OK, they saw me coming. I stopped in last month, with the intention of buying new handlebar grips for my 12 year old Schwinn dinosaur and a new gel seat cover. I had been searching sporadically for a new bike since last year and hadn't found what I was looking for. After telling the salesman (Forrest) what I was looking for, he worked with me for over 2 hours to find just the right bike. I bike mostly for exercise and running errands, so I wanted something that could tackle the crappy Chicago streets and the bike trails. I got spoiled with the front fork & seat suspension of my cross trail bike. I went for 3 test rides and settled on the Specialized Sirrus Sport model. Not the cheapest bike in the shop, but definately not the most expensive, either. I had previously bought bikes from Kozy and had no problems with them or their service. However, everytime I went in to look at bike, a salesperson would always show the most expensive bikes on the floor. Um, I'm not paying $1000 for something that might get ripped off. Two items that needed to be tweeked right away were the handlebar stem (too low. I need something a bit more uprpright, so I don't aggravate my back) and the seat (too narrow). No charge for the larger seat or switching out the stem. They also transferred all of my equipment (speedometer/odometer, baskets) without charge. After having the bike for about a week, I called back to get suggestions regarding the rough ride. Another saleperson (Ben) suggested larger tires and/or a suspension seat post. We went with the seat post, and that seemend to help. Although after taking a 35 mile ride last weekend, I think I'll switch to larger tires next spring. Therer's only one thing wrong with this bike now...you can't put a kickstand on it! I know I was a pain in the butt, I thought their customer service (specifically Forrest, Ben and Liam) went beyond what was expected. Hopefully, I won't need a new bike for a while, but if I do, I'll be back. read more

Very happy with this store. I've bought 2 bikes here, a Giant and a Specialized Allez. The later is my favorite for miles and cardio, while former is a utility and loaner. Free tune ups for the first year and a great selection of peripherals. I use the Half Evil Endurance Fuel (Orange) for longer rides and gym workouts, anything "legs." I'm also a fan of their t-shirts. read more

I like this shop. It is a bit small but with the constant flow of people and attentive staff I never feel like I squished in. I have purchased a pump, some tires, and service from this store. I landlord gifted me an old POS that was in the basement. I took it over to JS and they got the brakes and gears back in order and some new tread. Now if they could only get me in skinny jeans I could be super cool on my new bike. The staff is very knowledgable. They know their stuff and I appreciate the "I don't know but I'll look it up" over something made up. If you are around the hood and need some air they have it for you, for FREE! I know, free air makes my day too. *there is tire pressure gauges inside the door in a cup read more

This bike shop is the best neighbor ever! Last summer they helped me out big time. It was Labor Day weekend, I had a flat tire & was registered for the Urban Assault Ride. Unfortunately I also had my wallet pickpocketed while out the night before (adios cash, debit card, IDs, etc) & only had a checkbook and a passport to pay for things/prove who I am. I called the shop knowing full well how sketchy the situation was & the owner Sean told me that it was OK & got me set up for my race. Hurray! The shop definitely didn't have to go out of their way for me like that & I definitely appreciated it. Five stars - come here for all of your bike needs bc they're great. And their employees are exceptionally good looking too! read more

Holy crap this place is great! Manuel and Sean were really helpful in helping me decide on a bike that was right for me and my tastes instead of theirs. They didn't make me feel like a novice/beginner when it comes to bike-buying. I typically ride in the gym (spin and workouts), but needed something beneficial for my tastes outdoors. They were very knowledgeable and helpful and weren't bike-snobs or judgmental about my decisions. Cost was a concern and they helped me choose the correct bike while maintaining my budget. Great shop and even better customer service from Manuel and Sean (with the beard, Parker I think was his last name.) read more

