Ben’s Cycle

I live right down the block from Bens’s and It’s top notch. A few small things can be done better but not many. probably the best Bicycle shop in Milwaukee. It’s 2 shops directly across the street offer more variety for customers. It is a historic Milwaukee bike shop in a historic building that use to be a major Milwaukee theater on Lincoln Ave. Check it out if your in the area. If you have any problems at the shop, just ask for Vince. Vince knows his business.

I ordered a part and they charged me. They never called to tell me it was in.
I called them 7 days after I ordered it and they had no record of me or my order. They asked me to come into the store to sort it out, but I told the guy I wasn’t going to travel down there to fix their mistake. Luckily, the manager got on the phone and was able to reverse the charge.
That was the first and only time I went there. I heard so many good things, so I was very disappointed. I’m giving 2 stars since they did fix their mistake without much trouble.

Many people only think that Ben’s only does bikes. But Ben’s employee, Brett Meinke, is a trained human movement specialist (kinesiologist) with a degree in it and Brett fits orthotics for bike shoes and running shoes.
I picked up my running orthotics yesterday and unlike previous orthotics which were uncomfortable, the ones that Brett fit me to were comfortable and I actually wore them most of the day. My next 5k is the Run in the New Year 12÷31÷15 and I’m sure that these orthodics will help.
I’m getting my custom bike orthotics and bike shoes from him soon as well.

If you cycle or aspire to, this place is a must-​visit. First off, it’s just a cool space. The store is actually two locations across the street from each other. One is a converted theater, which you have to ask them to show you because it’s just so darn cool. The place oozes history and ambiance.
Beyond the décor, the selection is unparalleled. I’m an Ironman finisher and still found tools and toys I didn’t even know I needed. The prices are competitive — you can probably find items a few bucks cheaper on Amazon, but there’s a huge value in supporting a local business.
Finally, these guys know their stuff. They can look at you and know what kind of fit you need, parts, accessories, etc, based on your gait and fitness. They’re also not d-​bags, which I’ve found at many a bike shop. They are experts and not a touch condescending about it, either.
Be sure to sign up for the rewards program!

Great people and what a selection!
This has been my year to get more into bicycling and this store has helped me out on several occasions. I came across them through Unilocal and saw they have a huge ecommerce business on top of the two locations they have (across the street from one another).
The first time here, I rode my bike since I was looking to get fitting tips for a new saddle and look at purchasing one. The staff helped me get fitted for a seat (I’ve had several bikes before and never had this attention to detail) and mounted it onto my bike. They said that I could test it out for a week or so and bring it back if there were ever any issues or just didn’t like it. With seats it takes a while to get a feel for one. I was surprised since I came in here eyeing up a $ 100+ seat and they recommended a $ 35 based on what I told them I value in a saddle. This saddle has seen its use this summer and is definitely the best fitting and feeling one I’ve ever rode.
Another time I came in here since I was researching some fenders I wanted to put onto my bike. Knowing exactly what I wanted I searched online for it and saw they also sell on eBay. Instead of purchasing from the eBay store I went to the store, spoke with the staff. They went and grabbed the items from their warehouse, honored the eBay pricing and then gave me a discount on top of it for coming in!
I haven’t purchased a bike here yet if I do need to get one this will be near the top of the list to get a new one. The store on the south side of the street has most of their commuter and straight bar bikes (mountain bikes, touring, kids, etc.) The shop on the north side of the street has all road bikes and accessories.
There is car parking in a private lot on the north east side of the street or there is plenty of street parking as well.

Interesting shop

I spend a lot of money at several south side bike shops. These guys get the largest piece of the pie. The staff is very knowledgable, and their inventory is amazing. I’ve used them for several repairs and upgrades and the bill is always less then I was quoted. If I could get trapped overnight in one store it would be Ben’s cycle. No doubt.

I’m not going to be in a century and am not racing any time soon, but still love going in there. Vince has helped me a number of times already and has gone above and beyond when I needed something. Nice to have them close to home.

I ordered a Mission Workshop backpack from here. They have great prices and their staff was very helpful. I live in Denver and was looking for the perfect, not bulky, cute, and functional bag to ride around Denver with. I ordered one bag from Chrome initially and it wasn’t what i wanted. Steve, the guys from Ben’s Cycle was so helpful and patient with my exchange and in helping me find a bag that I would enjoy. The service was quick and the delivery was so fast. I love my new backpack and would try to visit this shop if ever in Milwaukee :) Thanks Ben’s Cycle!

