I have never bought anything from this shop, but been in many times. Most of times i have been in here just window shopping while in uptown. The people working are usually friendly and they sell used bikes which not enough shops due. But this 2 star review comes from my last stop in here. I bike all year round and quite a bit. I'm not a ride for health or fun kind of guy, I ride to get from point A to B. For me this is quite a bit (no car and can't stand CTA). I have very good tires (gator skins) so i rarely get flats but last week my bad luck brought me two of them. I stopped in here while at work looking to pick up a tube and also some new tire levers. I have a pretty normal size tube 700X23 long stem presta. At first i see the price 9 bucks a tube, come on that is fuckin robbery for one tube. I ask him what there deal for buying more then one is and he says none (most shops in this city give ya props for buying more then one tube). At this point I just want to buy my tube that is worth my dinner and beer for the night and get out. To my surprise they have none, WHAT THE FUCK!! it is winter our you getting a rush on tubes right now, I doubt it. I will say again they are quite nice and may be a great shop, but in a city that bike shops are all over the place you should never run out of any size of tube. Hope I just stopped in on the worst day for tubes. read more

If this is not the greatest bike store in the world I don't know what is. I bring in both my my bikes here to be serviced and these guys do a great job. Incredibly patient..for little things I can fix they don't even charge me. They explain everything to you and are very thorough in their repairs. Normally the guy/gal who fixes it brings it out to you to check it. I have bought bikes off the Internet and they graciously built them (not sure they want me to tell you this). I feel guilty that I buy some parts off the Web but I do try and buy some stuff here to help these guys out. I can't remember the name of the lady who owns it but she is super cool and friendly. She should be very proud of this business. A perfect example of a great local business. read more

I love this place!!!! Been coming here for years. I'm no bike geek, in fact, my bike is pretty beat to hell, but it's mine, and I love it. Nora and her crew are amazing. You walk in and someone helps you, makes eye contact and smiles. Wtf is up with the, "holier than thou- you're not spandexed or hipster enough to merit my attention," attitude with other shops in Chicago? At UB they listen to your problems, they fix the issues and they aren't constantly trying to up sell you shit you don't need. Oh, they also patiently answer your questions and show you how to do little things like brake adjustments, etc. yourself to save you money. I will never take my bike anywhere else for as long as I am able to ride a bike. read more

This place has never let me down. Excellent customer service, quality work, and friendly atmosphere. My whole family had been bringing our bikes there for repairs, tune ups, and just to fill up on air for over a year. Recently had them replace the pedal arm. Dropped it off and picked it up in the same day, and they gave me a free water bottle. Will never go anywhere else as long as I live in Chicago, TOP NOTCH!!! read more

Awesome first time. New to the area and in need of a new LBS to do some maintenance on my fixie, I found these folks on yelp and rode over. Super fast turn around, good prices and very helpful. Looks like I found my shop! read more

The service was good, nice and polite, my problem is that they refused to take the form of payment I wanted to use, which was Discover card. I use this card for everything and Uptown Bikes needs to get with the times and accept Discover. They were very unflexible about this which provided me a negative customer experience which is rather silly because the bike tune-up was good. I should be able to use the payment of my choice. I probably will not go back and go to another bike shop who accepts my card read more

Definitely go HERE! They are the best! All employees are friendly and knowledgeable. At the beginning of the summer I brought in a used bike I had just bought. I wanted to be sure it was safe for riding plus get a helmet and lights. I had not been on a bike for years and was a little nervous but she (sorry, I forgot her name and she complimented the earrings I made) made me feel ready to get onto my bike. She even attached the new light I bought to my helmet for me plus a lot of little extra things to help me out. I now ride my bike EVERY SINGLE DAY and I owe it all to the wonderful folks at Uptown Bikes. read more

As long as I live in the good city of Chicago, I will always be a loyal patron of Uptown Bikes. After frequenting many of the city's bike shops, I have found that none of them can even compare to the selection, staff and immaculate work done by Uptown. They have never done me wrong! The staff is really cool and straightforward with you about their work. There have been several times where the price they charged me was actually less than what they quoted!! They have no qualms in throwing on used parts and working with your own personal budget. They are so friendly and unpretentious and you can really see that by the vast array of people that they serve. Everyone from bike messengers to bums are there getting their bikes serviced! Uptown bikes has truly been one of Chicago's first bicycling advocate shops and a true Uptown community pillars. I am proud to be their customer. read more

