Irv's Bike Shop
1725 S Racine Ave
(between 17th St & 18th St)
Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 226-6330
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
16 reviews
Neighborhood: Noble Square
"I came here to check out their selection of saddles as my bum is aching from my 1970's plank of a seat. They carried some really nice…" read more »
20 Reviews for Irv's Bike Shop
I just bought a cruiser bike from Irv's. I have to say the place is pretty cool. The staff was super helpful, a welcomed departure from staff at most other shops, who tend to be pissed off and have a knack at making you feel like an idiot.
Not here. They're normal, decent people who sell bikes. They're friendly, helpful, and honest. I'd recommend them.
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In my previous review I said that the guy who runs the place is very friendly - I had a completely different experience today.
I went in looking for some brake cable housing - a common item that any bike shop in the city will be happy to sell you by the foot. Only I was told that they wouldn't sell it to me, that I had to buy the pre-packaged deals off the shelf that included cables.
I was more than a little perplexed. "Are you serious? You won't sell me cable housing by the foot?" The guy just shrugged and acted annoyed.
I've been to perhaps a dozen other bike shops in the city over the years and bought housing from several of them. I never had problem like this before... I could understand if the shop was running low (they do use it themselves for tune ups and repairs) but to just flat out say, "No. We don't do that," is very poor service.
I can put up with a dirty, disorganized, and cluttered shop if the people working there are friendly and helpful, but combine that with a complete lack of respect for the customers and an unwillingness to provide a simple service in exchange for money and well...
I won't waste any more time at Irv's.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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03/23/2008
The guy that runs this place is very friendly. I've only bought parts here, but feel like I got a… Read more »
Nice staff, reasonably priced gear.
My only complaint is that they close the store on (what seems like) a whim. Buying tubes is sort of difficult when the store isn't open.
Irv's is such a great place! It's a neighborhood shop but has a very dedicated and friendly staff. They have a pretty good amount of things and don't charge a crazy amount for minute things.
Con- very small and they have their fixed bikes blocking the walkway so often you are waiting behind the person in front of you to leave even if you're just browsing.
Very reasonable prices. Good selection on tools. Nice guys work there. Only thing that's wrong with it is the lines which can be out of the door on warm weekend days, and their jokes about how I steal bikes wear thin too, but it's all in good humor.
Irv's = good humor.
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Centrally located at 18th and Racine Irv's is quite simply Chicago's best bike shop and one of the best family owned firms selling any product line I have ever encountered. Owned by former employee Henry, this business represents what is great about well run small businesses that not only outshine in competitive pricing but care, and care deeply, about customers and the service they receive. I wish more small family owned firms got it. Henry could teach an MBA a thing or two about how to create raving fans, how to price fairly and effectively to grow profits., what service is about, and how to treat employees and customers. This is the very rare small business that gets it and for that reason I would never even consider doing business with another bike shop. They have me, my friends, and my family for life. Irv taught him good.
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When I came to Irv's it was swamped with friends and family, laughter and barking dogs. The vibe was great and so was the service. My tune up on my seriously screwed up bike was under 50 dollars. I also got new tires (9.99 each) and new brake pads. My total came to a little over $70--and they even rigged my water bottle holder that I didn't even mention was slapping around in the wind. Good people/ fair prices. I would ride the several miles and schlep my 50 lb Schwinn on the el for this place any old day.
Great shop for repairs. Brought my old mtb bike that I ride during the winter into three different places for a problem with chain-skip. Everyone had a different story as to why my chain kept skipping under load, but no one could fix it long term. Irv's figured out the problem in under five minutes (trashed rear hub). Will be a repeat customer whenever I can for a long time.
A very cool independently owned neighborhood bike shop.
Very helpful staff, good selection of bikes, parts, accessories, etc. - and they seem to do a fair bit of repair work, too.