Excellent selection of bicycles, from the practical to the ridiculous. They have such a wide selection they need two shops, across the street from each other. There’s a very good selection of accessories, and they do a lot of online business, I once ordered a cute tricycle for my niece, which they shipped promptly with proper packaging. Walk-​in, we got a couple of very reasonably priced commuter bikes, they had bought a bulk load of «blemished» bicycles from some other shop, and I really couldn’t find the minor mar on mine. The sales and repair staff are very well trained, highly competent, usually helpful (sometimes they can be pretty busy in the middle of summer, especially on weekends), and the repair work is solid, though sometimes a tad on the high side (you do get what you pay for, and they are not unreasonable). In summer, they can get busy, so I’ve sometimes had to wait a day or two for repairs, but in Fall and when the weather is bad, I’ve also had repairs done while I wait (call ahead if you can). They have a shop dog who is friendly, but doesn’t answer any questions about bicycles.
When I need something from a big bike shop, this is where I come. Repair rates and good used bikes are more affordable at the new, nearby Coast in Bikes. I avoid the one-​brand shops that sell only Trek or whatever, I think you’re better off here or at CiB.

I wanted a tri-​bike and they talked me out of it. They are the experts and based on my needs they were right. I did not need a racing bike to ride from OC to downtown and then use it for mini-​triathlons too. It was too much racing bike for a comfortable ride to work. and another option would be better to meet both needs.
Buying a bike in fall is a great thing, you get the best bike for the best deal since winter’s coming, the prices fall. I even got the really awesome clip-​in pedals thrown in for cheap!
The place is old and worn and friendly. You can tell these are people who love everything about bikes and they have the most knowledge about them. It sure beats those trendy, shiny places with the apathetic clerks! Get your bike, accessories, tune-​ups here, you won’t regret it.

This is for their webstore, not the physical location.
I place orders every few months or so. They have periodic 15% off coupons, and a pretty good selection of stuff. Prices aren’t always the cheapest, but with their coupon and free shipping over $ 75, you can find pretty good deals.
What really sets a company apart is what happens when things go wrong, not when everything goes right. I recently placed an order with their coupon, and everything was good as usual except for one item, which was different from what I ordered (love to have these types of First World problems).
I emailed them, got a response and tracking number for the right item (which was sold out on their webstore) the next day, and received the correct item promptly. And they also told me to keep the item they mistakenly sent (my wife could use fortunately). I was kind of hoping that was what would happen based on my experiences with other great webstores, and it’s exactly what did happen.
What more could you want?

Awesome. Bought a bike I’ve had my eye on forever and the guy (owner?) eventually gave me a price break and a super agreeable trade-​in price for my old bike. Staff is patient, knowledgeable, and friendly. Would recommend this place to anyone.

Excellent price on a good bike, and great customer service over the phone. For someone living in Boston, and having a bike shipped to Houston – I could not have asked for anything better!

Ben’s is hands down the best bike shop I’ve been to in Milwaukee. I dropped by in April just doing some price checking because I got the bright idea that I should upgrade my bike. One of the guys asks me what I’m looking for, how much I’m willing to spend and then recommends a bike he thought would suit me. I told him I wasn’t sure I was buying today, if at all. When I asked the price of the rig, the dude says «I shouldn’t tell you, because you’ll be buying a bike today if I do». After some price checking, he gave me a price nearly $ 300 less than the next lowest price I could find (it was a close out on the previous year’s model, but nobody else was selling it as such). 25 minutes and a trip to the ATM later I had a bike on order. Just a few days ago while hanging out with my dad he tells me he’s thinking about going with clipless pedals. As a fellow fan of Ben’s, he agrees to head down to check out some shoes and pedals. Again, lightning fast, we walk out with a pair of MTB shoes and pedals for $ 160 (A hell of a lot less than what I paid at a certain patriarchal shop on the East Side). These guys know their stuff, can zero in on what you need and don’t try to jerk you around on prices. I highly recommend that anybody in the market for a bike visit Ben’s.

