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

Great staff and service. I used to be intimidated b/c it's so cramped. I got over that once I walked around and checked out all the sweet rides they have. My man and I each got new bikes from JS last year (never mind that I wrecked the next day and ended up in the E.R.). Our free tune-ups came in handy this past Spring. read more

Very helpful staff who will go out of their way to hook you up with what you need. Before finally deciding on my all-over town all-the-time best friend of mine, they actually built a few bikes for me. I made my decision and purchased from them, and I would again. 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

We came here late last year to get my wife a new hybrid road bike. We were helped by the owner, Manuel, who was extremely patient as we went back and forth on exactly which bike to buy--we were there for a couple of hours! As a few others mentioned, they went out of their way to make sure the bike fit my wife perfectly. She loves it and we'll definitely be back to Johnny Sprockets when I'm ready for an upgrade. read more

I've been to many bike shops around the city, and this one always leaves me sore. First off, the prices are truly out of this world. I paid 8 dollars for a tube when I was in a jam, twice what I've ever paid anywhere else. The staff is arrogant and clueless. I went in to get bearings replaced on my bike. When I looked into the price and time frame, I was asked "uhh how do you know your bearing are shot?" I've been a chicagoland bike courier for 3 years, my bearings were so shot, there was literally rust coming out the sides. They had no idea what bearings to put in. I have the most standard track hub ever.. formula. Everyone has formula bearings by the truckload. After wasting 20 minutes for them to "figure it out", I told them I'd take my bike elsewhere. They were very rude and snobby... no thanks!! read more

These guys may seem a little pricey as far ask bikes go, however they know EXACTLY what they are doing, so its good to know you are literally paying for the quality your getting. cute lesbians work there too! read more

Staff is helpful and aware that you exist and you are in the store. Super helpful and courteous. They don't b*s you either. Bought my first Chrome bag from them and I love it. read more

I purchased my bike here because it was convenient. I went two or three times before to check on a bike. I had done my work doing some research and still had questions. However, the sales associate was very uninformed and seemed not interested when I said I was not ready to buy. Didn't even offered me a test ride. I had to come again after a few days when I was more sure of they bike I wanted. Still the guy was very unable to answer my questions. If you just go to spend your money, then its your store; however if you go with specific questions about parts or maintenance, you will find unhelpful and withholding staff that seem to be only interested in your purchase. After all, I decided to purchase from them, but I am disappointed with the customer care. After waiting a few days for my bike, they didn't even call me to say it was ready. Their accessories in both stores are expensive and my general impression is that it is a pretentious unfriendly store, which is far from what I expect in a LBS. I have visited many other bike stores in Chicago and you will find the most helpful, knowledgeable, friendly staff who will recommend whatever is best for you, and who will spend time answering all your questions regardless whether or not you intend to purchase. Johnny Sprockets is the opposite. I went there for the convenience, and now I regret purchasing my bike from them. After I get the free tune-up, I will go somewhere else to maintain my bike, get accessories, etc. read more

My boyfriend and I just bought bikes from Johnny Sprockets last week. We don't really know much about bikes so we were hoping to find a knowledgeable sales staff and we weren't disappointed. The person who helped us was great; she was really nice and helped us find the perfect bikes for us. We're very happy with our bikes so far. read more

This spot knows the value of loyal customers. Every thing I've bought for my 12 year old bike, they've installed no questions asked. Even after a tune up, I had issues and they looked at it and fixed them free. I'll be in the market for a new bicycle this coming spring and this is the only place I'll go to get it. Definitely recommend if you dig two wheels and live in the area. read more

I love Johnny Sprockets. It's nice to go into a bike shop where the staff is not only knowledgeable, but passionate about what they do. They have a great selection of bikes and allow you to test ride pretty much everything. They helped me find a mountain bike that was absolutely perfect for me and gave me a great deal on it. I also bought a get-around-town bike from them and they've been nothing but helpful with it. They gave me a great deal on it, too. I really like this place. I disagree with some of the other reviewers when they say it no longer feels like a neighborhood bike shop. They recognize most of their customers and are always super friendly. Great selection and great service! read more

