Local Bike Shops: Share Your Favorites

Who are your favorites? Why?

Full disclosure: We have three shops that support The Chainlink race team and ambassadors - Boulevard Bikes, Turin, and Tailwind Cycles. 

I must admit, coming to D.C., I haven't found a local bike shop I'm super comfy with yet which made me think - if I was new to Chicago, I'd be in the same boat. So let's make it easy on people by sharing our thoughts on Chicago's local bike shops (I may be biased, but I think they are some of the best and most welcoming IMO).

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 22, 2018 at 5:58am

*Pedal to the People - Bike Shop and Mobile Repair Service

2030 w. Hubbard St. (near Grand and Damen)

Adam Clark does a great job.

I also have used and recommend:
*Comrade Cycles
*West Town Bikes - Ciclo Urbano

Permalink Reply by David Henri on February 23, 2018 at 3:53am

Cosmic Bikes on North Milwaukee south of Lawrence.  Superb and friendly service and lots of City/Commuter bikes.

Permalink Reply by Emily Heavey on February 23, 2018 at 6:08am

I don't know that I will ever find mechanics who are more passionate, skilled, and meticulous then Ben and Steven at Tailwind.

For deals and speed on parts, Smart Bike Parts is great.

Johnny Sprockets has great bikes and great curated selection of gear (plus they sponsor my team and a bunch of other community stuff!)

BFF is a pillar in the Chicago Women's Bike community, plus they have great service, bikes/gear, classes and rides.

Boulevard and Comrade are also great community members and have always been good to me.

There are many more good shops, but these are my favorites!

Permalink Reply by Mark on February 23, 2018 at 7:40am

Uptown Bikes has experienced mechanics, many of whom have been with the shop for over 10 years!  They love working on old bikes as well as new and will go the extra mile to complete repairs that include hard-to-find parts.  They also carry used parts.  If you're looking for a shim, they have a "shim bin" waiting for you!  Uptown Bikes has endured two years of construction for the rebuilding of the Wilson Red Line stop and are a key business supporting the Uptown community.

Permalink Reply by Jasmin on February 23, 2018 at 7:42am

what is a shim? 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 23, 2018 at 7:57am
Permalink Reply by Jasmin on February 23, 2018 at 8:06am

a random collection of metal things?

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 23, 2018 at 8:22am

Hi Jasmin. It's sort of an adapter, mostly used in work on older bikes, a designed piece of metal/plastic material or washer used to align/adapt or modify, to make them fit and/or reduce wear.

Permalink Reply by Mark on February 23, 2018 at 8:32am

In my case, my seat post wasn't securing tightly.  By inserting a small cylinder with a rim at the top in the seat tube on my frame, I was able to snugly secure my seat post.  I thought it was a long-shot they would have such a part, let alone a whole bin of them.  Just an example of how they can keep older bikes going.

Permalink Reply by Jasmin on February 23, 2018 at 8:42am

Thanks, guys. All the names of tiny bike parts aren't easy to learn for a non-native speaker  (not that I'd know them in German... :D)

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 23, 2018 at 8:48am

You would be amazed at the spare bins parts names at a class at West Town Bikes.

Permalink Reply by pjc jr on February 23, 2018 at 11:45am

Mox Multisport!

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