You’ve spent the dough on a sweet ride for the summer and now is no time to get thrifty. Any serious cyclist knows not to buy that mountain monster or beach cruiser at the department store — the bikes are poor quality and the guy who put together the lawnmowers is in charge of assembly. Leave bike tune-ups, repairs and upgrades to people who make their living fixing bikes. Here are four of the best in the Calgary.
The Good Life Community Bike Shop
Good Life is a big reason for Calgary’s newfound appreciation for bike culture (last month was “Bike Month” and the city has spent millions upgrading roads to be more cycle-friendly). The hub of cycling has found its permanent home in Kensington, where it offers reconditioned/recycled bikes as well as a meeting place for cycling groups and community initiatives. Workshops and instructional sessions teach noobs and vets alike proper maintenance and repair. 148 10 St. N.W.
BikeBike
BikeBike’s owner Sean Carter is devoted to carrying the best city bikes in Calgary. The single-to-three-speed, sturdy-framed leisure rides his shop sells are extremely popular with women, but BikeBike offers complete repair services on most modern models — male or female. 1501a 17 Ave. S.W.
Bike Root
A dedicated team of volunteers keep this not-for-profit University of Calgary society busy with repair requests, but Bike Root’s employees don’t do these repair jobs — you do. A knowledgeable volunteer will walk you through all the necessary steps to repairing that chain, gear or bent rim, so you’ll be able to take on the next project in your garage. 1482 2500 University Dr. N.W.
Bow Cycle
If you’ve got a high-performance machine, Bow Cycle is your destination for repairs. The shop has been in Calgary for more than 50 years, and pros routinely drop in before a big triathlon or mountain rally for tune-ups. With more than 80 years experience fixing bikes and 7,500 parts in stock, you won’t be waiting long to get back on the road. 6501 Bowness Rd. N.W.
——————–
Image courtesy of ercwttmn.