Milwaukee has a bike shop problem, and it is best summarized thusly: The shops with knowledgeable staff and good service often are small and have little inventory. The shops with lots of inventory are often too concerned about moving inventory (any inventory) to provide knowledgeable staff or good service.
Ben’s helps solve this problem, uniquely.
Ben’s shop overcame the problem of being small by replicating itself, in much the same way cells do through prophase, anaphase, mitosis, meiosis, and whatnot. (I’ll say «mitochondria» here just to make sure it gets said.) You see, Ben’s is now actually two shops — one on both sides of Lincoln Avenue. So if you can’t find a bike to fit your needs and budget on one side of the street, you simply (read: carefully) walk across the street to the newly-​formed cell and see what’s on hand over there. Similarly, if you can’t find an answer from the mechanic on one side of the street, you simply (read: carefully) walk across the street to the other shop and ask the mechanic over there. Through tricky replication of the Local Bike Shop DNA, Ben’s has managed to provide both a vast inventory and that personal service with expertise that categorizes many of Milwaukee’s small bike shops.
Because it’s not in the DNA, Ben’s won’t push you to buy a bike that’s not the right size. Because it is in the DNA, Ben’s will help you to find a bike that’s a couple model years old if that fits your budget better. You get selection and service at Ben’s.
Additionally, Ben’s oversees its own product line: Milwaukee Bicycle Company. Ben’s sells online. And Ben’s does custom-​build some things, like wheelsets.
I’ve found great deals at Ben’s for myself and friends. And I’ve always gotten great service. I urge you to put on your orange safety vest (for crossing the street) and head on down to Ben’s the next time you’re searching for a great Milwaukee Local Bike shop with a little extra.

I order stuff from these guys at least once a month. They have some great deals on rare and hard to find new-​old-​stock bike parts, so for a bike nerd like me, I’m always scouring their ebay listings and website for the latest finds. I have picked up some INCREDIBLE things over the years, really awesome stuff. My latest? A batch of Columbus SLX and SP Tubing. These aren’t the easiest tubes to find these days, so I was really excited to find them on their site.
Once in a great while, I’ll have an issue with an order; something was missing or it was the wrong item altogether. A quick five minute phone call to a REAL LIVE HUMAN BEING IN THE USA and the correct item is on its way, at no extra charge, not even for shipping!
That kind of service earns Ben’s my business every time. There are plenty of other shops that I have ordered from in the past, but my buying experience with Ben’s has been the most satisfactory. Even when compared to a LBS. Here I am, a New Yorker, with hundreds of bike shops within riding distance, and I’m ordering all my gear from a shop in Milwaukee. I think that says something about how great these guys are.

I’ve had hit or miss experiences with Ben’s. They’re close to my neighborhood, so I keep going back.
I really don’t know what to say other than they’re close to Bayview and have a pretty good selection of bike items.
Good:
My bike computer was on the fritz and they found a cheap one for me in a box of used parts.
Bought something from them off ebay when out of town. It was missing a minor part and they made it right with little hassle.
I know that they have their own line of bikes and parts which I understand are made mainly here in WI. A+ on not sourcing everything from China!
Bad:
High prices. You’re not going to save money walking into the store and buying things like bike shorts.
I don’t race. I bicycle for fun and commuting. This store doesn’t really have the right vibe for what I do. If you want to see really expensive bikes go here.
Took my bike in for a tune up. It was a bit expensive, and it really didn’t seem like much was done. My brakes still squealed when I got it back, etc.

Just bought my first road bike here! Brett was great! Strongly recommend that if you get a bike you do the extended fitting! I was very impressed! He really took the time to explain the importance of everything, which was very helpful! Great place!

I’m not a bicylist. I’m a guy who happens to ride a bike every day to get around town. Ben’s is the store for the bicyclist crowd. If you’re a serious racing enthusiast, then Ben’s is one of the better shops in terms of knowledge, selection of built bikes and sheer variety of parts and accessories, many of them hard to find. Ben’s custom makes bikes under the moniker Milwaukee Bicycle Company, and, by all accounts, they’re great bikes, but expensive.
For someone like me, who cruises around town on a less-​than-​glamorous hybrid that gets the job done, and is probably not going to compete in a road race anytime soon, there are other shops in the area that are more accomodating to my particular needs. But Ben’s holds an important place in Milwaukee’s bicycling scene.