Village Cycle Center

Doesn't Recommend

savvy525

Joined 3 years ago

Not for recreational/leisurely riding. I purchased my bicycle from them in August, 2010, but only because they were the only ones who had make and model I was looking for.

This is the typical angry, jaded, small business. The tattoo-covered staff treats the customers like garbage (if you've ever seen the movie "High Fidelity" you'll know what I'm talking about). The staff, most of whom seldom if ever get up off the seats behind the counter or in the service area, basically hate all the customers because the customers tend to be Lincoln Park yuppies. The customers are thus everything the staff is not: successful, confident, and have lives that consist of things other than counting the spokes on their bikes or the piercings on their bodies. Thus, if you have a job/family/friends/or a general life and just want to buy a bike for recreational purposes, than this store is probably not for you. If, however, you're the type who wants to name your kids "Schwinn and Trek," then you may find some friends in the staff.

They would not bother to tell me anything about the bicycles they were selling, and just kept giving me rude responses in between their smug laughs. I also noticed that as soon as other customers left the store, the staff would ridicule them mercilessly using all sorts of ugly, socio-economic stereotypes and archetypes.

Needless to say, I will not be visiting them again.

Recommends

joebiker

Joined 4 years ago

Great overall experience. I replaced my 20 year old Trek road bike last fall, working off of the year end sales sheets. Working with my somewhat limited budget, Bill S. took the time to fit me to several bikes on the floor . He took the time to analyize my riding requirements and helped me choose the right bike. (07' Trek 1500) I then loaded up pedals, shoes and aero bars. All of this came in under the retail price of the bike!

This took about 2 1/2 hours start to finish (bike, shoes, pedals, etc.). After a burger next door while they assembled my bike, Bill spent 20 more minutes fitting me and my aerobars to my bike.

I wasn't rushed nor pressured. I drove in from the suburbs specifically because of their inventory list.

Spring's arrival has finally provided more riding time. The bike is great, the buying experience was genuine, and I didn't burn up too many wife points by buying on sale!

Doesn't Recommend

DWB79

Joined 5 years ago

bad prices, friendly service. Great friendly service in finding things but completely overpriced accessories! They charge double to triple compared to what u can find on the internet for a lot of their products....12 dollars for an intertube??? 40 dollars for chain whip??? You have to be kidding me! Long lines for service partly due to people ahead of you complaining about how things got improperly fixed the first time they brought their bike in. On the plus side, good selection. Perhaps if they didn't employ 40 people at a time there, their prices might be a bit better. As a side note, FYI, it takes all of 10 minutes to change a bike tire on your own.....why am I seeing grown men in there paying good money to have someone else change their intertubes for them..... Man up!

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tonyasie

Joined 6 years ago

scottk6. Wow. I whole-heartedly agree with "brightyellowrims". A kickstand?! I am not in any way an "avid" biker, just a weekend rider and evenings after work rider at this point. I used to do off-road mountain biking a few years ago, but lost the time to do so with marriage and kids. But to hear a complaint of a great bike shop because the bike you chose didn't have a kickstand?! Sir, if you want a cheaply made bike with a frame as thin and flimsy as tin-foil, that will last 2-3 years (with a kickstand) go buy your bikes at Toys R Us. This shop has great service for tune-ups and the like and I've had my bike in there every year or two depending on my use. The staff is trained, skilled, and yes, very busy. Why do you think they're so busy? Because they're good.

I highly recommend this shop. Been going there and buying there for 8 years and they're always friendly no matter what your skill level or buying interests are. Just don't ask for a kickstand. They would still give you one, and smile glady and appreciatively to sell it to you, but don't knock the shop for not having it on the bike. I bought a $200 bike there on sale 7 years ago and they treated me the same as if I'd bought a $1000 bike. I now own and bought from them a typical $400 Hybrid that I love and I will always take my bike there for tune-ups, etc...even though we've moved out of the immediate area. They still consider me and my average $400 bike as a good customer.

