Cycle Smithy Blog

Chicago's full service bike shop for the competitor, commuter, and collector. Since '73. CYCLESMITHY.COM

[cyclesmithy]

Our service writer, George, just finished an awesome custom Gunnar FastLane. This is the perfect bike for long rides and carrying stuff comfortably. Gunnar / Waterford make some awesome custom steel bikes just over the border in Wisconsin. Find more at: www.gunnarbikes.com

Shimano Ultegra Di2 Electronic drivetrain, Paul components, Son dynamo hub generated lights, Honjo fenders and a custom Pass and Stow porteur rack really set this thing off.

Give us a call if you’re looking for something like this!

[cyclesmithy]

It’s a sad day at Smithy as it’s time to say goodbye. The Cinelli Laser Track Tandem, one of our favorite bikes from the museum, is off to another collector in Tokyo. This rare beauty had been a staple in our front window for many years. Here are some last minute photos before we box it up. Enjoy!

[cyclesmithy]

We've still got some nice sales on a few 2015 bikes! Like this Cannondale #SuperX Hi-Mod with Sram Red in a 54cm. Was $5960 / Now $2980! 😎 (at Cycle Smithy)

[cyclesmithy]

Cycle Smithy at Rapha Chicago

On Wednesday the 19th of October the new Rapha Chicago location held a Greg Lemond autobiography signing event. Previously Mark had lent them some Chicago cycling history in the form of a chrome Schwinn Paramount, an orange RRB Cycle, along with some blueprints of Arnold Schwinn’s home and other pieces of Schwinn advertising memorabilia. The RRB cycle has a nice spot on the wall right as you walk in appropriately placed above a rack of hanging carbon Canyon bikes. The contrast in bicycle eras shown just as bright as the hi-vis Rapha jerseys on black walls. The crowd was packed in around Greg as he was answering questions towards the back of the boutique but as he moved to a nearby couch to begin signing books the chrome Paramount bounced the track lighting around the room. It is placed on a glass display table in the center of the room on top of the blueprints and advertising pieces. The tradition, culture, and history definitely stand aside in a place void with new age minimalism. The line for Mr. Lemond stretched the length of the store for over four hours and Greg, showing his champ stripes, talked with every person that wanted to say hello. All in all it was a fun evening, open bar dude, and hopefully some of the new school at Rapha Chicago appreciated a little of Mark’s collection of Chicago cycling history. Stop by Rapha once they open to the public at 1514 N Milwaukee Ave and check in on the real steel.

[cyclesmithy]

Many know of our shop through Mark’s bikes. His collection adorns the ceiling of the sales floor and clutters the service department. Prewar balloon tire bikes mingle with pursuit bikes from the 80s; odd small wheeled contraptions from the 70s, with rusted precursors from the Victorian period. One of the most distinct pieces is a Cinelli Laser track tandem that hangs in the window. 

Last week Mark became the owner of another Laser, this version for road racing. Like all Lasers, it is iconic. Each one is different, but all wear the same signature blue. This newest edition to Mark’s collection has prototype wheels of unknown make and Modolo graphite brake levers and calipers. The front brake is positioned behind the fork; the rear caliper beneath the cowling on the bottom bracket shell. When one looks at the bike head on the brake calipers and the shifters vanish. The drive train is also unusual with Dura-Ace derailleurs and modified Campagnolo cranks.

The bike was displayed in an exhibit at Marshall Field’s in 1982 and again at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was then that Mark first saw the bike those 34 years ago.

[cyclesmithy]

2016 Cannondale Supersix Evo Hi-Mod Ultegra! 🔥🌶 #supersixevo (at Cycle Smithy)

[cyclesmithy]

We just finished up this super light Cannondale Super Six Evo. Our customer had three requirements for this project. First, make it as light as safely possible. Second, it had to have a power meter. Third, equipped with Shimano Di2. With that in mind we started sourcing all of the components. After researching frames we settled on the 2016 56cm Cannondale Super Six Evo High Mod (1147g). We wanted to build a bike that no only could climb but it had to be able to descend. After that we gave AX Lightness a call and went with their Ultra U24T wheel set ( which tipped the scales at 795g!) Ergo 4200 Bars (175g) Rigid 120mm Stem (79g)  and Leaf plus saddle (93g). Other notable parts are the carbon fiber chain rings by Carbon-Ti, EE Cycles brakes, modified Di2 Sprint Shifters, Di2 Wireless transmitter hidden in the seat post and we also mounted the Di2 junction box under the saddle just to keep things nice and clean. 

[cyclesmithy]

Awesome tour of the @waterfordbikes factory! Thank you for letting us spend the morning with you guys, we learned a lot and saw many beautiful bikes. 📷 #weouthere 🚴

[cyclesmithy]

Something to take your minds off the crappy weather (at Cycle Smithy)

[cyclesmithy]

Smithy recently built up this custom Specialized Shiv for one of our favorite customers. Check out ALL of the electronic shifters controlling this Dura Ace drivetrain. This is one of the meanest looking race bikes we’ve seen in a while.

[cyclesmithy]

🍃FALL SALE IS HERE🍂 Check out tasty prices for 2015 bikes! #sale #bikechicago #bicyclesale #cyclesmithy #chicago #bike #specializedbikes #localbikeshop

[cyclesmithy]

taste the rainbow.

[cyclesmithy]

We hosted an open house this past Saturday.

Saw a great turnout for some crispy bikes, cold beer, and tasty snacks.

Beer by Spiteful and Veteran Brewing. Snacks by Sultan’s Market.

[cyclesmithy]

Smithy after hours. Thanks to everyone that made it out to this evening's bike show. We had a blast! 🚲🚲🚲 #cyclesmithy @spitefulbrewing #veteranbrewing

[cyclesmithy]

we have a handful of the new #cinelli #mash work framesets in stock! $875! please call for details 773.281.0444.

[cyclesmithy]

1955 Oscar Wastyn Track Bike

1955 Chicago made lugged construction chrome plated track bike. Equipped with Paramount inch pinch track crank and Paramount high flange track hubs, this is an all original bike.

[cyclesmithy]

Smithy's got Kinetic Trainers, Giro Helmets, Bern Helmets, and Messenger Bags ON SALE thru March. 15-25% OFF! #cyclesmithy @ridecannondale #caadx #burleytrailer