Company Profile

In 1994, we mailed the first cycling catalog to 100,000 USCF racers. Our direct marketing initiatives were designed to offer ultimate cycling products of unprecedented quality. Since that time we have enjoyed tremendous growth including expanding our business online.  Today, cbike is a recognized leader of online shopping for high-end cycling goods.  This year alone, we will process more than 30,000 online orders. Yet size alone is not the measure of our success. Rather, it is the faithful commitment to our guiding principles:

• Provide our customers with long-term value in every product that they purchase
• Build recognition for the brands we offer by excelling at everything we do
• Engage in business practices that benefit everyone involved

• Fully capitalize on emerging technologies and keeping up with the latest product offerings in cycling

The History of Chicagoland Bicycle – cbike.com

Fred's grandfather rides his BSA to work

Fred's father rings out the cash register 

Fred's great grandfather with rolled up sleeves was never afraid of hard work
 

Chicagoland Bicycle owner, Fred Richard III is a fourth-generation story.  For Fred Richard, cycling is a passion, a quest for perfection, the sum of his life's work-and that of his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather.  Fred is a product of a three generation bicycle retail business that opened its doors in 1910.  In 1906, Fred’s great-grandfather Frederico Ruggio left Italy and sailed to the Land of Opportunity, America.  Upon his arrival, he changed his name to Fred Richard and set sights on realizing the American dream of starting his own business.  Fred's energy, persistence and desire to roll up his sleeves and get things done paid off!  After three years of intense labor on the railroad, Fred saved enough money to open Richard’s Bicycle and Buggy Repair.  His grandfather, father and brothers followed in his footsteps and ran Richard’s Bicycles which has dominated the Chicago bicycle market from the early 1900’s to today. 

Fred has always shared a passion for the family business.  He has expanded the business and set his gaze on a bright future for the company that his forefathers built.  This passion and his love for cycling pushed him in a specialized field of cycling – road racing.  With the backing of his family, Fred, in his early twenties, opened Chicagoland Bicycle in 1984, which catered to road riders seeking high-quality cycling products. His goal was to attain a level of service that would well exceed industry standards. Chicagoland Bicycle later expanded its presence online by implementing cbike.com.  Today, cbike has earned the honor of being seen as one of America’s Top Professional Online Cycling Stores including the recognition as a Campagnolo Pro Shop, Tacx Training Center and Premier Assos Concept Store.

Since the first day we opened our doors, our primary focus has always been on courteous, knowledgeable and personalized attention. If you should ever need assistance, simply call or email us for a quick resolution. A dedicated team is always on hand to answer your technical and product questions, take special orders, and assist you in locating products for your purchase. Think of us as your personal shoppers.  In addition, please feel free to share your thoughts with Fred directly by sending him an email at fred@cbike.com.

Fred upgrades to a titanium femur