About
Welcome to
Bike Werks
Bike Werks isn’t the first company to take bike service on the road, but we are driven to be the best. We are a bike shop on wheels bringing the full bicycle service experience to your home so you don’t have to take your bikes to the shop. When we arrive at your home, you get our full attention with no ringing phones or customers walking through the door. An assessment is performed, options are discussed, a price is quoted and the work is done on the spot. Our mobile-only model also allows us to keep prices lower than our brick and mortar competitors in any market we serve.
In April 2020, Carl, our founder, reached out to the first Bike Shop Service Manager that hired him back in 2008, Marty Pell. Business was booming and the schedule was stretching out. The Pandemic had everybody digging out their old bicycles which needed service. Marty brought a new level of experience and vision. With him came improvements not only to the level of service but to all aspects of the business. What inventory to keep on hand, what tools were needed to round out the shop, and most importantly, attention to detail and quality. The positive reviews started to appear and Marty assured that they were earned one bike at a time.
Bike Werks has enjoyed steady growth in its original territory of Montgomery County, Maryland (now, Montgomery, Howard and Prince Georges Counties and all of Washington, DC), but just like all bike shops in the Mid-Atlantic, with cold weather comes a drop in business. The months of December, January, and February historically result in a drop in business of about 75% compared to May, June, and July. December 2021 will begin a new chapter for Bike Werks. Marty will run operations in Maryland. Carl will be headed to Florida’s West Coast (Bradenton and surrounding areas) running operations down there appearing at Farmers Markets and making appointments, which proved to be a winning formula in Maryland.
Our Mission
Bike Werks is “Your Friendly Mobile Bike Shop”. By that we mean even if you don’t know the lingo or have the latest and greatest bike, we are honored to service your bike to have it performing at its best. We love to answer questions and discuss anything bicycle-related in a friendly sort of way. But that doesn’t mean we don’t serve the enthusiast as well. We are avid cyclists and enjoy dialing in a high-end bike with precision and accuracy. We’re non-judgemental and want to provide the best, most convenient bike repair experience out there.
Our Founder
Your Friendly Mobile Bike Mechanic
My Name is Carl
and I started Bike Werks as a side hustle in April of 2017. Cycling and working on bikes are among my favorite things to do. . Since I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed working on my bikes, and after 8 years of working weekends at a bike shop, I’ve honed my mechanical skills. Building thousands of bikes scrutinized by veteran mechanics, I became a Certified Builder. After assessing and servicing hundreds of bikes, and taking a rigorous course, I became a Shimano Certified Mechanic.
Before Bike Werks, neighbors would bring their bikes to me needing repairs. The occasion was enjoyable for both of us, and they left with a mechanically sound bike. I realized that there’s a need for friendly, affordable bike service in our community and as a result, Bike Werks was born.
What to Expect
A Pleasant Experience
What can you expect with a visit from Bike Werks? By appointment, we will arrive at your home with our portable shop. After about 5 minutes to set up, we’ll assess your bike(s), provide a quote, and repair on the spot. The hassle of bringing your bike(s) to and from the shop is eliminated, and you don’t have to go without your bike for a period of time. As we perform any of our tune-ups, anyone is welcome to watch and learn. We’ve seen almost every bike-related problem. We’re insured and offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Our customers span the spectrum including families with children whose bicycles all need work, recreational riders, and enthusiasts. All benefit from a bike which (as bike mechanics say) is dialed in. So, whether it’s old school or the latest technology, your bike will perform at its full potential.
Shimano Certified Mobile Bike Shop
When your bike is having mechanical issues, it can happen at the worst time imaginable. If you’re headed to work or riding for a local delivery company, you’re losing money if your bike is inoperable. We’re highly knowledgeable about what it takes to get you back up and riding. With just one appointment, we’ll fix your bike on the spot.
Meet The Team
Carl Armbruster
Owner – As a kid, Carl loved the freedom that his bicycle offered, and with friends, would spend hours in the woods building trails and jumps. There was the thrill of riding, but as a separate interest was the mechanics of it all. Many nights were spent in his Dad’s workshop, disassembling, regreasing, and rebuilding his bike for fun. In 1983, as a Sophomore in college, Carl bought one of the first generation mountain bikes on the market – a Schwinn High Sierra. His interest in mountain biking turned to racing and all the while as he upgraded bikes through the years, personally kept them performing at their best. He soon turned to road riding to build the endurance needed to compete in Expert Class mountain biking. It wasn’t until 2008, that Carl first sought a job at a real bike shop. He found that it’s one thing to be familiar with what you ride, but the shop experience exposed Carl to everything out there. Now with almost 15 years under his belt, Carl rarely comes across something he hasn’t seen before.
Marty Pell
Lead Mechanic – Marty started working on bikes in the 1970s using tools in his Dad’s workshop to fix his Schwinn 10-speed. By the 90’s he was working full time in bike shops all around the DC area, including Big Wheel Bikes in Arlington, City Bikes in Adams Morgan, Revolution Cycles in Rockville (where he managed the Service Department for several years in the late 2000s) REI and Performance Bicycles. Marty has been the Lead Mechanic for Bike Werks since Spring of 2020.
