Just to update my previous review, I will say while I love all bike stores (they sell one of my favorite things, bikes!) There's intangibles that this boutique shop brings that let you know the work and care that Martin and David put into running this shop. From the handwritten price tags to the displays of bells, handlebars, pedals, saddles, racks and panniers, cogs, cranks, hubs and lights, and even a panel of bar ends the attention to detail and displays show that it is a collective effort of people who care about the customer and making a shop that is as well dressed as the things they sell. Another item of note, the care they take with the work they do. While I get that much bike repair involves tools in tight spaces and using a lot of torque, but as someone who takes very careful care of their bike, I appreciate when I get my bike back from repair free of dings, scratches and gouges. Although I don't think any damage is ever deliberate, I think the extra care being taken is. This has now become my favorite bike store. Parts, service, getting what you need either in stock or by special order, there isn't much I feel is out of reach here. Worth the trip! read more

Hoopdriver Bicycles is my neighbourhood bike shop. I've gotten a couple of things done there. First, I had new chains put on my bike. Recently, I had my front quick-release wheel stolen and gotten it replaced at the Hoopdriver. The owner of the shop is great. He isn't overly-friendly, which I like. He is soft-spoken and gets down to business. I think he pays close attention to the bikes he works on, which I, as a customer, expect and appreciate. The Hoopdriver's prices are a bit steeper, but I'm willing to pay a bit extra for my neighbourhood bike shop to stay open. They also seem to be queer-friendly at the shop, which is important to me. The Hoopdriver is also next door to The Common. So you can grab a coffee while you wait for your bike to be fixed/checked up! read more

Hoopdriver Bicycles - Bikes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I purchased a bike from Hoopdriver earlier this summer and it was a great experience. They didn't try to up-sell me, and Martin gave me great advice to help me buy the right bike for me - be it from him or another store. I'm glad I chose to buy my bike through them. I've gone back for various accessories (great selection of bags, helmets, shoes, etc) and the customer service and advice has always been great. Discounts on accessories (for purchasing a bike through them) don't hurt either. read more

This is a bicycle shop run by a cyclist, for cyclists. A particular breed of cyclists in my opinion. Cyclists like me, who must have rides that function flawlessly. I'm talking about bikes that ride smooth, quiet and straight. Not necessarily all shiny, at least in my case. This shop specializes in road and touring bicycles. Not off road behemoths. The selection of parts and accessories is fantastic; unbelievable really when you consider the tiny floor space here. Martin and his staff know bikes. You will probably pay slightly more for service here, but I doubt you'll be bringing your bike back because something wasn't done right. I used to frequent the likes of Duke's, Urbane, Cycle Solutions and a few other shops in town that really failed to impress. Hoopdriver is the only shop I'll visit anymore. read more

I am surprised by the high number of comments that Martin (the owner, and typically who will serve you at the front) is unfriendly. He's a quiet guy and doesn't welcome you into his store like a used car salesman. He knows bikes inside out, asks the right questions, and gets you the products and service you need. Do you really need t o feel like you've made a BFF as you buy a bike or parts? If you check Google Plus reviews you'll see mine there. I went in there five years ago as a total bike newbie and asked a bunch of really simple questions as I embarked on my first bike build. I have never seen him talk down to someone no matter how newbie or simple their questions have been. He just doesn't simultaneously try to kiss your ass while doing so. But he is never rude or disrespectful. Back to the products - the lines he carries are outstanding. I never hesitate to recommend friends (even total bike newbie friends) to Hoopdriver for city and touring bicycles. read more

Martin can be a bit taciturn, but he's honest and fair. This shop doesn't sell junk, which I respect greatly, and they cater to a certain type of buyer - you won't find much Linus-type stuff here. It's not the cheapest place, slightly above average, but I send people here knowing that no one will get cheated or pressured. read more

Martin's been fixing my bikes for years. Whenever I go somewhere else for a tune-up (i.e. cheat on him), I end up regretting it and hafta go back to Martin. I commute about 30 km a day, 10 months of the year. My bike takes a lot of abuse, but Martin always gets it into top shape. He's really knowledgeable and cares that you're going to enjoy your ride. That's what motivates him, not the sale. Lovely store, lovely guy, lovely bike rides! (Keep your eyes peeled for the new store - if you're not careful, you'll miss the discreet signage and have to double back) read more

I like to support local businesses so I brought my bike here for an overdue tune up. It was a little more than the competition but like I said I'm trying to support the locals. $60 for a tune up seemed a bit much plus another $17 for cables and housing. It also took 6 days which seemed a bit long for my liking. Tack on some pedal straps and the grand total was just under $100. My bike runs great but this seems like a lot of cash for a tune up that took almost a week. read more

