A new Bethesda business is bringing bike repair to the curb. Shifting Gears, a mobile bicycle service that owner Albert Wong launched this month, does tune-ups, repairs and bike assembly out of a van at customers’ homes, so riders can skip dropping a bike off at a shop and coming back for it.
Wong works on everything from kids’ bikes and everyday commuters to road bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. Shifting Gears serves Montgomery County and select areas of Prince George’s and Howard counties, according to the business.
From flip-flops to certifications
Wong said his cycling started in Malaysia and Singapore, “riding around in flip-flops,” and that he became the go-to fixer among his cycling friends because he always liked tinkering with anything mechanical. He now rides road and mountain bikes for fun, and he picked up unicycling during the pandemic. “I was bored!” he said.
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Before starting the business, Wong worked in mechanical engineering, as a professional outdoor guide and trainer, and for many years as a classroom teacher. He said he is a United Bicycle Institute Certified Bicycle Technician and a Shimano T.E.C. Certified Technician, and is working toward SRAM certifications.
“One of the things that brings me the most joy is seeing riders, especially younger ones, get their bikes back and happily pedal away,” Wong said. His goal, he said, is “friendly, convenient service with honest recommendations and quality workmanship.”
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A tip for fall
Most people wait until spring to get a tune-up, when shops are busiest, Wong said, but fall is a good time for one. An end-of-season tune-up cleans away dirt, grime and moisture that can lead to corrosion while a bike sits in storage, so it is ready to ride in the spring.
His storage advice: keep the tires properly inflated, set the shifter cable tension to the lowest setting, and store the bike somewhere dry.
How to book
- Website: shifting-gears-mobile.com
- Phone: 301-660-2838
- Facebook: Shifting Gears Mobile
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