Further Resources

Other DIY Bike Shops in Toronto

bikeSauce: 341 Broadview Ave (Regent Park)
Bike Pirates: 1564 Bloor St W (The Junction)
Charlie’s Freewheels: 242.5 Queen St. E (Moss Park)
Cycle York: 95 The Pond Rd (York University)
Gateway Bicycle Hub: 10 Gateway Blvd (North York)
Scarborough Cycles: 3079 Danforth Ave

Consider the price
While someone might be able to get a gem of a bike for very little money, this isn’t often the case, especially if you’re not sure what makes a bike a gem. Be realistic about what your budget will get you and shop around to consider your options. A bike is a vehicle, and you are trusting your life to it. Be an informed consumer and spend wisely.

What to look for
If you can avoid it, do not buy newer Supercycles, Triumphs, CCMs or other department store bikes. Older bikes from these brands are okay, but the new ones are of poor quality. If you have a limited budget, consider a used bike instead of a cheaper new bike.

Frame
No bends, big dents, or cracks. Cracks in the paint or discoloration can indicate frame damage. Ask for the stem and seatpost to be moved, to make sure they aren’t rusted stuck within the frame.

Wheels
Spin the wheels – they should be fairly straight. Squeeze the spokes to check for broken or loose ones. Inspect the tires for big cracks or holes.

Cables and Housing
Inspect the housing to look for cracks or splits. Try squeezing the brakes and shifting the gears to see if the cable moves through the housing smoothly.

Take it for a test ride
The frame should fit properly. You leg should extend fully while pedalling. If you struggle to reach the pedals or your knees stay bent during the entire pedal rotation, the frame is likely the wrong size.

Bike Pirates: 1564 Bloor St. W.
bikeSauce: 341 Broadview Ave.
Ya Bikes: 242.5 Queen St. E. & 411 Roncesvalles Ave

There are other shops that sell used bikes in Toronto. Make sure you go somewhere that has a good reputation, both in means of acquisition and in safety standards.

Craigslist, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are unreliable options. You have little recourse if your new bike has problems. If you do buy a bike from one of these websites, make sure that it receives a check-over from a competent mechanic. You can also arrange with the seller for the sale to take place at Bikechain, and you can look over the bike with a mechanic onsite.

We strongly recommend buying a quality lock for your new bike. Paying $50 or $100 for a quality U-Lock may seem like a lot of money, but settling on a $20 lock might mean buying a bike sooner than you think.

Bike theft is an unfortunate reality of city life, and most cyclists in Toronto experience a bike theft during their lives. As long as poverty exists, bikes will be stolen. The only true solution to bike theft is to create a world where nobody needs to steal a bike.

In the meantime, here are some ways to protect your bike from getting stolen:

Use a high-quality lock
When buying a lock, expect to spend at least $40. If a lock is inexpensive, it is not good quality. If you can’t afford a $40+ lock, buy a used lock that retails for at least $40. We don’t recommend a cord or a chain lock (ie. any lock that is “flexible”). These can be easily snipped. It’s best to use a lock that requires a power tool to cut.

Where to lock your bike
The best place to store your bike is indoors. If you must keep your bike in a public place, try to minimize how long it’s there. (For example, don’t lock it at Union Station overnight). Make sure whatever you’re locking your bike to is secure (you could have the best lock in the world, but if you lock it to a chainlink fence, the fence itself can be easily snipped). Use your context clues: if there are tons of half-pillaged bike on a rack, it is a common site of bike theft. Bike thieves often go for the easiest target, so wherever you lock your bike, your goal is to make it harder to steal than the one next to it. If you are especially cautious of theft, don’t be afraid to ask your destination if there’s a safer place to lock your bike than outside. (We have been successful in bringing our bike indoors / to a safer backyard by inquiring at stores, restaurants, and movie theatres).

How to lock your bike
As much as possible, lock both the wheel and the frame of the bike to a secure post or rack. If you lock just your wheel, the frame can be stolen; lock just your frame and your wheels can be stolen. If you have quick release wheels, consider swapping in inexpensive anti-theft skewers to make your wheels harder to steal. Take accessories (lights, etc) off your bike when you lock up to prevent them from being stolen. To protect your seat and seatpost from being stolen, consider locking your seat to your bike frame with a small cord lock or old bike chain.