My bike is under 7 years of dust. Can someone come and fix it?

December 3, 2023 9:52 AM

My bike has been collecting dust since I got pregnant. I have it on good authority that Santa will be bringing my 6.5 year old a bike for Christmas. So we probably go on nearby trails and also take our bikes camping (our camping buddy is eager to take bikes). Can someone come to my garage and take my bike away and bring it back usable? How much will this cost me? Downtown Toronto. For added fun, I'm not sure where the bike lock keys are.
posted by If only I had a penguin... to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (9 answers total)

I can’t vouch for any of them, but if you google “mobile bike repair Toronto” there are a couple options.
posted by sacrifix at 10:10 AM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

If the question is can my bike be repaired in a way that it is usable so that I can go on trails and camp the answer is absolutely YES.
It is hard to estimate the price of the fixes without seeing the bike (type of bike, brand of bike, and what needs to be repaired all go into this equation).
If the bike shop will not come get the bike, TaskRabbit.ca exists in Toronto and someone on there can be paid to help with the transport back and forth.
posted by mutt.cyberspace at 10:18 AM on December 3, 2023

Matteo Mobile Bike Repair
posted by avocet at 10:48 AM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

Depending on the original price of the bike, you may be looking at a price for rehabbing which is more than you think worth it. If the bike was stored in a non-climate controlled area, there may be a lot of dry-rotted bits, e.g., tires, tubes, cable housing, shifters, grips. Just offering that as a warning, in case you are told a number higher than expected.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 11:21 AM on December 3, 2023

I’ve been using Velofix happily for quite a few years for my ebike. I’m not in Toronto, so I can’t vouch for the individual mechanics they have there, but the service overall has been good, prices have been in line with a higher-end bike shop, and they have some convenient add-ons like selling bike locks and other accessories out of the van as well.
posted by duien at 12:03 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

Another vote for Velofix. Up here in Ottawa the happiness with Velofix also seems to have been pretty solidly high, so I would guess they're probably similar in Toronto. You can make an appointment and they'll come to your house and fix your bikes - basically a genius business concept.
posted by urbanlenny at 12:20 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

I would budget $250 CAD minimum for the call out and tuneup. Repairing specific issues found will add to the price. If your bike is currently locked right now, you can rent an angle grinder from Home Depot to free it. A quality replacement lock is $100-$150 CAD.
posted by shock muppet at 3:32 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

As for your locks unless you spent hundreds of dollars on the lock, and sometimes even then, they are easily removed with modern power tools or even bolt cutters. Something I'd guess a bike repair place would have but ask when you call them.
posted by Mitheral at 4:39 PM on December 3, 2023

Seconding Matteo's Bike Repair!
posted by ananci at 6:22 AM on December 4, 2023