ABOUT GORD'S: Gord's Ski and Bike is a Winnipeg based shop that started from very humble beginnings: in 1961 with a $1000 loan from a gentleman named Shluderman who just happened to co-invent the removable metal ski edge a long time ago in Europe. From the coat check in the basement of the now defunct of the Winnipeg Ski Club on Togo and Osborne Gord's Ski Centre emerged as one of the premier ski shops in western Canada... From there Gord's grew into it's second location at Number 7 Donald Street... Today Gord's is the largest independent ski and bike retailer in Central Canada with two locations totaling over 13,000 square feet of the very best clothing, ski and bike product anywhere. Winner of the Prestigious Snow Industries Association's "Canadian Retailer of the Year" and most recently voted "Best Bike Shop in Winnipeg" by the readers of Uptown Magazine, Gord's Ski and Bike is constantly striving to be the best place for Manitobans to fulfill their Outerwear, Ski and Bike Gear fix.
Bolstered by the very best staff anywhere and an insatiable desire to become the best we can be, Gord's is committed to outstanding customer service and above and beyond product knowledge. What truly sets us apart is our common degree of caring and our need to get out there and participate in the activities that we represent. From our much loved Bike Club to our involvement in grass-roots programs and events like the International Mountain Bicycling Association, it's in our mission statement to get out there and play with our customers. To not only sell stuff but also to get to know WHO our customers are in order to better take care of their needs. Like Gord once said to JF one winter day many, many years ago: "Never sell them the wrong stuff... let someone else do that".
Read more about how we do what we do and why we do on here or drop by Gord's L1 on Donald and Gertrude and L2 on Kenaston at Scurfield.
DOING IT RIGHT
Bob emailed us, concerned about a little paint chip he had on his bike... So we suggested to him that he drop by one of our shops and we'd take care of him... Here's his follow-up email (we thought we'd share):
JF,
I ended up taking my bike in to the Donald Store and they touched up the paint. I have had a great experience. I am a novice rider and I am very happy that I bought my new mountain bike from your company, because your staff have made me feel important and have helped me pick out a bike that I am looking forward to riding. In particular, I would like to say thanks to Jenn of the Donald Store for greeting me very well and helping me pick out a great bike Rocky Mountain Flare.
She was very helpful and knowledgeable. Also, I would like to say thank you to another of the staff from the Donald Store who helped adjust the bike to fit me better. As well, I went to the Kenaston location yesterday afternoon to get some additional adjustment to the seat and stem. I ended up buying an air pump and a water bottle from there. My point is that I am very happy and looking forward to continuing to learn more about riding and trail riding and I will look forward
to shop at your stores because of your friendly staff and their good knowledge. Hopefully, once I am a bit more fit I can join the bike club and hit some trails. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Bob Mitra
Thank you so very much for your Email, Bob... Made our day to hear we did right by you. Thank you for your business, we very much appreciate it.
Read more testimonials like this one by clicking here
Carmen, back on the front page like the good old days :: Photo JF Ravenelle
CANADA DAY RIDE RECAP Gord's Annual Canada Day Ride was an absolute success!... Ingolf was absolutely amazing, the company was superlative and the post ride beverages and bacon wrapped BBQ'd smokies were delicious thanks for being a great cook, JT!)… We made a new friend in Stephen Semeniuk from Dryden’s bike club “Dryden Ghost Riders”. Stephen came out, sampled Ingolf,
helped us clear a dozen trees that had fallen onto the trail and proved to be one hell of a good riding buddy. We’ll be sure to visit him and the great trails he waxed poetic about soon as we plan to drive out to Dryden for some riding in the near future.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to raise a glass to veteran club member Carmen Reynolds who decided to get back on her bike after having given birth to the lovely Gabrielle just 5 weeks ago… To say that she used to ride with us lots would be an understatement, Carmen is a big part of why Gord's bike Club is what it is today.
What courage to decide to make
Ingolf her venue to get back on the saddle! I’m
sure she’d
be the first to thank her partner Shawn for making it all possible as he drove out with her and their two beautiful girls so Carmen could feed Gabrielle, jump on the bike and get back in time for the next feeding. What a guy, what a family… quietly proving that having kids need not not spell the end of the love of a sport. What teamwork. You guys are an inspiration. Way to ride like a champ Carmen. We're all very proud of you and happy you came out riding with us!
