Business Details
15 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for European Bikes in Burlington
Urkai was founded in 2011 by Andrew and Kendra, a husband-and-wife team driven by a shared passion for adventure and quality craftsmanship. Our journey began after a transformative trip to the Netherlands, where we discovered the joy of Dutch-style cycling and the practicality of bakfiets. With backgrounds in finance and international policy, we transitioned from corporate careers to create a business centered on providing European-quality bicycles and personalized service. Every product in our store has been personally tested and approved by us, ensuring unmatched reliability and customer satisfaction. We specialize in ergonomic bicycle fittings, eliminating discomfort to make cycling enjoyable for all. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our 10-year frame guarantee and a curated selection of hand-built Dutch bikes designed for year-round use.We pride ourselves on direct customer engagement, with Andrew handling all emails and Kendra managing social media and community outreach. Our mission extends beyond saleswe aim to foster a cycling culture that enhances lifestyles and connects communities. With locations serving major Canadian cities and shipping across North America, we combine hands-on expertise with a dedication to making cycling accessible and comfortable. Our 'Love it or Return it' guarantee underscores our confidence in the products we offer and the relationships we build with our customers.
Services
Custom Bikes
Factory Tune-ups
Wheel Truing
Flat Repairs
Bike Electrification
Winterizing Services
Cargo Bikes
Ergonomic Fittings
Bike Sales
Test Rides
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized ergonomic bicycle fittings to eliminate pain points.
- Our bikes come with a 10-year frame guarantee for durability.
- Family-owned business with hands-on founders deeply involved in operations.
- All products are personally tested and approved by our team.
- We provide nationwide shipping across Canada and the United States.
What people say
Love my bike
Comfortable ride
Life-changing
Excellent customer service
Durable products
Services
Custom Bikes
Urkai offers fully customizable Dutch-built bicycles tailored to individual preferences. Choose from 200+ colors, sizes, and features like cargo transport readiness and Brooks leather components. Each bike includes a 10-year frame guarantee and expert assembly.
Factory Tune-up
Our comprehensive tune-up restores bikes to factory performance with brake and gear adjustments, drivetrain lubrication, and 50+ point inspections. Recommended annually or after heavy use to ensure safety and longevity.
Ergonomic Fittings
Personalized fittings eliminate pressure points for pain-free cycling. We adjust seating, handlebars, and posture to match rider anatomy, transforming commutes into enjoyable experiences while preventing long-term injuries.
Bike Electrification
Convert traditional bikes into electric models with professional motor and battery installations. This service extends riding range and reduces effort, ideal for commuters or those tackling hilly terrain.
Winterizing Service
Prepare bikes for winter conditions with specialized lubricants, component inspections, and weatherproofing. This service ensures reliable performance in cold temperatures and extends equipment lifespan.
People
Andrew Bowen
Co-Founder & Business Lead
Andrew transitioned from finance to cycling after discovering Dutch bikes in the Netherlands. He manages operations, customer emails, and technical aspects at Urkai. His MBA and passion for quality drive the company's strategic direction.
Kendra Bowen
Co-Founder & Social Media Lead
Kendra shifted from international policy to cycling entrepreneurship. She handles social media, marketing, and community engagement at Urkai. Her background in policy and global travel informs the company's customer-centric approach.
Questions
What types of bikes does Urkai specialize in?
We specialize in Dutch-built bicycles including cargo bikes, bakfiets, omafiets, commuter bikes, and custom builds. Our selection features brands like Gazelle, Azor, and Pashley.
Do you offer bike fitting services?
Yes, we provide personalized ergonomic fittings to eliminate discomfort and optimize riding posture for all purchased bikes.
What warranty coverage is available?
All bikes include a 10-year frame guarantee and 1-year coverage on other components. Regular maintenance services help preserve warranty validity.
Can I return a custom-built bike?
Yes, our 'Love it or Return it' policy allows full refunds if you're unsatisfied during pickup or valet delivery.
Do you ship outside Canada?
Yes, we ship to the United States. Most bikes arrive 95% assembled with instructional support for final setup.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Z. Sal
Jul 17, 2021
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I am disappointed and sorry for posting this review since this seems to be a top rated bike shop. However, my experience was less than stellar when I have contacted them. I bought my bike at this shop in 2018. More recently, a part stopped working, a rear light. This is important to me since I ride in the night a lot due to my job and safety is paramount riding at those times. I called their shop and when there was no answer, followed their site instructions and texted them my issue and asked about how to replace it or if they carry the part- No answer! All I need is at least an acknowledgement
Matt Morris
Mar 16, 2021
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I bought my Brompton at Urkai a few years ago. After many, many kilometres, it was time for a tuneup. I have the 6 speed. The 3 speed hub was perfect but Id lost the ability to drop into the hardest gear. So I called Urkai and booked a time slot.
Covid is still on at time of writing....
Nathan greeted me right on time and took the bike in for a full service while I ran some errands. An hour later he calledsaid the bike was ready. He suggested I ride it to ensure satisfaction. I took it for a quick spin and the setup was perfect.
Overall, great service, timing, and most importantly, the
Covid is still on at time of writing....
Nathan greeted me right on time and took the bike in for a full service while I ran some errands. An hour later he calledsaid the bike was ready. He suggested I ride it to ensure satisfaction. I took it for a quick spin and the setup was perfect.
Overall, great service, timing, and most importantly, the
Cynthianna Mills
Jun 14, 2019
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WORTH the drive! I recently decided to drive out to Urkai to test out a few Ebikes. These bikes are an investment so you want to make sure you get the right bike FOR YOU. I am not an easy fit for bicycles for many reasons so this was by no means a simple sale. I had the pleasure of working with Anthony, who took the time to answers questions via email, then on the telephone and then even more in person. When I was in the shop each bike had to be adjusted many times before I could test ride it and each one came with a barrage of questions....Anthony was patient, understanding and very knowledgeable
John Theroux
Aug 10, 2018
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Recently purchased a 7 speed bakfiets.nl long cargo bike sight unseen from Andrew. He was very helpful answering questions up to the purchase and after the sale. Andrew arranged shipping and handled all paperwork associated with import to the States. The bike was purchased at a very reasonable cost and of high quality. A person in the market for a quality European bike can't go wrong by contacting Urkai. By the way, riding a Dutch style bike is something to experience, it's so much more comfortable and relaxing and the quality is incredible.