I picked up my bike from a tune-up yesterday, and it's as good as new. I can always trust the staff at Uptown Bikes to be friendly and knowledgeable. The bike I bought from them three years ago is still perfect for my needs. This time I got new brake pads, had the cables tightened, the stem tightened, and everything else checked for $49 for both parts and labor. read more

Uptown bikes has always been SO accommodating, efficient and attentive. They are a really great group and I really appreciate their hard work and great attitude! Thanks Uptown :) read more

This is a great establishment. choice of $35, $45 or $75 tune up, but let me tell you the $75 tune up is totally worth it. The amount of work they do on your bike for that(you'll get presented with a checklist at the end) is insane. They basically make it as perfect as it can be in every way. Although you might think its a simple machine, the bicycle is very nuanced, and there are many ways in which something can go wrong. Uptown bikes makes it right. Also, they seem like good community stewards, and are nice people. read more

I'm a very active rider and have regularly needed maintenance for all kinds of things. The folks at Uptown Bikes have kept me happily on a set of wheels for years now. This is a place where you can be confident that you and your bike are going to get the best treatment available. Their work is comprehensive, their prices fair, and their employees kind. I really believe this bike shop is a valuable part of the Uptown community. I regularly see the shop owner and other employees riding in the neighborhood, or sometimes at a local independent coffee shop. You can feel proud to come here, knowing that you're supporting an important part of the Uptown economy and culture. read more

This place is great! It's usually a little busy, but for good reason; everyone there is very knowledgeable and friendly. They treated me with courtesy and respect when I knew absolutely nothing about bikes -- never talked down to me, and most important to me were never jerks about a fat girl wanting to bike commute. Now that I'm all set up, I still go there for all the accessories and things I need, and I've never had a bad experience or a bad recommendation. read more

Uptown Bikes = fast & friendly service. They apologized for the wait, but there really wasn't any. The time it took was merely the time for servicing my bike on a Friday afternoon. I paid a reasonable price for the tire I bought and the labor was only 10 bucks. They look like they have the gear and the know-how to set you up with what most cyclists need. Good, honest shop. Give 'em a shot. read more

Great service, speedy repairs, friendly and knowledgeable mechanics...all awesome elements to get your commuter bike up and running through the streets of chicago :-) read more

I bought a new KHS bike here yesterday and Hannah was flipping awesome in helping me choose it. She made suggestions, helped me test ride about 3 bikes and had great advice about what bike would suit my needs. They provide a 30 day tune-up after purchasing a bike, to make sure everything is running smoothly-- which is super awesome. The selection of bikes isn't huge, but they have carry road/hybrid/comfort bikes of KHS and Raleigh-- something for everyone. I will say that most bikes are $550+, so consider what your price point is. You get what you pay for-- these bikes are nice! Overall, great experience, will probably be back to tune ups, accessories, other bike needs. read more

I've taken my bike to Uptown Bikes on two separate occasions for unrelated issues. Not only did they do fantastic work on what was wrong with my bike, but they also corrected things on my bike that weren't even related to what they were working on; like fixing my bar tape even though I didn't ask them to. It's the little things that count. Fantastic mechanics and fantastic customer service. If you live in the Uptown, Andersonville or Ravenswood neighborhoods, you should take your bike(s) here for all of your needs. read more

My front brake had recently broken, so I took my bike into Uptown Bikes just after 11, when they open. I was helped right away despite a few other people already being in the shop. I explained the problem and they were able to do the repair right on the spot. I noticed that the repairman also checked my tires and lubed the chain - all for under $10! I have never been able to get my bike repaired so quickly and easily, and the repairman showed me how to fix the problem on my own next time. Great service! read more

I have been Uptown Bikes customer for a couple of years and I love taking my bike there for tune ups. The staff is very friendly and unpretentious, service is fast and quality. Prices are low. :-) read more

This place use to be full of stuck-up employees, like if you didn't ride a fixed you were scum. But, the last few times I have been in has been great. Keep it up Uptown Bikes, you just might get 4 stars out of me! You can still get lower prices by going to Performance (the wal mart of bike shops) but supporting a local shop feels good. read more

