Prairie Path Cycles

Decided to reward long work hours by having Mike and Mary Lee build an Emonda for me. Could not be happier! They dialed in all the bits and pieces, tweaked until the fit was perfect, and got it all done at a great price. Enjoying the bike immensely! Thanks Prairie Path!

Customer service is terrible. Just walked around the store for 30 minutes and not once was I asked if I needed help.

Not sure about how the prices are on the bikes they sell are, but they do a good job fixing them if you ever need it done.

My second year into duathlon, my older brother was talk with me about trying out a road bike. I was not sure about. They let me rent a road bike to try and even was able to rent it for the race. After that, I was out shopping for a road bike and I went to their Batavia store but they didn’t have the bike. We end up at there other store in Winfield and the manager there, saw my shirt, and said I have a bike with that same lime green. I ended up buying it! Love my road bike! I used to live close to their Winfield store but have move to Downers Grove, to this day, I will drive to their store for any bike repairs. They are a small business with great services! I trust my bike to them! I even got the clip pedals at their Batavia store from Mike.

I have an electric bicycle that I put together from various internet sources, and was having a problem with spokes breaking. This wasnt a matter of me being rough on the bike… it was a matter of torque. Putting a big guy on a 28 inch wheel just leads to problems to begin with. Add short spokes from the electric hub into the mix, and that’s just begging for problems.
These guys worked with me for a long time experimenting until we found a combination that worked: a tandem rim and 12-​gage spokes. Since then, I’ve logged thousands of miles on that rim with no problems.
We have all our bikes taken care of here. They are not the cheapest place to service bikes, but they have a great set of mechanics that can handle the wear and tear that big people put on their bikes.
Make sure you dont rush them if you want their best work. They will go the extra mile for a loyal customer.

You get what you pay for. Trek bikes are excellent and all of the gear they sell is quality. I have been getting my tune-​ups there as well and everything is top notch.

I stopped in on Sunday to find a fitness bike for myself and they had not assembled bike in my size. I didn’t feel cared for, or listened to. They were really getting ready to close and it was a nice Sunday — so I don’t know … but as a first impression they failed to convince me to shop and buy ther.

I bought my first real bike here in March. My previous bikes were big box store bikes. You know the type. Heavy, clunky, cheaply made. Never put together right. Having a real bike is amazing. It’s like going from driving a gremlin to a Mercedes. The salesmen were not pushy. I told them what type of bike I wanted. They explained the differences between the types of bikes. I did not want a «Granny» bike. Or a girly looking bike. I ended up getting a men’s bike. The women’s frames they had in stock were too small for me. (I“m 5’10″) I bought the Trek Gary Fisher 8.2. Silver. It’s beautiful. Powerful. Fast. Maybe too fast. I had the bike for less than a month when I crashed. I hit some mud at the bottom of a hill and wiped out. Broken Ankle. Surgery. Almost 13 weeks later I was ready to ride again. I brought my bike back to Prairie path cycles. Colin checked it out for me. Even took if for a test ride. He told me that everything was fine. My bike was safe to ride. Colin even helped me put my bike on my car bike rack. The check up was free. Excellent service here. These guys are so good to me every time I come in. I had previously gone in to have one of my crappy bikes looked at it. No charge. I also made an apparel purchase here. I’ve never had a negative experience at this store. It is not a cheap store. You get quality bikes here. You get what you pay for. This store does has the best prices in the area. I checked around at several stores before I chose Prairie Path. I’m happy I chose this store. I recommend it to anyone who wants a great bike and even better service.

