Broadway Bikes

For cyclists across Illinois, finding a local bike shop that offers both expert service and a welcoming atmosphere is key to a fulfilling riding experience. Whether you're a seasoned commuter navigating Chicago's vibrant neighborhoods or a weekend warrior exploring the state's many trails, having a trusted partner for all your cycling needs makes a significant difference. That's where Broadway Bikes, located in the heart of Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, truly shines. Recently under new ownership by experienced mechanics Leah Plummer and Nina Hazelton, this shop continues a legacy of excellent service, building on years of community trust. This article will provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Broadway Bikes, highlighting its convenient location, the comprehensive services it offers, and why it stands out as an ideal choice for local Illinois riders from their perspective.

Broadway Bikes, formerly known as Uptown Bikes, has transitioned into new hands with a renewed commitment to its community and customers. The new owners, Leah Plummer and Nina Hazelton, are not just business owners; they are experienced mechanics who have been deeply involved with the shop. Their approach is marked by genuine friendliness and extensive knowledge, ensuring that every visitor, whether they're looking for a brand-new bike or a quick tune-up, feels heard and understood. As one long-time customer shared, their first visit under the new name was a resounding success, highlighting the new owners' ability to provide "great" service, setting them up with a "new bike love." This focus on personalized assistance, transparent communication, and efficient problem-solving distinguishes Broadway Bikes as a premier destination for cyclists across Illinois. They embrace all riders, from "experienced, all-season commuter to a brand-new biker," committed to getting to know both you and your bike to perfectly meet your needs and budget.

Broadway Bikes is conveniently located at 4653 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, USA. This prime address places the shop directly on Broadway in the vibrant Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, making it highly accessible for residents within the city and for those commuting from surrounding Illinois suburbs.

Broadway is a major thoroughfare in Chicago, ensuring that the shop is easy to find, whether you're traveling by car, bike, or public transportation. For those using public transit, the shop is ideally situated near CTA bus routes and potentially within walking distance of "L" train stations, offering excellent connectivity. This makes it convenient for customers to drop off their bikes for service without needing a personal vehicle. For cyclists who prefer to ride directly to the shop, its location within an established, bike-friendly neighborhood means it's often an easy ride from nearby residential areas. The storefront's direct street access on Broadway also adds to its visibility and ease of entry. This strategic and central location within Chicago makes Broadway Bikes a highly accessible and practical destination for any cyclist in the broader Illinois region seeking expert service and a great selection.

Broadway Bikes prides itself on being a "commuter-oriented, full service bike shop for non-motorized bicycles," welcoming all riders. They offer a comprehensive range of professional repairs, builds, and tune-ups, ensuring every bike performs its best. Here's a detailed look at their services:

• New Bike Sales: They offer a selection of new bikes from various reputable brands, likely including popular types like road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, gravel bikes, and kids' bikes. They aim to set you up with a bike you'll love, providing recommendations and allowing test rides to ensure the best fit.
• Professional Bicycle Repairs: Broadway Bikes excels in fixing bicycles expertly, from minor repairs like flats and adjustments to more complex "major issue" that might be "too advanced for to fix." They fix bikes better than anyone, with all repairs undergoing a full double safety check and a test ride. They typically do not service electric bikes, scooters, suspension systems, cargo bikes, hydraulic rim brakes, trikes, or dropper posts.
• Comprehensive Tune-Ups:
  • Basic Tune-up: Recommended annually, this service aims to maximize bike performance and longevity. It includes greasing the seatpost, stem, and pedal threads, checking and adjusting bottom bracket, headset, and hub bearing systems, truing front and rear wheels, adjusting braking and shifting systems, aligning derailleur hangers, general tightening and lubrication, light frame cleaning, and tire inflation. Parts replacement and installation are additional.
• Wheel Building: For those seeking custom wheels, Broadway Bikes offers professional wheel building services. They help select components (hubs, spokes, rims) and then expertly assemble them. Hand-built wheels come with a 30-day check-up and a 1-year warranty.
• Flat Tire Fixes: As capacity allows, they offer "while-you-wait" flat fixes. This includes inspecting the tire for offending objects, checking the rim strip and tire for damage, installing a new tube, and ensuring the chain is properly oiled.
• Free Service Estimates: You can bring your bike in for a free, no-obligation service estimate. They will assess your bike's condition, discuss recommended actions, and provide a cost estimate and timeline.
• Accessory and Part Sales: They sell all cycling essentials, including helmets, bike racks, seats, tire pumps, parts, wheels, tires/tubes, clothing, and car racks.
• Bike Assembly: While they do not pack bikes for shipping, they do receive and assemble them.
• Commuter Bike Specialization: The shop has a reputation for working on commuter bikes, ensuring they are well-maintained for daily use.
• Expert Advice and Education: Staff are dedicated to getting to know both you and your bike, explaining recommendations, and never trying to sell unnecessary services or parts. They provide thoughtful advice.

