YNOT

I really dig American products, especially when one comes to cycling but lately I have been turned on to a couple of Canadian companies that I had not known that much about that have really impressed me, and this is one of them.
I ride fixed bikes and as with many things, the particularities and details are often what takes a product from okay to amazing. I was riding my Fuji with Hold Fast straps which I was initially happy with. As time went on however, I found they became worn too easily and flopped around when I was trying to slip my feet into them. Some riders enjoy the metal or hard plastic toe clips, but I’m partial to nylon, so I was faced with only a few options. Walking home one day (the YNOT shop is a block from my building) I decided I’d go in and take a look. I hadn’t realized I’d seen these straps around before and that this was their flagship store, but I had seen the pedal straps on display through the window before so I decided to take a look.
I was blown away. First off, I like how simple they’ve made purchasing there. People sometimes forget about the beauty of simplified shopping. They have a stock of three or four Wellago plastic pedals. Not over the top, but a good clean simple pedal and it’s $ 20! Totally fair price. Then they have about 15 colors of the standard strap, some leather ones (I do believe available in 5 different colors) and finally reflective designs as well (4 – 5 colors). They have bags, really sweet looking messenger and top open courier bags. Customizable and plenty pre-​made designs in store. They have a few bikes, chain lube, a few tools and some cycle fashion and here’s the best thing about it and a bit of an answer to my American loving consumerism: IT’S ALL MADE RIGHT HERE IN TORONTO! I’ve heard through them that they’re fairly popular in Korea and Japan, and I’ve seen it on websites as well, but I think it’s time that Torontonians and Canada as a cycling nation took notice too. Their products are of amazing quality. I will say the material for the bags feels a bit thin but it comes with a lifetime warranty and lighter is better and thicker material isn’t always better so I think it’ll hold up. I bought two pair of the standard pedal straps and have been very happy with them. Unlike the Hold Fasts, the YNOT’s actually keep their shape, and are sturdier as well. They are easier to adjust and come in such a wide variety of colors that you can match them to any bike color out there. The price is very reasonable $ 49.99 for the standards up to $ 64.99 I believe for the leather straps, and they also all come with a lifetime warranty.
The staff was very friendly and they even have a dog who hangs out in the shop (a note for you pet owners in case you’re out strolling with your dog, it’s a pet friendly atmosphere) and last but most definitely not least, it’s so rare to find a REAL local shop that actually makes its stuff in Toronto and/​or Canada.
Totally worth going to see. YNOT indeed?
GO!