I popped in here the yesterday with a question about my bike. They were extremely friendly and didn't seem terribly annoyed by my incredibly basic question (I know next to nothing about bikes) so I give them props for that. They have a nice selection of fancy bikes that are way out of my price range and necessity level (I'm a leisurely ride to work and the grocery kind of gal) but if you're looking for something higher end or you're a racer then this will be the place for you. They also have a good selection of gear and helmets (which I will probably be in to buy in the near future since I need a new one) at what I believe to be fairly competitive prices. They also provide free air which is really nice if you're biking around the neighborhood and you're feeling a little low. So good on them for that! As I was talking to the guy about my frame question he recommended I get a tune up. I thought that might not be a bad idea since it's been a couple of years but the cost is $75. Yikes. I didn't have time to leave my bike that day so I planned to do it later in the week. Although, after poking around on the internet and here on Yelp, I found a few other shops that can do the job for half the price. So I'll most likely take my business there. Which is a shame since this place is right down the street from me and the staff is so nice so I'd like to support them but the job is just a bit out of my price range at the moment. The gentleman (sorry I missed his name) who helped me told me that my back brake needed some work and if I didn't want to do the tune up the brake work alone would be $10 per brake which I thought was pretty reasonable. I contemplated just doing that but I have some wheel issues as well so I think a full tune up is in order. Because of the price Johnny Sprockets might have only garnered a 3 star review from me but the staff was just so nice that I can't help but give them a 4. Especially after they saved my ass from being locked out of my apartment yesterday. Yes, I was an idiot and left my keys on their counter and didn't notice until I was 10 minutes away and they had already closed. I called them right away and they confirmed they had them and they were nice enough to hang on to them as I raced back from the grocery store to get them. They had already locked up but the gentleman who helped me earlier had brought them out for me. So nice! Bonus points for you, Johnny Sprockets on the super awesome staff. read more

I stopped by Johnny Sprockets because I thought I had some damage to my front tire while it was in storage over the winter. Scott was able to make a minor adjustment and fix the issue. I also thought I might have a leak in one of my tires and Scott kept the bike overnight to see if it needed to be replaced. He called in the morning and everything was fine. Friendly staff, great follow up and fantastic customer service! read more

There's a lot of great bike shops in Chicago, and they may not be the best, but it's close. I go here for tuneups, new seats and helmets, and the staff is amazingly helpful and friendly. The turnaround for repairs and tuneups is pretty quick, usually 48 hours. I'll definitely consider buying my next bike here. read more

Johnny Sprockets - Bikes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bought a bike from some guy on Craigslist & brought it in here to have it checked out, almost afraid they would say I needed tons of work done to it. To my surprise, all I needed was a new chain, $20 for the part, $5 for labor. The guy told me it would be ready tomorrow, so I walked halfway home before getting a call saying it was ready, only 10 mns later. I also bought a $45 lock here, but I never priced locks, so I don't know what to think about that. But the guy behind the counter installed it for me and walked me through step by step how to use it and care for the bike in general. Good experience overall. read more

Came in with a unique problem, needed to get a wheel replacement for a dog trailer. I wasn't able to get the wheel through the original company or retailer, so it seemed like it might be a lost cause. Kyle definitely went the extra mile and was able to customize a different trailer wheel so that it would fit. Kyle went above and beyond and got the job done fast and with great results. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. read more

I have nothing but the highest praise for Johnny Sprockets and their staff. First off, the store is beautiful, laid out well and has a wide selection of bikes on the sales floor without being so cramped you can't walk through the store. The staff has always been remarkably helpful. I bought a LeMond there a few years ago and when I had frame issues that were covered under the Trek warranty, they were exceptionally communicative and quick to help, even though they no longer sell LeMond or Trek. Every time I've been in there for repairs, they've called me to explain exactly what needed to be done, what my options were and what the costs would be. Most importantly, when I initially bought my bike, they helped guide me toward the right bike for my needs without any creepy salesman pressure. They asked what I'd be using it for, what I felt comfortable with, and had me test ride a few different bikes to get a comfortable sizing and posture. For anybody that's thinking about buying a bike, I would strongly urge you to at least stop in for a chat with the AWESOME people at Johnny Sprockets. read more

I'm glad this place is my neighborhood bike shop. They have quality, personal service (they all know my name now!) and I find their pricing to be very competitive, particularly considering the convenient location. When it comes to the faithful steed that hauls my ass around reliably day in and day out, I will pay for quality and knowledgeability. (I do still miss Roscoe Village Bikes, though.) read more

