Curbside Cycle

Bought a Brompton folding bike from Curbside during the summer of 2015
I was that annoying guy who wanted to try all the different models, and then try them all again because I couldn’t make up my mind as to which was the most comfortable for my height /​riding style. The sales staff were VERY helpful and never got fed up or annoyed, they were 100% attentive through the whole process and knew the bikes really well.
Today I brought it back to get a tune up and have a couple repairs done. I was expecting to pay for the service but was told that it was free under the bikes standard warranty.
Great shop, zero attitude & some really cool products.

4 or 5 stars? I’ve been here just the one time, but discovered the place randomly as I cycled by. Service was welcoming, non-​judgemental, patient. The mechanic in the back made time to assess my bike’s needs. I think (at least hope) he was fair. I think he was being sincere.
I used to live in Kensington Market, and I loved two hotspots there for bike lovers to bring their bikes for tune-​ups. Curbside Cycle may be on the new side for me, but the selection of accessories (esp. cool bells, horns), and bikes, seems good. The person helping me initially, had a good knowledge of bikes, and Curbside’s products.
I left with a high pressure air pump, and an appointment to bring my sweet bike back in for a tune-​up.

Matt was very friendly and helpful. He answered all our questions with a smile and provided genuine pointers for accessories. They rightfully deserve great ratings so it helps bike buyers where should there search begin. Excellent client handling.

These guys are super friendly and helpful. I bought my helmet and bike bell (which they fixed on for me) there today. I had just come from Batemans, who weren’t nearly as nice so I was glad that I found what I was after at Curbside as you’re better off taking your business where it’s deserved. They seem to have a great range of accessories but I’m a cycling noob so I have yet to learn how to pimp my ride. Should I begin to, however, this place will be my go-​to.

Some good things about this place, some bad things.
The good things: solid location, and if you need some lights or something in a pinch, you can get them here. Also, if you’re more into the urban-​chic cycling thing, you can get that stuff here.
The bad thing is that, though this might have changed in the recent past, I found the staff here to have attitude. Not all of them, but a number of them.
I generally avoid and go to Pete’s down the street, but I’ll go in here to see what they have once in a while. The owner seems like a nice guy, and has been to me for a while now.

I bought a Brooks saddle here and once I actually got it on my bike, realized it was not right at all for my bike and riding position. I exchanged it for another with no hassle and lots of helpful advice from the shop. Great customer service.

This place is a solid bike shop. The only problem is that they will only fix a bike that they sold in the first place.
I am glad their business is so good that they can turn away other customers, but it is frustrating that they will not help you out if you got your bike somewhere else.

I bought my bike in the beginning of March, a lovely 3-​speed Linus Mixte. I’ve been riding her (yes, her — I’ve named my bike Delilah) everyday to work since, and I could not have asked for a more perfect bicycle for me.
I walked in there totally lost in terms of what to look for, as I’ve never been much of a cyclist before, and the sales guy (Eric? I think?) was super helpful and patient with helping me make a decision, without being your stereotypical overly eager, pushy salesman. They also offer a free tune up on your bike within a year of purchase, which is nice.
I’ll definitely be back in the future for accessories as well (they have a wonderful selection of baskets & racks).

I would’ve rated my first visit to Curbside a ⁵⁄₅ without hesitation. It was last summer: A younger woman helped me sort out an (apparently very labour-​intensive!) problem with my wheel, and even stayed a few minutes past closing in an effort to ensure that I left with my problem resolved. She was friendly, polite, knowledgeable – as was the other bike mechanic that was working on it – and she left me feeling confident that I’d be a repeat customer.
Recently, I was experiencing some issues with my bike again (entirely unrelated to the ones before), so I figured I’d go back to Curbside, since they were so great to me before. This time, I had an experience almost entirely opposite from the first time.
First, bad selection; I’d only discovered this on this occasion, since my previous visit didn’t involve parts, but only labour. The clerk pointed me in the direction of a $ 70 bike saddle for which there was no cheaper alternative. (This, of course, isn’t the clerk’s fault; but perhaps the store should consider getting some more moderately-​priced alternatives for things like this.)
But everything’s overpriced in bike stores; this much I’ve come to expect. The second problem, however, was what left me truly dissatisfied with my experience.
The main problem I was having was my loose bottom bracket. The clerk very quickly replied, without further inspection, that it was broken and that I would need a new one. He then shooed me off to the mechanic in the back.
The mechanic took a quick look, and within 30 seconds, he suggested that I «scrap my bike for parts», and that it was «no good». I don’t deny that there are issues with the bike; this is, after all, why I brought it in. But to tell a customer that his bike is worth little more than scrap parts is a verdict that should be handed down more delicately, and certainly not with a huge grin, since it is almost certainly going to jostle any customer that hears it. To treat the matter so dismissively, and then send the customer on his way (I would have been willing to pay for the repairs, had he shown any interest in providing me with the details!), this seems to me like a bad way of doing things.
At any rate, this verdict of totaling out my bike seemed to provide him and all the other nearby employees with a great deal of pleasure. There wasn’t any effort to provide me with alternatives to consider, or ways to make it rideable temporarily; rather, it was a very curt «nah, just scrap it», and that was that.
Unfortunately for them, I had a handful of nearly $ 100 worth of bike parts I was ready to buy, and I also had every intention to go check out the bike lights, which of course would have added a bit more to my overall purchase. So my total – including the fact that I could have very easily been convinced to drop $ 200+ for repairs – could have easily surpassed $ 350. Instead, the condescension and disinterest on their part caused me to leave without purchasing anything.
The two guys standing at the front of the store were smirking and giggling at my bike as I wheeled it out. I took it across the street to Sweet Pete’s, where I was met with a helpful team who gave me a detailed list of the cost for repairs. Ultimately, they quoted me $ 150, which I am happy to spend to save a bike that I love, and I felt respected, appreciated, and welcome the entire time.
Maybe this was an isolated experience; as I said, I had a great experience the first time I went to Curbside. But given that this recent experience went poorly, what motivation do I have to go back, now that I’ve seen how it compares to its competitor across the street?

