FAQ

What size of bike do I need?

This is a great question! The short answer is trust your local bike shop’s expertise and always TEST RIDE BEFORE YOU BUY! Come in and we will help you find a good fit.
The long answer is that bikes come in various types of sizes, the standard small/medium/large to frame sizes in cm or inches, and different styles of bikes & frames will fit differently even if they are both the same size. Just because your road bike is 54 cm does not mean that a 54 cm mountain bike will fit you! Also differences in your body proportions will also affect how a bike fits you. We always recommend talking to professional in a shop and test riding the bike to see how it feels. 
Avoid blindly buying a bike online without having ridden it first is our rule!  

Why and when should I get a tune-up?

We generally recommend getting a tune up once a year. Whether you are riding through the winter season, or you let it sit unused for several months after a busy summer of riding, it is always worth bringing your bike in for service. A tune up is a chance for a qualified mechanic to go through your bike to make sure everything is properly adjusted and to perform some preventative maintenance to ensure your bicycle will continue to operate safely for the rest of the season. It is also one of the most cost-effective repairs you can do for your bike. You get the most for your money with a tune up. Little repairs add up and almost always cost more in the long run. As far as when you should get a tune-up, we usually recommend at the start or the end of the riding season. It's up to you. If you ride through the winter, your winter tune up will be different from your spring or summer tune up.

Is it worth it to fix my old bike?

This is a question that we get asked a lot, and it is not an easy one to answer. It is almost always worth fixing up an old bicycle (unless the frame is damaged or compromised in some way), though year after year the likelihood of having to replace parts as they wear out increases. Generally it becomes more and more expensive every year to keep a bike running, and at a certain point the extra investment to buy a new bike will look more lucrative. A new bike of a similar quality will be less likely to require parts replaced, we find people are usually happier for longer when riding a new bike, even though it generally costs more up front. 

How long does it take for my bike to get repaired?

We pride ourselves on being one of the fastest shops in the city for turnaround time on repairs. Generally a full tune-up can take 24-48 hours.  As we operate on a first come first served basis this can fluctuate (especially in the busy spring tune up season) or if parts are ordered.  We always give you a rough estimate when you are dropping your bike off for service when it will be ready.  Want it back ASAP? Bring it in before the April 1st, the start of the busy season.

Do I need an Appointment?

We do not do appointments at Metrocycle.  Over the years we found that is actually quicker to not have appointments.  Sometimes people don't show or cancel and it can slow us and you down.  We operate on a first come first serve basis, just bring in your bike at your earliest convenience, and we will get your bike checked in for service.

I bought a new bike now what?

Make sure you have locks, lights, a bell, and a helmet. Investing in a good pump is also a great idea for a bike owner. If you are inclined to work on the bike yourself, invest in some tools or spare parts.

We also strongly recommend registering your bike with the TPS. You can register online here: https://www.tps.ca/services/bicycle-registration/  They do recover stolen bikes and registration will keep your bike from going up at a police auction.