The 5 Best Bike Shops in Calgary That Can Give You the Smoothest Ride of Your Life
One of my biggest flaws is that I suffer from extreme FOMO, aka the Fear of Missing Out. I just hate being left out of anything that seems fun or intriguing. So when some of my friends decided to take up biking, of course, I had to follow suit.
As it turns out, though, getting into biking and buying one is much more complicated than I initially thought. I didn’t even know there were more types than I can count on my hands — and not all of them are beginner-friendly.
That’s why I decided to seek the help of experts and ask for advice on how to start. Thankfully, I got recommendations on the most dependable bike shops in Calgary from some passionate bikers in town.
How much do bike shop services cost in Calgary?
Bike shops in Calgary typically charge around $30 to $300 for their services. Basic tune-ups usually only cost under $50, while extensive overhauls can fetch upwards of $200.
1. The Bike Shop Central
Address: 801 11 Ave SW
Phone: +1 403 264 1735
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Any Calgarian who has ever owned a bike has likely heard of The Bike Shop Central. This place has been around for over 50 years, and it has everything you’d ever need, from biking accessories to apparel.
Part of what makes them so popular is their welcoming nature. Even if you’re a newbie, I can guarantee that you won’t feel out of your depth. Their friendly staff will be there to help you choose which of their bikes is best for you.
Similarly, they’re very accommodating when it comes to repairs. Their mechanics are great at diagnosing problems for any kind of model, no matter how old your bike is.
However, you should know that their restoration services aren’t the cheapest, especially with the labor fee on top of the costs for parts. But it’s a price many are willing to pay, considering that they get the job done fast and get it right the first time around.
Quality work and great customer service
“I recently brought my cruiser bike in for repairs, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about bikes. They diagnosed the issues quickly, explained the necessary repairs clearly, and had everything fixed up in no time. Highly recommend this shop for quality work and great customer service.”
Carrie Le, Google Review
Super quick and super helpful
“Amazing! James fixed my husband’s bike before close, super quick and was awesome and super helpful. He also taught us some things about the bike as he was fixing it. Took no time at all and a good price! We had gone to a different bike shop originally and they told us it would be 2 weeks to fix the bike and we would have to leave the bike with them (which wasn’t possible, this is my husband’s only way to work) so when we tried here as a last resort we were so surprised they would do it right then! Even though they were closing in 30 min! We will be back!”
Katie B., Google Review
2. Calgary Cycle – Southwood
Address: Southwood Corner, 10233 Elbow Dr SW Unit 100
Phone: +1 403 201 4300
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
If you’re looking for a new bike, there’s no better place to go than Calgary Cycle. They have an amazing selection on hand, including mountain bikes, road bikes, e-bikes, and even bikes for kids.
For every new purchase, they have a nice fit guarantee within the first day, where they’ll re-fit the bike to increase your comfort while cycling. This, in particular, has helped many new bikers feel more at ease on their new ride.
My favorite thing about them, though, is that they make it easy for owners to maintain their bikes. They offer several service packages, with the cheapest involving basic tune-ups, and the most expensive including a professional clean and part replacements.
You’ll just have to be a bit patient for the latter. Sometimes, they need to order parts from somewhere else, and they take more than a week to arrive. But on the bright side, their affordable rates make the wait worth it.
They have earned my business moving forward
“I chose Calgary Cycle to do some work on my bike with a limited budget. They gave me best case and worst case scenarios, and when they had my bike ready, ahead of schedule, they did only the necessary work and stuck to the best case scenario. They could have easily made an extra $100.00 off of me, without me even questioning it, but they didn’t. They have earned my business going forward, and I highly recommend them to anyone.”
Tony Kennedy, Google Review
Great place to have your bike serviced
“Great place to have your bike serviced. The process was convenient and seamless. Called and made an appointment, dropped of the bike the night before and picked it up the next day. I had the Blue Level service as my bike needed some care. During the drop off inspection, I was told the few parts that needed to replaced. Upon riding the serviced bike, I was thrilled that all the scraping, squealing and other noises and annoyances are all gone. The ride better than ever and practically silently. I would highly recommend CC – Southwood.”
Bill Mitchell, Google Review
3. Bike and Brew
Address: 921 1 Ave NE
Phone: +1 587 356 2739
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday, Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
Bike and Brew is the perfect stopover in the middle of a bike ride. This bike shop-slash-cafe has the best vibes in the city, making it a favorite hangout spot among local bikers.
Inside, expect to see the coolest merchandise and biking apparel in Calgary. They’ve got tons of bike brands and types to choose from, such as steel, carbon, and single-speed bikes.
As for components, they usually have all the essentials like pedals and brakes. You don’t even have to set an appointment for things like tire or tube changes; they accept walk-ins all the time.
But just in case you want to be sure they can accommodate you, you can also call to check for availability. Their staff is quick to respond to phone calls and always happy to answer inquiries.
