You have a “guy” you go to for your car, your hair, or your suit tailoring needs, so why not have a bike shop that offers the same personalized service? If you’re an avid cyclist looking for a unique experience combined with great service, visit one of these independent bike shops in Vancouver.
It’s a little out of the way but well worth the hike up the Main Street hill. This cool little shop sells custom-built steel bikes that are sleek and stylish while still offering practicality on your commute, training ride, or wherever you want to take your two wheels. Plus, they have a bar you can sit at while you chat with the mechanics.
This women-specific bike shop was opened in the summer of 2015 by a dynamic duo who really know their bike stuff. It offers a great experience with a focus on catering to women of all biking abilities. Join their Saddle Library to get a one-on-one consultation with one of their “saddle experts” and try out all kinds of saddles until you find the right one for you.
Mighty Riders might be a little rough around the edges but it’s one of the hidden gems among Vancouver’s bike shops. They’ve been a staple of Vancouver’s cycling community, giving plenty of support to the local race scene, and have plenty of heart and excitement when you get them talking about your next bike project. Sometimes the shop is hard to navigate with all the bikes on the floor, but it’s a controlled chaos.
This non-profit bike shop is home to beginner mechanic and maintenance workshops and hosts an inclusive trans and women friendly night. It’s also a great place to go shopping if you’re just getting back into cycling but don’t want to commit to a new bike. They’ve got a solid selection of used bikes as well as bins full of bike parts and accessories for those that want to build up their own.
Steed is one of the most professional independent bike shops on the North Shore. Their shop is clean and organized and is a great place to head to with your mountain bike questions and/or repair needs as their staff are knowledgeable, efficient and very friendly.
Located in the basement of the Student Union at the University of British Columbia, this shop is full of stuff but with a cozy atmosphere. This is a great resource for students, profs and the local biking community; they offer a full shop where mechanics can fix your bike, you can fix your own bike with their tools, or you can learn how to fix your bike. Plus, their profits are used to fund the Bike Co-op’s programming and cycling advocacy outreach on campus and beyond.