On The Route Cycles, 3146 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60640, let me test ride an '06 Fuji Track
(brakeless) this afternoon. Apparently when they assembled this bike, the "mechanic" didn't see any point in tightening the cog or lockring. When trying to slow from about 15mph into the intersection of Lincoln/Belmont/Ashland, the lockring spun loose leaving me no way of stopping but planting a foot on the ground. I came within a foot of landing under a moving SUV. They've certainly lost my business. I suggest they lose yours as well.

Yikes! I only go to Boulevard, Y'sG and Rapid Transit anyway.

Hm. Well, I doubt that's their policy, since you may well have stripped their hub (not your fault). But at least they let you try it out...Bicycle Village won't. Not really an LBS.

If I'm thinking of the right place, OTRC were pretty catty when I went there to inquire about a slightly unusual wheel-building request. Fortunately, we have many, many choices of where to go.

I wasn't suggesting that their policy has anything to do with improper assembly of bikes, just pointing out how this particular LBS was extremely careless when putting this one together. I've stripped a hub or two in my day, so I know what can cause that and I didn't even come close on this test ride. I'm confident that this happened because of careless mechanics.

And well yeah, I guess it is nice that they let you test ride bikes.

Word.

Did they ask you anything when you went to take it out along the lines of "okay, so you know how to ride brakeless, right?" I'm just curious; I'm thinking of the first time I went to a pistol range in the suburbs and I was decidedly NOT asked if I knew anything at all about loading or shooting handguns (which, as it happened, I didn't).

When I was in there last week asking about the possibility of a test ride, the person I spoke with then did ask me that. Today's guy, however, did not. I can't imagine the potential outcome if this happened to an inexperienced rider.

I got a pair of glasses from the Pearl next door. Thats the only useful thing I have to add to this thread.

Actually, I bought a Planet Bike seatpost flasher there 10? months ago. Happy to hear you didn't get smashed up - that intersection can be a b*tch because there is so much pavement between the lights (its not a tight 6 way).

uptown bikes

Wilson/Broadway

One of best LBS in chicago

Glad you weren't hurt.

On The Route have always been nice to me. Never bought anything in there, but they don't really have anything of interest that yojimbo's or boulevard or other better shops wouldn't have. That's a scary experience...I would be pretty pissed too.

I went in to Oscar Watsyn (Fullerton between Western and California) once, looked around for a bit and asked if they sold just track frames...as they only had assembled bikes in their shop....ONLY bikes, no supplies, nothing. They guy says, "why the hell would you want to buy just a frame? Buy a fully built one right there."

I looked at him for about 10 seconds, turned around and walked out.

You guys live in Chicago. YOU HAVE YOJIMBOS. How could you go anywehre else?

I like Yojimbo's, but its nice to ride two blocks and pick something up in a pinch. Chicago is alot bigger than bum**** Bloomington IN.

Boulevard is my Local Bike Shop, dude. And they are super-sweet.

Yojimbo's is for special trips; BB is for routine stuff.

yojimbo's for special parts. rapid transit for neighborhood quickies.

gotta check out Boulevard sometime.. nothing but good ratings.

Does anyone go to Upgrade on Chicago/Milwaukee? Or Higher Gear on Fullerton/Ashland? I rode past that place the other day.

On The Route is nice because there's a guy named Jason who works there. He's very helpful & nice!

I'm still going to give them my business. Only Jesse Jackson can tell me where I shouldn't shop.

I do!

Oooh, you wanna go shooting?!

I got my 9, we'd be fine!

And call me crazy but I didn't think many (if any) shops let you test ride something brakeless.

By the way, why did you head west (towards Ashland - the busy, busy 6 corner intersection) instead of down towards Greenview?

raygunner: answer your PMs you lazy***

obviously. bloomington is small, but has no good bike shops. there's 3 and they all barely carry any components. you have to order everything unless you want a brand new bike.

if you're anywhere close to or in downtown, i don't see any reason not to.... unless you think riding 5-10 miles is a pain in the ass.

i didn't realize chicago was so ****in elite either? who the **** are you?

Yojimbo's is awesome, but since we all go there, it's hard to count on getting things done as fast as other places WHICH IS NOT TO SAY that's it's not amazing the volume consistent with quality that Marcus turns out. Now that I work out of the city, I appreciate the later hours that other places have more.

raygunner---well, I know how to shoot now! In fact, I've got my FOID and everything. I haven't been to a range for almost a year, and I was shooting the .45s and hitting nothing, but you're a cop, right? Show me the ropes? Ride out to Elmhurst, shoot a coupla boxes?

mike, it's only a bum**** town 'cause you live there.

yeah because i'm a bum that likes to ****

[mod edit- please don't try to get around the censors]

Because at Yojimbo's I don't get my bike parts at cost plus shipping!

I do like the fact that he has so many esoteric parts/frames right there in the shop, and not just "available to order" though. Whenever I go in there, it always makes me want to buy some shiny new stuff, I have to remind myself that I'm a shop-rat.

yeah if you work at a shop that's a different story altogether!

Bloomington will stomp you...