When your bike is in trouble, the world is a scary and confusing place. People tend to react across a spectrum beginning somewhere near nervous discomfort and ending south of blind panic and rage fits. But that's why the city is full of friendly bike doctors, mechanics who live and breathe to keep you rollin'. Here are some of the best places in town for when your bike's not feeling up to speed:
Sweet Pete's
www.sweetpetes.com
WHERE: 1204 Bloor St. West
Sweet Pete's does free estimates, offers a wide selection of bicyclettes and best of all: offers free servicing for two years after purchase.
The Bike Joint
www.thebikejoint.com
WHERE: 290A Harbord St.
The Bike Joint does $35 tune-ups and warranties all their work. They love bikes from the fancy to the falling apart, and test ride all their repairs.
Mike the Bike
www.mikethebike.ca
WHERE: 213 Augusta Ave, in Kensington
A full tune-up is only $30 plus parts, but they also offer a 'half-tuna', where mechanics will determine the most critical fixes to keep your bike in condition, and save you up to 15 bucks. They also have a cool bicycle buy-back plan, great for students or temporary bike users (a.k.a. those of us too fragile to bike in the winter)