The Chainlink

I just noticed this weekend that the storefront on Montrose is for rent. From what I can gather online, it sounds like they got fed up with break-ins. I'm very sad as this was only about a block and a half away from me! I know they still have the store in Wicker Park, but I'm not going to haul down there. Anyone have any other info/suggestions for bike shops in this area?

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Wow, that's a shame about Iron Cycles. 

On The Route, are you kidding? That shop is bullshit, has been for decades.

Turin, best shop in the world, I live within spitting distance.  So glad they're here and not in Evanston. I no longer order bike parts online, I order through Turin.

Really sorry to hear this.  They are just a few blocks away from us.  I first went into their original location on Montrose and they could not have been more friendly.  I've only bought parts, tires, etc there as I have old bikes.  They have always seemed to be quite busy, and I'd assumed they were thriving in that location.   I assume that Brandon, Steve, and the excellent mechanic there are now at the shop down in Wicker Park.

Also very sad to hear about Iron Cycles.  I've been going there since I followed Matt from GAG.  But now I don't feel so guilty about how much I love Turin, and have taken my bike there the last few times since it's much closer to my house.

I thought Iron Cycles were very supportive.  I took my bike there several times for "minor" repair work - replacing cables, chains, etc.  They took it right away, and I either waited a few minutes or went and had coffee and came back.  It seemed to me they were busy, but I don't know how busy you need to be to make it as a bike shop. 

I wish they would have charged higher prices so they could have stayed there.

According to their FB page, they said: "We've moved to 1375 N Milwaukee. We're hoping to avoid some of the trouble we faced in Albany Park with all of the break-ins and gang violence...."

I always got the impression that they were doing well there. We took our bikes there for tune-ups and repairs, and brought helmets from there. While, I appreciate the suggestions of other bike shops -- it is sad to lose a bike shop so close to my home. Definitely will be more work to get to a bike shop. 


Bob Kastigar said:

I thought Iron Cycles were very supportive.  I took my bike there several times for "minor" repair work - replacing cables, chains, etc.  They took it right away, and I either waited a few minutes or went and had coffee and came back.  It seemed to me they were busy, but I don't know how busy you need to be to make it as a bike shop. 

I wish they would have charged higher prices so they could have stayed there.

Yeah, regarding that "bike shop" on the northwest corner of Bryn Mawr and Western: Back on Labor Day weekend, I was in a pinch for a derailleur cable so I stopped in hoping they would have what I needed.  The guy comes back with a brake cable!  When I told him I was looking for a DERAILLEUR cable, he replied to me saying, "it's the same thing..."  Immediately, I just turned around and walked out thinking I should've gone to Johnny Sprockets like I had originally planned!

Now, I don't know whether this place is under new ownership or not, but I do know I'll never be stepping foot in that shit-hole again! And considering that there are many "REAL" bike shops in the area that have the correct parts (as well as bike-techs who know the difference between brake and derailleur cables), this place is a book you CAN judge by it's cover...!


Eli said:

FYI, the bike shop at Bryn Mawr and Western (I'm not using the name since I don't know what they're calling it this month; it's had numerous name changes) is widely suspected of dealing in stolen bikes. See http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-shop-near-andersonvil...http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/andersonville-bikes-fitnes....

That's too bad. I've never been to the shop but a friend bought a bike from there and was really stoked about their service.

Other shops in the area that are good:

  • On the Route (Lawrence/Western)
  • Turin (Damen/Leland)
  • Roscoe Village Bikes (Roscoe/Damen)

All of these shops have terrific folks working there. Get a Grip is great too but father west than I think you're looking.

Turin on Damen is a good local shop. You should also check out Green Machine Cycles on Montrose (couple of blocks east of the metra). The shop is just getting up and running but the owner is a great guy and knows his stuff.


Jinx, by a couple of days...


Liz W. Durham said:

Turin on Damen is a good local shop. You should also check out Green Machine Cycles on Montrose (couple of blocks east of the metra). The shop is just getting up and running but the owner is a great guy and knows his stuff.

What does everyone think of Turin on Damen?

Ha! I saw Turin mentioned but missed in my scanning Green Machine Cycles. But Ezra at Green Machine deserves all sorts of shout outs so I won't apologize for he redundancy :)



Sarah D. 1-3.3 said:


Jinx, by a couple of days...


Liz W. Durham said:

Turin on Damen is a good local shop. You should also check out Green Machine Cycles on Montrose (couple of blocks east of the metra). The shop is just getting up and running but the owner is a great guy and knows his stuff.

Agreed! 

Liz W. Durham said:

Ha! I saw Turin mentioned but missed in my scanning Green Machine Cycles. But Ezra at Green Machine deserves all sorts of shout outs so I won't apologize for he redundancy :)



Sarah D. 1-3.3 said:


Jinx, by a couple of days...


Liz W. Durham said:

Turin on Damen is a good local shop. You should also check out Green Machine Cycles on Montrose (couple of blocks east of the metra). The shop is just getting up and running but the owner is a great guy and knows his stuff.

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