On The Route Bicycles

I really like this place. I wanted to start riding again so I went in to look at some new bikes. I ended up paying more than I expected but I really think that’s just because I hadn’t bought a bike in a while and didn’t have a good sense how much they actually cost. They were super helpful in finding one that fit me and what I wanted it for (exercise and recreation). It’s a great bike, nothing fancy but it’s built well. They did all the adjustments right there to make it work for my height. They also gave me some great tips on locking it up properly, safe riding, registering it with the police department and what modifications I should get if I want to use it in inclement weather or more regular city riding. They also smartly recommended I buy an additional light for the front, which is critical for riding at night. When I hit a pothole and busted up my front tire, they fixed it up for $ 15. I thought I might have messed up the wheel but it was no sweat for them. Took them maybe 5 minutes to patch it up and send me on my way. I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of my bike because of them and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. It was a great investment. They have my business for as long as I have a bike.

Dropped in Saturday intending to leave my bike (low mileage) for a tune-​up. The tech jumped right on it, didn’t up-​sell me, and had it ready to go as I cooled my heels with a couple of beers at the new Jerry’s Sandwich Shop in the Square. Thanks guys!

pricey. just a tire tube $ 3 more than blvd or roscoe. stopped here since it was on the way to nhu lans. you pay for convenience.

I take back my earlier review from 2014.
On an afternoon in the week before Christmas I had a broken bolt on a saddle mount. I had to ride another bike to take the saddle and tube to the shop. They fixed it while i waited, and mounted a replacement saddle which I brought with me. They charged me only $ 1.10 for the bolt!
The re-​mounted saddle was mounted even more correctly than originally. I’m glad I got it fixed so quickly and correctly.

Rode by their store today and reminded me that I needed to leave a review. After reading the reviews below seems that several customers share my concerns. I’ve been biking regularly for 20 years, know a thing or two about bikes but am no expert. I was not, however, prepared at all for the condescension I experienced from the staff. Really not cool. Needless to say last time I went there for service. I would recommend Urban Bikes at Leland and Wilson. It is far superior in customer relations and services. I’ve never been condescended to or left disappointed by their service.

Dropped in to test ride a couple bikes, although I did not purchase from this location, I had to add a review on the technician that helped me out. Unfortunately I cannot remember his name, but he walked me through more or less, everything they had in stock, let me test ride around the block and ultimately led to me purchasing my ride from their other location.
It was a great experience at a bike shop, and I anticipate dropping on in from time to time. Thanks again and if you are looking for some knowledgeable staff, this would be a good place to drop in.

I want to like this place because the folks who work here are always friendly enough and it’s close to my apartment. However, it really seems like they need to add an extra mechanic on staff because their work estimates are unreasonably long and they seem like they are in a rush to get people out the door as quickly as possible.
On a couple of occasions when I’ve needed work done, I decided to go elsewhere because of the time they told me it’d take. Once, I was told it would be a week before they could even *look* at my bike and give me an actual work estimate. So, I took it to another shop where they were able to look at it on the spot. Another time I needed them to take a look at something that would have only taken 5 – 10 minutes to fix, but was told (after waiting 5 – 10 minutes) that it would be impossible for them to look at it that day. Took it to another shop and they were able to fix it in 5 minutes (including the time it took for the mechanic to ride the bike around the block to make sure everything was in working order).
On the one occasion that they *have* been able to fix my bike on the spot (flat), I was disappointed because as soon as I got home, I had a flat again. Took a look at the tire and there was a chunk of glass embedded in there that had popped the new tube. Checking for debris in the tire is pretty basic (especially since the mechanic asked me if I’d gone over any big bumps to cause the flat and I told him no), so I was disappointed that they hadn’t checked because the mechanic really seemed like he was trying to rush. I guess I appreciate their trying to get folks back on the road as quickly as possible, but not if the problem isn’t actually fixed, you know?
Just seems like too much a hassle to try to get work done here, so I’m just gonna stop trying.

I love my old Schwinn Cruiser — but I’m the first to admit that I don’t know how to properly care for her! The guys working tonight were funny, helpful, and extremely patient as I asked a thousand questions and repeatedly clarified exactly what I would need to do to keep my bike in top shape. Any reviews about poor customer service below must be about people who are no longer working there. Keep it real guys — I’ll definitely be back.

Dana at On the Route in Lakeview helped me pick out a great bike, and fortunately they had it in stock at the Lincoln Square location, where I was able to pick it up the next day. At the Lincoln Square location, Charlie was very helpful in helping me pick out fenders, a bike rack and lights for my new ride. He was even able to install it all that same day! Great experience at both On the Routes!

The staff there are very thorough and honest. The guy Ross that works there informed me the brake tune-​up I was asking about would be futile due to my rim being slightly wobbly.
I really appreciate the honesty and not being taken for a ride… get it?
Thanks guys!

I’m a big guy who was looking to get into cycling. I had done a tone of research on what would work best for being overweight and getting into the sport. I showed up, explained my thoughts, then got schooled.
The guys here really know their craft and are incredibly enthusiastic about it. They took the time to insure that I had the right bike (tested 5) and that every fit perfectly.
Great experience for a first timer in a bike shop.

Very helpful, friendly staff. Good selection and reasonably priced. I got my bike tuned up there and they had it back to me in 3 days.

