Sporting Life Bikes & Boards

They really need to improve their customer service staff. The two I have encountered on my visits aren’t really interested in helping, selling or doing much. By way of example I went in to buy a bike lock. I was told they didn’t have anymore and I should have come earlier in the season. OK, I suppose I could have done that. You know what you could have done? Ordered more when you ran out … offered to order me one? Suggested another store? But I guess it’s easier to just not do that. My bad luck. Another time I wanted to buy a bike and got completely disinterested service. If you want me to drop more than $ 1000 buck in your store I need your staff to at least pretend to be interested in selling something. You’ve got great brands and decent stock, improve your staff’s gear knowledge and general interest in service and I’ll be back.

Lots of people working about 16 and no one knows much about any products. Poor communication and lack of knowledge or customer service processes. Slow bike mechanics and poor sales people.

So I come to this particular location more than the main store for it’s convenience and overall atmosphere. I prefer it over the main store as it isn’t full of pretentious, snobby, wanna-be’s who love their designer everything from head to toe. The bikes, boards store caters to all my snowboarding needs and I’ve been shopping here and the main location practically my whole life because I live in the area. Snow pants and equipment are great here and I guess I dig this place. Staff are nice and wiling to help you find whatever you need, which I really like about coming here. They didn’t have a size I needed, so the sales associate did all he could to retrieve it from their storage room. Even though it took some time to find it, he did and I was satisfied that day.

Perhaps the least-​loved link in the growing chain of Sporting Life stores, Bikes and Boards (BnB) is the earliest extension of the store’s brand.
Located a few blocks south of the iconic Yonge and Lytton megastore, BnB started as a place for Sporting Life’s growing hardwoods inventory. Bikes, boards and the like take a lot of space, and attract a different kind of weekend warrior from straight-​laced skiers, or Biff and Bunny on the tennis courts.
The vibe here is consequently a little more relaxed, although the service is still great. Passionate gearheads greet and help newbies and experienced riders alike navigate the world of bikes and boards.
Once upon a time, they assembled a bike I bought to impress a girl. They tricked said bike out with appropriate safety gear, and conducted a safety check. They helped adjust the seat and handlebars, and sent me on my way.
Sadly, I had never actually ridden a bike before. I walked it back home. Broke up with the girl shortly thereafter, and sold the bike to the father of the next girl that I dated.
The service I received at BnB was the best part of the whole experience.

Service at this location gets the highest marks. The staff are attentive, provide fast service and above all the mechanic’s are excellent. It’s their service that keeps me coming back to buy from them and after 15 yrs and 2 bike purchases. Even after moving and now live 40 min drive away from the store, there are plenty of bike stores around but I continue to choose to come back to this store time and again for purchases and service.
They offer a no questions asked top notch warranty service program if you purchased a bike from them that is truly impressive. This week I had gear problems with my road bike I bought last summer and took it in for service. No fuss or paperwork about the bike and went straight into maintenance as soon as I walked in. They not only fixed the problem but also tuned up the rest of my bike in 30 min while I waited at no charge. You just can’t ask for better service than this.

We were told to come here for more men’s snowboarding gear and clothing. It’s about 7 minutes walk from the main Sporting Life, definitely check it out if you’re in the area!
It’s quite big: the first floor sells bike accessories and women’s clothing. The second floor sells bikes and men’s jackets and pants (and shirts). They have an impressive selection of men’s jackets!
The staff here were very nice when we visited. The guys were helpful, joked around, and were not in-​your-​face when we were trying on stuff. They gave vague opinions but they weren’t pushing sales (although I am aware they get commission). It was a nice environment to shop. The best part was that we weren’t hassled although we looked lost and were aimlessly browsing.
The prices are the same as the main Sporting Life’s. Good staff, good place!

Small location. This store seems to focus on bikes & bike attire in the summer time. There wasn’t much else in the store. Great for bike fanatics but since I’m not one of those I didn’t end up buying anything. Also the store seems overly cluttered. Sales staff were kind of lackadasical in their service.

We love this location — I find this one way more relaxing then the one further up the street. The staff are very friendly and love to chat — they are quite knowledgeable bout the bike and the snowboards. We really enjoy the casual feel of this location and always find it a pleasure to shop here.

I can’t speak to the sales staff (as per previous 1 star review) but I give top stars to their bike service department. Extremely professional and honest staff. They won’t sell you something you don’t need and will call you if repairs are more than expected and help you find the best solution. Just overall a very positive experience.

It’s obvious the sales people here work on commission the way they look you up and down and decide whether or not to pounce. «Can I write my code on your tag?» is probably their favorite saying.
Huge turn off. Much rather shop at Mountain Equipment Co-​op or the Running Room for my basic sporting clothes and gear.

I used to work here and the other reviewers are right! The service is awesome, they won’t sell you what you won’t need, and they always listen. I try to visit whenever I’m back in Toronto. They don’t sell garbage products and they stand by the products they do sell.

Hard to believe I am the first to review… I am a fan of the Sporting Life stores overall, but the Bike (and boards) location just south of its original parent takes the cake in my opinion. It is mecca for those who are even half into mountain biking or other similar outdoor pursuits. The selection of mountain, racing and hybrid bikes here is only overshadowed by the absolutely exemplary training that the staff undergo. I have never ever been to a retail store (save for maybe apple) that so rigorously hires and trains their staff. All the people that work here LOVE what they do — whether it be talking about bikes, fixing bikes or just plain being in such a vibrant and healthy environment. Sure it is a little more expensive than a run of the mill bike store, but honestly you are paying a very very small price for superb attention, expertise and passion. I have bought 6 bikes there in the last 10 years, including a new one for one of my kids yesterday and I am continually blown away by how attentive, good and overall knowledgeable the staff are.
I am going back next week to get myself a new mountain bike and cannot wait.
Love this place…