Broadway Bikes focuses on providing reliable service, outstanding craftsmanship, and tailored solutions for every rider.

Broadway Bikes, formerly Uptown Bikes, has quickly established itself as a standout choice for cyclists in Illinois, particularly within Chicago, thanks to several key features and highlights that consistently earn high praise:

• Friendly and Knowledgeable New Ownership: The shop is now under the ownership of experienced mechanics Leah Plummer and Nina Hazelton. Customers rave about them being "so great," "very friendly, knowledgeable," and their ability to set people up with bikes they "love." This hands-on, expert ownership fosters a welcoming and trustworthy environment.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Reviews consistently highlight the "easiest and best help" and a "great attitude." Even when a customer had a "major issue" with their bike, the shop listened, made troubleshooting easy, and quickly fixed the problem. This commitment to going above and beyond ensures a positive experience.
• Quick and Efficient Service: Broadway Bikes is praised for its ability to fix problems "easily and quickly," even complex ones. They strive for quick turnaround times, with many services completed within 24 hours, ensuring minimal downtime for cyclists.
• Comprehensive Expertise in Repairs: They boast over 50 years of combined experience in fixing and building bikes. They are proficient in all types of non-motorized bikes and offer professional repairs, builds, and thorough tune-ups, including "full double safety check" and test rides for every repair.
• Personalized Approach to Sales and Service: The staff takes the time to get to know "both you AND your bike" to perfectly meet needs within a budget. They explain recommendations clearly and "never try to sell you any services or parts you don't need," building trust and ensuring the best choice and fit for customers.
• Diverse Selection: They offer a range of new bicycles and all cycling essentials, from helmets and accessories to parts and car racks, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for many cycling needs.
• Community-Rooted Legacy: Having been in the community since 1993 (originally as Urban Bikes, then Uptown Bikes), the new owners are "continuing the legacy" of providing "really good, quality bike service and tailored service to people" in the Uptown area.
• Accessibility and Convenience: The shop takes walk-ins for small repairs like flat tires, and offers free service estimates, making it easy for customers to get their bikes assessed. Appointments are strongly encouraged for more extensive service.

These highlights collectively position Broadway Bikes as a highly reliable, customer-focused, and expert cycling resource for the Illinois community.

To connect with the friendly and expert team at Broadway Bikes for your cycling needs, here is their direct contact information:

Address: 4653 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, USA

Phone: (773) 728-5212

Mobile Phone: +1 773-728-5212

For service estimates, you can walk in with your bike. For more extensive service, appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made by texting (872) 216-6564. Always check their website or call to confirm current hours of operation.

For Illinois locals, particularly those residing in Chicago's vibrant Uptown neighborhood and surrounding areas, Broadway Bikes stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for all their cycling needs. Its recent transition under new, enthusiastic ownership, coupled with a long-standing reputation for quality, makes it a true asset to the community.

Firstly, the personalized and deeply knowledgeable service provided by the new owners, Leah Plummer and Nina Hazelton, is a significant draw for local cyclists. Their commitment to getting to know "both you AND your bike" and ensuring a perfect fit, along with their friendly demeanor, creates a welcoming and trusting environment. This level of personalized attention, from making recommendations to allowing test rides and making adjustments until the customer "love" their new bike, goes far beyond a transactional experience. For Illinois riders, this means not just buying a bike, but investing in a relationship with a local shop that genuinely cares about their cycling journey.

Secondly, the shop’s unwavering commitment to quick, easy, and expert repairs is invaluable for any local cyclist. As evidenced by a customer who faced a "major issue" that was "too advanced" for them to fix, Broadway Bikes' ability to diagnose and resolve problems "easily and quickly" with a "great attitude" is a testament to their professionalism. Knowing that even complex mechanical problems can be handled efficiently and with a smile provides immense peace of mind. This quick turnaround, with many services completed within 24 hours, minimizes downtime and ensures that Illinois commuters and recreational riders can get back on their bikes swiftly and safely.

Finally, Broadway Bikes’ dedication to continuing a legacy of "really good, quality bike service" within the Uptown community reinforces its suitability for locals. Their clear policies of transparency, never trying to upsell unnecessary services, and providing thoughtful advice, build a strong foundation of trust. For Illinois residents, supporting Broadway Bikes means supporting a local business that is deeply integrated into the community and genuinely committed to fostering a thriving cycling culture. Whether you're looking for a new bicycle, a comprehensive tune-up, or just some friendly, expert advice, Broadway Bikes is an outstanding choice that champions both exceptional service and local community values.

Broadway Bikes

4653 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, USA