Get A Grip Cycles

If you are looking for CHEAP, go elsewhere! But if quality, service, and a smile here it is. Free yearly tuneup and on the spot adjustments pay for the difference in SPADES.

This is an all around cool shop offering great, comfortable service.
In the time that I spent at the shop (being fit and having my bike built) I could not have asked for better customer service and workmanship. Adam was very knowledgeable through the fitting process and their mechanics were definitely on the same page as they completed my build.
Whether you’re in the market for something new or you’re just in the area and want to check out a cool shop, stop in and take a look. Its worth the time!

Our tri-​training group had an open house at GaG last weekend. My wife and I had never been to GaG before but knew they had a working relationship with Chicago Endurance Sports. Adam gave a brief but detailed bike walkthrough about their shop as well as what GaG could do throughout the season. We were intrigued with their fit process (utilizing range-​of-​motion limiters as well as body measurements) so came in this week to check it out. We both purchased new tri-​bikes over the winter so it seemed like a good time to get dialed-​in.
What an experience. Adam was so patient and engaging during the entire process (allow 1.5 — 2 hrs). Every measurement and test was explained and I never felt like he was trying to sell us on anything to just increase the sale. Between the motion-​capture analysis, fit-​bike measurements, and interview process, I know I’m set up for a strong, comfortable riding season.
I would recommend checking out GaG, even if you already have a bike; it’s a great store to start a relationship with. Thanks again, guys!

I’ve been more than happy with the fittings and service I’ve received here. Most of my tri friends visit Get A Grip for their fittings and related adjustments.
After dialing in my fit I’m finally comfortable riding in my aero bars!

Had two bikes fit at Get a Grip with Adam and some maintenance done by Saj. Both are very professional, knowledgeable and patient with their customers. Adam was very thorough with the fitting, explaining why we made certain adjustments and how they should impact my position, comfort and performance. Strongly recommend their bike service and fitting.

Caveat Emptor.
I have been taking my high end steel frame road bike to GAG for years for the annual overhaul tuneup, and also gone to their Fulton store for bike fittings. However, with the closure of their Irving Park store in late 2015/​2016, things seem to be slipping, and or they seem a whole lot less interested in maintaining the bikes they sell (or any other bikes). Guess the margins on a tune up aren’t as good as on a 10K carbon fiber frame and all the pricey accessories that go with. The first warning sign was actually a few years back. Their website appeared to have been hacked at some point. Yes, they are a small business and not into web development, but it took some time for them to address this. However, the real warning signs were when I went to the Irving Park store a few weeks ago for the annual winter tuneup, and found it closed. No notice, no communication to the community, nada, and I’ve been a customer for several years now. To make matters worse, the phone number they have on the closed Irving Park store was not correct. Then I called the Futon store and the attitude was, to say the least, not all that understanding. It was kind of, we are at the Fulton store now, deal with it. So this year, I decided to take the bike to another place for the annual overhaul. When it comes to the annual tune-​up, I bring a punch list and a detailed maintenance history of the bike and my attitude is: if it’s going to wear out in the next 1,000 miles, replace it or adjust components as appropriate. I’m not looking to cut corners to save a few bucks on the tune up only to have a flat or a cable break in the middle of the summer riding season. I’m also not into the latest and greatest in cutting edge stuff; for me it’s about proven technology that has stood the test of time. With that said, I brought my punch list and maintenance log history to the new shop and explained my approach on bike maintenance. They «got it» and when over the bike with a fine toothed comb. They found a number of things that were issues with the bike that should have been dealt with at the last tune up. Given that, I’m wondering what I’ve been paying for all these years. Look, I’m not here to trash talk local bike shops. I hope they get their act together, I’m just sayin, be careful with this shop, they seem to be experiencing some QC issues with their bike maintenance part of the business.
Jim

Brought my bike in here to get fit a friend recommended me and am happy I did! Their custom fit process is extensive and thorough! Adam took his time and explained everything to me and helped me get the most out of my bike! Will definitely be back!

Staff is super-​knowledgeable and quick to offer help and advice.
I’m very much a cycling novice and have brought my old hand-​me-​down bike in for repair a couple of times.
You do pay a premium here due to the specialty retail setting and the staff expertise.

