Update Summary: had a problem and had to go back: Chainlinks completely stood by their work and even offered a refund. Impressed enough that I will go back again. Story: After my good first experience here, I thought I was going to have to come back and downgrade my review. I got a flat just days after Chainlinks did a repair, stranding me across town and forcing me in to pay for a another repair at the nearest bike store I could walk to. That bike mechanic told me it looked like Chainlinks missed a small piece of wire in the tire. He said it would have been tough to find because of how small, but still, it was probably the same wire that caused 2 tubes in a row to go flat. Crap. So I returned to Chainlinks to talk about it. Different staff working this time and I was concerned I'd get blown off. Instead I got a quick and attentive listen, and the staff immediately put in a call to their manager to authorize a refund (which they offered, I didn't even have to ask for) and they apologized several times. Because of how outstandingly friendly, helpful and the fact that these guys stood by their work, I'm keeping my review 5 stars and I will go back. read more

Quick service (with appointment) by friendly people at good prices. What more could you want? No cash (but who uses that weird paper money any more?) read more

We moved to Edgewater in 2014. My family (my two sons and myself) have been using ChainLinks' service over the years. The crew changes every few years as students graduate but the quality of work remains the same, and with great prices. Their location works well for me too, only 15 minutes' walk from where I live. I brought my bike to ChainLinks for a sticky front brake and a torn rear derailleur cable. Their mechanic took a look and determined that the front hub needed tightening and the bottom bracket needed some greasing too. It did take a couple of tries to schedule an appointment since the shop was still operating under winter office hours (and Loyola was shutting down the dorms due to coronavirus). Manager Katie made sure everything was taken care of. Right after I picked up my bike, I took it for a 5-mile spin on Lake Front Trail. Everything worked great -- braking, shifting and pedal responsiveness (no give)! I felt like riding a new bike. Thank you, ChainLinks, for your great work! read more

I Love this place. Student run, incredibly reasonable ($30 tune up+ brake replacement = $45???What?) Super cute, efficient and business-like young woman met me by appointment (ON TIME), fixed my bike as promised, and then answered all of my "I'm a new biker in this town" questions. I'm a huge fan. This place rocks. Oh- and they do fantastic rental deals for the season for students and residents. read more

Had a flat tire and couldn't get it to the bike shop I typically used so I did a Google search and found this place just a 10 minute walk from home. Never even knew they were there! Walked in and 10 minutes and 15 bucks later I walked out good to go! Definitely found my go to bike shop for any future needs! read more

So impressed with this student run bike shop. We live near the campus & needed a shop close by. Jacob fixed 2 of our bikes in under 3 hours. He checked out both & told us everything that was wrong with both (one bike was in really bad shape, the other just needed the rear brakes adjusted). Our total price was under $40 & our bikes are now in perfect shape. So happy to support a hard working student organization. We highly recommend this to anyone who needs bike work done. Keep up the good work! read more

I recently decided to start biking again after a 20yr rest. Clearly my bike needed to be looked at. I talked to 4 different people at Chainlinks and they were all helpful and nice. I just picked up my bike and I am VERY happy with the results. Great work at a very reasonable price. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! read more

I needed my bike to be tuned up for a triathlon the upcoming weekend. I brought it in and it was all set to go within a few hours. Also, the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable as well. The only reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 is because the breaks in the front were too tight and was affecting my ride. I brought it in the next day and they had it all fixed up in about 15 minutes. Afterwards, I was cruising down the lake shore path and my ride felt so smooth. All for $30.00, too. I would highly recommend Chainlinks to anyone who is looking for a tune up. Their rental prices look very fair too read more

Brought in my bike because of flat. Guy was great. Took his time to see where the tire vulnerability was and recommended what should be done to reduce liklihood of another flat. Very reasonable and great service! read more

ChainLinks is awesome! My bicycle seat was stolen, and the guys at ChainLinks fitted me with a new one even though they were closed. I've also taken my bike to them for other issues in the past, and they've always fixed it quickly and effectively. read more

I had a really great experience at Chainlinks. Its located on Loyola's campus and is student run, but you don't have to be a student to use their services. I was having trouble getting my tires to air up. The guy working showed me what was wrong and told me what kind of adapter I needed for my pump. Then he aired my tires up and I was on my way. Quick and friendly service. Would definitely recommend. I also like that they have bikes available for renting. I live near by and this will be great for when friends or family come to town. read more

