Summit Sport Season Wrap Up

by Peter Vallance
Oct 28, 2011 at 19:06

You need to upgrade your Flash Player
Click here to install it


If you’ve been to the Whistler Bike Park, you’ve almost certainly seen lots of brightly coloured Rocky Mountain Flatlines on the trails from Summit Sport’s rental fleet. Or, if you’ve been stuck at the bottom of the hill needing a tube or shifter cable, or fork overhaul, you’ve probably been helped out by one of Summit’s friendly staff members.

Summit’s rental fleet is one of the largest in North America and features 175 Rocky Mountain bikes, ranging from Fusions to Flatline World Cups. Located just steps from the gondola, Summit has been a staple in the Whistler community since 1987 and caters to mountain bikers of all abilities. From first time riders to pro athletes, Summit has the gear and staff to meet everyone’s needs.

Although the Whistler Bike Park has closed for winter, everyone is counting the days until it reopens.

- Shot and cut by Matt Dennison
Must Read This Week

93 Comments

  • + 26
flag crashdad (Oct 29, 2011 at 7:29)
 my derailleur was almost dead. the Mechanics there found some old parts from some other old damage derailleurs. rather than have to spend $150 bucks on a new one. it cost me $30 bucks for some new cable and a hanger. that derailleur is still going strong. I used that shop a few times. These guys get you back riding ASAP.
  • + 21
flag Trevwall (Oct 29, 2011 at 8:21)
 That is rare to find a shop that is willing to work with you like that.
  • + 8
flag miff (Oct 29, 2011 at 8:40)
 I agree, for shops in Whistler that is. That speaks volumes of the store if they do that regularly. 9/10 of the places here don't give a shit and treat you like another tourist, even if you are a repeat customer or refer more business to them or genuinely give them the benefit of the doubt - they'll take you for a freaking ride most times.

ps. Worst place hands down, Fanatyk Co. Bitten a few times personally and eventually found out about a whole lot more people who were stooged by them.

If Summit keep up the good work and don't ruin their rep like the majority in Whistler have, they'll be around for a while yet.
  • + 26
flag bennyphillips (Oct 29, 2011 at 9:08)
 and that hot chick Shelly works there, thats the only reason i went there..
  • + 1
flag Protour (Oct 29, 2011 at 10:55)
 They are the most underrated shop in Whistler, and way better than most rental shops. They don't have everything for every bike,but if they have it they seem to be helpful. I've never heard any complaints from people who rent the Rocky's from them either. This year was great at Whistler the few times I went, next year should be even better.
  • + 1
flag tom666 (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:50)
 I borrowed a flatline from summit when I went to whistler. I nearly bought a pair or handlebars too, but things are pricey as hell in whistler. They seem like a great shop and you can't blame then for having comparable prices to every other shop in whistler.
  • + 5
flag swindelhurst (Oct 29, 2011 at 15:12)
 the things i would do to shelly flood, so illegal......
  • + 1
flag rigodon777 (Oct 29, 2011 at 19:36)
 well, I only needed a fork overhaul.. HELLOO 200$ bill. when back home all it costs me is a 6pack... Oh and swindel.. I'm 100% with you on that one. I hanged around with her this summer and she was super chill.
  • - 4
flag ddfuji (Oct 29, 2011 at 23:04) (Below Threshold) show comment
 to bad winter park uses mostly these things called "Konas"
  • + 9
flag TheGoose (Oct 30, 2011 at 4:33)
 TOO bad you jumped on the Kona-bashing bandwagon.
  • + 0
flag jfyfe (Oct 30, 2011 at 13:16)
 To tom666, I actually find bike stuff in whistler is cheap! They have waaayyy more selection on freeride/dh gear than other places which is sweet when you want to check stuff out in person before buying it, and i always find a lot of rad stuff on sale.
  • - 4
flag tom666 (Oct 30, 2011 at 13:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
 The crank brothers 19 multitool was like $45 dollars in summit, but £24.99 on CRC when I got home. That's a fairly large difference.