Sadly, their in-person customer service doesn’t seem to be as consistent. I’ve heard a couple of complaints here and there about how some customers felt ignored in the shop.
They provided me with an excellent customer experience
“They provided me with an excellent customer experience! I was looking for a special handlebar bag for quite a long time in a few dozen web stores and finally found it at Bike and Brew – and even though they don’t originally tend to ship internationally, they made it happen for me. The order was placed on Friday morning in Calgary, AB, Canada and the package arrived the very next Monday with UPS in Germany. Very friendly contact, quick responses, great service and some pretty cool stuff on their homepage – check it out! Thanks @Quinn and colleagues! I’m proud to be your first international customer!”
Torben Meyer, Google Review
This place is absolutely fantastic
“This place is absolutely fantastic! I messaged several companies (including the one I bought my bike from), and Bike and Brew were the first and only ones to reply to my inquiry. They placed a fair assessment of my bike and its tuning needs without trying to up-sell or misguide. They communicated openly and texted me once it was ready. My bike was quickly serviced and returned to me in excellent condition! I am highly impressed and will be sure to use their services again if all remains the same! Well done :)”
Carmela Salvador, Google Review
4. Ridley’s Cycle
Address: 223 10 St NW
Phone: +1 403 283 1421
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday, Friday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Ridley’s Cycle began in Calgary back in 1945, and since then, it has created a lovely and supportive biking community. So if you’re looking into picking up the hobby, I’d say this is the best place to start.
Their staff are essentially fairy godmothers, but for biking. These experts will get to know you so they can recommend the ideal bike. They’ll even go out of their way to make sure it’s the perfect fit, a la Cinderella’s glass slipper.
What’s even better is that they won’t push you to get one if you’re unsure. Instead, they have a rental service where you can try out some of their best bikes and take them out for a spin.
But as great as they sound, swiftness is something they lack. Unlike their speedy bikes, the staff is known for making customers wait, whether it’s putting them on hold over the phone or taking a while to finish repairs.
It was a phenomenal shopping experience
“I recently bought a road bike at this store and it was a phenomenal shopping experience. Reid was super helpful from beginning to end, and was always willing to answer any question I had regarding the bike up to financing options. As I was from out of town, the store was willing to help me look at options at how to get the bike home, and once decided, was also willing to help me box up the bike and prep it for a flight. Would not hesitate to stop by the next time I’m in town!”
Benedict Tan, Google Review
Without hesitation, they were more than happy to assist
“After not having success from the store we bought my bike from with a warranty issue. We contacted Ridleys to see if they could help me out. Without hesitation they were more than happy to assist. Within days the warranty ticket had been submitted, and the part ordered. Even though we didn’t purchase from them they have gone above and beyond that we will be doing our purchasing with them in the future! Tell your friends and family because this is customer service and this is how to go places with your loyalty”
Steve & Crystal Christie, Google Review
5. Bow Cycle & Sports
Address: 6501 Bowness Rd NW
Phone: +1 403 288 5422
Business Hours:
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Tuesday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesday to Friday, Monday – Closed
Bow Cycle & Sports is essentially a one-stop shop for all your biking needs. Whether you feel like buying a brand new model, renting a classic, or getting your trusted one repaired, you can rest assured that they can help.
It’s common for the place to get so busy, and yet, there’s always someone ready to assist.
Believe me when I say that no one cares for bikers as much as the staff here does. You can trust that they’ll do everything in their power to give you the bike of your dreams, complete with grips in your favorite color.
I especially recommend booking their comprehensive fitting service. During your scheduled appointment, they’ll conduct an assortment of tests and check your body geometry size to craft a bike that fits you perfectly.
But you know what they say about perfection — it takes time. Occasionally, this place runs into delays and delivers its products much later than promised.
This is consistently the best bike shop to deal with in the Calgary area
“This is consistently the best bike shop to deal with in the Calgary area. Friendly, knowledgable staff who are always willing to assist. We have purchased two bikes with Doug’s assistance over the past 7 mths (another one today) and he is absolutely great to deal with. Pricing, advice, service and selection are always top notch…no hesitation in recommending Bow Cycle for any of your cycling needs, they are great!”
Chris Cowan, Google Review
Made the whole process easy for me
“Spent a good amount of time with Ethan getting a bike picked out that suited my needs. He answered every question I had, and never made me stupid for not knowing something. I worked my way through a bike, types of clip in pedals, and new shoes. All of them fit my budget and are good quality. Spent over an hour with Ryan in their Fit Studio at BC. He managed to set the bike up to accommodate for all my injuries over the years, which has led to pain free riding. Can’t thank him enough for that. To top it all off, they delivered it to their shop downtown for free pickup. Made the whole process easy for me. From sales, tech work, to even being greeted at the front door, this place is just full of professionals who like what they do.”
Cody Argue, Google Review