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My purse was stolen last weekend! I lost money, credit cards, id cards, a sketchbook, and ipod . . . but worst of all . . . the key to my bike's u-lock. I went a week without my bike because all the research I was doing said that I'd have to pay at least $60 to get someone to take the lock off. Today I made some calls, found out a locksmith would charge $75. Then I called Irv's Bikes. $5. Flat. Crazy! And they did it in under 5 minutes. Irv's is officially my new bike place, even though it's a ways from my neighborhood. Yay! I'm going to go on a celebratory bike ride!
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it's called Irv's bike shop. my name is Irv. i bought a bicycle helmet and they gave me a business pen. now, I can pretend I own a bike shop.
my name, lonely as it is, has a new friend.
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I'll probably never buy a new bike @ a LBS but... Irv's the business. Owned by a local Mexican family... these guys are the friendliest, nicest guys sporting equally nice prices on "stuff you need".
presta to shraeder valve adapter: ONE DOLLAR.
Master links for your chain: $1.75
Various Tubes: $5
They don't care if you're on some $1000 Ironman-ready steed, a chromed out lowrider or some fubared single speed conversion (common for the neighborhood)... Once, as one of the owners walked out after closing down, i stalked him to his van and begged him to re-open the store for some last minute parts. He obliged. You will NEVER get this type of customer service at Kozy's or Performance Bike.
Irv's for life.
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This is the best bike shop I've ever been to. I bought my bike there and so far I haven't had any problems. I did get some extra stuff put on a week later and they didn't even charge me for labor. They have just about everything you need and are SUPER helpful. They're willing to put your bike up and get to work as soon as you walk through the door. They also don't hike up the prices like every other bike shop I've been to. I will ride from Ukrainian Village to Pilsen to get my bike supplies. I went to a place on Chicago Ave and they said new tires would cost at least $50 plus labor... Irv said $25 flat. Seriously.
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nice guys. local, independent, family-run business. decent prices.
definitely recommend going to them for picking up parts or doing repairs. in terms of buying a complete, used bike, however, i'd recommend going to working bikes, which is a lot cheaper. (sorry, irv's. i still love you for quick trips.)
hey, i trust them.
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God I love Irv's. Seriously. I'm not even that crazy about bikes, but this place kicks ass. The guys are super cool - friendly and helpful without being over the top. The prices seem really reasonable and I had my bike in for a tune up and got it back in about two days. Very impressive considering it was the beginning of summer. I hate a lot of things about Pilsen, but Irv's reminds me that it's not all bad.
I had my bike tuned up here during the summer. They seemed to carry mostly cruisers and lowriders, but I took my mtn bike in there anyways to get a tune-up right before an upcoming trip (needed it the next day).
I felt a little guilty since my hardtail was severely gunked up with mud after making the mistake of sludging through Deer Grove a few days after a rain (still mad about the stones they put everywhere). They cleaned up my bike pretty well and everything was clicking real smooth afterwards. Good and reasonable price for a tune-up.
Overall, everyone seemed very knowledgable with my questions. The atmosphere was great and friendly and I'll be going here for any repairs and tune-ups in the future.
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Good people, fast service. Brought my bike in for a tune-up and they had it done in about an hour. The guy in there is great and I'll be going back whenever I need anything.
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I bought a bike here a couple of years ago- it was a vintage Schwinn bike, made in the 60's in Evanston- it had the metal medal on it still to prove it. It was in pristine shape. It had the original paint (green) and even the handlebar tape was the original, and it matched the paint color. Also had a kickstand. The cost? $40.
Years later, I sold the bike for as much as I paid for it.
The owner, his family, and even his dog hang out at the store, and are all super nice. They also sell kid's bikes, new bikes, used, and supplies. Of course, they do repairs there and the price is always right.
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well the reviews on here said this was a good place to get a used bike, and their ad in the phone book said that they sold used bikes, but when i got there, i was informed that they did not. the guy was pretty nice though i guess?
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a great place to buy a bike. i got a wonderful one speed cruiser bike here with great tires and chrome fenders for only $40. perfect working condition. i recommend it to everyone i know who wants to buy a bike in chicago. working bikes is good too.
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