Cycling in the Hammer

Hamilton, sadly, has a bad rap.  While we are no longer the “Steeltown” of years past, the reputation of that industry which led to polluted shores and poor air quality has been tough to shake.  Combine that with an underwhelmed (not a real word but you get the point) downtown core and it is no wonder people in the GTA look down on us.

Dundas Valley

However, what we have that kicks Toronto’s ass is miles and miles of beautiful trails for mountain biking and wide country roads for road biking.  I know because I love to bike.

And to take advantage of the great biking around here we need great bike stores.  There are six popular and established bike stores in Hamilton (amalgamated Hamilton) : Ancaster Cycle, Bicycle Works, Central Cycle, Freewheel Cycle, Main Cycle, and Pieriks Cycle.  With the exception of Ancaster Cycle, named for its location on the main drag in Ancaster, all the other bike shops have store names that could place them in any other city around the world (including Toronto).

Two years ago a seasoned bike mechanic left one of the aforementioned stores to open up his own shop, a shop that reflected his love of biking with his love of Hamilton.  Welcome Hammer City Cycle to the biking world!

I love Hammer City Cycle.  Why?  The owner, Jason, is cool.  He’s hip, he’s fit and he loves biking.  He won’t sell you something you don’t need and isn’t a bike snob that will make you feel uncomfortable asking questions about bikes or accessories.

Why Shop Anywhere Else?

Retail is a tough business and  Hammer City Cycle has to set itself apart from the other bike shops.   While they do carry fancy brand name bikes that can be seen in Le Tour de France, unique brands not found in other bike shops, custom built wheels made by Jason himself that are absolutely bomb proof, what differentiates them is their commitment to customer service.  As the website points outs:

“Anybody can sell you a bike or a helmet, but what else are they doing for you?”

Hammer City Cycle puts its money where its mouth is and if clients don’t receive the quality of service they think they deserve, they don’t pay for the service.

Become a (Bike) Lover Not a Fighter

Jason and the Hammer City Cycle staff are more than just retailers, they are trying to  help their clients grow their love affair of biking.  As the new kid on the block they haven’t built a reputation as the “elitist” bike store where regular people don’t want to shop or conversely as the “ma & pa shop on the corner” where seasoned cyclists don’t want to be seen.  They are in the unique position to establish themselves as the bike shop all Hamiltonians want to visit.

Located in the heart of the Hamilton Mountain on Upper James, Hamilton City Cycle is bike store meets modern art gallery.  Vintage-like posters greet curious eyes and uncluttered space greet eager shoppers.  However, their most important product is not what is hanging off the rack, but the friendly and knowledgeable atmosphere hanging in the air.

Biking + Social Media = Fun

So what does biking have to do with social media?  Well, I am combining my new found interest in social media (through my social media research techniques course) with my love of cycling and will be using Hammer City Cycle as my social media guinea pig.  My goal is to help this great Hamilton business improve their goal of building a reputation as one of the best bike shops in Hamilton where people go to buy bikes and accessories, get their bikes serviced, and find helpful advice about being a cyclist in the Hammer.