Mtbr.com supports Local Bike Shops. If you discover a shop posted on this site that is not
open, or the shop's information is duplicate or incorrect please send us an email at admin2@mtbreview.com
or post a forum message here.
Bike Shop Owners! We have a new feature we call the Rating Badge. The Rating Badge is a small graphic image (150x58 pixels)
that displays your shop's rating and number of reviews on Mtbr.com. You can put it on your website and it allows all your
customers to review your shop. It also gives new customers the reviews and validation they need to buy from you. Just cut and paste the HTML
code found in the Rating Badge section of your review page. More details about the Rating Badge here»
Bow Cycle
Bow Cycle is a family owned business that has been in operation for nearly 50 years. Opened in 1957 by Jim and Mary Sibthorpe, Bow Cycle was first established as a small bicycle and sporting goods store in beautiful downtown Bowness, Alberta (at that time, Calgary had not yet grown to engulf the smaller outlying towns and communities). As the years passed and the business prospered, Jim and Mary''s two sons, Jim Jr. and Brian, became increasingly involved in its operation.
The brothers have now been successfully managing and growing the business for 30 years. Longtime employees John Franzky, Darrell Elliott, Kurt Christensen, Kevin Senior and Dave Leung have also joined the ownership group to add long-term stability.
A lot has changed since the store''s early days. Today, Bowness is a permanent fixture in Calgary . . . and so is Bow Cycle. The store has grown to become one of Canada''s largest and most successful bicycle retailers. Boasting almost all of the industry''s largest names under one roof, Bow Cycle continues to exceed client expectations of customer service and product quality.
While a lot has changed at Bow Cycle, a lot has stayed the same. During a radio ad in the early 1960s, Jim Sr. coined the phrase, "Bow Cycle, this is where the fun begins." From that day forward, those words have served as the blueprint for how our business is run. We truly believe that being on two wheels is fun, and we want all our customers and staff to feel the same way.
As of 2007, Bow Cycle will have been selling fun on two wheels for 50 years. Looking back at where we''ve come from and ahead to where we''re going, we''re sure that our next 50 will be just as fun-filled and amazing.
Shop Summary: Bow Cycle is a giant store that can meet your needs; whether its for a pair of socks, a $400 first bike, a vintage Italian Fixie, a DH monster or a 16lb road bike.
Customer Service: Bow gets really busy, which is part of its charm. Still, even when slammed they really do try to help you out. Deals are more the norm than the exception and besides, wandering around their sprawling shop with a coffee from Cadence is a great way to kill an hour or two.
Other Comments: I have never gone to them for repairs so I cannot speak to the ability of the mechanics. I have bought 2 bikes from Bow Cycle and a bunch of stuff over the last few years.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Shop Summary: Good all around bike shop with a large selection of price points in just about every category of biking. Freeride? Insane downhill rig? Sunday cruiser? High end road racer... they got it. Usually in 3-5 different makes as well.
Tends to be a higher than average volume bike shop. Better to shop week days then the week end.
Customer Service: Top notch. They did great with my last 2 bikes. The build, wheels, brakes, derailers/shifters, cable routing etc were all perfect. I've had to tweak the shock set up but the fork was perfect. Suspension tweaking in my experience is not surprising considering that shock tuning is weight and riding style specific.
Other Comments: I bought a Norco Shore 5 years ago and a Santa Cruz Nomad this year. I've been nothing but pleased with my experience thus far. Will likely continue to shop here.
P.S. As for the price, I've noted other reviews stating better elsewhere. I've found just the opposite, especially with the higher end bikes (i.e. quoted $500 less then elsewhere for my Nomad).
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Shop Summary: Good Selection, nice big fancy store.
Customer Service:
As a long time customer of 15 years I can see like many businesses in Calgary service has taken an endo! The staff is not very knowledgeable( a lot of the old good ones seem to have moved on)the new ones know very little about the products.
Other Comments: As mentioned "nice big fancy store" so the prices must reflect how much it cost to build the place.Bow Cycle has the highest prices in the city! So if you think your getting a "deal" when you get a customer discount your not 10 or 15 % only puts you back in the ballpark.
It used to be worth the trip to go all the way across town to Bow ...not any more.
The prices at Bow are another good reason to shop online and save your hard earned money!
Former loyal customer!
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Shop Summary: Great shop selection and customer service. Friendly staff who are always willing to go the extra mile for a sale. Just ask for a discount and 9 times out of 10 you can get something. Even its only 10% off, its better than nothing.
Service department is pretty good as well, never had a problem.
Customer Service: Friendly and fast service. No pressure sales staff. Discounts on most products. Always willing to go the extra mile for a sale.
Other Comments: A top end bike shop with great selection of parts and accessories. Oh yeah and bikes too, Santa Cruz, Specialized, Scott, Kona, Cannondale, Norco.....only if they had Rocky Mtn!
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
4 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
5 of 5
1 of 5
1 of 5