I stopped by here because I was in the neighborhood and needed to adjust something on my bike, but had left the necessary tool at home. They happily let me use theirs and chatted with me while I did. When I reassured them that I'd buy something, they told me not to worry about it. I did end up buying handlebar tape, though, because I would've felt totally sketchy otherwise. I can't really speak for their selection of bikes, but the sales staff were completely attentive, friendly, and helpful. They also seemed to have a large selection of messenger bags, tools, and accessories. I wouldn't hesitate to stop by here again. read more

Their newly redesigned store houses even MORE bikes! It's crazy! The turn-around time on a tune-up is about a day and you usually need to make an appointment to drop it off. I bought some new pedals here for $20 that are $50 and Performance Bicycles. I can't speak for all of their stuff, but I was pleased with their prices and their staff. read more

I bought a bike here yesterday. I had looked at bikes here and Uptown Bikes before and then did some cursory web research on the bikes. I may have been able to save a few bucks on the same bike at Kozy's but I was really impressed with the folks at Johnny Sprockets. I dealt with three different guys between my first visit and leaving with my new bike this afternoon. They were consistently helpful and I never felt, even an inkling, of sales pressure. In fact, I had to remind them of the add-ons (fenders, rack, lock) that I wanted. I believe they sincerely wanted to know what I was expecting of the bike so that I would be happy with my purchase. Their recommendations were never the high-end but never the cheapest option either. They made sure I understood how to use the bike, the lock and that I take advantage of the two tuneups included with the purchase. read more

My favorite neighborhood bike store! These guys are great and always friendly. I'll go out of my way to have my bike worked on. I have had a flat in same tire for more than I can count and they will fix at no charge and add on extra oil etc for free. Fast and friendly service! Highly recommend! read more

Wonderful costumer service and warranty program!! I love this place!!

Awesome! Best bike buying experience ever for my fiancée and I. Super helpful/super knowledgable staff. Also, very well priced equipment and services available. read more

I've been a customer for years at the Andersonville location (and I've always been happy with their level of service), but this review is for the Broadway location.... I got off of work on an exceptionally hot day only to find that some jackass had looped his lock through my brake cable. I was unable to find the owner of the offending lock so I began to mess with my brake cables in a desperate attempt to free my bike. That's where Manuel comes in. As you can tell by now I'm a complete beginner when it comes to bike repair and maintenance. I called Sprockets to ask what I should do and after unsuccessfully trying to talk me through a procedure, Manuel asked for my location and SHOWED UP IN PERSON!!! Wtf kind of above and beyond customer service is that?? Then after he frees my bike he refused any sort of payment for his troubles. Absolutely made my day. I went from frustrated and on the brink of tears to happy and on my way. You've gained a lifelong customer because of your kindness. Thank you!! read more

I've visited twice. First time, they fixed my bottom bracket for a reasonable price, but as I rode home, I noticed that they did some brake work. Awesome! Second time, Justin was super helpful in picking the right tire set and explaining a quick way to change them. Good customer service! read more

The people here are so friendly and kind. I'm not a biker at all, and couldn't successfully install a rear rack by myself, and they fixed it up for $5. read more

Great service in every way, before and---perhaps more importantly---after you buy your bike. They treat you like a friend, not a customer. read more

I needed to purchase a new wheel and cassette for my bike. I shopped around and for a mid range wheel, and this store was offering the best price. However, they really made me a loyal customer after putting my new purchases together for me. I road and a recurring problem (the chain skipped and gears shifted without prompting them to) was still happening. They listened to my concerns and were willing to try several different fixes for me without charging. It was trial and error process to figure out what the issue was, but they were patient and I never felt like they were going to give up on it. I am much happier than I was expecting to be with my purchases and would definitely recommend giving Johnny Sprockets a shot! read more

