Oscar Wastyn Cycles

good friendly staff and service. wasn’t there to look at bikes or bike parts. went in for tri-​flow lubricant for my car and they were very informative and seems to know their stuff!

I can only speak to this store’s repair services, but my experience couldn’t have gone any smoother. I walked in on my lunch break with a flat rear tire (I popped a tube on my ride to work nearby), and between 5 – 10 minutes later, I had paid and left with a bike that was once again roadworthy.
The cost of the replacement tube, labor, and tax came to $ 16 flat, which is perfectly reasonable. If I ever pop a tube while riding to work again, which seems likely given the condition of Chicago roads, I’ll be back in a heartbeat.

Had a chance to work with Oscar Wastyn yesterday. It was just simply a master class in customer service and expertise. I am not in any way affiliated with this shop. I simply get my haircuts across the street and needed a bike. Oscar was helpful and walked me through bits of history, security for my bike, helmet,… the whole thing.
I think a couple reviewers on here think that they somehow deserve some kind of special treatment. This guy is the real deal. The 1910 fixie on the wall gives him license to school you if he thinks it will do you some good and you should be glad for the experience. Bikes are not my thing. I regurgitated a whole bunch of stuff I have seen my friends do and say and needless to say I was wrong. Oscar just smiled and shook his head and then proceeded to take his time to teach me the real deal.
This is an old school 4^th generation Chicago bike shop. Goofs and entitled AH’s go elsewhere.

The dude and the other dude know their shit.

If you wish to engage in doofus hipster bs, or gangbanging bs, pass it on. If you want an expert to help you purchase the right bike for you, at a fair price, this is the place. If you want expert repairs done on your bike, this is the place. These people know their business, and they don’t have time for, or tolerance of goofs of any ilk.

The older gentleman in here is always in a foul mood. I’ve been in a handful of time to ask questions and he’s always incredibly (maybe even impressively?) rude.
After being condescending for a few minutes and helpfully explaining how I don’t know what a bike is, he refused to measure me for a bike. He told me «when you’re ready to buy a bike we can get that all figured out.» I’m still trying to figure out why I thought I was there.
The air is free — so that’s cool. Just try not to make conversation when you go in and you’ll be ok.

I am taken aback from the language used in some of the negative reviews. I do not respect reviews with a nasty attitude. I have gone to this shop for years. I have never been overcharged, have gotten good advice (when I was willing to buy a new bike from him I was told there was no good reason to give up my old one), and have always been happy with the service. On occasion they fix my bike while I wait and have made adjustments at no charge. And, I like everyone who works there.

These guys are really, really nice and helpful. Helped me with everything and down-​sold me instead of up.

As a daily city bike rider, flat tires are part of daily life. I have been to nearly all bike shops on the north side to have inter tubes fixed on the fly so that I can get on the road again. Wastyn is always the quickest and cheapest to get the work done. They don’t have the longest hours and they aren’t the closest to my home but when the inevitable happens a quick trip to Wastyn and $ 16 later (compared to $ 23-​$ 24 at other local spots) I am on my way. Even though I don’t want to, I’m sure I’ll see them soon.

I helped a friend buy a bike here. It was a very old school experience, and judging by the reviews I think some people don’t really understand how that works or are unwilling/​unable to handle it. It sort of reminded me of that scene in the Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino where he takes the kid to his barber and teaches him how to trade barbs with the guy. Granted, I didn’t actually trade barbs with Oscar, (aka the guy other reviews simply refer to as «the old guy»), but I could see where his lack of youthful exuberance could be mis-​identified as rudeness by people less experienced with this type of place.
I found the staff to be very knowledgable and, overall, helpful. Even «the old guy» was quite helpful once he realized I was the kind of guy who understood this kind of place and knew enough about bikes to ask intelligent questions, but also knew where the limits of my own knowledge were.
I don’t ride often myself, and I live a block from a Kozy, so I probably won’t have need to be back very often just from a practical standpoint, but if I lived nearby and/​or was an avid rider myself, I think I’d prefer Oscar Wastyn over places like Boulevard Bikes. There’s nothing wrong with Boulevard Bikes and places like it, but I just prefer the old-​school feel of Oscar Wastyn. If you know how places like that work, you get great service from very knowledgable staff in a more relaxed atmosphere. But you do have to have the confidence to ask for what you want and banter a bit.
I personally felt I received five-​star service. However, I’m giving it four stars because even though I understand and even sometimes enjoy the old-​school style they have, I know that ends up intimidating a lot of younger people who aren’t well-​versed in the old-​school style and five stars requires service that can be universally appreciated.
In short, definitely consider them for your bike needs, just come prepared to approach them on their terms.

I bought a bike from Oscar Wastyn about 3 ½ years ago from the older «grumpy» man. Who I will say was very helpful and was trying to down sell me on a bike. He didn’t think I needed the better components, which I thought I did. I’ve been riding my bike all year for about 18 years and knew what salt did to cheaper parts. He understood and sold me what I wanted. We chatted about all the trends with bikes and bikers. I was very happy with my transaction. I came back for the free tune-​up and the younger mechanic who help me was very good and asked about any trouble before he started the tune up. I’ve been going back since then and they have always been very helpful and charge fair prices.
I thought I would write in since I was just there buying new tires for my bike. I had called ahead to make sure they had what I wanted and they put them on hold for me. Walked in said hi, got my gear plus some other stuff, which both younger and older Wastyn pitch in about the benefits of different parts. I was out in 10 minutes with exactly what I wanted. Plus the tires where cheaper by $ 5 each than the best I saw on the Internet. I saw some of the bad reviews and I really don’t get it.

