BUYING A BIKE

Our Bike Buying Process

Our bike selection

Assembling an inventory of bikes is a process of balancing market offerings, vendor availability, and customer demand. We offer a selection of popular and niche categories in the store, however we cannot possibly stock all that our vendors offer. In fact, many of the bikes we’ve sold, including most bikes you see in the accompanying photos, were special-ordered for each individual client.

Because bike buying is a highly individual, sometimes lengthy, and occasionally personal process, we encourage you to set up an appointment during which you’ll get the undivided attention of an experienced staff member.

Our Bike Buying Process

With the exception of folding bikes, and select clearance models, most bicycles we carry are not available to be shipped, and must be purchased in a face to face transaction at our brick-and-mortar location. This is so for a number of reasons:

1. For many bikes, it is contractually required in Dealer Agreements between us and our vendors.

2. Even more importantly, this is how we believe bicycles are meant to be sold. It’s the only way we can ensure that we’re doing our job: to make certain that the bicycle you purchase from Cosmic Bikes fits you, is well suited to your intended use, and that you are familiar with its collection of features and systems.

3. Bicycles are fundamentally different from any other commonly purchased retail product. Unlike jeans, books, or pet supplies, etc., all bicycles require thorough, professional assembly to function properly and safely.

To us, your bike purchase not the end of the line, but a beginning of a relationship, and it's definitely one you should feel good about. This requires a personal approach, that goes something like this:

• We start with discussion of your specific needs. Are you looking for a city commuting bike, and long-haul adventure vehicle, a fitness machine, or a workhorse that can do it all? Or does your bike need to carry several members of your family, or perhaps be able to go anywhere that you go?

• Fitting and adjustments for personalized fit. Since few of us fall within the range of “average”, we look beyond the frame size printed on the sticker, and work with you to optimize your comfort on the bike of your choice by modifying certain key components, including the saddle, stem, handlebar, pedals and sometimes even tires.

• If the bike you choose is in stock and assembled, in most cases, you’ll be able to ride out the same day after we’ve completed any needed modifications.

• If not, we will order you the right bike with a full deposit. When your new bike arrives, we will assemble it, have it ready for you to test-ride, and make any further needed modifications. In some cases, you may need to ride a bike for a week or two before you discover that additional tweaking is needed. The labor on any such modifications is included in your original purchase price.

Each bicycle purchased from us is covered by our extremely comprehensive New Bicycle Service Plan.

Our commitment

We are not an anonymous mega-store pulling bikes from a middle-of-nowhere warehouse. We —Justyna and Chris, who run this real brick-and-mortar Chicago neighborhood store— are extremely conscientious, and each have three decades of experience in helping customers find the right bike. We and our staff perform the assembly, fitting, consulting and repair services, to make sure you get the most out of your bike long after you've completed your purchase.

Over the years, we've definitely found some bikes we like, but we try not to get too hung up on brands and components. We care a little less about particular bikes, and a whole lot more about what bikes do for people, and about what they can do for our communities. There’s no such thing as The Best Bike; it’s the one that best for you.

But there are different types of bikes, and before you buy one, take the time to honestly and thoroughly evaluate your cycling needs. We’ve compiled a lot of helpful advice in our Bike Buying Guide, and we're here in person to help you find what you need.