But as you say, the main difference is the face to face service and the actually having it there to play with before purchase. Wink
  • + 7
flag peteypete (Oct 30, 2011 at 14:34)
 Mid-market rates: 2011-10-30 21:32 UTC

45.00 CAD = 28.1269 GBP
Canadian Dollar British Pound
1 CAD = 0.625042 GBP 1 GBP = 1.59989 CAD
  • + 1
flag norcalrider16 (Oct 30, 2011 at 18:02)
 @jfyfe, I know that bike parts in Canada are more expensive than in the US, but I could never say that anything is cheap in Whistler. The bike parts and gear especially is wayyyy overpriced - I went into a few shops, Evo and a couple others and the stuff was ridiculously expensive.
  • + 1
flag tom666 (Oct 31, 2011 at 1:54)
 @petey pete, I think thats a pretty old conversion rate. The money we paid to exchange £ for $ was near enough 1 to 0.9, so it works out a lot more expensive. I'm not hating on bike shops or on whistler, both are great, but it's expensive to buy from bike shops in whistler.
  • + 1
flag ddfuji (Feb 10, 2012 at 19:18)
 i have the right to bash cause i owned one and rode one for a year and a half.
[Reply]
  • + 8
flag Rowan11 (Oct 29, 2011 at 1:35)
 I think its a great idea putting it at the end of the season, now people that dont live localy can start to arrange trips across country for next year or even from different countrys.
It deffinatly makes me want to book some time off work for next year and take a trip and and borrow one of those flatlines!
amazing way to get sales as pinkbike is most riders best freind online!
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag bretttippie (Oct 29, 2011 at 6:35)
 Summit is a great Whistler Bike Shop with some good ol' boys and girls working there. Always a good vibe and quick to help with mechanicals. The 2007 Crankworx Rocky Mountain party there is still one of the best parties I've ever been to. Keep it going Summit and see you next year...or this ski season probably! Go Summit!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag JFTtrials (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:50)
 Went to whistler in the summer, had a crash and smashed the bike up a little bit, seat snapped and i spent the rest of the day in hospital. These guys gave me some free gloves and didnt charge me for the bike rental, or the new seat! 0.0, will definitely be going back to summit next time.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag dirtjumper771 (Oct 29, 2011 at 8:03)
 The past two years I have gone to Whistler twice, each time dealing with Summit, and I have to say, some of the best service I have ever received. The first year I rented a bike, had a blast, and they even gave me and my uncle a discount, as well as help out with any mechanicals, and if it is going to take a while to fix a bike, they give you another one with the exact set up. This year, I went with my bike, and they were awesome helping me with anything, s well as providing a cool place just to chill and talk with he employees. If you are going to Whistler, go to Summit, one of the best bike shops I have been in in my life.
  • + 2
flag mulchee (Oct 29, 2011 at 8:58)
 Summit is an excellent shop, and have a great team working there, they've helped me out tons over the years.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag shredrider07 (Oct 29, 2011 at 11:47)
 Summit it awesome! When I was in whistler I had to get my headset replaced and when most shops said they couldn't have it done for about 4 hours summit had it done for me in half an hour! Whenever Im in whislter and I pop a tube or need something done to my bike summit is the first place I go!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag morkis (Oct 29, 2011 at 17:31)
 Summit is sweet, lots of knowledge and helpful people. I get sick of dealing with retarded bike mechanics in fanatyk co and evolution. Common sense is not that common anymore.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag neimbc (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:49)
 Never been to Whistler - so I've never been to Summit - but the props here look good. I'll say this, I LOVE my Rocky Mountain Slayer. Never lets me down, super plush and responsive, I'd love to throw a leg over a Flatline.
  • - 1
flag hamncheez (Oct 30, 2011 at 14:42)
 Really? I broke the swing arm on my friends slayer off a small drop, right the weld. Ticked me off.
  • + 2
flag neimbc (Oct 30, 2011 at 16:28)
 Really? what year was it? At the right side weld? Did Rocky honor a guarantee replacement? How much do you weigh? Now you got me worried!
  • + 1
flag hamncheez (Oct 31, 2011 at 5:38)
 They didn't warranty it, I had to buy him a new swing arm. Luckily it was only $200. But is was on the drive side.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jonnyboy (Oct 29, 2011 at 20:52)
 The Summit management are the nicest, most genuine and helpful people in the rental industry - period.

