The Chainlink

Best cycling/bike shop in chicago (personal opinoin)

So i live in the burbs but ill be heading up this weekend to check out some shops i chitown. So tell me your favorite one, and why.

Thnks

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on April 9, 2013 at 1:36pm

The top three are Uptown Bikes, Uptown Bikes and Uptown Bikes.

All of them are located at 4653 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. Phone: 773.728.5212. Their hours are: Mon-Fri 11-7, Sat-Sun 11-5 and they are closed on Wednesdays.

Permalink Reply by Scott Chillson on April 9, 2013 at 2:00pm

The Bike Lane guys are pretty legit. 

Permalink Reply by Scott Chillson on April 9, 2013 at 2:02pm

I second that.

dan brown 4.4 miles said:

also to avoid : Village Cycle Center on Wells in Olde Towne.

gimmicks and some unscrupulous practices (no spell checker here)

DB

Permalink Reply by MK on April 9, 2013 at 2:06pm

I personally love Irv's Bike Shop for repairs and basic stuff. That's in big part according to Tony's rule of "you can walk home after you leave your bike there." Plus the staff is a good bunch of characters and their prices are beyond fair. 

Probably not the best shop to "shop" at though. Kind of bare bones. They have a decent amount of bikes and parts in their small space, but if you're looking for something specific probably best to call to be sure it's in stock. 

But if you end checking out Working Bike's you might want to swing by Irv's since they aren't too far from each other.

Permalink Reply by JMinHP on April 9, 2013 at 2:49pm

A vehement THIRD! I knew (and know) enough to not get taken but their shady staff, and I feel bad for those less knowledgeable.  Stay far far away.

Scott Chillson said:

I second that.

dan brown 4.4 miles said:

also to avoid : Village Cycle Center on Wells in Olde Towne.

gimmicks and some unscrupulous practices (no spell checker here)

DB

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 9, 2013 at 3:23pm

That is funny!

PS. While I agree that it is the best bike shop on the Northside, I don't think that OP, who is looking for road bikes, will find much to his liking at Uptown Bikes. It's just not their specialty.

Gene Tenner said:

The top three are Uptown Bikes, Uptown Bikes and Uptown Bikes.

All of them are located at 4653 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. Phone: 773.728.5212. Their hours are: Mon-Fri 11-7, Sat-Sun 11-5 and they are closed on Wednesdays.

Permalink Reply by youngmancycle on April 9, 2013 at 3:47pm

Does anyone know how boulevard bikes is?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 9, 2013 at 4:19pm

Sportif on Lawrence is one to avoid unless you like getting berated and grumped at.   Check out their Yelp reviews 1.5 stars out of 5,  LOL.    DO NOT roll your bike in there with you unless it needs attention. Just bringing it in to window shop or to pick up something will net you a chewing out.  Bike parking outside is lacking.  

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on April 9, 2013 at 4:39pm

Boulevard is an excellent bike shop.

You like fancy road stuff come into either Element shop.  Oak Park is more road focused and the city shop os more tri focused.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on April 9, 2013 at 4:55pm

What specifically about Village Cycle is shady? 

I bought a bike from them a year ago and the sales person was not pushy at all. Answered my questions and didn't once try to steer me in a different direction. I knew what bike I wanted before I walked in the shop so maybe that helped. I haven't gone there for service of any kind however so can't speak on that. 

JM 6.5 said:

A vehement THIRD! I knew (and know) enough to not get taken but their shady staff, and I feel bad for those less knowledgeable.  Stay far far away.

Scott Chillson said:

I second that.

dan brown 4.4 miles said:

also to avoid : Village Cycle Center on Wells in Olde Towne.

gimmicks and some unscrupulous practices (no spell checker here)

DB

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 9, 2013 at 5:19pm

Boulevard is a good shop and I wouldn't hesitate to send someone there for bike work, gear, or supplies.  I drop in there every once in a while although I am pretty self-supported and have few needs.  It's a fun shop to visit, and just across the square from me.  

They have knowledgeable folks working there, Kevin and his crew have always been helpful to me, and they have a great selection of bikes and gear considering they don't have a ton of room -just like many city shops are also a bit pressed for space and can still do a great job of carrying a good selection.   Don't judge  an LBS by the size of their showroom.   

Only a few city shops are going to have the floor space of the typical suburban storefront. 

Comrade is a shop that I've also heard rave reviews from friends.  While I've never had any work done there myself I've been in there a few times with friends and seen examples of their work on friends' bikes.  They also have been doing a stellar job of recovering stolen bikes which deserves credit from the community for service above and beyond. 


youngmancycle said:

Does anyone know how boulevard bikes is?

Permalink Reply by Andrew M on April 9, 2013 at 5:47pm

+1 for Irv's!

Cool staff, great neighbourhood, insanely low prices on repairs


MK said:

I personally love Irv's Bike Shop for repairs and basic stuff. That's in big part according to Tony's rule of "you can walk home after you leave your bike there." Plus the staff is a good bunch of characters and their prices are beyond fair. 

Probably not the best shop to "shop" at though. Kind of bare bones. They have a decent amount of bikes and parts in their small space, but if you're looking for something specific probably best to call to be sure it's in stock. 

But if you end checking out Working Bike's you might want to swing by Irv's since they aren't too far from each other.

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