Running Right & Alberto’s Cycles

I am unable to work due to an injury, but desperately needed shoes to walk in (specifically because of my injury), but could not afford to buy them. My 82 year old mother on a fixed income insisted on splurging and buying me this amazing gift. So we went to this store. There was only one pair that was okay because of my injury, and my wonderful mom bought them for me.
When I went home and wore them a little around the house, I could not walk well in them, and each step became agony. So we went back to return them three days after purchasing. But the salesperson said that WE COULD NOT RETURN THEM FOR ANYTHING BUT STORE CREDIT! He pointed to a sign behind the register that stated this policy, but my mom and I never read the sign! Why would we? I was talking to my mom when she pulled out her credit card and the whole time we were talking and hugging as I was thanking her, so we certainly never noticed this sign! The salesperson NEVER told us about this policy, which I think is outrageous! I never would have allowed my mother to buy them had I known this.
We could have gone to any number of stores to get athletic shoes (ie Road Runner in Wilmette), stores that allow a customer to return an item!
I will NEVER frequent this store again! My brother felt so badly he offered to buy the credit from my mom and use them to buy his own shoes, but they DO NOT EVEN CARRY NEW BALANCE! And that is the only brand that fits him!
You should have seen my mother’s face fall when she learned she could not get her money back and I still had no shoes. We have this lousy credit for a store where I cannot wear anything due to my injury, and my mom can’t either (nor can my brother). So my elderly mother is out 140 bucks, and I have no shoes. Shame on you, Running Right!

Albertos and Running Right are always my first stop for running and cycle gear and repairs. Brendan, Chris, Joe, Marcos and Amelia treat me like a king. I rolled my bike into Alberto’s with a flat and they fixed it on the spot. Last week my brakes did not work and Joe stopped what he was doing and spent 10 minutes adjusting my brakes at no charge. They also have well organized training rides 4X per week! Plus they have a great line of HOKA running shoes that I can test on the treadmill. Go to Running Right and Alberto’s, develop a relationship and get fabulous service.

I’m new to road cycling so naturally I have a lot of questions. I was half expecting to see multiple eye rolls at my noob concerns. Gratefully not a one. My experiences have been so positive. You can tell that everyone there enjoys what they do. I highly recommend Alberto’s for their friendly and attentive service.

Friendly, knowledgable, helpful staff whether it’s bikes or running. Always happy to support the local merchants, if they reciprocate with service and smiles. Alberto’s always does.

I’ve been dealing with Alberto’s for years and they are a class act. I ride mountain, road and cyclocross and they have been my go to for everything from gel shots to bikes. Their mechanics rock. Their bike fitting is spot on.

I have been a customer for 30 years.
Their co-​owner Brendon George is one of the best bicycle mechanics in the Midwest.
Great source of bicycle knowledge on high end bicycles.
They carry the Cannondale line of bicycles as well as other brands.
Their cycling club is a pleasure to ride with, very smooth and fast.
This is probably the best cycling shop in the Chicago area.

I would not buy any kind of athletic shoe anywhere else.
Bill has worked with me for over 20 years to keep me
healthy with all the different workouts I have done over the
years.
Bill is also a great support to any charity I have ever asked him
to actively participate in. He is all for the success of his clients
and his neighborhood.

Albertos has been my «go to place» for all my biking needs. I bought a great bike here. I bring it back for service and tune ups. Joey even adjust by handle bars and seat to take pressure off my palms.
Thanks Alberto’s

As a Evanston cyclist, I occasionally have an immediate need for a product in order to get home. On two occasions Alberto’s allowed me to take a product even though I had no credit card with me and had insufficient cash to cover the purchase. I later phoned in my credit card info. They were very nice and understanding in my hour of need. Although I have not purchased a bicycle from them, all my other transactions with them have been entirely satisfactory.

Alberto’s Cycle shop has taken care of me (and my bikes, which I care just as deeply about!) for many years at this point. In fact, the last two top notch road bikes I have purchased (and still have) came from Alberto’s. All the folks there (Joey, Chris, and the other «wrenches» over the years) have addressed every question I had, and kept my bikes in top form. I would recommend them to any cyclist, from beginner to expert, and I know they will get the same time and care that I have received.

I have been shopping here since the store opened about 30 years ago. Since that time, even with the advent of online shopping, I continue to buy my running shoes here. I try to take very good care of my feet — after all, they support my entire body! I have always been impressed with the staff’s ability to diagnose my specific foot issues, i.e., pronation, and offer me the best fit for my needs. I also buy my spinning shoes and these great flip flops by Sole, which provide support and relief for my plantar fasciitis. About 4 years ago, the pain in my foot was sooo bad from wearing unsupportive flats that I was often near tears. A salesperson at Running Right recommended these Soles and my troubles were gone. I now own 6 – 7 pairs. I never go barefoot in my house anymore. I have a designated pair that I only wear inside; the rest are fashionable enough to wear outside in warm weather.

