy to connect with if you're on social media as well.

[Veloo]

Bumping this for some recommendations in the South Granville area. I've never been there and don't know Vancouver at all. It's for someone else.

Looking for something city friendly. The original request was for a step-through beach cruiser style but I told the person looking that was a really bad idea and trying to persuade them into more of a city commuter instead.

[m_sasso]

Not a lot of outstanding bicycle shops in the South Granville area, best are likely Reckless, 1810 Fir St and Bicycle Sports Pacific, 999 Pacific St. Reckless has rentals, BSP does not.

If your friends are just looking to tool around the city, Vancouver has a pretty good bike share program, Mobi and there are a number of Mobi stations in the South Graanville area. https://www.mobibikes.ca

[jet sanchez]

Hey gang, bumping this thread because I was able to find a facilitator for a lovely Bob Jackson frame/fork, does anyone have any recommendations for a bike shop in Vancouver that will pack this up competently for a decent price?

Thanks in advance

https://imgur.com/6a0KHoZ

https://i.imgur.com/6a0KHoZ.jpg

[m_sasso]

If your facilitator can hook up with me, I would be happy to save you a few dollars and pack it up and get it shipped out for you. Lots of experience doing this, currently have more bike boxes and packing material around my place then I care to admit along with 20+ nice bikes of my own.

[jet sanchez]

Very kind of you!

I'll find out where he's located and PM you

What a great forum!

[geordanh]

Yup 2nd. Happy to help if necessary as well

[kvnptrjhnsn]

My in-laws live on Commercial Drive in Vancouver and I always like checking out Dream Cycle when I am there.

https://dream-cycle.com/