OPRF Grad Returns Home to Open Element Cyclesport

When River Forest native Chris Vassiliades first became interested in trialthons, he had a hard time finding everything he needed.

“I was always going to the swim store, the bike store, the running store,” he said. “There wasn’t a one-stop shop where I could go for everything I needed.”

So in 2008 Vassillides opened Element Multisport in Chicago, focusing on the devoted triathlete. But in April he returned home and opened a second location in Oak Park, Element Cyclesport, located at 1101 Chicago Ave. This store will focus primarily on cycling and aims to be more of a community bike shop, Vassiliades said.

“I was always wanting to come back where I grew up,” he said. “The nice thing here is that we have something for everyone, from kids bikes to top-end racing bikes. We have a great cycling community here, and it’s a great family community. I want to be a part of that.”

The store does have a small room devoted to trialthon gear, but not nearly the selection found at the Chicago location. Vassiliades said if there’s a demand for it in Oak Park, the selection could expand. For now the focus is on bikes and all the gear needed, including clothing and nutrition.

One of the most unique features is the store’s Retül bike fit system, which uses motion capture to help cyclists achieve the most optimal comfort and performance on their bikes. Vassiliades is also a certified triathlon coach, and he said he recruited several top bike mechanics from around the city.

“The customer service really sets us apart,” he said. “That’s a big part of our business. We’re not only helping them find the right bike, we want to make sure they’re riding well and are comfortable.”