Fantastic service and rates from this student-run bike shop. Like Rachel H. says, you don't have to be a student to go here--I'm not a student. Truly, the prices are unbeatable here. The student employees are very reliable. I've rented bikes and gotten repairs done a few times and have never had a hiccup. They give you a bike (I got a really nice Specialized) for a predetermined amount of time, a lock, lights, and a helmet. Compared to other rental services, it's quite cheap, especially with the quality of the bike. I asked about other kinds of bikes for friends--the employee says they're going to get women-specific and children's bikes soon too. The staff is helpful, and is also not all guys. They answer all your questions and will even refer you to other places if necessary. Great bike resource for the area. read more

If I can give 10 stars I would! I just picked up my bike from Chain Links ad I am so happy with the work they did. Big shout to Jackie! She rocks! I was looking for a place nearby home to take my rusty bike. I called several shops but they turn me down due too the season ( too busy). Well, it was a blessing from the skies because I found Chain Links. Jackie answer the phone with a friendly and excellent customer service. I could hear her smile on the phone. Once I took the bike there it was rapid, informative, thorough, and easy. I asked Jackie about a basket for my bike and she asked me what was I going to use it for. So she recommended a rack. She priced it (fairly priced). So I ended getting it. I am so happy. Ps bring cash for tips. Thanks Chain Links. And Jackie! Go support the shop. It's ran by students. read more

Had my bike tuned up there a couple weeks ago and it has never run better since. Every time I ride it I'm so grateful that I took it here. They are affordable (under $50 for basic maintenance and parts) and the staff are always pleasant. I thought I was having an issue with my bike right after they tuned it up, but helped me understand what was going on. read more

Great! Friendly and helpful. I'm so glad Chainlinks is so conveniently located.

Really awesome place! Lucky to live nearby- Jackie adjusted my front brakes and tightened my headset super quick. Friendly and professional.

My experience with this shop has been positive overall. I would give this business 4.5 stars because it IS student run and training seems to be used on customer bikes, but the quality is still good (would be equivalent to going to a teaching hospital with a senior doctor and residents checking out a patient). I had an issue with my bike being serviced (tune-up/true-wheel) and was told it was finished. Apparently, it wasn't finished and when I used the bike throughout the day, damaged occurred with the front tire and its components. I was upset and called the shop expecting to get the response that the service was done correctly, etc, etc. The employee listened to my crazy rant and and read the intense email I sent earlier. Not only was this employee patient with my issue and my impatience, but was also very professional in getting my bike back in to get immediately fixed (special parts had to be ordered) and they absorbed all the cost with no questions asked. The sense that ChainLinks wanted me to be happy with my bike and their service was very apparent. With this type of customer service, I see this business expanding and becoming very popular. Check them out - affordable services and honest business practice. read more

We were in Chicago for Bike The Drive last weekend. Chainlinks had well maintained bikes for a reasonable price. More importantly, the staff was just plain friendly, helpful and informed. We highly recommend Chainlinks on the beautiful Loyola University Chicago campus. read more

Friendly, student-run bike rent and repair shop in the Loyola parking garage. Open to all and very helpful every time I rent. Only $18 per day and that means the bike is not due back until 6pm the next day. $10 (I believe) per day late fee, so very reasonable. read more

I got a good deal on a new bike and it came un-assembled, so I brought it here per the recommendation of a friend since he works for the university - I love that this is a student run shop. They put together the bike in a few days, and it only cost $50! They had me ride the bike in the garage for final adjustments, which at that time I thought it was fine. I took the bike on the road and the bars felt a little high, and the worst part was I didn't know how to use Shimano shifters (how embarrassing...)... I literally bought a bike I didn't know how to ride... I biked it back because I thought my shifters were broken and couldn't shift down. They not only adjusted the handle bars, but he also showed me how to ride my bike. Probably one of those moments my dad would have been very envious that another man was showing me how to ride a bike. They didn't charge me for the biking lesson and making some minor adjustments - what thoughtful people that work there! read more

Great bike shop. Went in to get a tube change, cost me 12$ after tax and was done in under 5 minutes. Student put my bike ahead of the other one she was working on and tightened a few things that were on the looser end on my bike when I mentioned them to her at no extra cost. Very friendly, very professional and great initiative (it is 100% student run). Keep doing what you're doing. One thing for clients, you need to have heard of this place or have found it online, because it is hidden in the university parking deck. read more