Winfield is an awfully long way to go for a bicycle, especially when the Fox Valley corridor has more bike shops than you can shake a stick at. But after I made the decision to invest in a solid introductory road bike, I researched everything from Batavia to Oak Park and Mundelein for the prime store. Prairie Path came up golden.
I narrowed down my shopping decision to a Trek frame, and I was stuck between a prior year’s model discounted at the Downers Grove Trek store and the newer model sold at Prairie Path. In part, the Trek store’s callous disinterest in me as a fairly new cyclist sealed my choice to look elsewhere. In exchange for my willingness to part with upwards of $ 1,600 on a quality bike and accessories, I needed some help. I had a list of reasonable questions and probably a number of foolish ones to a dedicated pedal-​head, a tidy list of specifications I needed to meet, and gear I wanted to buy. The salesperson at Prairie Path heard me out on my choices, looked over my list, and asked if I wanted to walk around the store to feel out what they had or if I wanted assistance the whole way.
Quoi? Real, full service care in this day in age? I think I stared at him like he grew cat ears and started singing the Soviet national anthem.
Putting myself in Prairie Path’s expert hands was one of the best buying decisions I ever made. With the no pressure techniques, the manager himself came out and walked with me to see the bikes in my budget. He started off by actually watching me walk to get a sense of my gait and balance. After being measured for a frame, we found I was between two (at 5’11″, this isn’t a surprise) and he pulled out a variety of options for me to sit until we found just the right height. Never mind other customers were coming in on a gorgeous afternoon, he was determined I would walk out with something that fit me perfectly. I appreciated that as we bounced between 1.3s and 1.5s, and he gently corrected my form even while stationary to assure the best overall fit.
All the while, he reviewed my questions one by one, educating me on the differences between dérailleur sets and cushy seats or streamlined seats. He was patient and enthusiastic. Staff didn’t try to upsell me or push something on me I didn’t need. I wasn’t sure on storage space (basket, saddle bags, rat trap?) and we came up with an expandable solution to meet my needs. I saved $ 80 not getting saddle bags off the bat — a good thing, as a change of jobs makes bike commuting impossible.
Once I purchased me shiny new Trek bike, I cycled a bit awkwardly around the parking lot while another associate checked my posture, made the necessary adjustments, and decided the cycling shoes I had weren’t clipping in properly. A few more swaps and fiddling gave me the smoothest ride this side of a waterpark. Cycling felt natural and comfortable, minus the penchant to look up every few seconds instead of stare at the ground. That’s something which comes with time.
Like Jennifer P notes, Prairie Path shows you basic assembly and disassembly, transportation, and equipment use. I wish I had signed up for a class on basic maintenance like fixing a flat, an area I feel insufficiently educated in. But they made certain I wasn’t riding away without a good understanding for my investment, a comfortable ride, and most of all, a bike that fit my lifestyle and skills. They told me to come back if anything felt amiss when I was riding — well, I’m happy to say it’s all smooth riding (minus my own physical limits, as I’m not the most graceful sylph ever).
Well worth the additional drive, Prairie Path shows how business should be done.

I came to Prairie Path under the recommendation of a coworker (her brother used to work there, and the whole family bikes). After only having bikes from big-​box retailers, I wanted to purchase my very first Big Girl bike.
I had a good idea of what I was looking for — probably a Trek 7.1 (as was recommended by the coworker’s brother) — but wanted a recommendation and a proper fitting. I was greeted by the manager shortly after I arrived and explained what I was looking for. She did recommend the 7.1 to me, but I was also given the 7.2 and 7.4 to test out. She asked my height (5’9″-10″) and declared that I needed a 22″ frame. Ultimately she handed me off to a younger female associate, but also helped here and there when she didn’t think the seat was raised properly for my test rides.
They took their time with me and patiently answered all of my questions — even the ones that were probably stupid («Someone told me…» «My friend who rides a road bike says…» and «I read on a bike forum…»). Some extra add-​ons were suggested for comfort, functionality, and safety, but nothing was ever pushed on me. (Coming from a retail background where we were told to push add-​ons, I appreciated that.) I did end up purchasing the 7.1. Before I left I was shown how to remove and re-​mount the front wheel on my bike to transport it, how to adjust the seat height, and how to operate the lights and odometer I purchased. I also got help loading the bike into my car trunk.
When I got home I excitedly took my new ride for a spin. I went for about 8 miles, but I was extremely uncomfortable the whole time — I felt like a little kid trying to ride a big kid’s bike! The frame height just seemed uncomfortable to me. I was worried about clearing the top of the frame and could just foresee me missing one of these days, knocking it with my knee or shin, and toppling over. Moreover, I just wasn’t excited about the bike. I knew I shouldn’t feel that way about the brand new bike I had been looking forward to for months now.
After my ride, I did a little poking around on the Trek website, as well as a few bike forums and bike enthusiast websites, and found that the recommended frame height for someone my height with my inseam (33″-34″) is 19″-20″ (at most 21″, with many seemingly experienced bikers stating that sometimes it’s better to err a bit smaller for the sake of comfort). I was disappointed that no one at Prairie suggested I even try a 20″ frame and compare it with the feel of a 22″ frame on my test rides yesterday.
So, today I went in and explained to the younger female associate I had worked with yesterday that I felt uncomfortable on the bike and asked if I could try the 20″ frame. I was given a 7.2 to test ride, and found the 20″ frame to be much more comfortable. She was very willing to exchange the 22″ 7.1 for me (she also helped me get it out of my trunk) and discuss whether or not I should pay a little more for the 7.2. It seemed she and the store owner [?] both though it wasn’t necessary, which is also honest of them, since that would be an extra $ 80 or so in their pocket.
Since they had the 20″ frame of the 7.1 in stock yet not assembled, she told me they could assemble the bike for me and that it would take around 40 minutes to do so. I did a little grocery shopping with the anticipation they’d call me back within an hour or so, but didn’t get a call back for over 2 hours. By then, I had to leave for a family situation, so I’ll be picking up my bike tomorrow.
In all I appreciate the time they devoted to me, my silly n00b questions, the ease in which they allowed me to test ride bikes, their friendliness, and their honesty. I was disappointed that I wasn’t technically «measured» for a bike nor, given my n00b status, was I encouraged to try out different frame sizes. Despite the drawbacks, I think I still feel relatively comfortable with Prairie Path and think they’d offer some helpful suggestions and feedback in the future as I break in this bike. I also can’t deny the Father’s Day/​Weekend deals I got (see my Tip); I spent much less than I had anticipated I would!

