Ontario Cycle Salvage closing

[bobjohnson]

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Not really. Ralph is an *******.

Yeah hes a bit of an ******* but now theres no where at all in the city to get used parts. Probably never will be again. I'd rather it be open and have to deal with him rather than wait 2 weeks (or more) to get parts from ebay that I cant even inspect before I buy.

 

[Amazon]

Peterborough Cycle Salvage still exists, you could always go for a drive and check out parts there.

 

[TorontoBoy]

Is Ontario Cycle closing or moving? Their site does not even mention closing...

I have not been there for years, but it does not help business when they close at 6:00pm and don't open on the weekend, as posted on their site.

 

[Low rider]

T.O. cycle is still in business, aren't they?

 

[DemonPig]

Is Ontario Cycle closing or moving? Their site does not even mention closing...

I have not been there for years, but it does not help business when they close at 6:00pm and don't open on the weekend, as posted on their site.

Tuesday - Thursday 12pm-5pm at this moment. Brutal. I went by on Friday, didn't even occur to me to check if they would be open. Lesson learned.

 

[DemonPig]

T.O. cycle is still in business, aren't they?

They are still, even though the owner whines and moans every year about how he will close it down so it will happen eventually.

I bet those Hyosungs are not helping the situation either. Maybe should change the name to Hyosundai.

On a side note, the owner is a funny guy - thinks it DOESN'T matter how old tires are. Rubber must be a magic material.

 

[Joe Bass]

Have you tried Kahuna?

Lol

Sent from a Samsung Galaxy far, far away using Tapatalk

 

[bitzz]

Peterborough Cycle Salvage still exists, you could always go for a drive and check out parts there.

Peterborough has really scaled back. They got some snow mobile line (Kawi maybe) and got told if they want to keep it, they'll have to clean up.
You'll hardly recognize the place.


There's still Woody's.
Bent is working on re-opening full time.
There is still a bike breaker in London... Sonic maybe?

 

[Iceman]

Peterborough has really scaled back. They got some snow mobile line (Kawi maybe) and got told if they want to keep it, they'll have to clean up.
You'll hardly recognize the place.


There's still Woody's.
Bent is working on re-opening full time.
There is still a bike breaker in London... Sonic maybe?

Yep, and sonic is still doing well. Because they have reasonable hours, actually have bikes less than 20 years old and prices are mostly reasonable. Also doesn't hurt that they advertise on kijiji.

 

[silverbullet132]

Peterborough has really scaled back. They got some snow mobile line (Kawi maybe) and got told if they want to keep it, they'll have to clean up.
You'll hardly recognize the place.


There's still Woody's.
Bent is working on re-opening full time.
There is still a bike breaker in London... Sonic maybe?

I would really be surprised if bent opened full time, great shop tho.

 

[Low rider]

John at Bent Bikes is trying to sell the place.
He will never Re open.
Only Thursday Friday and Saturday for now

 

[twinswin]

Well most local shops think so.

Then blame the online shopping when they're closed down.

Adapt or die.

On line shopping could never compare with authentic, real shops like Ontario Cycle Salvage, or TO Cycle. Bought a bike from OCS and parts from TO Cycle and had good experiences both times. Sorry to see them go. There's nothing like finding dim, dingy, but authentic bike shops with soul and character instead of slick, soulless clinical boutiques, that charge premium prices for the privilege of taking your money. Is The Bike Yard still open? That was a decent salvage shop at one time too.

Bought an EFI tuning software kit from the only place it was available, an outfit from California. They sent me the wrong kit, after waiting 4 months for it. I hate on-line shopping because of BS like that. If I could have ordered it from an actual shop, I could have returned it on the spot, instead of having to deal with the BS I'll need to go through now. Real shops, real people...why can't the"new" generation understand...*that's* the way to do business...not on line from a warehouse!!!

 

[DJ-RK]

Is Ontario Cycle closing or moving? Their site does not even mention closing...

I have not been there for years, but it does not help business when they close at 6:00pm and don't open on the weekend, as posted on their site.

THIS!!! I literally would have needed to take a day off work just to be able to ever go there. Tried to go there both on a Saturday and just after 6PM on a weekday to find that out the hard way.

Tuesday - Thursday 12pm-5pm at this moment. Brutal. I went by on Friday, didn't even occur to me to check if they would be open. Lesson learned.

TYVM, you just saved me a major headache. Was going to try to rush there when I get off work at 5 to make it before 6. Way to take one for the team! :lmao:

 

[mimico_polak]

Real shops, real people...why can't the"new" generation understand...*that's* the way to do business...not on line from a warehouse!!!