Best service in town. These people are not bike snobs at all. Ya know how you go into some bike shops and they give you attitude when you ask them a technical question? I do. At Uptown they answer your questions with a smile and try to help you fix it on your own. Uptown rules. read more

Every time I've been to Uptown Bikes they have: helped me immediately explained what was wrong and what my options were not been jerks about it (friendly even) charged decent prices had me back on by bike by the end of the day. Highly recommended. read more

I finally caved in and sought professional assistance to bring my 1994 Specialized Rockhopper into the safety zone. After tackling new pedals, tires, brake cables, saddle and chain, I realized that I had finally reached my level of incompetence with the front derailleur. When it comes to the fine tuning, I am all thumbs. Uptown Bikes to the rescue! Hannah greeted me at the door and let me know that John was on bikes today. After a few minutes wait (a repair and an accessory purchase were ahead of me), John got to the heart of the matter. Time for a new cable to get the front derailleur to work. And my work to date? Not bad for an amateur, he intimated. He offered suggestions on how I might continue to keep my ride in shape on my own. But ya know what? It was worth the time and money to have Uptown Bikes do what needed to be done: get the bike in good, safe working order. The bike was ready when promised. The estimate was right on. Stainless steel cables for year round commuting, new hanger to replace the corroded one. And throw on the ferrules to stop the cables ends from fray. For someone who pretty much tackles bike maintenance/repair on her own, Uptown Bikes was truly a godsend. Good work, good price, and as far as I can tell, good people at the rescue for a good albeit old bike. I used to frequent Out Spoken' (Southport/Belmont) back in the day when I knew the owner and knew I would get great service and no bs. Uptown Bikes just might be my new go-to bike shop. Check it out. It might be the shop for you. read more

I have been going there for 13 years and it's always very personable and straight forward. Free air...you can't get that at any gas station. Only thing Bank of America doesn't charge for is the air in the bank, but you can't put it in your tire... Anyway, I like Uptown Bikes! read more

Uptown Bikes provided one of the most gratifying buying experiences I have ever had. I have not owned a bike in over a decade and had done only some preliminary research about what bike/equipment would best suit my needs. Pete, the staffperson who helped us, answered our questions thoroughly and thoughtfully. He made several recommendations and allowed us to test-ride options without ever pressuring us into a decision. He and the rest of the staff were kind, helpful, and flexible throughout our visit. After we made our purchase, the staff offered on-going support as we adjust to bikes as a primary mode of transportation. I highly recommend Uptown Bikes to anyone considering a bike purchase or repair. read more

This place is just the bomb. I walk in with a new bike I'd bought elsewhere (because I had a dividend to spend) and basically said, "fix me up - this is the first new bike I've had in 20 years". Maria took lots of time and care to help me understand how to maintain my bike and what I would need to be safe and focused on the road. They texted when my bike was ready, and even did the little maintenance things so I wouldn't have to. Cycling shops can intimidate me. This one has always made me feel like a member of the community. Thanks for being real, Uptown Bikes! read more

Everyone is great there. So friendly, so helpful. Oh and I love my bike I got from them. Oh also if you're hanging out there waiting check out the Uptown historical photo book they have sitting there. It's amazing. read more

This place is my fav bike place in the city. Seriously the nicest people too! I used to live in this neighborhood and go there all the time for WHATEVER my bike needed. They were very fair with me too and fixed some stuff for free on more than one occassion over the years. I've since moved to the suburbs and I seriously MISS THIS PLACE!! read more

Uptown bikes broke my shifter and never fixed it. Took my bike in for a tune up and an employee broke my shifter while he was checking it out. In the write up I assumed he was going to include the shifter in the tune-up. They said it would take about 2-3 weeks to turn the bike out, so I returned a week later to double check on the price and work. When I asked about the shifter, the same employee said that they were not planning on fixing it, but would charge me extra for it. I took my bike out of the shop in worse condition than it was when I brought it in. In addition to the problems it already had, I now cannot shift gears! I felt frustrated and disappointed that Uptown Bikes would treat their customers this way, and I do not plan on giving them anymore business. If you're looking to repair your bike, check out The Recycerly or West Town Bikes where you can learn how to do it yourself using their tools for free or for a fraction of the cost of getting your bike fixed at a place like Uptown. read more

I am a big fan of Uptown Bikes. Every time I go there, I am greeted with a friendly hello and quickly helped. They go above and beyond to help explain and to fix things. However, they do not try to overcharge you or get you to buy things you don't need. Thank you! read more

