If you’re on the lookout for a friendly, neighborhood bike shop in Pasig to get mechanical services done, buy parts, or join group rides, then check out Tambay Cycling Hub. Based in Kapitolyo, Pasig, Tambay Cycling Hub is “more than just a bike shop.” It’s run by “a community of advocates for inclusive mobility and safer streets” that regularly organizes group rides, hosts cycling workshops, and runs a community bin to help other cyclists.
I recently found myself biking from Quezon City to this Pasig shop and through car-free Sunday streets to the historic Manila Boat Club (the oldest existing Sporting Club in Manila), a hidden gem along the Pasig River, for a World Rivers Day community ride, which I’ll get into later on. But first, the basics about the people behind the shop and the services they provide.
About the shop
According to bike shop founder Kevin Skinker, Tambay Cycling Hub began with pop-ups in December 2021 before opening a physical store in Barangay Pineda, right by the Pasig River, in May 2022. They relocated to Brgy. Kapitolyo, a kilometer down from their original home shop, earlier this year.
“The general area of Kapitolyo/Pineda/Bagong Ilog/Oranbo didn’t have a bike shop at the time, especially once WheelWorx in the old Epic Cafe shut down. If anyone in my barangay wanted to have their bike worked on, they would be faced with climbing daunting hills or crossing C5 or the Pasig River just to get their bike worked on,” Kevin told Top Gear Philippines in an interview.
Members of the core team include Aneka Crisostomo (the shop’s community manager and social media and events head), mechanics Rey Amate and Eugene Canelas, and Kevin’s wife, Tal de Guzman. Rounding up the team are Jeanine Junio, Lyle Bilway, Oya Bautista, with Jeza Rodriguez and Steve Manzano helping on various projects.
For the team, the bike shop is more than just a store. The shop’s name, ‘Tambay’ which means to hang out, reflects their goal of welcoming riders of all backgrounds to connect, learn, and bike together. They want clients to feel welcome when they’re at the shop. Customers can opt to borrow tools and work on their bikes themselves in their space. “Chill lang para pwede tumambike, magtanong, at matuto,” they said.
“Tambay has always been about serving the community. We’re just hear to lend space and bring people together,” said Kevin. “Anyone who gets into bikes purely for profits is crazy and would be better served investing elsewhere.”
ALSO READ:
Coffee run: Old Ironside Coffee Company is a museum-themed cafe in Quezon City
Quezon City opens new elevated promenade for pedestrians and cyclists
Location and parking
The move from Pineda to Kapitolyo was necessary to serve a wider clientele and provide a bigger, better workspace for their mechanics.
“Our 93 East Capitol Drive location is much more prominent and perceived as more accessible to some clients—especially those with cars. We’re also able to host more events in the new space and even have clients work on their own bikes if they choose to,” said Kevin.
Parking is available for bikes, e-kick scooters, and motorcycles, while limited street parking is available for those with cars.
Bike services and merch
Tambay Cycling Hub offers the following services:
- Basic Tune Up – P150
- Bike Wash & Polish – P250
- Wheel Tensioning – P250
- Wheel Balancing – P400
- Wheel Building – P750
- Bike Overhaul – P1,000
- Bike Building – P1,500
- Parts Transplant – P2,250
The shop also carries a wide range of bike-related parts, merch, and accessories. You can find cycling shirts and apparel from Courier, including statement tees with the slogan “Ang Kalsada ay Para sa Tao,” saddle bags from SackIt, cycling helmets from Lumos, INDI Heritage Socks, and brands like Risque Designs, Woop, and Side B Upcycling.
Tambay exclusives include Reelight battery-free lights with bar tape and umbrellas in the works. They also work with the local distributor of Shimano, SRAM, Lumos, Traction, Tern, Reid, Surly, Marin, Jamis, Trek, MKS, Panaracer, and more.
Interestingly, the shop’s shelving uses panels from RiverRecycle, a company that collects plastic waste from rivers and recycles it into construction boards to address pollution.