Bought a Bike for my husband for Christmas. Great Service. Good prices. Very knowledgeable.

These guys are great. I bought an internet tri bike and brought it to this store for assembly and fitting. I worked with Rob, who definitely knows his stuff and was a joy to work with. There prices are extremely reasonable (less than $ 200 for assembly, fit and a set of steel pedals with cages). I will be returning to this store for future repair/​maintenance work and whatever other bike do-​dads i need.

By far my most favorite bike shop ever. I have been to them all, I have price checked them all, I have met many of the people in the business around the area, and none of them have come close to treating me the way that Prairie Path does. Probably not the shop if you are looking for a bike in the $ 100 range, but if you have $ 200 then this is the place to start. Remember, you aren’t getting a Schwinn, Huffy, or NEXT from this place. You are getting a bike that is manufactured by the #1 manufacturer in the world, Trek. You are getting a bike that is just right for you, at a really good price for the quality of the bike.
The owners, Mike and Mary Lee, are two of the best people I have ever met in my life. They are so much fun and they won’t rip you off. They are great people. Their techs are bar none some of the best I have had the privilege of using. Rob is top notch, not many better than him in the world! Their sales staff is professional yet fun. They know their product, and if it isn’t on the floor, they have a shop in Batavia that just might have it. If they do, they will bring it over if you don’t want to drive 10 miles down Geneva Rd. And if neither shop doesn’t have it, no worries, they can order it and in most cases have it the following week.
If you are looking for a bike to cruise around on or head down the Prairie Path, or looking for a bike that will get you in shape, or a bike you can race the mean streets of Chicago on, or a mountain bike to take off road and get dirty on, they have it, and they have a very good range of bikes starting from entry level all the way up to the extreme pro level.
Go in, talk to Ken, Mary Lee, Mike, Mike, Sean, or the others, you will not be disappointed. Amazing group of people! I can’t thank them enough.

I can’t say enough good things about this shop. Having bought my last two bikes here I will continue to purchase here for the great service. I really appreciate the way the staff here knows the ins and outs about cycling and also how to fit a bike to me. I appreciate how I haven’t pressured into buying anything I didn’t need as well. All and all a great shop!

Great selection… but many stores around Dupage, Kane county do as well. What sets them apart to me is the service. Even when they are swamped they take time to ensure your treated as if your the only customer thats there.

Didn’t have what I was looking for. Has happened before in the past as well. I think they are more of a clothing and repairs place. Roof racks, pedals, pedal cages, and some other specifics have been beyond their scope for me.
Great location from the Prairie Path.

I had to get a bike fast since I was in town for just a few days. I wanted a Madone but the one in the Winfield store was for another customer. They had one in their other store which they went and got for me. They had me riding within 2 hours. Great service. Very Friendly, they told me about some local rides which I was able to join. Plus they support one of the local race teams.
This store is top notch.

They’ve moved locations within the same strip mall to a larger showroom and detached repair office, but the service remains top notch.
Dropped the bike off for its annual tuneup. I found a free tune-​up coupon I’d never used when I originally bought the bike years ago. They accepted it no problem and had my bike in line for the bike doctor in short order.
Next summer I’ll drop it off sooner — it seems that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, has their bike in for repairs, so I’l be waiting a week to get mine back.

I have bought multiple bikes from this shop and have been a customer since they were known for selling Schwinn bikes. I have never had a bad experience with the shop and would recommend anyone to go there if they are in need of a bike or just some help.
New bikes are put together professionally and come with two free tune-​ups for that next year. Service on the bikes is great and have brought in my bike more than a few times to get tuned up and new parts put on. The workers know what they are talking about and are very passionate about their work, which helps out a lot when finding a bike.
The location of the shop is perfect for Prairie Path riders and they have a great selection for road and hybrid bikes. Smaller selections on the mountain and BMX bikes are no problem since they can order any bike or part and have them in within a week.
Overall, great business and a great bike shop.

They sell mostly new Trek bikes here, but they also have some used ones and are really good at helping you figure out what to get. We gotten a bike for a kid, a tagalong bike (the kind that hooks to the back of your bike and the kid pedals) and a grownup bike. They really take their time with you and don’t make you feel pressured.
The repair center is NOT at this location, it’s about 10 doors down in the same strip mall. They have a sign in front of the shop telling you that.
This is not far from the prairie path crossing at Geneva and Winfield Road, so if you are on the path and need some bike help you can go here!