WHAT'S KEEPING YOU FROM THE RIDE? Have you read the above testimonial? Are you alive? No but seriously, what on earth could be more enjoyable than going out for a bike ride alone, with friends or with family? JFK said it best: "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride".
No but seriously, what's keeping you from your next bike ride?
Is it the cost of gas? (No couldn't be that). Is it the fact that your bike needs work? (we can fix that in less than 3 days). Is it that your bike is uncomfortable? (we have expert bike fitters that can evaluate your riding position and suggest a few tweaks here and there that will make ALL the difference). Is it that your bum hurts (we have a fantastic selection of seats and "underwear" bike shorts that will make a world of difference to your back end). Regardless of why you
don't ride, enough with the excuses! Get off your butt and go riding!
JOIN THE CLUB! Have you ever thought "if only I had friends who liked riding as much as I do"? Well here at Gord's we don't just supply you with the sweetest gear known to man, we're also in the business of providing your with a few reasons to ride. It's called Gord's Bike Club and let us tell you about it:
"We
ride together, support each other, we enjoy the experience together and appreciate each other's company. That's what we're about. A big family of 2 wheel aficionados who rely on each other for support, motivation, challenge and friendship. No racing, no elitism, just regular folks with bikes they love... Wanting to ride. You too can join in on the fun! You'll quickly find that we're a very much inclusive bunch. Just sign up for Gord's MTB Club, agree to ride by a few simple rules
and voila! You're IN. The next step is to partake in our little two-wheeled festivities and adventures."
Gord's Bike Club is a non-elitist gathering of like-minded folk who share a gregarious need to get out and ride their bikes with a smile on their faces, a need to escape reality (even if it is just for a Wednesday evening), a need to be outside and laugh, a need to be active, a need to push the boundaries of their back yard, a need to be able to laugh at ones' self, a need to get less fat and make new friends.
Gord's Bike Club is a not-for-profit entity that has been around since well before Gord's Ski and Bike. As our founder Gord Reid, would lead rides, organize races and help out fellow riders since the 1940's with his patented zest for the sport. Our primary goal and directive has always been to uphold that lofty tradition,
to bring new people to the sport, to help those who want to ride more, to provide a positive, FUN and challenging atmosphere for those of us who want to experience the awe of riding somewhere beautiful with friends and family in a constructive, supportive, fun and healthy way. Come on, get off your but. Give it a try!
Read all about Gord's Bike Club, our activities,our members, the stuff that we do and the rides we host and our ride schedule for 2009 by clicking on the following link:
TIME FOR A NEW BIKE! Often an afterthought for some bike shops, Here at Gord's kids bikes (and kids in general) are a very big deal to us. We offer Junior bikes of all prices, from entry level all the way up to the best in kids performance bikes. We even carry kids road bikes!
We're no dummies, we know who our future customers are and since we plan on being around for a long, long time, it makes perfect sense for us to make sure we take care of our younger customers the right way good bikes, fun bikes, COOL bikes.
Be forewarned. While (as we've stated above) we offer bikes for almost any budget, we don't sell crap... So if what you're looking for is a super-cheapie discount-special, we may not be your first stop. but if you want your kid to be safe, comfortable and enjoy biking, (especially if you would rather he or she not end up like that kid down the block that lives in his basement playing XBOX360
on those gorgeous summer days) then drop on by either store, we'll show you how a bike should fit and how a bike should never outweigh its user... We'll find the perfect bike and no, it won't cost you an arm and a leg. PLUS we'll talk to you about our unique junior bike trade-in program and help you convince your child that wearing a helmet is not only smart, it's also cool.
GO AHEAD, JUST ASK We're pretty sure we've said this before: Nothing is more expensive than the wrong gear. And the right gear is not always the most expensive gear... That's where we come in. Most of us have been there, done that... and if we haven't been there and done that we'll find someone in the building that has been there done that... and we'll get that someone to help you.
Not only are we all-out committed to providing you with the bestest gear at the bestest prices but we're also here for you with expert advice on everything from where to ski to how to layer. Go ahead, don't hesitate. Just ask. It would be our pleasure to help you enjoy your experience to the fullest. We live for that stuff!