I've been working on restoring my grandmother's old Ralleigh for a couple years, now, and finally found myself at the place where I could go get one solid tune up and be ready to ride it. I brought my bike into Johnny Sprockets because I knew it to be reputable if perhaps a little pricey. The first mechanic with whom I spoken was excellent. He checked out my bike with me there and gave me some advice on some problem spots I'd had. When it was time for me to pick up my bike I found myself extra busy for a few days but they were happy to hold it for me for a little while (I believe anything over 5 days and they charge you a $3 storage fee per day). Very happy! read more

I don't think I can sing enough praise for Johnny Sprockets. I bought my bike a couple months ago, with much help from Manuel. I hadn't bought a new bike since middle school and had been riding someone else's for the past couple of years... so picking out a new one was an exciting but agonizing decision for me. I came into Johnny Sprockets on 3 different occasions and all the employees were friendly and understanding through multiple test rides. After miles of riding, I realized that I was having some issues with the bike's fit, and I came into Johnny Sprockets mentioning my concerns. Again, Manuel was extremely friendly, receptive, and accommodating, and I left with problems solved. Pros: - very dog friendly - knowledgeable and bike-loving/riding employees - do not work on commissions - not hipster bike-snobby - great service/accommodations for customers Cons: - may not have the widest array of (cheap) accessories read more

I love this place! Let me count the ways: 1) I bought a rear light here, and didn't attempt to put it on my bike for a few weeks. After I put everything together, I noticed that one of the LED's wasn't working. I didn't have a receipt and only had part of the packaging, but figured I'd give it a try. They exchanged it, no questions asked, and checked the next light to make sure it worked before I left. 2) My brakes were fixed from a poor tune-up at another bike shop. $8. Wahoo. 3) I somehow disconnected my brakes while moving my front basket around, and couldn't figure out how to make everything work again. The guy up front fixed it and showed me what to do should the same thing ever happen again, for FREE people. I also stop by often to fill up my tires since it's pretty convenient and the air hose sits outside the front door. Wait times for repairs can get a little long on the weekends, but that's expected. I ::heart:: Johnny Sprocket's and think that you should too! read more

I just have a little tender place in my heart for family businesses. The first time I came to this store, I had a bicycle that came in the mail, and needed assembly. Most places I called gave me a ridiculous price for assembling, almost as much as a new bike, albeit from Wal-Mart. Then I came to Johnny Sprocket, and I talked to the owner and his son. I got a good feeling, because it didn't seem like they were trying to make their quarterly profit off of me. I can't remember exactly how much I paid, but it was a very good price and the service was great (and they gave me a free water bottle that I still use). Also, the bike is still in one piece and great shape 5 years later. I have bought a few accessories from there, and their prices are a little bit high. I have also perused their bike selection, and while they're expensive, they're of very good quality. I think this is a great place if you are into cycling and looking for something specific, as they are very knowledgeable and super nice, and they're not just sales people (if you want a cheap bicycle, go to Wal-Mart.) During their business hours, there's a high pressure air hose outside the store that anyone can use to fill up their bicycle tires. If you live in the neighborhood, as I do, you'd really appreciate that when you take out your bicycle for the first spring ride. read more

This place impresses me every time I go there. Sean is fantastic and has pretty much become my go-to bike guy (although Liam, Brandon, and the rest of the crew continue to be super helpful as well). I got one of my free tune-ups the other day, and my bike feels newer than before, shifting freely and braking smoothly. They also helped me pick out a new saddle so my lady bits don't get sore or numb during long rides. Sean spent a significant period of time with me to pick out a saddle, discussing research and tests that Specialized does on their saddles to maximize blood flow and decrease nerve pinching. Any time there's evidence to back a guy up, I'm sold. When I was discussing supplies I should have on hand in case of a flat, one of the guys suggested their free (!), BYOB (!) fix-a-flat clinic. Free classes?! Seriously, can't get better than that... I'll continue to go out of my way to the Lakeview location despite living down the street from the Johnny's on Bryn Mawr because I have a great experience every time I visit the shop on Wellington. read more

I love Johnny Sprocket's! The staff is very helpful and nice and the prices are good. Most bike stores are uptight about using their tools and pumps, and want to make money from every little thing, but Johnny Sprocket's is not like that at all. They genuinely care about their customers, and bicycles, and they know what they're doing. read more