This bike shop is awesome awesome awesome. Awesome.
I got a flat riding home quick to walk my dog this place is kiddie corner-​ish from us. I ran in there they were super nice friendly and direct I told her what happened she said no problem it will be just one minute. I ran next door ate a quick sandwich. (Thank you Jimmy johns) walked back in paid for it and boom I was on my way. They killed it thanks guys!

Walked in with an old bike that was kept in a storage room that my landlord also turned into a woodshop. The amount of sawdust on a 10-​year old bike, as well as the wobbly front tire, made me feel like an idiot, but these guys were all business and no attitude like other reviews suggested. Fifteen minutes in and out to get a new tube on the front tire and more than enough helpful advice for what I paid.

I stopped by without an appointment as I was riding around with my son to ask if they could remove a stuck broken pedal that I wanted to replace. I didn’t have the new pedal with me, but the guy took off the old pedal, greased it and put it back on so I could ride home. Then I changed to my new pedal when I got home. He said no charge, but I gave him $ 5! I was there for 5 minutes, that’s great service.

I’ve just had a horrible year with bikes, so I’ve been to these guys 2 more times since my last review.
So, second time I visited them, I had an unusual issue: my bottom bracket was totally screwed up. It happened suddenly… one day I was riding like normal, the next the whole pedal array was tilting from side to side. I brought it in since I don’t have the tools to deal with that sort of thing, and they gave me a time estimate for when it’d be fixed, and I went on my way.
I never expect time estimates to be exact. I work in the service industry myself: unexpected shit comes up. I’m not going to ream anyone on that. Unexpected shit is what happened in this case. I poked my head in after a reasonable amount of time to see if things were done, and they weren’t. But it’s because my bottom bracket was more screwed up than we’d realized. I spoke with the gentleman who’d been working on it (I don’t know his name, but he’s a young soft-​spoken guy with a beard), and he showed me where things were at, how part of the bracket array was actually fused to the bike, and let me handle the pieces and see how water had obviously gotten into things and messed them up. They mentioned there was a possibility the bike would be «totaled» if they couldn’t get the fused part of the bottom bracket off, but they’d continue to work on it and verify this. I’m a petite woman, and I was never talked down to during this explanation, which I appreciate. I don’t feel they were pulling anything over on me. They told me the truth, even though it might have made another person angry, and dealt with my questions patiently.
So I went home, then eventually they called back saying it was done. And lo and behold, they’d managed to fix it. Also, despite the repair being more labor/​time intensive than expected, they didn’t hike the price on me, like an unscrupulous shop might.
Third time I visited them, I had a flat on my back tire. I also managed to break off my U-​lock key in my lock, and the U-​lock was attached to my back rack. So I asked them to fix the back flat, and remove the rack until I can take it to someone who can cut off my old U-​lock (they didn’t have the tools to do so at that location). They fixed the flat and removed the rack as asked, and told me I’d a nail in the back tire (not surprising; I’ve ridden down some alleys recently, one of which had construction nearby), and didn’t charge extra to remove the back rack.
So all in all, I’ve had good experiences with them. I don’t know why other people have had bad times… maybe they were dealing with one of the other mechanics? In any case, whenever I need to have someone do a repair (instead of doing it myself) I’ll continue to come here.

I’m not a «biker» biker, just a woman with a 15 year old Specialized Hardrock that needed help with a lock and get a kickstand installed. They were really courteous and extremely helpful and had me back on the road quickly.
They’re a great addition to the neighborhood.

One star for convenience, one star for reasonable (but not great) prices.
As for friendliness, I didn’t experience any. I walked in and the extent of help I got was a hello, asking what I’m looking for, and telling me what I should buy. When I asked a question in response, I was laughed at. I needed a U-​lock then and there so I bought it anyway, but I REALLY regret supporting this company financially. Once my credit card was swiped, the guy acted like my follow-​up questions (about an additional purchase) were BOTHERING him. If you consider it a chore to help someone find the right product for their bike, it probably shouldn’t be your job. A major part of good customer service is retaining your customers… they don’t seem to care about that here. Take the extra time to go down to Roscoe Village Bikes, where they are actually happy to help :)

While this place is pretty pricey in my opinion, I’ve actually never come here for any biking needs persay. I’ve been here three times to fix my super duper fancy piece of crap stroller’s tires.
The people working have been excellent every time, taking the time to listen to me whine and moan about my awful purchase. They have replaced the tubes for $ 20 while I waited and then explained to me some tips and tricks to avoid this in the future. The last time I came in, I was all flustered because it had happened again. The sales associate could have easily taken advantage of my state of mind and convinced me to buy three brand new tires and I would have, but instead he offered to try filling them with air for free before I made the investment.
Honesty and dependability — I’ll recommend them anyday.

Stopped in for what I thought would be a quick stop… nope.
All I really needed was to borrow their air pump after replacing my tire that I have had as a spare for a while. Yup I went in with no intention of buying anything today just to use their air pump and the two guys in the shop were nothing but polite and helpful.
Seems my new tire was a little tight for the wheel and I was having a bear of a time getting it on. Rather than letting me toil any longer that I had to they offered to help get the tire on the rim, when the tube came up lame after having the tire muscled on they gave me a tube from their shop and helped me get it all together.
Serious thanks to you guys, customer service was so good to me the non paying customer I actually became a paying customer and replaced my lock that I had lost the key to.