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 Charlie Short 2.9 on April 9, 2013 at 4:50am

Roscoe Village Bikes. Best service, most friendly staff. Wide range of bikes and types of riders they serve. Runners up: Iron Cycles.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on April 9, 2013 at 4:51am

The best bike shop is the one from which you can walk home after you leave your bike there for service.

If you are coming to the City to check out bike shops it would be helpful for us to know what kind of bikes you like. Quick Release (1527 N Ashland Ave, Chicago) is awesome for vintage enthusiasts, but if you want to check out a big variety of Felts it would not be the place for you. etc

Working Bikes (2434 S Western Ave, Chicago,) is pretty impressive, again if you are interested in looking at a bunch of older bikes, rummaging through the largest parts bins in town and seeing a non-profit in action. 

And if you are gonna include the south side, you should check out Blue City ( 3201 S Halsted St, Chicago). They have the coolest people and one of the best shop cats (the cat is listed as  their CEO and now he gets CEO junk mail as a result!). There is a great coffee shop right behind Blue City called Antelope Coffee and Tea.

Permalink Reply by Lorena Cupcake on April 9, 2013 at 4:57am

For the best prices on parts, I go to Smart Bike Parts. For accessories, repairs, advice, and noncondescending answers to dumb questions, I go to the Bike Lane.

 

Disclaimer: both these shops have sponsored alleycats I've thrown. But the reason I asked them to sponsor us is because I love them so much.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on April 9, 2013 at 5:00am

It really depends on what you are looking for in a shop...

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on April 9, 2013 at 5:04am

+1 for Working Bikes.

 

Also recommend Blackstone, in HP/Woodlawn.

 

Depending on your appetite for mileage this could be a great way to see a lot of the city. :)

Permalink Reply by spencewine on April 9, 2013 at 5:22am

Comrade Cycles on 1908 W Chicago Ave. Bailey, Jesse & company are ace. They treat people like people and I can say that from my experience with other bike shops in Chicago...that is not always the norm. Not only that, but they've reunited many a stolen bike with their original owners in the first year of existance. Bikes they have are wide-ranging from commuter types to CX to Road Racers.

 

West Town Bikes/Ciclo Urbano at 2459 W Division is tops. Great guys/girls over there and it's all supporting some great causes...they have programs geared toward serving the neighborhood and underserved youth. They also have numerous classes for adults... I've attended their build-a-bike class, which was a great experience and I have since attended  several open shops (Tuesdays/Saturdays) to work on a project. They sell some commuter bikes, some used bikes, and a lot of parts/accessories.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 9, 2013 at 5:42am

these are my two choices. but as mentioned it depends on what in general you are looking for.

Of the two Comrade is your best bet for all-around knowledge (the owner operators both commute,

tour, and race and are extremely well-versed in any/all cycling related questions, etc. you will throw

at them).

 

3rd choice is Rapid Transit - both wicker park and south loop locations.

 

DB

spencewine said:

Comrade Cycles on 1908 W Chicago Ave. Bailey, Jesse & company are ace. They treat people like people and I can say that from my experience with other bike shops in Chicago...that is not always the norm. Not only that, but they've reunited many a stolen bike with their original owners in the first year of existance. Bikes they have are wide-ranging from commuter types to CX to Road Racers.

 

West Town Bikes/Ciclo Urbano at 2459 W Division is tops. Great guys/girls over there and it's all supporting some great causes...they have programs geared toward serving the neighborhood and underserved youth. They also have numerous classes for adults... I've attended their build-a-bike class, which was a great experience and I have since attended  several open shops (Tuesdays/Saturdays) to work on a project. They sell some commuter bikes, some used bikes, and a lot of parts/accessories.

Permalink Reply by S on April 9, 2013 at 5:46am

Like Doug said, what are you interested in?  If you're looking at race stuff then I would suggest looking at the Pony Shop or Get a Grip or Johnny Sprockets.  On the other hand, if you're looking for commuter bike stuff or Dutch bikes, these stores would probably not be ideal...  

Permalink Reply by youngmancycle on April 9, 2013 at 6:22am


I am most interested in road bikes currently
Tony Adams 6.6 mi said:

The best bike shop is the one from which you can walk home after you leave your bike there for service.

If you are coming to the City to check out bike shops it would be helpful for us to know what kind of bikes you like. Quick Release (1527 N Ashland Ave, Chicago) is awesome for vintage enthusiasts, but if you want to check out a big variety of Felts it would not be the place for you. etc

Working Bikes (2434 S Western Ave, Chicago,) is pretty impressive, again if you are interested in looking at a bunch of older bikes, rummaging through the largest parts bins in town and seeing a non-profit in action. 

And if you are gonna include the south side, you should check out Blue City ( 3201 S Halsted St, Chicago). They have the coolest people and one of the best shop cats (the cat is listed as  their CEO and now he gets CEO junk mail as a result!). There is a great coffee shop right behind Blue City called Antelope Coffee and Tea.

Permalink Reply by Haddon on April 9, 2013 at 6:50am

Everybody fully knows that the best bike shop in the city is Working Bikes.

But if your coming in from the burbs why waste your time in bike shops? Do the lake front trail and then do it again.

h

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 9, 2013 at 7:23am

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 7:32am

If you are interested in road bikes, you should try Get-A-Grip on Irving Park Road. I'm no expert on road bikes, but that shop really made me drool and wanting to touch these fine machines inappropriately ;)

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