Amling’s Cycle

I have purchased 2 recumbents from Amlings Bike Shop. I couldn’t have asked for better service or more quality merchandise. The shop delivers bikes often, which is unusual customer service. They customize bikes for the handicapped and other clients who need extra help. They really know the bike business and they can help anyone looking to improve their biking with a recumbent.

This place is pretty dope. The old chick that works there gives off a bit of a racist attitude but other than that, the dudes are nice. they know how to deal w bikes very well.

I agree w/​S R.‘s review — Amling’s customer service is outstanding!
My wife’s purchase of a recumbent TerraTrike («TT») from Amling’s last year is the best $ we’ve spent to rehab from medical issues. While we’re frugal shoppers (OK we’re cheap), Amling’s great customer service has provided us far greater value than any money we may (and I emphasize may) have saved buying from a lower cost seller.
First we received excellent advice regarding which trike was best for my wife without any pressure to buy. Amling’s then made sure her TT Rambler fit my wife, including free after sale adjustments, which increased her comfort, safety & in turn the amount of riding she’s done. They suggested sensible solutions like clip-​in pedals & shoes. They sponsored & invited her to participate in TT rides & other events. Amling’s provides free support for cyclists at other rides we did like Evanston’s North Shore Century rides, Bike the Drive & Harmon Hundred. Last Xmas Amling’s sold us a great trike trainer.
Our best example of Amling’s care for a customer occurred 12÷12÷14 when I took my wife & her trike to do their Toys for Tots ride. Julie (co-​owner) spotted my wife out of 125+ riders & nicely suggested she consider doing the ride on their demo tandem trike. Julie’s suggestion was greatly appreciated — a much safer solution for my wife’s insistence on cycling 12 miles during rush hour on a cold, dreary morning. Julie provided both the tandem & a co-​pilot (Bill, their mechanic — who also adjusted the tandem to fit her — thanks again!), which eased my concerns. My wife was thrilled to participate & rode 24 miles, which was completely unimaginable 18 months ago! Julie, Joe, Bill & the rest of Amling’s staff are great people we are very fortunate to have met! I highly, highly recommend doing business with Amling’s!

I ordered a few items for my TerraTrike from Amlings.
10 days later, and 4 days before my trip, I had no items, and had not received any notifications since my initial confirmation email.
I called the store, and the associate notified me that one of the items were out of stock and the order was on hold, and would ship the next day.
The website states: «Most orders are shipped within 3 business days. We will notify you by email if the product is not in stock.»
When I pointed out that I had not received any notification, the associate was apathetic, offered no apology, and simply asked if I still wanted the items.
He would not even entertain expedited shipping to compensate for their screw-​up and the close proximity to my departure.
This was my first and last shopping experience with Amlings

I recently injured my wrist right before I was supposed to go on a week long bike trip which meant the only way I could do the ride was on a recumbent where I didn’t have to put pressure on my wrist. I live in NJ, and I was going to ride in Iowa, but they went out of their way to make everything work out. The staff was super helpful in helping me get a bike I could use for the trip, getting it set up properly, and doing it all quickly and efficiently so I could start on time. Could not have done it without them!

I wanted to say that the customer service is outstanding. On Sunday my child seat seemed to be not working properly
” I forgot how to use it «but, joe took my phone call and before closing said I could stop by. So I rushed over and brought the bike in and he showed me how to secure the seat for my child’s safety and he really displayed a Caring attitude which was nice to see in a cycle business. I highly recommend using this store as a place to buy, Service or just look into items on the nice show room floor.
Thank you again
Sam with the Topeka bike seat

Just bought my first recumbent! Even though I live in Chicago next to the lake, I drove all the way out there because they are apparently THE people to go to. She was really patient with me as I had to relearn how to ride a bike! I’m 5’1″ and they were great about adjusting the bikes to fit for me to test. They even had to change the seat and the crankshaft out so that I fit into the bike I wanted (and didn’t charge me for the change outs). I came in around 2pm and she said they had been up since 4am for a race and were a bit tired. I was there till 5 or 6 getting the bike all set up (I think they closed at 5?), and I felt bad but they were really good about it. They also seem really active in the community. While I was there, a customer even came in with a thank you cake for being so great to her. My bike comes with 2 free tune ups too which is nice.
I don’t recommend purchasing a bike lock from them, they don’t carry the best. I ended up going to Johnny Sprockets, which is pretentious, but they actually test all their locks.
Also seriously why aren’t they open on Sundays.

