Location:
528 Wells St.
Delafield, Wis. 53018
Store Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sun: 12 p.m.–4 p.m.
Let’s get this in the open right away: I am not a cyclist … yet. But I took a huge step recently when I decided to purchase my first road bike. I didn’t know much (OK, anything) about road bikes, so I needed a store that I could trust to help me find the right bike. I asked my more cycling-capable friends for recommendations and scoped out a few places, finally settling on Wheel & Sprocket in Delafield.
The original Wheel & Sprocket was founded in 1973 in Hales Corners but today boasts four locations in the metro-Milwaukee area and two in the Fox Valley. The Delafield location is easily accessible from I-94 and also the Lake Country Trail for customers coming in on two wheels. The building itself fits nicely in the quaint downtown Delafield area and is easily identifiable by its signs on both Hwy C and in front of the entrance on Wells.
Although it may look small from the outside, the interior of the store is actually quite large and houses an area for clothes, gear, bike fitting, bike repair and, of course, the bikes themselves. There’s even a comfy couch area in the front entryway for customers to peruse the latest bike news, check out maps or just relax as they wait for the next available staff member. The couch becomes a sort-of impromptu stop for cyclists coming off the Lake Country Trail in need of a break or directions. It makes sense that Wheel & Sprocket would be a hub for cyclists due to its ideal location on the trail. In fact, the store hosts weekly rides for cyclists of all experience levels.
A certified Trek dealer, Wheel & Sprocket’s stock is mostly comprised of the Wisconsin-based brand, but it also carries Felt, Bontrager components and MirraCo for the daring BMX biker. Prices are reasonable, and it’s a good idea to keep an eye on “Manager’s Specials” for deals. No matter what type of bike you’re after, the trained staff will give you personalized service to ensure you find the right bike for your needs. A fitting by a certified professional as well as an opportunity to test ride the bike before making a decision are two standard services. Each bike purchase comes with a 30-day return policy as well as a 90-day period to bring your bike in for complimentary adjustments.
As the traditional bike season comes to a close (I know there are some crazy winter cyclists out there!), Wheel & Sprocket will partially transform into a cross-country ski shop. It will also open a satellite rental shop (pictured) at nearby Lapham Peak, a popular destination for XC skiers. The ski season will officially kick off on Nov. 5 with a ski swap and opportunity to test out the new ski-fitting equipment. Great bikes will continue to be available year-round in case you’re hoping to get an early start on next year’s season.
Photos courtesy of Wheel & Sprocket’s website and Facebook page.