This is my go to bike shop. Their customer services is great, and they don't talk down to you like I've experienced in other bike shops. I do my own work on my bike when I can, and these guys will give it to you straight when you ask a question. It's hard to find that. I've been in the shop several times, and I hear them educating customers as their helping them as I feel a bike shop should. To be honest, I only gave them 4 stars because their prices are a little higher here, but only by a few dollars. At the same time, you can find what your looking for most of the time. I go their because of the people, and the quality of the bike shop, which can't be beat. read more

Johnny Sprockets is the BEST bike shop in Chicago. All of the folks that work there are knowledgeable and are really interested in making sure your biking needs are met. My girlfriend brought her bike in for a tune up and they discovered a slight crack in the frame and informed because it wouldn't be safe to ride, they wouldn't do the tune up. Manuel the owner, informed her, that the bike had a lifetime warranty, so she was entitled to a new bike. They didn't have to tell us about the lifetime warranty and could have tried to take the opportunity to sell a new bike, but they were more interested in taking care of the customer. That is integrity and great customer service. They will alway get my business and my recommendation when friends ask the best place to buy a bike or get a bike fixed. read more

Johnny Sprockets - Bikes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Im picky about bike tune-ups. Those guys make solid tune-up. Pick up on time. Ride feels smooth read more

I did not buy anything from this place but the employees were super helpful when I went in and looked. Also, I think this place hooks up the neighborhood with free air. I've been mulling over the idea of buying a new road bike for awhile and I think if I decide to purchase one, it will be from here. They offer test rides and carry my favorite bike brand Giant. The cycling community can be a pretty stuck up one. I've been to a lot of bike shops where the employees (usually hardcore riders themselves) can be a little rude. This place is laid back and they don't make you feel bad if you don't know something. read more

When I was looking for a new bike, admittedly this was not my first choice of bike shop, however I am so glad that I ended up buying from them. My hesitation was based on other reviews that made it seem like a type of store where you had to know a lot in order to get any help, this could not be further from the truth. Knowing the minimum about bicycles, I walked in and the employees were very friendly and wanted to help me find something that worked for my needs and educate me about different features. (I was albe to watch them with several other customers as well, and this is how they treated everyone.) Forrest was the one who was helping me and he took the time to understand what I was looking for in a bike and how I would be using/abusing it and the price that I wanted to stay under. After test riding the first time, I did not like the way the handles felt. They made an adjust to the handle bars and I was able to take the bike back out to continue test riding. I got lots of information that I needed about different types of locks and accessories and they helped me make the best choice for me and for my budget. I appreciated the fact that at no point did I feel pressured to upgrade to a more expensive bike or add accessories that I did not need. In the end, I got a great bike and great service and would recommend Johnny Sprockets to anyone that needs a new bike. read more

These folks deserve kudos for their professionalism helping me out with a damaged front wheel. I came in with a pretty vague complaint: Something was causing me to lose control of my bike on sharp turns. I left my bike with them and headed out for a quick coffee. On my return they had diagnosed the problem (a bad rim,) and proposed a solution to get me back on my bike for my ride home. Two days and 30 miles later and everything remains in good working order. I found the staff kind, attentive and knowledgeable, and I'll certainly do business with them in the future. read more

Love this place. Great bikes, WONDERFUL service. I've done some pretty terrible things to each of the four bikes I've bought here. Crashes, races in sand and mud, my own amateur mechanic attempts. They fix it up good as new every time. I've also taken advantage of the new fit studio, and I've never been so comfortable on a bike. Highly recommended. read more

Chicago is one of the nations most bike-friendly cities in the states. Johnny Sprocket's is geared for the most specific bike enthusiast. They carry road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and cruisers. With a very informative and friendly staff, you can find the bike that best suits your cycling needs. They do repairs, and also sell apparel. read more

Johnny Sprockets - Bikes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's going to be a challenge to offer enough superlatives about Johnny Sprockets. The best thing I can say, though, is that every friend I've sent to Johnny's has thanked me profusely. Manuel & team truly care that you love your bike & ride it incessantly (with a smile). Having bought multiple bikes from them, I can attest to the fact that service doesn't cease after the sale. Any issue I've had (I abuse my bikes) is taken care of quickly, inexpensively & with gusto; they genuinely just want you back out there pedalling & enjoying yourself! read more

