Fred Mikes established Mikes Bike Shop in 1959. After high school, he trained as a car mechanic, and during WWII, he trained as an aircraft mechanic. Eventually, Fred’s mechanical abilities and the “American Dream” led him to open a bike shop. Fred planned to open his own bike shop in Bensenville where he lived. Then he met Gil Smith who owned a bike shop in Palatine. Gil was looking to sell his ... more his shop and Fred was looking to buy a shop. Fred bought the shop and opened the first Mikes Bike Shop located at 55 W. Wood Street. less