PERSONAL GEAR CONSULTANT Gord's "Personal Gear Consult" is something we thought up after our first of many busy weekends here at Gord's. We were wondering how to give those who take buying something like a bike seriously ... What to do for those of you requiring a bit more attention. Sure we do all we can (and then some) for those of you just walking into any of
our stores... But sometimes it's frustrating for us, we get so busy, somewhat a victim of our success... and like it or not we sometimes miss details. So here we were, wondering how we could do things better, how we could give you 150% of the Gord's experience. So we thought of this.
FIT IS KING
The most overlooked aspect of riding is a proper fitting bike! Sadly, too many any people end up riding a poor fitting bike. Regardless of what kind of bike you own or what type of riding you do, the most important feature is that your bicycle fits you properly. Improper bike size and set-up can create knee, neck and back pains, making riding uncomfortable. Conversely a proper fitting bike will make cycling easier and more enjoyable.
Can you smell it? We can!.
.
TOUR DE FRANCE COUNTDOWN!
We're not going to lie, we're all excited for the July 4th start of the tour! Drop by Kenaston and come and watch the tour de france on our TV's starting next week!
JUST ANOTHER TESTIMONIAL Hey,
I just returned a few hours ago from taking 46 Grade 8 kids on a bike/camping trip to Bird's Hill Park and back and thought I'd just drop you a quick note.
Here's the story: Every year we do a year-end trip with the Grade 8 students from our school. We bike from Transcona to BHP, spend the night, and return the next day. This is the fourth time we've done this trip and (for a variety of reasons) this is the first time I was actually able to participate as a biker. I was so looking forward to riding with them all and sharing that experience. You can imagine my disbelief and horror when before departure, I
had forgotten that I'd left my gloves on the spokes, got on the bike to go across the parking lot, and one of the gloves got caught in the chain, tangled in the rear derailleur and snapped the hanger. There I was, about to take 46 kids on a bike trip and my rear derailleur is hanging off my bike by the chain. I was crushed. First thing I did (after securing another bike that actually had no brakes, but at least a functioning derailleur) was call Gord's to see what
could possibly be done. I was actually biking, trying to catch up to the group while on my Blackberry. Coppens answered the phone, I pled my case and explained the situation, and within 30 minutes Matt had grabbed tools, parts, and driven across town and met me at our first rest stop. I'm not going to assume that speed limits were broken, but it's quite likely! The timing was perfect. He arrived 3 minutes after we did, while the kids
were re-hydrating he replaced the cable and re-attached my derailleur. I was back on my way, on my own bike (complete with fully-functional brakes) and 46 kids in tow. I don't know what I expected... I certainly don't expect Gord's to make house-calls and repair my bike... but this was an emergency (at least in 'my' mind) and without even hesitating, Gord's (specifically Coppens) went "above and beyond the call of duty" and I can't thank him enough. I
just thought I should let you know of yet another example of the fine staff you've gathered at Gord's.
Rock on, -Chris D.
Read more actual testimonials by actual customers clicking on the following link
SKUUT!!! Re member your first bike ride? Exhilarating, but a little scary? What if you could give your child all that joy, but eliminate the fear? The Skuut does just that.
The Skuut is a wooden bike for children ages 2 - 5. It has no pedals and no training wheels. Children kick off the ground as if running, thus pushing or "skuut-ing" themselves and the bike forward. The Skuut is perfect for learning balance, steering, coordination and independence. Having mastered
balance on the Skuut, the transition to a traditional two wheeler bike is easy. The Skuut can be built in many configurations including with the main frame upside down for very young kids! (check out the cool video here) You owe it to your child to check these great bikes out! Drop by either Gord's locations and check it out.
ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU A “good deal” is relative… Buying the wrong thing is always a poor purchase, no matter what the price paid.
Pseudo experts and armchair quarterbacks are absolutely everywhere… especially with the rampant proliferation of review sites on the web. Accountability is key. The difference between “them” and us is that we, the staff and ownership of Gord’s Ski and Bike, are accountable to you, our customers. Our word is our bond. If you put your trust in us and we make the wrong recommendation on something we will make things right. That’s
our promise to all our customers. Hopefully you can find some value in that.
TWITTER So we thought... :why the hell not:. and here we are, "Tweeting" (or is it "Twitting") either way, for better or for worse we're on and we're live. Follow us below or add us on your account. here
TEST IT
THEN SELL IT
It's a simple principle by which we live and die: "Only sell what you yourself would buy". After all, life's too short to sell crap, life's too short to buy crap. To make sure we're crapless we go through much time and effort to ensure that everything we sell is up
to our lofty standards.