I went to this shop a few times but have been somewhat disappointed. The best part of this store is that it looks nice and clean, but its lacking in many ways. Although they have a nice display of wheels, their showroom for complete bikes is sparse, and their selection of parts and accessories feels even more barren. Perhaps they have much more to sell that's not on the floor, but if so I could do that kind of shopping on the internet. They should condense their wheel racks and put some more parts and accessories on the sales floor. The more common, practical products should take priority over bling for your bike you buy once in a blue moon. When you walk up to the upper level you hope that there will be more goodies than what you get from the first floor, but there's more clothes than anything else. I'm not here for fashion, I'm here for utility. It seems like their prices are pretty competitive so props to that, as long as you don't mind choosing from 1 of 2 things. The only thing I ever purchased here was a quality floor pump. Tbh it was the only one that seemed worth buying, but to their credit it was a great price, and its still working solid 2yrs later. Although I received friendly service the first times I walked in, here's the reason (after the above mentioned) why I'm hesitant to give this store a second chance: My brake cables where sticking, and needed replacement. I told the salesperson I needed new cables, and he said "let me check it out for you". Np, I thought, although it was very clear my issue was the cables. He INSISTED that I needed new brake pads, and repeatedly told me that if I only replaced the cables it wouldn't work right. Even after denying his opinion, he smugly said something along the lines of "It would be wrong of me to only sell you the cables". So I said "ok", walked out of the store, and bought a set somewhere else. My brake pads weren't new, but they were definitely not thin by any means. And guess what, they're still stopping me on a dime 10 months later, even after riding most of the winter. read more

Smart mechanics, an invested owner, and really down to earth sales staff. Add that to the fact they carry Specialized, Surly, and Niner and I'm hooked, despite this shop being halfway across town. Long story short: I'm not a stranger to wrenching around on bikes, and I hate asking for help on repairs. However, I bought a new disc road bike here recently and I don't know dimp about disc brakes. They confuse and scare the hell out of me. So, already feeling like high-maintenance customer #1, I reluctantly went in for seriously the fourth time in two weeks to have them check out a noise that (I thought) was weird for a new bike. Turns out the problem was nothing of note, just my ignorance toward this brake type, but just to be cool they swapped out my calipers and trued up my rotor anyway. Now the bike's even better than before, sans noise. Being a bike repair hobbyist, but not a real mechanic, puts you in a weird ground at most shops, where you usually end up feeling dumb or frustrated. Totally different experience here with the patient staff and f-in rad selection of bikes. Can't wait to rack up more credit card debt here, yeah! read more

Was biking in the area with my sister. Her bike had a pretty rusty chain that was skipping like crazy. Called & asked if they could have a look at it. 5mn later we had the chain replaced and the bike is running smooth. Excellent service strongly recommend. Nice selection of bikes too! read more

My bottom bracket broke during my morning commute. I normally do my own repairs but the delivery time for the part I needed was pushing 2 weeks. So I called around and found these guys. They not only had my bike fixed the same day, but the staff was excellent. Very knowledgeable and easy to communicate with. Best part - cheap repair costs. read more

Manuel and the crew at Sprockets have been fixing my bikes, kitting me out for riding and dropping priceless cycling wisdom for years. They regularly host community events like race viewing, group rides and even cyclocross practices. Everybody on staff is knowledgeable, courteous and patient. Despite selling bona fide top-shelf racing machines from Specialized and the like, this shop also carries a broad range of excellent "normal" bikes and -- crucially -- neither condescends nor intimidates no matter what kind of bike, gear, repair or advice that you came for. This shop is an important part of the cycling community in Chicago. They know it. And now, so do you. read more

I came here a few times looking to purchase a new bike. The staff was extremely unhelpful and didn't seem too knowledgeable about the bikes at all. I was ready to make a purchase but it didn't seem like anyone in there wanted my money. I came here on a separate occasion to get a tire repaired on my old bike so I came by and dropped it off since this place is close to my apartment. I went back an hour later to pick it up and waited at the counter for 15 minutes for the woman to finish her conversation with a co-worker before she even acknowledged that I was there. Worst customer service I've ever experienced. If you're looking for a bike or any kind of bike advice, go to Village Cycle and get help from a friendly staff who would be happy to have your business. read more

