In 2008, after spending 2 seasons as a bike mechanic in Victoria, Jawn Lafratta moved to Nanaimo to attend Vancouver Island University. He quickly realized there was a need for a bike shop in downtown Nanaimo to provide friendly service which could meet the needs of the south end and downtown community.
Jawn began fixing bicycles for friends in the Knob Hill neighbourhood in his spare time until he graduated in the spring of 2011 and opened a home based bike repair and instruction business called Hub City Cycles. Word of the business spread via friends and acquaintances to the point where work was never sparse, and by end of the summer it was obvious that it was time to expand.
Jawn began fixing bicycles for friends in the Knob Hill neighbourhood in his spare time until he graduated in the spring of 2011 and opened a home based bike repair and instruction business called Hub City Cycles. Word of the business spread via friends and acquaintances to the point where work was never sparse, and by end of the summer it was obvious that it was time to expand.
Services
One of the hardest parts is finding us tucked in the cozy China Steps area. We have a small shop, but we make the most of it.
We've efficiently packed in.rental and used bikes for sale outside, an area for new accessories around the front desk, extra special bling in the front display case, two work benches and tool board, two stands which can hold two bikes each, bins of used parts, a shelf of small parts, a wall of used bikes for sale, a ceiling full of wheels, racks full of tires, and farther in the back is our bike storage area, where we keep customer bikes, bikes to be built, frames and stock.
We've efficiently packed in.rental and used bikes for sale outside, an area for new accessories around the front desk, extra special bling in the front display case, two work benches and tool board, two stands which can hold two bikes each, bins of used parts, a shelf of small parts, a wall of used bikes for sale, a ceiling full of wheels, racks full of tires, and farther in the back is our bike storage area, where we keep customer bikes, bikes to be built, frames and stock.
Hub City Cycles Community Co-operative is a non-profit autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
We would not be where we are without the generous support of volunteers. We are happy to accept folks to do odd jobs around the shop or bring unique skills to the co-op. This could be anything from cleaning, organizing, stripping bikes, or we are open to suggestions of how you can help improve our operation.
We will gladly welcome you to donate bikes, parts and accessories regardless of their condition. All of your donations are much appreciated and help support our mandate of reuse, by making these refurbished items available at reasonable cost to community members, which in turn supports our continued non-profit operations and the ability to provide community building services.
The vast majority of our used bikes for sale have been donated to us and lovingly restored. They are not just tuned up but often fully overhauled from end to end with a combination of new and used parts. We try to keep as many original components on the bike as possible if they are in good condition, in order to promote reuse, reduction of waste and to keep prices affordable.
Reviews (10)
TheAnarchistKampfen
Sep 02, 2021
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Nina Karpoff
Aug 03, 2021
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Went to get a tube for my mom's bike. I asked the guy for a 29" mtb tube. He had an attitude that didn't make the experience pleasant. I Interpretted the exchange to mean that he felt I was an Inconvenience and that he was irritated by my question around how to size a tube. Eventually another staff member intervened, answered the question, we bought the tube and left. I held by tongue but there is an attitude issue there that isn't worth your energy. Just go elsewhere and save your energy for a shop worth your time and money.
Daniel Wyatt
Mar 27, 2021
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Matthew Podetz
Dec 16, 2020
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Eugene Wong
Nov 27, 2020
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This is the place to go if you can't throw more than a thousand but still want a decent bike.
I visited 5 other bike shops in Nanaimo and this is the best value! (Well, coz they deal with more 2nd hand bikes and focus on maintaining yours, instead of pushing a 2grand bike on you)
The bike they sold me was even lighter than a carbon bike.
They're also really supportive of beginners, and if u dont have the money, they'll even lend u tools and teach you how to fix your bike
I visited 5 other bike shops in Nanaimo and this is the best value! (Well, coz they deal with more 2nd hand bikes and focus on maintaining yours, instead of pushing a 2grand bike on you)
The bike they sold me was even lighter than a carbon bike.
They're also really supportive of beginners, and if u dont have the money, they'll even lend u tools and teach you how to fix your bike
Mr. Smooth Sailing
Aug 20, 2020
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Want to thank Ted for helping me get my bike fixed under bad circumstances and short notice. He went the extra mile getting the job done quickly and went far above what most service shops would do to make a customer happy (and their rates are reasonable too). Definitely recommend, and thanks again...
Alexandra Bedard
Oct 28, 2019
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Awesome shop; knowledgeable people and good vibes! Spent about a month buying then modifying my ideal bike (for much cheaper than buying elsewhere), the guys were great about listening to my garbled bike speak and understanding what I was going for. Shout out to Nico for being on point, I really appreciate your patience and persistence!
Hans Bischoff
Jun 29, 2019
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I brought my bike in to repair a spoke, specifically requesting that they true the wheel. Spoke broke again within 2 minutes of riding, I brought back the bike and they 'fixed' it again only for the exact same thing to happen again. 3 spokes and about 2 hours of my time wasted carting the bike around because they couldn't hack it. Brought the bike to another local (non co-op) shop, fixed first try no further issues.
Edit: broke yet another spoke, probably not the fault of hub city but not sure why no bike shop seems to be able to make my bike ridable, I even suggested replacing the whole wheel
Edit: broke yet another spoke, probably not the fault of hub city but not sure why no bike shop seems to be able to make my bike ridable, I even suggested replacing the whole wheel
Anna Reid
Jan 24, 2019
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Ivan Leitch
Jul 09, 2014
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All of the above reviews have said it well....I can only add TIMELY....they were able to fit me in...get it fixed and send me on my way with ONLY a small dent in my wallet.
Attitude was also everything. Courteous, kind and gracious!!
I see why so many Nanaimo residents are working hard to allow us all to 'breath easier' ...by using bikes rather than HumVees to commute! Bravo to your commuting customers as well.
Attitude was also everything. Courteous, kind and gracious!!
I see why so many Nanaimo residents are working hard to allow us all to 'breath easier' ...by using bikes rather than HumVees to commute! Bravo to your commuting customers as well.