LOWEST PRICE POLICY
Of course you don't want to pay more for the same stuff! Who would? We understand that when it comes to saving a dollar some of us can go a little overboard... spend more on gas than the actual difference in price... To help you out, we have this little thing called Gord's lowest price policy...
Legendary GT Rider Hans Rey
GORD'S PICKS UP GT BIKES! Adding to our already illustrious line-up of fine bikes from such established brands as Rocky Mountain, Scott, Commençal Jamis, and Colnago, Gord's has secured the distribution of
GT bikes for Winnipeg!
GT Bicycles was founded in 1979 by California BMX racetrack operator Richard Long and engineer & former drag racer Gary Turner, who had been building customized bicycle frames in his garage in Santa Ana, California; the finished bikes were ridden by Turner's son in area races. Named GT after Turner's initials, the company started producing some of the finest BMX bikes available. By 1981, from a single bicycle shop in Anaheim, sales reached $4 million. All out of Turner's garage.
In 1984, the company decided to enter the fast-growing mountain bike industry, introducing its own line of mountain innovative and great riding bicycles.
Gord's Annual Canada Day Ride was an absolute success!... Ingolf was absolutely amazing, the company was superlative and the post ride beverages and bacon wrapped BBQ'd smokies were delicious thanks for being a great cook, JT!)… We made a new friend in Stephen Semeniuk from Dryden’s bike club “Dryden Ghost Riders”. Stephen came out, sampled Ingolf,
helped us clear a dozen trees that had fallen onto the trail and proved to be one hell of a good riding buddy. We’ll be sure to visit him and the great trails he waxed poetic about soon as we plan to drive out to Dryden for some riding in the near future. 
I’d also like to take this opportunity to raise a glass to veteran club member Carmen Reynolds who decided to get back on her bike after having given birth to the lovely Gabrielle just 5 weeks ago… To say that she used to ride with us lots would be an understatement, Carmen is a big part of why Gord's bike Club is what it is today. 
Have you read the above testimonial? Are you alive? No but seriously, what on earth could be more enjoyable than going out for a bike ride alone, with friends or with family? JFK said it best: 
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride". 
Have you ever thought "if only I had friends who liked riding as much as I do"? Well here at Gord's we don't just supply you with the sweetest gear known to man, we're also in the business of providing your with a few reasons to ride. It's called Gord's Bike Club and let us tell you about it:
Gord's Bike Club is a non-elitist gathering of like-minded folk who share a gregarious need to get out and ride their bikes with a smile on their faces, a need to escape reality (even if it is just for a Wednesday evening), a need to be outside and laugh, a need to be active, a need to push the boundaries of their back yard, a need to be able to laugh at ones' self, a need to get less fat and make new friends. 
Often an afterthought for some bike shops, Here at Gord's kids bikes (and kids in general) are a very big deal to us. We offer Junior bikes of all prices, from entry level all the way up to the best in kids performance bikes. We even carry kids road bikes!
not end up like that kid down the block that lives in his basement playing XBOX360
on those gorgeous summer days) then drop on by either store, we'll show you how a bike should fit and how a bike should never outweigh its user... We'll find the perfect bike and no, it won't cost you an arm and a leg. PLUS we'll talk to you about our unique 
We're pretty sure we've said this before: Nothing is more expensive than the wrong gear. And the right gear is not always the most expensive gear... That's where we come in. Most of us have been there, done that... and if we haven't been there and done that we'll find someone in the building that has been there done that... and we'll get that someone to help you.
Gord's "Personal Gear Consult" is something we thought up after our first of many busy weekends here at Gord's. We were wondering how to give those who take buying something like a bike seriously ... What to do for those of you requiring a bit more attention. Sure we do all we can (and then some) for those of you just walking into any of
our stores... But sometimes it's frustrating for us, we get so busy, somewhat a victim of our success... and like it or not we sometimes miss details. So here we were, wondering how we could do things better, how we could give you 150% of the Gord's experience. So we thought of this. 
Re member your first bike ride? Exhilarating, but a little scary? What if you could give your child all that joy, but eliminate the fear? The Skuut does just that.
A “good deal” is relative… Buying the wrong thing is always a poor purchase, no matter what the price paid.
Adding to our already illustrious line-up of fine bikes from such established brands as Rocky Mountain, Scott, Commençal Jamis, and Colnago, Gord's has secured the distribution of
GT bikes for Winnipeg!