Great selection of bikes and a decent floor layout when it comes to maneuvering and getting around. Most bike shops seems to pack the floor way to much. I don't like that, but Johnny's doesn't make that mistake. The reason I have to give this place two stars is because I am a big believer in top notch customer service when dealing with purchases like bikes, electronics, or other moderate purchases, and this place does not even come close. Very quick to answer and hard to work with. I actually when in last week looking to buy a truing tool and they were out of stock. Understandable. So then I asked if I could borrow one of theirs. I offered my ID and credit card, my whole wallet, and none of that was worthy collateral for a $5 tool I wanted to use in front of the shop. All and all not a bad place but not a great place. Watch their prices as well. They are not very competitive and seem to be consistently high no matter what the product may be. read more

I signed up for Yelp just so I could tell the world how bad of an experience I had there. I needed a new wheel and even though I lived closer to Kozy's, I decided to go to Johnny Sprockets because they're a smaller shop and I like to support that type of business. It was a mistake. I got my new wheel and got on my bike to go home. The next day, I was on the lakefront path, which had absolutely no potholes on it, and a couple of spokes broke on the wheel. I've never had broken spokes in my life. I don't weigh so much that I'm breaking spikes and I'm very careful where I ride. So obviously the new wheel was defective, right? No big deal, these things happen. I go back to the store and after first essentially accusing me of lying about it, they refuse to replace the wheel. I tried to reason with them. I figure they're professionals with loads of experience with bikes and bike parts, so I ask them (I'm dealing with three people at once) if they have ever heard of a spokes breaking the second time out on the bike. I don't get a straight answer, which tells me the answer is obviously no. But logic seems to have no impact on these people. It's a sad but true lesson: Sometimes the little guy just sucks. read more

The employees here were very elitist. They weren't interested in working on my old but beloved bike, and went to some lengths to dissuade me from having it tuned up. I guess I wasn't wearing enough lycra. This is the bike shop closest to where i live and i would like it to be my regular bike resource, but their attitude is intolerable. I'll travel farther to find bike professionals who care about their customer's concerns. read more

Nice people, but they didn't tell me about hidden charges. So when I dropped off my bike, it was 30 bucks to replace the rim. When i picked it up the next day, the bill was over double. I looked at the receipt and there were multiple unexplained charges. Overnight fee, something else fee, honestly that was unexpected and kind of unprofessional. they should have told me about this before charging me. read more

My girlfriend and I were traveling all around yesterday looking for specific parts and repairs. While they did have the parts(which is why they get a star to begin with) the service was sexist and horrible. When I called asking for said part it was $40. When my girlfriend called it was $45. Interesting. When we walked in the part was once again $40. After standing there for 15 minutes while he tryed to haggle us into services we did not need and trying to throw all these random charges at us for ridiculous services we bought the part and walked out. Services that would have cost us $60+ here we got for $20 elsewhere, and with out the condescending attitude from some kid who thinks he's cool because he works at a bike shop. Hey everyone! Want service from sexist jerks! Go to johnny sprockets! Want reasonable service from people who WON'T talk down to you? Try Kosi or Nearly New. These guys need to get off their high horse. Not everyone here is stupid enough to pay your outrageous prices for horrible service. read more

Excellent service shop, not the most organized. I took my bike for a spring time tune up and had them swap my knobbies with a set of slicks. they lost my $40 Michelins and replaced 'em with $10 Specialized. Not cool. read more

I bought my bike at Johnny Sprocket a few years ago and because the location is so close to my home I keep going back for various services as needed. I've been in a lot of bike shops around the city and Johnny Sprocket is a little more expensive than some of the others when it comes to services. But I'd rather pay a little more and feel comfortable that the people working on my bike know what they're doing. That's not to say that there aren't other great shops, but the people here are definitely on their game and know what they're talking about. However, their customer service is hit or miss. Sometimes I feel totally welcomed in the shop but mostly I feel awkward and bothersome. So minus one star for that but plus one star because my bike needed a lot of work after chillin' in a damp storage unit all winter and they turned it around in less than 24 hours Memorial Day weekend. read more