I am a customer from Vancouver and had some issues with the order. I had to give them a huge credit! Aaron is a very nice guy although we haven’t met face to face. He’s extremely helpful and polite over the phone. Prompt email response. Great service overall I would definitely visit the store when I come Toronto next time!

The guy with the Hipster ‘stache and pleasant demeanour did an ace job of fixing up Frieda (my vintage burgundy Raleigh child). He tried to save me as much money as possible and even discouraged me from getting new fenders. But I insisted and he relented.
SPOILERS: I was right because the burgundy frame and bright red fenders look amazeballs together.
TIP: Their repair prices are way cheaper than Pete’s. Also, the dude did a bunch of free alterations to my bike (just cause he is so darned awesome) — he moved my bell so it was more accessible, and realigned my chain so that my gears click properly now.

Given my stature, it’s really hard for me to find a decent bicycle. I have to ride a 20-​inch wheel bike, a kid’s size, and most children bicycles look — well, childlike. It’s the reason why before last month, I was still riding the same plain, green free spirit bicycle that I’ve had since I was 10. Having a heavy, 1 speed bike is not easy to get around the city in – especially on hills. My department store bicycle was also falling apart. It was time for me to invest in a new one. I was on a mission to find a bicycle that would fit me and not look too childlike.
I walked into Curbside Cycle and was greeted by Ally, one of the Sales Reps. Looking around, I didn’t see many options for me. I told Ally what I was looking for in a bicycle — a light, cruiser or cruiser-​like style fit for me with gear options. Ally pulled information for me on the Lil’ Dutchi, a children’s bicycle that the store was getting that is the smaller version of the adult-​sized Linus Dutchi. She told me that the Dutchi was a good commuter bicycle. It doesn’t have a heavy frame and it would allow me to sit in an upright position, making a more comfortable ride. I loved the look of the bicycle and it matched my requirement of not looking child-​like. Ally gave me a good estimate of the total cost of the bicycle with upgrades and a time estimate to when the store would the getting the bikes.
After a few weeks, I called the store to check if the bikes were in and Ally, who remembered me, told me that they were in. I went to the shop and Aaron showed me the bicycle. He let me take it for a test ride behind the store and expressed concern in the fit of the bicycle for me. I told him it would take a little adjusting, but it would be fine.
Now it was time to talk about upgrades. We went back into the store and talked to the mechanics who went through what they would have to do in order to upgrade the bike to have 3 speeds. There was concern in whether or not it could be done, but one of the mechanics, Rama, measured the 3-​speed hub on a Dutchi and was certain that he would be able to make it work.
All of the upgrades were going to be costly and including labour, the bike would cost more than an adult Linus 3-​speed Dutchi. Without me having to ask, Aaron worked on getting me a deal and it was agreed upon that I would just pay for the bicycle and the price of parts (no labour), making cost of the bicycle with upgrades less than the adult Dutchi.
The mechanics finished the upgrades in less time than estimated and Rama called me as soon as it was done.
In my experience at Curbside Cycle, I never felt pressured to buy anything and everyone seemed genuine in wanting to make this bicycle happen for me, which I greatly appreciated. The staff is very knowledgeable in what they do. I will definitely be back for anything this bike requires, and I will be recommending this store to any cyclist that will listen.