They are great! I know nothing about biking and just got a hybrid– needed minimal work and I was in an out in less than ten. Also provided me with a handy map of biking friendly routes in Chicago. Highly recommend!

I came in over 1.5 years ago to buy a bicycle after a fitting. The reason I chose this place was their extensive $ 350 pro fit.
I explained to the fitter that I had neck troubles from my old Trek. In my limited experience I believed that drop bars were the problem. I was wrong and should’ve been corrected. Instead they sold me a flat bar Surly. I rode the Surly which was fine, but it never really felt like $ 2800 worth of machinery. I asked Adam if we could turn it into a drop bar road bike and get more fun out of it, and sure give us $ 500 more. Not knowing effective top tube length or my size for that matter I trusted them. I was wrong. I am now out over $ 3k and a bike that doesn’t fit.

These guys sold me a bike. I was a less experienced biker and they sold me too small of a frame. That bike got stolen. I came back to buy another one. I told a new guy the size of frame I had purchased and the guy said it was too small of a frame anyway. The owner then pulled him aside and had a chat. He came back and told me that frame size was a matter of preference. The owner had sold me too small of frame the first time cause he was trying to sell off his cheaper bikes before he got into the business of being an elite bike shop. That was ten years ago and it looks like the reviews have been reflective. How you treat your least paying customer defines your business. I never went back.

These guys are the biggest snobs I’ve ever had the displeasure of dealing with, at both the Irving Park and Fulton locations. Look, I get it, you make your money selling $ 10,000 carbon road bikes and doing fittings for racers but when I bring in a mountain bike and ask you to do my brakes don’t tell me that you can’t get them right because they’re cheap. That’s ridiculous, Avid BB7s are the gold standard for mechanical disc brakes, have been sold for over a decade almost unchanged, and have recently been introduced into the road bike market as well, so guess what?! You’re going to learn how to adjust them anyway, you snooty elitists.
If you’re in the market for a custom built road bike and can afford the best then why don’t you work with a small manufacturer on a custom build? You’ll have a better experience and you’ll have a sweet American made bike that nobody else has. ORRRR, you could go to Get A Grip, let them take their fat upcharge, and end up with something worse, that looks just like the ones all the other weight weenies are riding past North Avenue Beach.
I honestly cannot imagine any reason why I would ever go back here. Not for service, and DEFINITELY not to drop a few grand on an overpriced fitting and a prêt-​à-​porter bike. My favorite little bike service shop, Lakeshore Bike, lists on their website that one of their services is an attitude adjustment, for the sweet price of only $ 1. I’d happily pay $ 20 for the entire staff of Get A Grip to have one. Maybe it would help them «get a grip» on their inflated egos.

I just had a great experience with Get A Grip on Irving Park. After my LBS, Iron Cycles, closed their local store, I was left without much of an option for super-​near-​by bike shops. With some recent back problems, I knew I needed to change the geometry of my bike but definitely didn’t want to get sold into buying a bunch of new parts (or, even worse, a new bike… I don’t know how I’d come home and explain that to my wife).
I set up a fitting with GAG after a 10 minute conversation on the phone in which the tech was extremely polite, asking questions and making sure he understood what the issue was and what he thought was the best option for me.
I showed up early today and Adam took me through the immediate and easily-​fixable problems with my bike. Some of the stuff I should’ve was a no brainer after he made the adjustment. We had scheduled between an hour and an hour and a half, but Adam found the answers to making my ride much more comfortable in less than half of that time. While we agreed to a price beforehand, he pro-​rated it and the total cost came out to be a TON less than I expected to walk away paying.
We’re going to be bringing my wife’s bike in next to do a fitting for her — I could not be more excited to get back to riding comfortably and highly recommend GAG as a great option.
PS — looking at some of the other reviews, it seems like there was an aura of ‘bike snobbery’ that people felt there. I can tell you as an intermediate at best rider that I felt nothing of the sort, so if that problem existed before, set your mind at ease (or ask for Adam).

Urban cyclist here. I know a bit about biking, but by no means an expert.
The places has its faults. It’s not open all the time; getting something fixed ASAP is hit or miss; prices are not the cheapest.
That said, Adam uses top-​notch parts, makes appropriate suggestions, and consistently teaches you something. I know I’m paying a bit of a premium, but most of the time, it’s been worth it in the long run.

