Publications & Sites 
Top bike shop to roll into Evanston
Chris Mailing, owner of Ten 27 Cycles, recently announced the shop at 1027 Davis St. will close after 40 years in business. It will be replaced by Wisconsin-based Wheel & Sprocket. | Michael jarecki~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: December 30, 2012 3:19PM
EVANSTON — Wisconsin’s largest bicycle retailer, and one of the country’s leaders, will carry on the tradition of having an elite bike shop at 1027 Davis Street, the store owner announced Monday.
Wheel & Sprocket, with six Wisconsin locations and one Internet operation, will succeed Ten 27 Cycles in early 2013, Chris Kegel, the store’s president and sole owner, said in an emailed release.
The company is a three-time recipient of the industry’s national “Retailer of the Year” award and has served as an advocate for cyclists on the local, state and national levels.
“Our vision is that everyone enjoys their bikes from Wheel & Sprocket,” Kegel said. “Through our shared passion for cycling and commitment to being more than fair to our customers, we will work hard to earn customers’ business”.
Company-wide, the retailer employs more than 150 associates during the peak cycling season, he said.
“Every associate is encouraged to make a positive difference in our community through involvement,” Kegel said.
He leads by example, serving often as a head mechanic and supporter of area rides.
Area cyclists were left reeling earlier this month with Ten 27 owner Chris Mailing’s announcement that he would close the shop after 40 years.
Mailing said the sluggish economy and complications over a name change, from industry-known Turin to Ten 27 Cycles, figured in his decision.
“I am glad that Wheel & Sprocket is going to continue the long tradition of serving the cycling needs of Evanston and the cycling community of the greater Chicago area from 1027 Davis Street,” he said in the release Monday. “I am thrilled that so many of the staff from Ten 27 Cycles, including me, are able to be a part of this new shop.”
Ten 27 Cycles is liquidating inventory and fixtures until Dec. 31. Wheel & Sprocket will open later this winter with a formal grand opening date to be announced, the company said.