Took my bike here almost two weeks ago to have it repaired after a minor accident. I explained and showed them what was going on and they felt confident they could fix it. I told them while they had it to go ahead and do a minor tune up as well as re-wrap the handlebars. Got a call today that it was fixed, so I left work early to go pick it up. I get there and I was greeted by a girl wearing a shirt that said "No time for fu*kboys" which I found very uncouth for a business on Loyola's campus. I immediately notice my bike (it's a sea foam Bianchi) and can tell absolutely nothing has been done handlebar tape was untouched, the damaged part was still damaged, and to my knowledge the only thing done was a minor brake adjustment, though that's questionable. I explained what was supposed to be done but the girl said the person that works on the bikes was gone and she would tell him for tomorrow. I decided to take my bike elsewhere to have it actually repaired this go around. read more

My friend and I came in right at closing on a Sunday. The student who helped us, Shayna, was very courteous and nice even when it ended up taking 15 minutes to get us going due to difficulties with one of the bikes and then difficulties with the receipt printer. Being that we were first time renters, she also took the time to show us how to remove the various fixtures on the bike and answer our questions. Totally 5 stars. Prices are reasonable with options for different longer term rentals. Only downside was with the bike riding itself - the seats were pretty hard. Not sure if that's because we hadn't ridden bikes in over 8 years or what, but our butts were the only (very) sore thing on our bodies afterwards and took a few days to recover! If they don't have seat cushions available, I'm definitely buying one next time. read more

flat tire change was quick, especially for the single mechanic handling a couple customers at once. my tire was flat again in a day or so, mechanic changed inner tube, but i don't think she checked for debris in the tire although i asked if she had, i was flat again after my next ride. they guarantee work for a week, but it wasn't convenient for me to return to the shop so i went to another shop. read more

Such a great shop! Their rentals are really nice, and not too expensive (15 for a sirrus). With a bike, you get a helmet, lock, and light. When I returned it, I just locked it to the rack in front of the store, very easy and convenient and quick! My sister always comes in for a tune up, and if something is wrong, they won't quit until it's fixed. Oh and their store is really nice; they just painted it blue and it really stands out. I'm definitely going back when my family is in town. The staff knows all about different bike events in Chicago, and they are more than happy to tell you about them. read more

Awesome place. I blew a flat tire a mile away and they fixed it in 5 minutes for $12.

This place is amazing! They fixed my bike up for a very low price. I had to get my wheels trued and a tune up which was around $50. Other places tried to charge me way more for just a tune up. The students/staff here are really knowledgeable and quick too. My bike was all ready for me in just a few hours. They call and e-mail you if anything is wrong with the bike and when uour bike is ready for pickup. My bike runs better than ever thanks to them. Super friendly, fast, and knowledgeable. Not to mention cheap! Definitely will be back for future bike repairs. read more

Chainlinks is great! Their bike mechanics are quick and knowledgable. Oftentimes, they don't charge me when they fix my bike because it's an easy fix. When I have friends visit, I always have them rent a bike from here so we can ride around the city. This bike shop is definitely the best in the area. read more

This is, far and away, the best bike shop I've been to in Chicago. I went in to have a spoke repaired and was taught - not told - why I may need a new rim. The woman who was helping me was very thoughtful and helped me order what would work for me. I am thankful to have found Chainlinks. read more

I brought two bikes in for simple brake adjustments. After taking the bikes home, I realized they were not adjusted properly. I needed the bikes that day so I took them back and was told there were bikes in front me. In my opinion, my bikes should have been the priority as they did not do a good job in the first place. I was told to come back at the end of the following day where I went back to the store and found that they had forgotten about my brake adjustments. The workers scrambled to get this done and still there was friction with the brakes. Chainlinks has very reasonable prices, but I guess you get what you pay for. Workers were very kind, but customer service lacked. read more

The service is quick and cheap, for a reason. The quality is extremely lacking; I got a tire fixed and within 5 minutes of riding on it the tire popped. During the tire replacement the workers, who all seemed high while working, managed to mess up my derailleur in the process which will now cost me more money to fix at an actual bike shop. - Only use this shop as an absolute last resort!!! read more