I am a recreational cyclist who, for years, suffered debilitating knee pain from road cycling. Things had gotten so bad that I’d have to take weeks off the bike and could barely walk at times.
After dozens of failed attempts to resolve the knee issue myself using web resources, I finally ponied up the cash to get a fitting from Adam at a Get-​a-​Grip. I have been riding pain free since then. I could have asked for nothing more.
To clarify some other people’s concerns about the service at this location — the Fulton Avenue shop is a fitting studio, not a full service bike shop. For tuneups and the like, go to Kozy’s or some other local shop.

Let me start off by saying I am a recreational cyclist. I ride my bike to and from places I want to get to, usually not more than a few miles here and there. I don’t race bikes, I’ll never race bikes, and the bike I own cost me about $ 300.
I built my bike myself and wanted to have it checked out by a professional. I called Get a Grip Cycles at about noon on a weekday. I explained my situation, said I could be there in 15 minutes, and was told to come down to the shop.
I showed up exactly 15 minutes after calling and rolled my bike into the shop. The 1 person working at Get a Grip Cycles was with a customer for a «fitting». Apparently bicycle fittings are this shops bread and butter, and they couldn’t care less about anyone else that walks in as the guy stared at me like I had 2 heads. I explained that I was the person who just called 15 minutes ago about getting my bike checked out. The guy told me he was busy and couldn’t check the bike out today, but I could leave it overnight if I wanted to. I asked how much an evaluation would cost and was quoted the tune-​up price of $ 95. No thanks.
Why would they tell me to come down to the shop if they were busy all day?
I rolled my bike up to Kozy’s Cyclery about 6 blocks away and was taken care of immediately. Their rates are lower and their staff is much more friendly.
If you’re the Lance Armstrong type looking to wear spandex shorts and tight zip-​up shirts on a quest to be the best at riding bikes, maybe this place is for you. If you’re a casual bike rider who just wants their bike fixed, don’t bother with Get A Grip Cycles.

I’m amazed at negative reviews here — this shop is awesome! They have a great selection of bikes and gear and the employees are all knowledgeable and very friendly. I bought my Orbea carbon-​fiber frame here 3 years ago and the fit, re-​fits and service have been great from day one.
I’m treated like a friend here — and I am NOT wealthy. My bike has Shimano 105 components on it so it’s not like I’m a Campagnolo guy (though I dream about it).
The staff here will give you ALL the technical information you could ever ask for about their products and also share their personal preferences and experiences on different items. I’m treated like a friend here and because of that and their service (and the fact that they’ve told me NOT to buy certain expensive things from them they said I didn’t need) I trust them to take care of me.
Yes their stuff is expensive, but you don’t go to a Lexus dealer looking for a Chevy so stop whining. If you want a high quality bike, a professional fit, great equipment, gear or service then this is your go-​to place in Chicago.

Nice place to fix my bike and the price was right. The guys are pretty helpful. They weren’t done with the bike exactly when they said but it was Memorial day so I will be them a break.
Thanks

This place carries all the best stuff if you’re wanting to drool over higher end racing-​focused cycling gear. The bikes they carry hit every niche for an upper end cycling experience– a very well thought out range of makers. If you are in that niche, there’s no better brick and mortar shop and this place is 5 stars. I’m happy a shop like that can exist in this day and age.
This place doesn’t intend to be your local do-​all bike shop. What it does intend to do, it does very well. If you want a racing bike or above, this place is certainly worth a shot.

This shop is located right down Irving and came in on the Readers Best Of list for 2011. I’ve taken my bike here twice and was not impressed. First time I had a problem with a derailer and the problem wasn’t corrected. A second time, I took it in for a tune up and had tires/​tubes thrown on. It was then I realized I needed to start doing more myself because they victimized me. 1. They left the rear break cable untrimmed so it was brushing against my cranks as I peddled. The tube, for which they charged 15.99, was too big. Also they couldn’t be bothered to put caps on the valve stems, which come with the tubes. On top of that, the «techs» are snobby and dealt with me as if I was an annoyance because I wasn’t riding a carbon fiber bike.
Tuned the bike up myself this year, with some parts and advice from The Bike Lane on Milwaukee. Three tubes ran 15.00. The guys were straight up and helpful even though I’m just a jamoke who rides for the utility of it.
Get a grip is to be avoided.