Years ago, I had strange pains in my ankles that caused me to spend a lot of time searching out medical help. My wife had had different foot issues and told me to check out ‘Running Right’ in Highland Park. I went there and found that, in some respects, the service I got in finding the right shoe for my feet was better than medical help. They looked at my feet, the way I walk, and they proposed a shoe for me. As it turns out, I have been wearing this ‘Brooks’ shoe now for a long time and every time my ankle issue flares up, I wear them even more often. They explained to me that everyone can benefit from running shoes, not just runners. They are so right and have never disappointed. I have sent countless people with foot issues to them and they have never failed to help. Don’t miss out on this great place.

Went into the store on Sunday with my wife. Both of use were looking for good running shoes. While a young man was helping my wife I asked the cashier why there were no prices on any of the shoes. She told me that they don’t post prices because we want our customers to buy according to the feel and not to buy by the price. Guess if I’m wearing nice clothes the price is higher. I will never return to this place. I’m telling my friends what happened and they all agree this place is a joke. this is why many people don’t like going to highland park. Snobs

Went into Running right for some cool running shoes. They have the Sucony brand. Love those. They did a gait analysis. Checked out my stride and referred me to my current favorite athletic shoes. Shoes feel terrific! When I went to check out I had one of those VISA gift cards my kids had given me. I wasn’t sure about the dollar amount on the card. The guy who helped me at check out, walked me thru using the entire amount on the card. You have to do it in increments otherwise it gets denied. He was really thoughtful and didn’t make me feel like an idiot for not knowing how much was on the card. Because of the gift card, my real cost was $ 13. and I finally got the card out of my wallet.
Very helpful, very fast, cool store, knowledgeable employees, awesome products.

Just reviews for this spot. My friend and I went in as we had a gift certificate given to us. No one greeted us nor did anyone come up as we were shopping. All sales people were engaged in their own conversations… a bit too much to acknowledge our presence which is a pity.
They have a wide array of running shoes, gear, miscellaneous items which is great for runners. Everything is very well organized, very neat & clean, nice store. However, prices are very high.
We walked out without using our certificate and no plans to go back.

Lousy customer service and don’t stand behind there product. The sales people have a bad attitude and the owner is an arrogant jerk. Do yourself a favor and shop someway else!

Something has changed.
Back around 2008 I LOVED this store. Running Right was full of knowledgeable experienced runners that wanted the customer to have the perfect running experience. I bragged to everyone that they had the best customer service around. THAT IS GONE. Maybe when they moved locations they changed management, too.
About a month ago I went to Running Right to get a pair of compression sleeves. They didn’t have the right size for me, but the sales guy said it would be fine. Fast forward a couple weeks and now that the summer heat is gone, the compression sleeves that would «fit fine» are now falling off me. I had only run in them a couple times and they were still in good condition. I called Running Right sure that they would greet me with the same helpful and understanding customer service as always. Of course I felt bad about wearing them, but they had always been about the customer being happy. After I explained the situation, the only thing the manager says to me is «What am I supposed to do with the compression sleeves you’ve worn for a month?» in a mean tone. I have NEVER been treated that way by a store and especially never expected it from Running Right. A simple «I’m sorry but that is not in our store policy» would have even been okay, he didn’t have to make me feel like an idiot for calling. I went on to mention that in the past they have been so nice about returning shoes that didn’t fit right even when worn, and he acted as if he had no idea what I was talking about. Obviously something has changed here.
My advice is to find a running store that is one of the best. A running store that really cares about your satisfaction and won’t stop at anything less because believe me they’re out there. (Ex: Marathon Sports in Boston or Running Unlimited in Palatine). There’s a certain class of running stores out there and it saddens me that Running Right isn’t a part of that any more.

I wandered in on an impulse to check out new running shoes. I’m not a sophisticated runner but the salesman, Joey, was very attentive to my inarticulate description of my running issues. He brought out some specific styles and brands based on my running issues. I tried them out on the treadmill in the store. Each pair was just a little off on the fit for me but I did not feel pressured one bit to make a purchase. The prices were competitive but I didn’t end up pulling the trigger. Joey was very cool and asked me to come in again with my worn shoes so they could get another perspective on my running style and how I strike the ground.
All this time I didn’t realize that I had strolled in just before closing time and felt terrible that the staff was working about a half hour late because of me. They couldn’t have been more accommodating and nice about it.
I will definitely be back.

have been shopping @ running right for years and have always gotten great service with their exceptional products. all the staff, but particularly Joey, have been helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. i find myself learning something new each time i shop there. have them on my list for this week. cant wait to return!