I needed a kickstand for a "new" used bike I bought. I rode there and arrived right before closing time. They quickly put the kickstand on my bike and it was very reasonably priced. read more

The staff at Uptown is the best and they carry everything related to "practical urban transportation" including bicycles (new and used), accessories like panniers and fenders, as well as a full repair shop. Wonderful service and expert advice. read more

The customer service at this place is just great. My bike needed a tune-up after 5 years of wear, tear, and neglect, so I shopped around. Not only does Uptown Bikes charge a completely fair price, but every single person I spoke to (and there were at least 3 of them) was friendly, attentive, and professional. AND they hire female bike mechanics, which is refreshing to see. I've clearly been going to the wrong shop to get my bike fixed. From now on, I'm sticking with Uptown Bikes. Oh, and my bike rides great now. :) read more

I'm no bike expert. Actually, before April of this year, I hadn't been on a one in, maybe, 20 years. (Got hit by a car when I was a kid. Three days in a hospital. I was and have been absolutely fine, but outside of mountain biking on trails a few times since, I've been too scared to ride in the streets. My wife and I decided it was time to work through this.) ANYWAY, I was simply looking for a good, solid bike that will be fun to ride on long or short distances. Nothing fancy. Sounds simple, right? Well, the first few shops I checked out led me to believe otherwise. I could get something I liked starting at around $800 or get some goofy, overly-stylized beach-cruiser type 3-5 speed monstrosity. Fine if I was a gigantic little girl, but not really what I had in mind. The worst thing about the others wasn't the fact that they didn't have a bike I liked in my price range, but the fact that they were all so rude! People say record store employees are bad. Maybe so, but they've got nothing on most bike shop employees. After a few failed attempts to spend money, I thought it might be time to comb the garage sales or Craigslist or something. Enter Uptown Bikes. As soon as we walked into this unassuming little shop on a relatively crappy strip of Uptown, I was immediately greeted with a friendly "Hello. Just give me one minute while finish with this customer." (At this point I noticed that the majority of their stock is on the ceiling, not on the floor. Nice use of space!) Sure enough, after a minute or two, the same very nice employee came over and asked me what I was looking for. She immediately got it. And took down a couple of options from the ceiling. Right off the bat, I knew this is the place I would spending money. Both bikes were exactly what I was looking for--a not-too-expensive hybrid. (No goofy overly-stylized aluminum crapballs, please.) After riding both, I fell in love with the KHS, paid for it, and was told it would be ready to pick up the next day. (They needed to adjust everything to my measurements.) When I got to the shop the next day, the same lovely employee greeted me BY NAME! Now, I realize that could just be that particular employee (whose name I have, sadly, forgotten.) But that, my friends, is what customer service is all about. I'm completely sold on this place. And, though I'm not on the market for another bike, I'll make it a point to get all of my repairs, tune ups, and whatever equipment I may decide I need from Uptown Bikes. read more

Probably the best neighborhood bike shop in the city, with inexpensive, skilled service, friendly staff, and a good variety of affordable accessories and parts. I love my new bike shop (Boulevard) too, but I will miss Uptown. read more

I stopped in this afternoon to check this place out. It seems like a great local bike shop and I would happily adopt it as my own if I weren't already taken with another. The employees seemed really down to earth and helpful, showing people how to properly lock up their bikes, explaining parts, etc. There was just a nice vibe in there that I miss in bigger bike stores. They had a pretty good selection of new and used bikes and a ton of parts and accessories. read more

These guys were great! I found a lock and helmet with their help (even making sure the helmet fit properly), and they fit the lock holder to my bike after two tries of looking for a place where my wouldn't hit it while biking. I would definitely return here. read more

Just got a refurbished bike and gear at Uptown Bikes. Excellent service and a special thank you to the bike mechanic Lia who was so accommodating. Go here if your looking for a bike store that cares about the customer. read more

I needed to get my bike assessed and pick up a few parts for maintenance. I was helped by a very nice woman who was patient and informative. She not only answered all of my questions, but also helped me set up some new break levers on my bike before I bought them just to make sure they'd fit on my handle bar. Great service, nice people. read more

Flawless work, fantastically friendly staff. My complaint- I wish I lived closer, but that doesn't stop me from going anyway!