I bought my bike «Giant» there a few years ago. I enjoyed the employees kindness and knowledge as they helped pick the right bike for me. Its been years later and I am still riding my bike with no issues! I just called to have my first tune up, which as stated in previous rating are life time
After dropping off my bike and picking it up the next day, I was charged $ 92 dollars for my tune up. Apparently, they NO LONGER do lifetime tune ups. I was very disappointed and did not expect to pay $ 92. I was not even told it would cost that much, my assumption was that it was free. I was told there was a letter sent out to customers about three years ago.
I left the store livid.

Terrible. Arrogant college age mechanics and lack luster service.

I discovered this place by searching for recumbent bike shops in the Chicagoland area. Turns out, it is the only one dedicated exclusively to recumbents… all kinds of recumbents. They even consign recumbents, which is nice to know if I decide to sell mine. The guy who owns the place is helpful. He spent about an hour showing me different bikes and trikes (I didn’t know there was such a thing until then) and allowing me to ride them around in the neighborhood. I mean, my car wasn’t worth as much as one of the trikes I rode! The lady who works there isn’t very friendly, but she’s o.k. The bike repair guys are helpful, though not entirely thorough. I paid for a tune up and as soon as I got home my chain and my mirror fell off.
Yes, the recumbents are tres expensive. But to say that is like going into a Mercedes shop and complaining about how expensive the cars are. These bikes and trikes are not made on assembly lines like the junk you get at Walmart.
One problem, and this is not a fault of the owners. A trike I bought is now out of business, so parts and accessories are impossible to find. So, I’ve got to unload my trike and buy something else and there is simply nothing like it around. :-(

WAY overpriced… paid more then double what I paid another bike shop in the past to do identical work… BUT my mistake… I should have gotten the price from them BEFORE allowing them to do the work. Make sure you do the same!

Great shop, almost all recumbents. I’ve bought parts and had some service done. It’s always done right the first time. Knowlegeable service people. Gonna actually «buy» a bike there someday.

Very nice bike shop, full of recumbents and uprights. Amlings has the best selection of recumbents I’ve seen in the burbs. Julie was a very knowledgeable and helpful salesperson, and Joe, the prop, was also very helpful. The recumbent trike I bought is working out very well.

Lots of bikes, recumbents and recumbent trikes. An awesome bike shop. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I’ve bought 2 bikes here so far and am very pleased. The service is very efficient.

Not sure when they changed, but we didn’t see Schwinns at Amlings (but they did not, as in the previous post, have a big selection). Walked in, started to look around and a salesperson came over and asked what we were looking for. «We’re looking for bikes for both our kids,» said the hubby.
«Give me a second, and I’ll be right back, I want to be able to give you some idea of what we can offer you.»
A few minutes later, the kid is unscrewing the bolt on the 20″ kids’ bike and asking us to have our daughter check it out. So, it seems that she’s ready for a 20″ bike. Good to know. «Let me find a 16″ inch so we can try your son with that.» Moments later, he’s back and my son is trying out a 16″, ta-​da! perfect fit!
Okay, the long and short of it… LIFETIME tune-​ups on bikes purchased! HUGE for the lazies in my house! (2 stars)
Kids bikes, if you need to buy a new one within three years, and buy from them, you get ¹⁄₃ or the original price of the bike towards your new bike! DING-​DING-​DING for the cheap-​skate (ME!) (1 more star)
Bikes not in stock, they order them but you don’t have to pay for them until you see them and decide if you like them. DING-​DING-​DING! (2 stars!)
All in all, great experience! We ordered the kids’ bikes, and they should be in by midweek so we can check them out. Our intention, however, is to make the purchase from Amlings and continue to give them business.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RETAILERS!
Oh, and if you’re into Recumbant bikes, DAMN! I’ve never seen so many in one place!

Nice little neighborhood bicycle shop. Mostly specialize in Schwinn but they do have some other brands. Staff is friendly and helpful. Service is quick and efficient.
Pros: Parking, Staff, Location.
Cons: Limited Brands
Cost: $$ of 5
Overall Rating: 4 of 5
Recommendation: Recommended