Closing Notice 2025

Dear Friends and Customers:

In 2009, Bucephalus Bikes opened in Evanston as a new and different kind of bicycle shop. We aimed to support all kinds of riders, welcoming those who’d ridden almost no miles as well as those who’d ridden thousands, those with the latest, fastest bikes and those with well-loved old ones. To everyone who came in, we offered outstanding service and value.

We took pride in resurrecting bikes that others said should be thrown out and a new one purchased. Along with fixing whatever could be fixed, our practice of refurbishing bikes and selling them at reasonable prices reflected our longstanding commitment to sustainability. We believed that repairing and rebuilding bicycles revitalized, not only the “machines,” but also the people who rode them.

From our shop’s inception, we didn’t only sell and fix bikes but encouraged their use as a primary mode of transit. We were steadfast in our belief that bicycles benefitted both the individual and our community. We served on the City of Evanston transportation committee and were involved with local advocacy groups, continually speaking out about how bikes could improve our health, social, economic, and environmental conditions. More people on bikes made everyone’s quality of life better. 

When today’s shopping and service experience is often impersonal and inadequate, we were committed to providing an experience that was “warm, kind, and knowledgeable” as a customer described it. We are immensely grateful for the many of you who chose us and referred our shop to others. We never took any one’s trust and loyalty for granted, working every day and on every bike to earn our customers’ satisfaction and return visits. We greatly value the many relationships made. 

So, it is difficult to announce that Bucephalus Bikes will close at the end of the year, 2025. Many factors have contributed to our decision, including a new landlord bringing changes to our space and rent, the negative impact of imposed tariffs on the bike industry, and a general lack of support for family-owned and operated small businesses like ours. Though we look forward to new opportunities and more time with our now-grown sons, it is still very hard for us to shut down our shop. Fixing bikes is fulfilling work, and we’ll miss it. Most of all, we’ll miss our community of fellow riders, neighbors, and friends. 

Our web site will continue to post updates and items listed for sale. Please come by to see us during our final two months. We’ll be offering fantastic deals on our remaining inventory.  

Though this is an ending, our belief that it’s great to get around on a bicycle remains. We wish you much continued joy on yours.