Come in here for the amazing bags, the bikes, the clean store, FANTASTIC, SWEET customer service, and. overall good-​feel.
I love this store. I really do. They’re so kind here, and helpful without asking for anything. I cannot recommend this place enough.
(Love the bags. Just wish they carried smaller versions…)

I popped in on a whim today to look at bike baskets. I wound up stumbling upon some deeply discounted bike grips that were right up my aesthetics nerd alley.
Aaron was an absolute gem to deal with. He offered to put them on for me because I don’t own the tools and was awesome at explaining his process of installation. I was also in the market for a new seat and he took the time to talk me through some options. He also took time (despite it getting suddenly busier) to talk me through bike baskets vs panniers.
Not only that but, the bike techs are super sweet too! My front wheel was making a grinding noise which turned out to simply be the brake pads being too loose. He fixed that and made a quick diagnosis of another issue I’m having with my bike.
One other guy was working with a woman to try to modify a kids bike seat to work with her bike set up and was keen to share what he was doing when I asked what was going on.
Curbside sells a variety of bikes most notably Linus and Bobbin bikes. Their prices are on par with everyone in the city, but one other thing that sets them apart from other places is that they regularly have deeply discounted accessories and bike components.
I plan on going back to Curbside for more bits and pieces as I start to modify my bike to further suit my needs.

Love them. I needed a new wheel yesterday and during this budding bike season, it can be tough to get a repair done quickly. Since I ride my bike everywhere, I needed it done stat.
The girl on the phone was somewhat helpful, but couldn’t tell me how busy the mechanic was. She transferred me directly to the mechanic who was a wonderful guy. He told me that if I could get the bike there before 5 pm that he could have it done in 30 minutes. HELLO! I was there in 10 minutes and he even called me when he was done! The whole shebang cost me $ 83 inclusive of parts and labour. The Cycle Shoppe wanted to charge me $ 118 and couldn’t tell me when it would be done.
Again, Curbside saves the day! Thank you to all the people in this shop who work so hard to keep us on two wheels and don’t rob us blind to do it! And an extra thanks to the sweet Bike Mechanic!

After going to the bike shop down the street, I was on the hunt for some panniers (bags). I was impressed with the selection of their bags, and more so with the number of staff who helped me…4 altogether… everyone is super friendly and helpful… I take a long time to make a decision and was approached by 4 different fellas asking to help me! What great service. I was also impressed with the Stompin’ Tom being played, as he had just died that week!
I found the bags of my dreams… reg. $ 80, I got a doubled sized pannier bag for $ 30!!! What a deal!
I wheel be back!

Finding a helpful bike shop and mechanic in this city is like finding the right barber who can actually do a proper low-fade…it’s hit and miss.
To beat the Spring rush, I recently brought my hybrid bicycle to Curbside Cycle for a tune up, and to purchase and have a set of fenders installed. I was greeted by Eliessar, the shop’s bike mechanic who on the spot stopped what he was doing and took the time to explore any particular issues I had with my ride. Having experienced unskillful and incompetent bike mechanics in the past, Eli put me at ease and thoroughly explained and showed me what he was going to do with my bike.
Within less than 24 hours I received a call from the shop to pick up my bike.
Overall, the staff here are absolutely friendly and knowledgeable. I have already recommended that my fiancé bring her bicycle here for a tune up!

Curbside Cycle: the best bike store in Toronto. For what must be the third time they repaired my bike for no charge. I went up to the front counter and said «you guys keep fixing my bike and not charging me for it.» The owner asked me «what did we do?» gesturing to my bike. When I said «you fixed it» he yelled to the back, «ELI! How much?» To which Eli shrugged, and signalled «forget it.» So I walked out with my freely repaired bike, saying «ok…» and the owner said «tell you friends.» So here I am, spreading the word.
On this particular visit their great bike mechanic explained what was wrong to me, and fixed the shoddy work of another TO bike store (that I went to b/​c my bike was on warrantee). After I told him about my experience with the other bike store, Curbside’s mechanic quietly asserted that he’d talk to the owner of the other bike store about the shoddy repairs.
Integrity, professionalism, and smart marketing to women. Curbside Cycle exemplifies a store-​wide commitment to biking for families, for transportation, for everyone.

When I am in the Annex, and I have a bike-​related issue, I usually drop by this shop. My bike’s left crank bolt fell out, along with the crank arm on a side street near this shop. I couldn’t find the bolt, but retrieved the crank arm. Their service staff took a quick look at the crank arm, and realized that it was damaged, but still usable (it would mean that I would have to constantly retighten the crank bolt each time I used it). They gave me a used crank bolt, for free, and I was on my way (I had an 8 mm allen key in my back pack, and reattached the crank arm myself on the street). I eventually replaced the crank arm at my local D.I.Y. shop, Bike Pirates.
Every other time I’ve come here for an inner tube, or bought an accessory, such as bells, lights, and saddlebags, I had good experiences with the staff. I’d give it higher marks, but I have never bought a bicycle here, nor have I actually had my bike serviced here. So I can’t really comment on either, other than the staff is pleasant and knowledgeable, and the store has good bike accessories.

I can only comment on customer service for parts and accessories (not bikes).
I’d been looking for a specific rear set of bags for my spanking brand new bike and the only place that I could find them was in either Markham or on Military Road in Boofalo.
I didn’t get an answer from an email sent, but when I phoned, I could hear the place was jammed-​busy. After confirming they had my satchels, I dropped by after work to grab them. Staff greeted me with a smile and quite literally ran to grab what I was there for.
No complaints and I’d definitely go again.