Community bin
Got any extra bike parts cluttering your space? Tambay Cycling Hub accepts ‘gently used bikes’ or parts for their community bins to help other bikers with their projects. The goal is to make biking more accessible to bike commuters who may not be able to afford new parts. The shop also lends tools and provides a space for people to work on their own bikes.
“Most of the parts in the community parts bin are pre-loved items donated by our customers, though some people reach out and send even brand-new items sometimes. We accept pretty much anything bike-related as long as it’s in safe, usable condition,” Kevin shared.
Likewise, anyone can get whatever they need on a ‘pay what you can’ basis or through swap deals.
“For example, your saddle doesn’t suit you well, you can exchange yours for one from our parts bin free of charge. If possible, we still charge for installation for those who can afford to pay, but understand if not,” he added.
Community rides
The bike shop also organizes numerous events, from pop-ups, bike workshops and group rides for various causes. Their first-ever community ride was a night ride in partnership with Lumos helmets, highlighting public parks and plazas (or lack thereof) and their role in cities.
“Our first anniversary ride in May 2023 started in Barangay Pineda and rode along the de facto Pasig River Esplanade in Pineda before heading to the SMC headquarters in Ortigas Center to protest PAREX. More recently, we rode to the Manila Boat Club for World Rivers Day with Renacamiento Manila so people could row along the river itself and appreciate its serenity secluded from motor vehicle pollution,” Kevin shared.
As a participant of that World Rivers Day ride last September, I appreciated the rare access granted to the exclusive Manila Boat Club and left with a better appreciation for the river.
At the nearly century-old sporting club, members of Renacimiento Manila, the Manila Boat Club, and representatives from environmental groups shared their insights on how vital waterways, particularly Pasig River is for many cities. We also learned about the dangers the river faces if ever the Pasig River Expressway pushes through, with possible adverse effects to marine life of the river and heat effects in cities, already choked by concrete structures.
According to heritage and mobility advocates, the Pasig River Esplanade and the Pasig River Ferry Service could help preserve heritage structures and mobility along the riverside, rather than yet another expressway.
Tambay Cycling Hub is all about building a community, along with providing bike services. Each team member has their own advocacy, from providing free bike lessons, making adventure cycling accessible to everyone, strengthening communities through group rides, and hosting biker safety and mechanic workshops. In Kapitolyo, their head mechanic has been hosting free bike maintenance lessons so people can learn how to do basic repairs on their own.
“We’ve also had a lot of wheelchair users bring in their chairs for repairs. This past weekend, a group of cyclists biked down all the way from Pampanga in part to work on their own bikes using our Community Parts Bin, spare work stand, and community bike tool kit,” shared Kevin.
“Overall we hope that we; alongside our friends at Kreb’s Cycles, PopCycle, Exion and others; are showing the wider Filipino bike industry that there’s a market for bicycles as vehicles, not just as toys,” said Kevin.
Where to eat nearby
If you’re planning to get your bike serviced at the shop and need to kill some time, the Kapitolyo area has no shortage of small neighborhood cafes you can easily bike or walk to.
Some cafes near the shop Kevin recommends include 1C, Coffee Industry Kapitolyo, Soul Good, Couch Club, Habagat, Hakid, Poco Deli, Arts & Beans, and Co.Lab Cafe. He also encourages cyclists to check out the hidden parks in the area to get a real sense of the community.
“Stop by Kapitolyo’s hidden parks; they’re some of the most beautiful parks in all of Metro Manila, but many of our clients and local residents have no idea that they even exist. Bike down to Pineda for the Pasig River Esplanade. Join in with the local tambay for karaoke, sports, or fishing before the sun comes out full force. It’s also super easy to cross the bridge to J.P. Rizal for the recently reopened Taguig People’s Park or the older esplanade on the BGC side of the river. On the Pasig side, the sunset views in the evening can be impeccable as well,” he added.
We might just do that one of these days. So who’s up for a tambay session?
Tambay Cycling Hub is located on 93 East Capitol St, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday. Open from 11am to 7pm.
