What we do     Experience     Business structure      Social involvement

What we do:

Comrade Cycles is a full-service neighborhood bicycle shop offering expert repair; sales of bicycles, parts, and accessories; custom bike builds; and more. We do everything from fixing the flat you got riding to work to consulting on your dream bike project or repairing your cracked steel frame. If you’re looking for a bike to ride on the weekend with your family, a hand built frame that fits you perfectly, or a custom wheel set for your touring bike – whatever your needs – Comrade Cycles is your shop.

Our experience:

Our worker-owners have an incredible range of experience. We’ve worked on everything from the $15 garage sale bike in need of new brake pads to the $15,000 racing bike you’re tuning up for your next crit. We’re a welcoming, helpful, and reliable bunch; no need to put on your bike shop face to come in and talk to us. Our goal is to identify exactly what you need, explain our suggestions and reasoning, and get you back on your bike as soon as possible. The Comrades are all dedicated riders with extensive personal experience in commuting, touring, and racing. We know what it’s like out there and we’re happy to help make your ride the best it can be.

Our business structure:

Comrade Cycles is dedicated to worker ownership opportunities. We’re so pleasant and helpful in part because we’re working for ourselves and all take part in the decisions that affect us as workers. Each worker is an owner – an opportunity we will extend to all workers who join us as we grow. Our bottom line is not profit-motivated; we believe in creating a positive work environment which in turn becomes evident in our superior customer service and quality work.

Our social involvement:

All of us at Comrade Cycles are committed to being good neighbors and sustaining the Chicago bike community. We share the belief that biking is a fun, healthy, and a remarkably sustainable way to live. Our shop’s skills are deeply rooted in and strengthened by our experience working in local  bicycle repair shops, and our ethics and sense of community grew out of Chicago’s not-for-profit bicycle charities.  We are actively involved in creating biking infrastructure and bettering the experience for cyclists of all stripes within Chicago and the surrounding area. Comrade Cycles will strengthen the local economy by giving our workers a pathway toward joint ownership in the shop, rather than exporting the money to an absentee owner.

Come on in and we’ll help you get what you need to get back out and enjoy your ride.