good Evanston/Wilmette bike shops for transportation riding?

Howdy folks. 

I'm trying to steer a friend toward a bike shop in Evanston that doesn't cater primarily to the racing dentist crowd (or I guess Wilmette--trying not to have to drive to the bike shop). I've had lousy experiences at Turin and would not tell anybody to go there unless they had no choice. There used to be some other place on Davis around Chicago that is exactly the kind of thing I'm thinking of, but that place closed. 

Basically I'm looking for a Boulevard or Rapid Transit of the near burbs. Does such an animal exist?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 5, 2012 at 4:07am

Wilmette, Illinois.

Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Let us know if you find a non-racing dentist shop. My guess is it doesn't exist.

Permalink Reply by Colin Murphy on March 5, 2012 at 4:10am

Thanks Kevin. Spelling corrected--pinot on the brain.

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on March 5, 2012 at 4:22am

Go talk to Lou at the Pony Shop - Chicago Ave. just south of Dempster.  He is one of the best in the business. And he is equally happy to help you out with an urban bike, or whatever you are looking for.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 5, 2012 at 4:26am

Willakenzie. Mmmmm!


Colin Murphy said:

Thanks Kevin. Spelling corrected--pinot on the brain.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on March 5, 2012 at 4:31am

Huh. Can you PM me and tell me about your lousy experiences? I've purchased two bikes, clothing and numerous accessories along with services..all from Turin. Always had excellent service. Weird.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on March 5, 2012 at 4:43am

I live right around the corner from Turin, so I use them as my local bike shop.  I am in no way a racer, but it doesn't bother me in the least to stand next to some lycra-clad person while I purchase chain lube or a new tire tube.  They were quick and professional in fitting me for a hybrid commuter Trek Soho DLX and pointed me to a less expensive helmet and tail light when I was looking at more than I needed, so I find them both helpful and ethical.  One of their mechanics showed me a quick fix to what I thought was a broken fender on my Dahon folding bike, and wouldn't take any payment, so I tipped him several bucks for the help.

 

Another shop in town is the Pony Shop, a small place on the west side of Chicago Avenue, just north of the Jewel supermarket, at 1224 Chicago.  I've looked around once or twice but never purchased anything there.  They seem like really nice folks.  It may be more the "racer free" shop you're looking for.

 

There's a vaguely underground mysterious shop called Bucephalus Bikes at 1532 Crain.  I've never been there, but in reading about it, I'm guessing it corresponds to something like Yojimbo's Garage in Chicago.

 

The Recyclery is just south of the Evanston city limits, in Chicago's Rogers Park, a half block up Paulina from the Howard CTA station, at 7268 N Paulina.  They also still hold their old basement place in south Evanston, though it may be just for parts storage.  Really nice people doing good work in the community, this place corresponds to Chicago's Working Bikes, West Town Bikes or Blackstone Bikes.  They sell used refurbished bikes on Saturday mornings, 10-noon.  If you can spend money at a community bike shop like this, good things happen throughout the area.

 

Further afield, the very best selection of on floor demo folding bikes I've found was at Arlington Heights' Village Cyclesport, at 1313 Rand Road.  This is where I bought my Dahon, after spending several hours looking at half a dozen different makes.  This place isn't very near Evanston, but if you're looking for a folder for commuting (hopping on and off trains and buses with your bike), I can highly recommend this place.

 

I don't spend much time in Wilmette, but I know there's the Wilmette Bicycle & Sport Shop at 605 Green Bay Road and the Higher Gear at 1515 Sheridan Road in Plaza del Lago.  I've never been inside either shop, but the Higher Gear's web site looks kind of racer-oriented, so it may not be for you.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 5, 2012 at 4:53am

+1   Lou's a good guy.  He helped me customize my basic mountain bike for better transportation riding.  When I lived in Rogers Park, Pony Shop was one of my mainstays for years.  They're good people.  I miss having them as my "almost in the neighborhood" shop.  

I also had many good experiences with Turin.  They're not just for the roadies.

This is the first I've heard about Bucephalus on Crain (a bit west of the purple line).  That's my old 'hood.  I'll have to check them out one of these days.

Amlings in Niles is a great shop.  They specialize in recumbents, so that may be a little off the beaten path for you in more ways than one.  If you go, tell Joe I said hi.  

Steve Courtright said:

Go talk to Lou at the Pony Shop - Chicago Ave. just south of Dempster.  He is one of the best in the business. And he is equally happy to help you out with an urban bike, or whatever you are looking for.

Permalink Reply by Colin Murphy on March 5, 2012 at 5:32am

Pony Shop! I had totally forgotten about that place. Went there years ago before it moved to its new location but I remember it being a good shop. And this Bucephalus sounds intriguing.

I'm not allergic to racers per se--stores have to keep the doors open somehow--I've just found that an excessive focus on the high-and-fast end can mess up a shop as far as what I look for. 

Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on March 5, 2012 at 3:13pm

I always go to the Pony Shop for repairs b/c it's the closest to home.  I have always had good service there.

Permalink Reply by Michael A on March 5, 2012 at 3:36pm

I have had excellent service from both Turin and Pony Shop for both my racing and commuting needs. Liz who works at Turin is a chain linker herself and is a great person to deal with for any type of cycling needs.

Permalink Reply by koala on March 6, 2012 at 1:53am

OK, chipping in on the Wilmette Bicycle & Sport Shop.  It does not cater to the dentist racer crowd.  I would say its more like a kids-and-family bikes place.  The bike accessories and parts are literally in the workshop.  New bikes are in the basement.  The front of the store has sports gear for school-aged kids.  Used bikes for sale out back.  I've bought chains, spokes, etc. there.  Nice place.

Permalink Reply by paulcycles on March 6, 2012 at 11:26pm

Not near you North of Howard St until you reach Kenniworth's http://rrbcyclesusa.com/

or Highland Park's http://www.albertoscycles.com/

Yes, a distance up beautiful roads to the Green Bay trail, but worth it!

You might want to check out their "Ride like a girl" program.

But I've had to agree that I can't recommend earthy, casual care from my old, old shop, TURIN Ltd. Evanston has none of my peers on staff anymore.

An old fart & former wrench/sales guy there from the 70's Bike boom

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