If you're buying a $5,000 bike, I'm sure the folks at Johnny Sprockets are friendly and professional. Their focus is definitely sales--NOT service. I've given them a couple tries over the years, but have been disappointed with each experience. There are MANY better LBS in the area. I brought my wheel in and asked them to true it. They came back a couple minutes later and told me the wheel was too old and WAY too bent to true; the spokes were corroded and couldn't be adjusted. Their suggestion: have them build a custom wheel for me for about $300. Complete BS--the spokes had no corrosion (the wheel had been in sealed storage since it was new). I knew that the sales guy was feeding me a line, so I took my business elsewhere. I went to another LBS on Halsted; miraculously that shop was able to true the rim and give me new cloth rim tape for a $27 total. I asked the mechanic at that shop if there was anything wrong with the rim. He told me it was less than 1cm out of true and that a couple spokes were loose, but it was definitely fixable & I could bring it back if there were any issues. AFTER I paid & got my wheel, I mentioned my experience at Johnny Sprockets. The mechanic basically said that he'd be pretty peeved if someone had lied to him like that. I'm sure that a custom-built wheel from Johnny sprockets would've been high quality and well-built...but they definitely lied to me and left a bitter taste in my mouth. Why didn't they just give me my options? "We can try to fix it & get it close, but have you thought about a custom wheel?" They SHOULD have said that, but they made it clear that they did not want my current or future business. To sum, never go to Johnny Sprockets for service. There are many other options in the neighborhood that cost less and treat their customers honestly and respectfully. read more

i moved to chicago from austin 4 years ago and i'm so grateful that i moved close to this place. i had my bike shipped here and they assembled it. when it got stolen, they hooked me up with the sweetest beach cruiser alive! i keep buying bikes because the staff is fantastic and inspiring! they always to know just what i need and have quick and prompt service on repairs/ tune ups! i take all my friends here just to "look around" and they always end up leaving with a bike! it's just so fun! read more

What's not to like about Johnny Sprockets? These folks are rock! Great customer service, loads of superb product in stock, and strong supporters of cycling. Something else that is super sweet about J.S., is that they race cyclocross, and cyclocross is the best thing since sliced bread got toasted. Also, no snooty attitudes around the shop makes bike and accessory buying a joy! read more

Really disappointed in the tune-up I received. It was not done right and they did offer to redo it for me (which they did), but it still wasn't right. Breaks are not the typical breaks so they are now messed up although I showed them exactly how they should work. Also some parts on my husband's bike were replaced but now he can't ride in several gears -- very hard to pedal and it makes a horrible clanging noise. A couple of years ago I had issues with Johnny Sprockets as well, but I had high hopes in trying them again to support my local bike shop. We are now unfortunately taking our bikes elsewhere to have them fix the issues created through these tune-ups/replaced parts. read more

I walked in here with a malfunctioning cyclocross bike on my way to the National Championships up in Madison, WI. I expressed to the mechanic on duty that it was really important that the work get done right away. She dropped everything to get my work done right then and there one the spot - amazing customer service! I was also really impressed with their selection of cyclocross tires and accessories. Five-star review for being friendly, helpful, prompt, and also carrying a huge variety of winter cycling stuff - great shop! read more

Keeping it short and sweet. Johnny Sprockets is awesome...period. I usually frequent the Bryn Mawr shop, because they're just around the corner, but I was looking to replace my stolen bike and they didn't have the cross check i was looking for in my size. So they sent me down to the lakeview store where i was helped by manuel and company...got my whip mailed and assembled in 24 hours! Great service, awesome staff- and they listen to some righteous tunes. Will definitely be back! read more

I've worked in a bike shop before and I love cycling, so I always enjoy checking out other local shops when visiting new areas. This place had quite the product selection and friendly, knowledgeable staff. They're main bike brand is Specialized, but they do stock a lot of Surly's (others will usually offer to order them, but won't carry them for you to look at). They also have a variety of commuting clothing; I was impressed to find a nice Showers Pass jacket (like other places, I don't always see this item stocked for a customer to try on), which was on sale 40% off...too bad they didn't have my size! They also had quite a few Chrome and Abus products...things I wish my shops back home would carry more of. Nice inventory and nice clean shop. Also, they seemed to have reasonable prices (comparable to other shops) for its location and products. With that said, I have no experience with their service department, nor did I look at the price board for that. read more

