This bike shop far outstrips Village Cycle conglomerate in terms of service and matches their prices.
When I first arrived in La Grange I needed to borrow a spare SPD pedal for a crank tap. Although they didn't know me from Adam, they lent a pedal out without question.
My 5-year old daughter refused to wear the hand-me-down helmet because the straps were all a tangle. The store owner smoothly and calmly adjusted a pink helmet so that it was a perfect fit. Where she wouldn't wear the other helmet, she grudgingly wears her new helmet.
But what sold me is their amazing tune-up service. I typically wait 3-4 years between service breaks because I think it is not worth the cost. In particular, I am thinking of Village Cycle, which for a lot of money typically only greased the chain, adjusted bike derailleur, and tightened up the breaks. Mind you, they did what they promised, but nothing more. For instance, I handed them a muddy bike and it came back with the same mud and grime.
This year, I reluctantly took my road bike in because I was fed up with a sticky shifter. It was time. For the roughly the same price as Village Cycle ($70) they did everything and more. Apart from the basis maintenance, they also Trued my wheels--which no bike shop over 10 years had ever done with a basic tune-up. Even more surprising, the bike was cleaned up. It looked like a million bucks.
Pros: Low pressure sales, honest, fair prices
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