NEW RAPID TRANSIT STORE OPENING SOON!!

Calling all Chainlinker's!!!
 Rapid Transit Cycles is opening a new store at 1305 S Halsted on March 31st! We look forward to being the south loop's transportation alternative. So get the word out!! It's going to be a great summer!!  Ride safe, and we'll see you then!!

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Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on March 9, 2010 at 3:03am
What a completely paranoid and unwarranted posting.

Lionel Senderowicz said:
Always get a second opinion when going into ANY bike shop to confirm they're not just trying to sell you overpriced parts available online (or from a used bike) at a fraction of their cost.

Or...support your local bike shop! :) <3 :O)
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 9, 2010 at 3:12am
Agreed! Congratulations, this is really exciting stuff! I'll be sure to come down and visit.

Lee Diamond said:
What a completely paranoid and unwarranted posting.

Lionel Senderowicz said:
Always get a second opinion when going into ANY bike shop to confirm they're not just trying to sell you overpriced parts available online (or from a used bike) at a fraction of their cost.

Or...support your local bike shop! :) <3 :O)
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 9, 2010 at 3:40am
Mike Keating said:
... Rapid Transit is a great shop and does not deserve your vague accusations.

I've had a couple of really great experiences at Rapid Transit. Many years ago I had a chain failure about a block from the shop two minutes before the shop's closing time. I walked the bike in just as they were locking up and the mechanic on duty volunteered to stay late and fix it on the spot. I wish I could remember her name.

More recently (2008?), Rapid Transit ordered a box of 100 patches for me. The only other place in town that would sell bulk patches was Quick Release (that I was aware of at the time anyway). But when I'd ask about getting a box Joe would just insist on selling me however many I wanted at the time. He was too nice to let me wait for a special order and I was too nice to insist.

Before I started using Armadillos* I'd average a few flats a month and it drove me crazy that patch kits include enough glue and sandpaper to install several dozen patches, but only five or six patches.

*I'm going to try some Schwalbe Marathons next though.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 9, 2010 at 4:03am
The location of that Kozy's store on Des Plaines is kinda frustrating. Much less convenient than the old Printer's Row location.

H3N3 said:
Kind of telling that nobody even mentions Kozy's.
In any event I do think John Clark would be well-advised to learn a little bit about the neighborhood he's moving into-- name, past names, history.
It is =not= the South Loop, and you're not going to get South Loop people considering the world west of 90/94 as a place to go buy a bicycle.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 9, 2010 at 4:06am
It may be further south than some of you live or ride, but Beverly Bike & Ski at 91st & Western is a good shop. I've been very happy with their service. They've also got winter stuff (x-c skis to buy or rent, snow shoes, and sleds) when the snow is flying.

Dr. Doom said:
Finally a decent shop on the South Side – sorry the other 2 really suck, limited on all fronts!!!

That's a bit much—there are three really good shops in Hyde Park and Woodlawn alone. I'll admit South Side shops tend to be a bit quirky and niche-oriented, but that's not really a bad thing. At any rate, great to see Rapid Transit expanding, especially in this economy.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 9, 2010 at 4:12am
When I was buying my Dahon folder several years back, it was a pleasure working with Rapid Transit on North Ave. I was able to test ride (and test fold) several different bikes (both Dahon and Bike Friday) to get a good sense of which bike was right for me. They gave me good service after the sale. I look forward to checking out their new location in the Maxwell St. area. Maybe I'll look at some recumbents.

P.S. On the topic of tires, Schwalbe Marathons are excellent. I've used them on my Dahon since it was new. Much of my riding has been in areas with railroad tracks and broken glass and I've had NO flats on the road with these tires.

Tony Adams said:
Mike Keating said:
... Rapid Transit is a great shop and does not deserve your vague accusations.

I've had a couple of really great experiences at Rapid Transit. Many years ago I had a chain failure about a block from the shop two minutes before the shop's closing time. I walked the bike in just as they were locking up and the mechanic on duty volunteered to stay late and fix it on the spot. I wish I could remember her name.