Between them (RB, Milner and IVG), they have set the benchmark to which all other shops in Whistler need to reach... not one other shop has managed it so far!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag brandenblackmore (Oct 29, 2011 at 15:49)
 I've been to Whistler three times this season and summit is easily one of the best bike shops i have ever been to, espicially when i was out riding and destroyed my shock linkage off the GLC drop they had me back out riding in 45 minutes and did $180 of work for $60. I can't think of any better service than that! Keep it up guys!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag dadsbudz (Oct 30, 2011 at 13:08)
 I broke a rear suspensoin pivot bolt on my RM7, took it to them to see if they may have one so I could fix it (still had the rest of the day to ride). not only did he have one but also installed it, No charge for the bolt or labour! a little customer service goes a long, long way. Thank you.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag cervo (Oct 29, 2011 at 10:31)
 These guys allowed me, to ride every days I could, and were gentle enough to support a pain in the ass frenchy like me...haha...
Summit rocks Wink
  • + 1
flag nobrain (Nov 2, 2011 at 4:16)
 and you still wear this camo jersey!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mattbc (Nov 1, 2011 at 20:26)
 Was up at Tyax doing a 3 day XC trip for a stag a year ago. After the last day no one was in a rush to get home, so we called up Summit to see if we could rent some DH bikes.

Next morning we drove down, and were hooked up with bikes and gear. All of us used to ride the shore in the 90's, so we know what we were getting into. All the guys at summit were pro. No one gave us attitude when we wanted our SPD's put on. Went out for the day on garbanzo and had a blast. I've delt with other shops up there and most of them can be a bunch of d-bags! But not Summit. I would absolutely recommend that shop in a heart beat.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag farmervps (Oct 31, 2011 at 11:30)
 rocky & summit represent!!!!!!
I dragged my rm7 down into the pit and the men dropped what they were doin and trued my wheel and derail tune up with no waiting and only jewed me $10 bucks!!!!...10 bucks to true a wheel at the mountain, sooooo close to the lift...unbelive!!! my LBS wanted me to drop the wheel off and next week I could pick it up...f that..it's riding time shred shred shred no time for broken parts, lame shops or roadies telling me my bike is too heavy only the emergency room doc's can slow me down!!!

summit: live long, ride long never quite!!!