Great store and great staff, the best "serious commuter" shop in Toronto, by a long way. But I've seen every kind of bike in here getting repaired so they are very much the neighborhood shop as well. If you want a Marioni and live in Toronto, this is the place to go. read more

Update: I was in a serious collision. Martin inspected the bike, made some adjustments, disposed of damaged parts and installed replacements, and advised me on subtle but unthreatening damage to the frame. Restored my confidence, and as usual after a Hoopdriver tune-up, the bike rides like a dream. Great place. From 2014: I have had two bikes built up at Hoopdriver. The owner treated me with friendliness, good humour, patience and courtesy. The builds are beautiful. He used parts I sourced from alternate locations without issue. He (and his terrific mechanic) found some very creative ways to work with the quirky frames I brought to him. I do business with several bike shops (I like to spread the love), but Hoopdriver is my favourite. read more

I recently purchased a bike from Hoop Driver and I was really happy with the service I received. It was unpretentious and very hands on. I visited a number of other bike shops in the city and I finally decided on Hoop Driver because I didn't feel rushed or pushed into something that I didn't need. I was helped by two awesome staff members (wasn't Martin but he is lovely) and I walked away with an amazing bike at an affordable price. read more

I took my bike for service and loved the idea that they were so close to me. However, I didn't like the fact that i was severely taken advantage of; ripped off actually. They had to switch out a wheel- not change a tire. Just swap a wheel- takes maybe 2 minutes. And adjust a derailler. Maybe 5 minutes max. Cost $50. Really? I was too polite to argue in the shop. But I think because I have an expensive bike they figured they just could. Well, no that's not how it works. I won't be back. read more

Yelpers beware: New location 668 Annette Street (between Runnymede and Jane)! Very glad to have them in the West End of beautiful Toronto. Will be returning for a yearly tune-up... Excited for spring! read more

The guy who runs this place is very unfriendly, kind of arrogant. I heard that there were two women bike mechanics which I thought was kind of cool, but unfortunately you have to deal with this guy and it's not a great customer experience. A bit overpriced as well. read more

I would urge anybody to stay away from this bike shop. Overpriced and pretentious, and that's not even mentioning the owner who is an odious, arrogant, rude person. Repair costs magically increase out of nowhere and you're given little explanation as to why. Expensive parts that you didn't agree to are put on your bike and you're expected to pay. Then ask about what repairs have been done and you're talked down to as if you're a stupid child. This has happened to numerous people who I have spoken to about this place. As somebody who is friendly and happy-go-lucky, this place really left a bad taste in my mouth and put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. How and why can people be so rude and disrespectful? Leaving feeling manipulated and shafted is never a good experience, but by an establishment that claims to be a neighbourhood business? Pfft. If you're doing an online search for a bike shop in the area, I recommend you to continue that search. Stay away from this place. You don't need the stress, trust me. read more

Although the owner of this establishment has an enviable collection of items that are of interest to people like me, I am hard pressed to recommend his shop. Some here on Yelp say that he's overpriced, but I think that they don't understand the metrics of running a profitable bike shop. My problem is that in this cramped space, virtually all sales inquiries are handled by the owner, a man whose range of emotions runs from taciturn, to unfriendly, to unwelcoming, to ornery, to indifferent. After a number of trips to his shop, and having made purchases there, I can honestly say my last is truly my last. I'm guessing he has merits that are apparent to few, but honestly some people are just ill suited to dealing with the public. Perhaps he's just shy. Or maybe he just has an inner dialogue that makes him feel that he is communicating in a pleasant way. But his outward countenance is so poor that he has seen the last dollar of mine. I would suggest that if one wants to find a well operated shop that caters to the sensible bicycle crowd, one might venture down to Urbane Cycle where they carry much of what he does and have great attitudes to boot. It's worth mentioning here that before writing this scathing review I polled my friends in the cycling community and everything I'm saying here was backed up by them. It's too bad so many good brands are backed up by such a crappy face for the products. read more

great shop. knew what i wanted, but didnt know what i needed. martin and alex listened to the issues i had with my current bike, we talked about price, and martin was able to list every single thing that didnt work for me with my current cycle and solve them with my new bike. I was able to get an off the rack solution that i immediately knew was right, but im envious that i didnt just spend the extra money getting a bike just for me. read more

Have been back a couple times, and the service has greatly improved since the initial visit. In addition, there has been a lot of new stock added, and the selection of accessories is quite wide yet selective. read more

I will never return to this shop after seeing the way the owner treats both his customers and his female mechanic. There are lots of other options in the neighbourhood. After such shabby treatment at Hoopdriver, I ended up at Cycle Couture. They had everything done in an hour or so, and were most friendly and welcoming. They get my business from now on. read more