Best Bike Repair Shops In Chicago
By Meredith Lyons
Chicago is a bike friendly city and becoming more and more so. With the prices on the CTA increasing at an alarming rate, more and more commuters are looking at bikes to get them where they need to go quickly and cheaply. Add the extra calorie burn as a fitness bonus. If you're just getting into the biking scene or are just looking for a new place to take your bike for repairs, you'll need to know the best and most friendly places available in Chicago to fit your needs.
Nearly New Bikes
3826 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-0692
www.nearlynewbikes.com
For a first-time rider who may not be ready to invest in a brand new bike with all the bells and whistles, Nearly New will hook you up with a rehabbed used bike. The staff is friendly, informative and helpful at guiding you to the type of bike you'll need. The shop also offers a two-month warranty on anything that may happen to your bike in the beginning of your relationship. For anyone looking for a good bike without paying top dollar, Nearly New may be the place for you. Be aware that the shop is cash only, so make your withdrawal before you visit. If looking to fix up your old ride, this is a fantastic spot for bike maintenance and tune-ups.
Uptown Bikes
4653 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-5212
www.uptownbikes.com
Uptown Bikes is the place to go if you enjoy a down-to-earth neighborhood feel. The staff tries to remember its regulars by name and is always friendly. If you rely on your bike shop to recommend products and repairs, Uptown Bikes will be more than willing to help you out. The shop does accept credit cards as well as cash, and as a bonus, it is women owned and operated. If you're looking for a laid-back repair shop, Uptown Bikes may be the place for you. It is right between the Lawrence and Wilson red line stops on the CTA.
Iron Cycles
3136 W. Montrose Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 539-4766
www.ironcycles.com
Iron Cycles is reputed to be a great shop for all levels of cyclists; from little kids, to recreational adult riders, to competitive cyclists and triathletes. Although it may not have a terribly wide range of merchandise in the store, it carries the brands and items it is confident in and can order anything else you may want. Some bike shops can be intimidating to new or inexperienced riders, but Iron Cycles has a reputation for being friendly and making you feel at home and more importantly taking the time to explain unfamiliar things to you. Iron Cycles has a 'snob free' reputation and is right off the Kedzie or Francisco brown line stops via CTA.
Rapid Transit
1900 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-2288
1305 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-4411
www.rapidtransitcycles.com
With two locations for your convenience, Rapid Transit is another bike shop with a friendly, "remember your name" reputation. If you're a winter biker, its winter bike tune-up is a great deal. Rapid Transit won't give you guff if you can't change your own bike tires and its experts will explain what they're doing to your bike as they make repairs and why they believe it will fix the problem. For first-time riders, the staff will go through bike options with you and even suggests bike models that may not be in the shop if they think it may be a better fit for what you need.
Johnny Sprockets
3001 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 244-1079
1052 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 293-1695
www.johnnysprockets.com
Another bike shop with two locations in Lakeview and Edgewater for your convenience, Johnny Sprockets is owned by a guy who just loves bikes and wants to help people ride them. His attitude seems to translate to his staff that is both knowledgeable and friendly. This staff does not have pushy salesmen and won't try and upsell you if you're just looking for the basics, although these experts have the knowledge to make suggestions. If you need repairs and are struggling to make ends meet, Johnny Sprockets will often make allowances if you can promise to make good on your tab in the near future.
Meredith Lyons is an actor, competitive fighter and fitness instructor in Chicago who also owns an amazing cat named Jake. Meredith has been writing on Examiner as the Chicago Martial Arts Examiner since 2008. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
