New Bike Shop

Anyone know anything about a new bike shop going in at 4912(ish) N. Elston?

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Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on August 13, 2011 at 6:52am

O.K. "Chain linkers"...or Chainlinkians",

 I stopped by XOLO Bikes again, just before noon, and they were...drum roll please...Open for business!

I had a great conversation with Jason, one of the guys running the shop. I say "great conversation", but he was probably like "who's this weirdo that comes in and talks my ear off and doesn't buy anything?"

 

The Internet can be a cynical place with haters and sarcasm and I am as guilty as anyone for feeding into the lulz, but it's a different story when you meet someone face to face. I haven't heard anything negative (outside of the gear shifter/break bike) about these guys. They are three friends that are doing something they enjoy...something we all enjoy...and on top of their regular "day jobs",they have a pretty nifty bike shop.

Sure,it's small...and it's hours of operation are erratic...AND they use gear shifters for breaks...sure they are an easy target...

Hears where I break into my John Candy from Planes trains and automobiles...

Any way...if anyone gets a chance, take a ride over there...just north of Tonys' on Elston. I believe in supporting the little guy and I'm tired of being soaked by the big bike shops. If anyone has first hand knowledge about their service, that would be cool.

BTW...the gear shifter/break bike is out there on the streets of Chicago,It was purchased by someone... so beware.

 

Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on August 13, 2011 at 7:42am

Thanks for checking it out - did you let them know they were a topic of discussion on Chainlink (and if so, what was the reaction)?

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on August 13, 2011 at 8:26am
Oh ya...That's how I made my entrance..."you guys are the hot topic on Chainlink this week" and then..."there's a lot of controversy around the shifter/break lever". He was a good sport about it and and said he was going to check out the thread.

Gopher Biker said:

Thanks for checking it out - did you let them know they were a topic of discussion on Chainlink (and if so, what was the reaction)?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 13, 2011 at 8:31am

I hope he does.  I would love to hear his side of things.

 

Gear-shifter brakes and all -I kind of like his style. Others may not, but is's a free world.  


S.Presley said:

Oh ya...That's how I made my entrance..."you guys are the hot topic on Chainlink this week" and then..."there's a lot of controversy around the shifter/break lever". He was a good sport about it and and said he was going to check out the thread.

Gopher Biker said:

Thanks for checking it out - did you let them know they were a topic of discussion on Chainlink (and if so, what was the reaction)?

Permalink Reply by Joel on August 13, 2011 at 12:49pm
Yeah, that brAke lever is truly the talk of the town.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 13, 2011 at 1:33pm
Press hard enough and it might actually BE a break lever!
Permalink Reply by King CeZar on August 13, 2011 at 6:54pm
I don't know who builds the worst bikes in Chicago, the fastlane, working bikes, or this dump, but one thing is for sure the all have shitty mechanics building bikes at these dumps!
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on August 14, 2011 at 3:50am

You sir have just proven what and idiot you are.  The Fastlane has been closed for sometime.  Working Bikes has hired a staff of very talented mechanics and is now putting out some well built bikes; there is no more 'barley working bikes' any more, they are running a nice shop there.

 

If your going to talk shit at least know what the hell you are talking about.


King CeZar said:

I don't know who builds the worst bikes in Chicago, the fastlane, working bikes, or this dump, but one thing is for sure the all have shitty mechanics building bikes at these dumps!
Permalink Reply by Christian Branch on August 14, 2011 at 5:28am

I can make it up to you place just was having a lot go on out of nowhere wednesday and it seemed like a zillion ppl needed me at the same time for help with stuff. I have no problem riding up to your house on one of my free days.

 

Is Wednesday okay for you?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 14, 2011 at 5:29am

Working Bikes can't always do everything that an old bike needs and still get the bikes back out on the street while still being affordable to the buyers.  

 

They aren't unsafe -but a few of them will eventually need a bit more work if ridden every day.  And there is nothing wrong with that.   They are WORKING bikes -not restored bikes. 

Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on August 14, 2011 at 7:36am

"we are only open when the door is open"

I like this place already.



Thunder Snow said:

Putting on my Sherlock Holmes deerstalker cap, this is what I've found....

They've got a Facebook page, but no Yelp reviews (yet). They appear to be an appointment-only "customization shop".  A number of legit "likes" on Facebook (Half Acre Brewery, FEW distillery, etc.) which makes me think they're not shady, just a part-time club-like shop, open whenever anyone's free to work.

From their Facebook page:

Three guys wanted to start a small reasonably priced bike shop in Chicago. This is their story. Brought to you by Jason Ring, Matt Smith, & Bolla Loza.

 

From their web site:

XOLO Bikes is a bicycle customization shop & we are only open when the door is open. If you'd like to schedule a time to come by & view some of our work, please call, text, or e-mail us to setup a time.

4219 N. ELSTON AVE.
CHICAGO IL, 60618

(312) 544 - 9656

xolobikes@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on October 8, 2011 at 5:21am

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/2638883093.html

XOLO is announcing a "going out of business" clearance sale today, Saturday, 10-1.

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