Gotta say I’m amazed at the mixed reviews. I started coming to the shop about two years ago when I was looking for a bike for my daughter. The staff was very helpful and patient even though we opted not to buy a bike. I came back a month ago to buy my own cycle. The allegedly grumpy old man was very helpful and pleasant to chat with. There was no hard sell just good advice. They ensured that I knew the basics of the bike before I left and I rode home happy.

I went in on Saturday to bring my 20 year old bike for a tune-​up, which I do every year at this time here. Saw a BEAUTIFUL Schwinn in the window and HAD TO HAVE IT!
Went back and got it Sunday. Everyone there was just great! Great customer service, great education on how to care for my new bike, great price. I am very petite (5′) and have always had a hard time finding a bike that fits comfortably. They took the time to size me on a few bikes. Also got a nice history of the area since the family has been there for over 100 years. My family has only been in Logan Square for 90 years! I got my first Schwinn there when I was 10 and wouldn’t think about going anywhere else. Comes with a 30 day tune-​up. Rode home happy!

After some very bad experiences with Rapid Transit on North Avenue, I took my bike to Oscar Wastyn to be repaired. They fixed a bike that Rapid Transit told me was «unfixable».
This is an old-​school shop from the days before «One Less Car» pomposity. When it was time for a new bike, this is where I bought it, and this where I’ve had it serviced ever since.

It gets two stars out of respect for Oscar’s father, Emil Wastyn, who designed the original Schwinn Paramount.
That said… wow the apple fell far from the tree.
I ride everyday, conditions be damned. I live in Logan Square. I like local bike shops. I’m happy to pay a little more than I see stuff advertised for online, b/​c I can support a local business, and they have overhead.
I’ve dealt with many a LBS employee. Usually, the assholes are the younger kids. I’m older than the frame you’re riding, sonny. You’re paid to fix them, but I know just as much about bottom brackets as you do. I hate those people. I’m not a hipster. I like to eat too much to fit into skinny jeans. I wear a helmet. I don’t have a singlespeed bike. I don’t look like I have a singlespeed bike. I was really excited that this place was in Logan Square, but didn’t seem like a hipster bike shop. I really was.
So, I was appropriately shocked when I came in, looking for a presta to schrader adapter (the little one that screws onto the end of a presta valve so normal, non Frenchified air pumps can be used). After wandering around the shop for a few minutes, I was greeted by an older guy, who I must say, puts every younger LBS employee to shame with what a total jackass he was. I came in asking if this was the Wastyn shop, the Paramount family shop. He was a total dickhead. Read that again: I was (and did) trying to heap praise on the shop, I got back «yeah this is that shop, now what do you want?»
I would have walked out then, but I sadly needed the adapter badly, so I stayed and asked. He grunted as if I was asking for a part they didn’t have, sighed loudly several times as he was rummaging around the back of the counter, and finally found me one.
FOR THREE DOLLARS.
Yes, it was only $ 3. But this thing is online for $ 1. It’s in every other LBS in the city for $ 1.50. $ 1.75 max. I asked him if was serious. He said yes, more angrily than the first time. I gave him three dollars. He took it, slammed the register shut, and walked back into the back of the shop.
Emil Wastyn, the cycling community will forever be your debt. But man, I think you failed in imparting anything resembling customer service to your next of kin.
Truly disappointing.

I have had maintenance done here that other shops said couldn’t be done. I’ve had it done quickly and cheaply. I’ve had the shop stay open for me to retrieve my bike. I love Oscar Wastyn Cycles.
This is not a hipster shop.
This is an old school neighborhood bike shop that doesn’t believe in fads and flash.

I was greeted as soon as I walked into the store and the man I spoke to was more than helpful. I should also add that I am a first-​time bike owner (since I was 15) and the man that helped me couldn’t have been more patient and knowledgeable.
Like the person below stated, if you want to chit-​chat about something, go to a bar; if you want to know about bikes, go to Oscar Wastyn.

I’ve taken my bike here for its annual tune up the last three years. Good service/​maintenance on the bike, but the owner? or guy who I’ve dealt w. is a rude, condescending ass imo. And I told him as much. He actually appreciated my candidness and now we have like this love: hate thing b/​t each other.
[x] have no idea if i’ll be back

I came in looking for a bike rack to put on the back of my Scion hatchback. («Sy-​ahn», not «Skeen», Ms. Green! :) The younger gentleman immediately had the book out to find out if the ones for sale fit my car. They all would fit so he went over the benefits and minuses of each. Mostly he just touted the benefits and I made up my mind about the cheap ones lacking what I wanted. Never was I given a hard sell, but I chose the Yakima three-​bike rack.
After the sale the gentleman put the rack on my car and showed me how to do it. He was very helpful and made sure I knew how to do it, showing me the tricks to tighten up the straps and everything. Great service from the minute I entered, until after I left!

I bought my hybrid bike here a couple of years ago… and since have bought and upgraded things from this store. Bar ends… new pedals… shoes…and cat eye computer. I can’t vouch for the prices. since I’m not familiar with other bike shops.
Oscar, the older gentleman isn’t going to be your friendly grandfather-​type that wants to take you fishing. He’s more of the retired cop-​type that still likes to bust your balls.
Scott is the son of the owner and is very knowledgeable when it comes to bikes. He may bowl, but he also bikes with a group every weekend. He recommended a few trails to ride instead of hitting the Lake Front. He’s not going to talk your ear off… but if you ask questions both are more than happy to help you out. He was very detailed in describing the different biking shoes and their pluses/​minuses. Scott could have up sold me on the computer, but he saved me some cash by telling me the base model would provide me with all of the things I needed.
I go here because they know more about bikes than i do… and have everything i need. If i need to socialize I’ll go to a bar.