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brightyellowrims

Joined 5 years ago

Seriously? A kickstand?. Seriously? A kickstand? I'm not sure how many bikes you've had but BIKE SHOP bikes, REAL bikes, don't come with kickstands. For you to call yourself an accomplished shopper, someone who "knows that they want", your post shows a holistic misunderstanding of bikes and anything bike related - especially shops. Hobbies are expensive, I would challenge you to find a single bike shop in the city that you would consider cheap or even decently priced. Once you've acclimated yourself to the biking culture you'll realize, especially on the Northside, thats just what stuff costs. Don't let this person give you a bad impression of a good shop - these guys get swamped but they help you when they can for as long as you need them. Someone who complains about the lack of a kickstand and doesn't know if it's the "fault" of the shop or the manufacturer isn't necessarily someone who's review you should put much stock in.

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roadsong73

Joined 5 years ago

decent if they have free accessory pack with bike. my service guy tom was a little older than most of the 20 somethings there and he knew what he was talkin' about.he didn't pressure me into buying anything i didn't want.he basically just asked me a few questions probably because i told him i already had a few bikes in mind so i knew what i wanted.that was the good part.it took an hour to wait for my bike but they were busy on memorial day so can't blame em' for that.while i waited i looked around at some really OVERPRICED accessories like pumps,saddles,gloves,gel pads,etc.selection of bikes was great,but my new trek 3700 didn't come with a KICKSTAND.not sure if that's trek or the bikeshop??? anyway i would go there when they offer a deal like a bonus accessory pack like i got-it had a basic water bottle/holder,mini hand pump,seat bag and helmet if you want- i didn't ask for one cuz i won't wear it anyway.overall an o.k. place in a yuppie neighborhood wit da projects a few blocks away.

Doesn't Recommend

jim3737

Joined 6 years ago

Poor Service. I will not bring my business here again. They replaced a tube for a flat tire for me. After I picked it up I drove it home 3 blocks and put it away. The next day it was flat. I brought it back and explained what had happened. I didn't have my copy of the receipt but they had theirs yet they wanted to charge me again for the same work. I did not take them up on their offer and brought my bike elswhere to be repaired the second time. My experience was slip-shod work and not standing behind their service to admit a mistake and correct it when given the opportunity.

Recommends

d_taylor2006

Joined 6 years ago

Great place to get a bike. I have bought bikes from these people for years now. Unfortuatly too many bikes of ours have been stolen, so I need to buy bikes more often than I should.

They always have good prices and they dont just try to sell you the most expencive ones.

(What kind of NUT would spend $5000.00 on a bike/ unless he's Lance Armstrong)

Recommends

mseuhg

Joined 7 years ago

I love this place, it's the best I've found, not a babysitting service. Did I morph into the whiners club or are you guys related to the competition? When I go into that store I've done my research, I have a pretty good idea what I want, I pick my spots because they are busy, I know the area so I don't expect parking to be easy. Get real. I don't want a new best friend, I want to buy a bike, they sell bikes. Did any of you babies happen to see all those bikes? They are phenomenally successful, why should they change a thing? Go to your local store, get your schmoozing, test ride your bike, ask your questions, then go to Village and save a pile of dough. I love that place. It is what it is and there's a retail niche that they satisfy with perfection. I go there, I tell them what I need, they may offer suggestions, I have never been disappointed when I spent money there but I didn't expect them to be something else either.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This Old Town bike shop is one of the largest around and one of the most accommodating.. In Short
The colorful maze of bikes is organized by type--mountain bikes, road bikes, dual suspension, kids, hybrids and more--with about 10,000 bikes in stock at all times. The full-service shop carries Trek, Specialized, Klein and Lemond brands; it also carries the full line of Trek road bikes, including the models ridden by the U.S. Postal Service/Discovery team in the Tour de France. A complete selection of accessories is also available, including helmets, comfort saddles, blinkers, lights and more.