More recently (2008?), Rapid Transit ordered a box of 100 patches for me. The only other place in town that would sell bulk patches was Quick Release (that I was aware of at the time anyway). But when I'd ask about getting a box Joe would just insist on selling me however many I wanted at the time. He was too nice to let me wait for a special order and I was too nice to insist.

Before I started using Armadillos* I'd average a few flats a month and it drove me crazy that patch kits include enough glue and sandpaper to install several dozen patches, but only five or six patches.

*I'm going to try some Schwalbe Marathons next though.
Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 9, 2010 at 4:59am
this would be a great stop for a future CM ride to welcome them to the 'hood and tell everyone
'happy friday'.


DB

Julie Hochstadter said:
Agreed! Congratulations, this is really exciting stuff! I'll be sure to come down and visit.

Lee Diamond said:
What a completely paranoid and unwarranted posting.

Lionel Senderowicz said:
Always get a second opinion when going into ANY bike shop to confirm they're not just trying to sell you overpriced parts available online (or from a used bike) at a fraction of their cost.

Or...support your local bike shop! :) <3 :O)
Permalink Reply by Sam Van Dellen on March 10, 2010 at 6:17am
YES! All service contracts will be honored by both locations, all records will be available for both locations, etc. We will absolutely make sure your warranty repairs are handled.

Jennifer said:
Yay!

If the bike I bought at the north location malfunctions (not that I expect it to, but stuff happens) and it's still under warranty, can I bring it to the south location for repair?
Permalink Reply by Sol on March 12, 2010 at 7:17am
Andersonville is already known as "A-ville" it is not big enough to be known as a town.

H3N3 said:
I still hear it all the time, but then I deal with a lot of westsiders on an everyday basis.
I've always thought "J-town" would be a better name for that area than "University Village"-- it's a nod to the history, but not overtly offensive. "University Village" smacks of the exact flavor of sanitation that embodies the worst side of gentrification.

We could then rename all of the other neighborhoods in the same scheme.


We've already got a K-town. Andersonville could be A-town. Bridgeport and Bronzeville could duke it out for B-town. Etc . . .

Mike Keating said:
I know. I actually wrote it and then thought the phrase was simply too politically incorrect and I deleted it. I was worried that it would sound anti-semetic even though it is a historical fact that is what the area was referred to as recently as the late 1990's by many Chicagoans. I didn't want it to seem that I condoned the language in any way and thought it best to just leave it alone. If anyone is curious, I'm sure a google search will give you the answer.

H3N3 said:
Was kind of hoping the RT folks would do their own research.
You did leave out the name by which most of the west side and much of the south side used to refer to the area (most west siders over 40 or so still do . . .)

Mike Keating said:
First, have to add a plug for Rapid Transit Cycles. I finished a 3-week bike maintenance course there yesterday and have to say I had a great time and learned a ton. Thanks to Sam and John and Jeremiah and anyone else I forgot. I highly recommend the class no matter how much you think you know (or don't know) there is power in numbers and you can learn from others.
Second, 1200-1300 South Halsted is not the South Loop. Technically speaking it is the Near West Side. In recent years it has been rebranded as "University Village" and in years past it has been known as the "TriTaylor Area" or even just simply "Maxwell Street Market".
Permalink Reply by Sam Van Dellen on March 30, 2010 at 2:28am
Hello Chainlinkers! We will be opening the new location in 25 hours and 35 minutes! Come see what some of the best minds in the Chicago bike industry, 16 years experience, and a lot of willing and able hands have made to best serve you!

We can't wait to see you!
Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 30, 2010 at 3:28am
congrats ! the great family has just grown...

this calls for a proper bike bar / bat mitzvah !

with proper annointing and baptism too...

db

Sam Van Dellen said:
Hello Chainlinkers! We will be opening the new location in 25 hours and 35 minutes! Come see what some of the best minds in the Chicago bike industry, 16 years experience, and a lot of willing and able hands have made to best serve you!

We can't wait to see you!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 30, 2010 at 10:48am
Wishing you success on the launch of the new store!

Sam Van Dellen said:
Hello Chainlinkers! We will be opening the new location in 25 hours and 35 minutes! Come see what some of the best minds in the Chicago bike industry, 16 years experience, and a lot of willing and able hands have made to best serve you!

We can't wait to see you!

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