Because if real shops and real people don't measure up to some ridiculous expectation or sneeze / look the wrong way at a buyer they rip them up to no end on a public forum, and then find a price $1 cheaper than local so they buy online.

I buy online if the difference is considerable enough 20-30% but now with the dollar the way it is...no point as you eat up all the savings on the exchange rate.

Why do you guys think these shops are closing down? Is it the internet and the lack of buyers for local? Or do the owners not have a site setup to compete?

Or is it because all the parts are coming in from the same manufacturer through distributors? As I've said before, what is it that buyers actually want? A small independent cannot keep stock of every size / part / tool / item because the inventory costs alone would kill them. And if price is the only difference it's hard to compete.

 

[JFD]

Because if real shops and real people don't measure up to some ridiculous expectation or sneeze / look the wrong way at a buyer they rip them up to no end on a public forum, and then find a price $1 cheaper than local so they buy online.

I buy online if the difference is considerable enough 20-30% but now with the dollar the way it is...no point as you eat up all the savings on the exchange rate.

Why do you guys think these shops are closing down? Is it the internet and the lack of buyers for local? Or do the owners not have a site setup to compete?

Or is it because all the parts are coming in from the same manufacturer through distributors? As I've said before, what is it that buyers actually want? A small independent cannot keep stock of every size / part / tool / item because the inventory costs alone would kill them. And if price is the only difference it's hard to compete.

The ones that used the bricks and mortar shops to try on their stuff first, then proceeded to buy online for a few bucks less will soon find once these shops are gone, they'll be paying more cuz of all the return shipping they'll be doing for exchanges.

It's a sad reality right now - it's a good world where you can go to a shop and find it a few bucks later - sure no one 's obligated to help out the guy who has a shop but if you're going to use that shop, it says somethign about someone's character where they end up purchasing from.

once the shops are gone, all ppl will have are bike shows.

 

[DemonPig]

This whole - "going into the store to try out things and then buying them online" thing is blown way out of the proportion. At any rate, no one can stop it so no point crying about it. It would also not exist at all if stores didn't charge double or more. Best example are these "motorcycle shows" that we have - crappy flea markets that charge admission (a joke) for us to be able to buy outdated gear for 300% of the online price.

Many places have ridiculous hours as evidenced in this thread; poor customer service; poor communication skills, etc. Those places quite often go down like Envy or Kahuna. I am not surprised.

I buy majority of my gear online, or on kijiji and I never go to any stores to try stuff on. There are most excellent sizing charts and fitment guides available on the Internet, on many sites.
I do acquire parts locally often but I do maintenance and repairs myself - is that not allowed either? Should I feel guilty by ripping off mechanics on labour?

There are also just about as many shops that open up as the ones that close down in GTA. No need to shed tears. Locations are generally moving away from high lease areas, that's all. What is basically a junk yard, has no place in an expensive area of the town.

To have a successful business, you have to understand the market. The market will not bow down just because.

 

[JohnnyP636]

The ones that used the bricks and mortar shops to try on their stuff first, then proceeded to buy online for a few bucks less will soon find once these shops are gone, they'll be paying more cuz of all the return shipping they'll be doing for exchanges.

It's a sad reality right now - it's a good world where you can go to a shop and find it a few bucks later - sure no one 's obligated to help out the guy who has a shop but if you're going to use that shop, it says somethign about someone's character where they end up purchasing from.

once the shops are gone, all ppl will have are bike shows.

I tried on an ARAI helmet 15 years ago, I was a medium, I am still a medium today...I have bought about 20 of them since that time, never had to go back to a actual store for someone to tell me my head didn't grow and I am still a size Medium. So instead of going to local shops and paying $1000 for them I order them online for $500-700. Never had to return one either Medium at the store is Medium online too

I get your point but not everyone needs a store, some people just care about price, and cheaper is cheaper....And you can get some great service online these days, I know I have had online companies give me better after sales service then a local shop in many cases so....

 

[vrus]

.why can't the"new" generation understand...*that's* the way to do business...not on line from a warehouse!!!

three shops that offer the best online and offline experience : gp bikes, town moto and flying squirrel.

 

[Iceman]

three shops that offer the best online and offline experience : gp bikes, town moto and flying squirrel.

Agreed. But I'd add A Vicious Cycle to the list.

 

[mimico_polak]

Agreed. But I'd add A Vicious Cycle to the list.

Very happy with the Vicious customer service and I never stepped a foot in their door.

I think they've made some changes and are now with or only rep for Twisted Throttle in Canada. Not sure the relationship. Anyone care to chime in and explain?

I know twisted required an initial order and then you can be their rep/distributor.

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