Great place! Just got a bike here over the weekend. The staff was really nice and very helpful. I'm a bike newbie and they explained everything really well. I only wish it was closer to me. read more

Yesterday, my tire was punctured during my long commute home. Lucky for me, this Johnny Sprockets was just a couple of blocks away. They rapidly replaced the rear tire, confirmed my difficult gear system was reassembled properly, and on I went. I was very impressed by the quickness and quality job! Thanks Johnny Sprockets! read more

In recent years I've bought a bike and many accessories from Johnny Sprockets, if you are considering a bike purchase their staff is friendly & very knowledgeable & not pushy, which is why I prefer shopping there over bigger stores such as Kozy's. Service is also very good, they get you in & out fairly quickly for simple things such as flat repair, however because of the limited size of their store you may not be able to take your bike in for "overnight" service (for tune-ups, major repair, etc.) during peak periods such as weekends. I think their Bryn Mawr store may be a bit more spacious. read more

Took two weeks to find out they did 'Not' order my parts. Quote of $50 to replace 2 spokes and true the wheel. Glad I shopped around. Over Priced, no follow up. Take your bike else where. read more

This place is a stand out in the sad and confused little world of bicycle shops where all service standards and the logic of salesmanship so frequently go out the window. After several visits, I have noticed that every single time, regardless of the crowd, someone opens the door for me to enter and exit with my bike and someone immediately greets me upon entry to see what I need. That is a huge factor in earning my business and goodwill. I came in for a couple of minor repairs, they went out of their way to service my bike quickly -- mechanic even came out to explain what he did and see if I had questions. In the midst of the weekend bustle, I was in and out in under 20 minutes. While I was waiting, 2 people asked if I needed anything (!!) and all the while I witnessed salesmen being patient and considerate with various customers, answering questions, steering them towards bikes that were a good fit, and not just the most expensive. As for the bikes, they have an excellent selection -- whatever you want, they have an option. A little low on parts and extras, but I was drooling over the bikes. read more

The staff at Johnny Sprockets are always super helpful, and understand that a girl on a budget needs a little help stretching her bike maintenance. If you're in the market for a new bike, they have everything, from serious pro stuff to casual city cruisers. Free air pump outside, too. read more

This is a tough review for me because I wanted so badly for this to be my new go to Local Bike Shop. I had been looking for a new LBS since my last one closed up. I stopped in looking for a pretty high end bike and the sales guy/owner was really nice and helpful. We discussed several options and I was narrowing down what I wanted. I decided to hold off a year and see if the prices would come down but when I reached back out a couple times I never heard back. So while my initial meeting was favorable, it concerns me that if I would have bought the bike, what kind of service would I have gotten post buy? read more

Staff is way cool and very accessible. None of the snobbery you get at other cycling shops--just down-to-earth friendliness. They also have a great selection of parts and accessories as well as bikes. I'll definitely come here next year when I plan on upgrading. read more

Hands down the best bike shop in the area. Every time I walk in the door, somebody quickly approaches me to offer their assistance. Each person who works there seems to have extensive knowledge about everything! They have advised me on all of my latest bike purchases, from frog lights, to an indoor trainer, and I have never been disappointed. I went in the store a few weeks ago to talk with them about dropping some serious cash on a fancy road bike, and they were not short of ideas and feedback on the various bikes and types. This is probably the friendliest shop in the East Lakeview neighborhood. read more

I like nice. And the guys at Johnny Sprockets couldn't have been nicer if they tried! Came home with my new best friend (a bicycle, if you're confused!) thanks to their helpful guidance. Thank you! I'd write more, but I've got riding to do...... read more