but....there's always a but..." we're open everyday of the year"..b-shat on that one...I whent last week and was crushed that I couldnt blow any cash on them Frown whomp whomp wwwhhhooommmpppppp.....oh well theres always next time!!!
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag Mdcbiking (Oct 29, 2011 at 9:43)
 who doesn't like rocky mountains
  • + 1
flag evilamish (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:10)
 Me, because I never had one
  • + 5
flag Gajible (Oct 29, 2011 at 20:06)
 I've never had a million dollars, doesn't mean I can't like a million dollars
  • + 1
flag Mdcbiking (Oct 29, 2011 at 20:11)
 exactly right
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag rolto1822 (Oct 29, 2011 at 23:22)
 Summit ROCK! WAY more helpful staff than bike and bean, and i've had the same experiences a few times. Doesn't matter what you buy or from who, Summit will help you out! Brilliant guys and i wouldn't use anywhere else now.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag bboutin Plus (Oct 29, 2011 at 9:47)
 summit is such a great shop, amazing service, and not to mention their prices are great too, but i gotta say that rocky is also one of the best companies out there, so when you pair up rocky with summit, you cant go wrong!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag SuperSlowDH (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:01)
 Summit also employes some of whistlers best riders. Between all the guys in that shop they have broken and fixed anything and everything. Just not hope breaks. If you ride them your hopeless.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag nagaredama (Oct 29, 2011 at 23:23)
 Propes to Summit. Only shop that was nice enough to let me use their floor pump and source a couple small bolts I needed. Whistler Bike and Bean were D-Bag's about using their floor pump.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag Stuffing-Remix (Oct 29, 2011 at 14:48)
 Proud to be a Flatline owner. And their new black Flatline looks lush
  • + 1
flag JRoe (Oct 30, 2011 at 8:10)
 Oh dear, please tell me you did not just say "lush" .............. Oh my god you did. Ha
  • + 1
flag JRoe (Oct 30, 2011 at 8:11)
 But your rite it dose look awesome!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag rockeymtnflowraw (Oct 29, 2011 at 22:38)
 Summits the bomb ! The guys in there know there shit and they work with you to get you the best deal wouldn't recommend anywhere else ! Keeper up lads
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag downlink (Oct 29, 2011 at 8:15)
 I just hope that one day I will be able to own one of those amazing Rocky Mountain Machines Beer
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag michael-douven (Oct 29, 2011 at 11:21)
 the best shop in whistler by far. I've used them many times this season to get me rocking when $hit breaks.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag MotoXer (Oct 29, 2011 at 20:17)
 with 175 bikes and its only "one of the biggest".... jeesus, whos got bigger than that I wonder
  • + 1
flag christhekiwi (Oct 29, 2011 at 22:37)
 G1 rentals the mountain has a million bikes Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag cory3335 (Nov 2, 2011 at 20:51)
 What trail is the gap to the big flat wood thing on? Is it new cuz iv never seen it
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag LeoDHias (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:18)
 The brazilian riders loves Summit guys! They are part of the family. Good work Ryan and team, see you next year!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mammal (Oct 29, 2011 at 10:06)
 Stunning brochure write-up, Pete. Should be out of a "Whistler Adventure" catalog.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag borocks (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:58)
 I wasnt referring to anyone but the speaker.... his voice is like a toy that needs batteries, sounds funny and is slow
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag dh-4-life (Oct 29, 2011 at 10:12)
 hah.... the guy at 2:09
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag mackeroo (Oct 30, 2011 at 11:57)
 Best shop in Whistler
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag drop20 (Oct 29, 2011 at 7:47)
 cant wait till next year...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag specializedemo (Oct 30, 2011 at 10:48)
 LOL the guy hits a tree at 2:09!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag type-r (Oct 30, 2011 at 7:30)
 best shop and best service= summit
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mattdennison (Oct 29, 2011 at 16:40)
 Come on Peter, I thought you would have remembered my name by now hahah..
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag SuperSlowDH (Oct 29, 2011 at 13:03)
 Let's also not forget there sweet video series.
[Reply]
  • - 2
flag darkmuncan (Oct 29, 2011 at 0:25)
 Great advertising for a cool business... 4 weeks after the Bike Park Closes.

Seriously?

Not to mention, Summit has now switched into Winter sport mode.
  • + 12
flag peteypete (Oct 29, 2011 at 0:37)
 Hey man, just take it for what it is... a profile of a great shop on the last weekend of the year. No need to hate.
  • + 15
flag ButtonPusher (Oct 29, 2011 at 0:50)
 if they would've posted it during the season people prolly would've complained that it was an ad & not fair to the other shops... haters are a lose/lose kinda thing...
i'd rather see content on PB than more paid ads or nothing at all... props to people investing their time into making and posting this..!
  • + 4
flag darkmuncan (Oct 29, 2011 at 10:48)
 oh please, ease up on the hate trigger.

I was asking a question as to the odd (to me) timing of an obviously self-serving business ad.

I even mentioned it was a Great Ad for a cool business (I am a loyal customer of Summit), it just seemed to me that it would have been better served being done weeks ago when people could take their new found love and interest for Summit into the place and rent one of their 175 Rocky Mountain bikes and actually ride them at Whistler.

Apologies for having an opinion. Sheesh

/off to ride in the slush
[Reply]
Below threshold threads are hidden

Post a Comment



You must login to Pinkbike.
Don't have an account? Sign up

Join Pinkbike  Login
Copyright © 2000 - 2012. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.055887