At first glance the shop, which has been open since March 2005, looks too small to be in the class of a Sid's or a Toga. It’s one thing to have 3 bikes in a 400 SF studio (come on I know I’m not alone here) it’s quite another to service, sell, and rent bikes out of the same sized space. Once inside, however, you see how many bikes Imbert can cram into his square footage. And these aren't just any bikes left by residents who simply went to the closest shop. These blinged out machines make the bikes parked outside the Runcible Spoon look like the Huffy section at Sears. There's a Time VXRS with Campy Record Carbon and a Colnago C-50 with a pair of Lightweight carbon wheels, just to name a couple. Clearly, riders trust this guy.
Upper West Side Secret:
Master Bike Shop
by Niko Triantafillou

Last year, after 16 years as the chief mechanic at Toga,
Imbert Jimenez decided to break out on his own and
open a shop on the Upper West Side.

Two things seem to endear Imbert to his regulars: The first is his vaunted turn-around time. On many repairs, he will have you riding again the next day. The second is his meticulousness.




MORE REVIEWS:

Puny OM (Anthony) - Jun 17, 2006
Imbert is a genius, intuitive and understands bikes from every angle. He is the best mechanic in NYC. I recently dropped my bike off for a full service, picked it up this past Thursday and it felt like brand new. Incredible, a three year old bike that has thousands of race and training miles on it feels like I just got it.
Imbert's expertise is second to none. Get a full pro service and feel the difference!!

Porter – Jun 11, 2006
A true master mechanic. The last tune up he did for me resulted in a perfectly shifting (telepathic) and braking bike. Imbert also discovered two cracks in my frame that had gone unoticed at another shop. A sad discovery, but much better than riding around on a cracked frame. Imbert is the man.

Gotham Will – Jun 9, 2006
I worked with Imbert for many years, and I will say he is the best mechanic in NYC. THUMBS UP!!.

David E. Burns – Jun 9, 2006
Interesting. I came home the other day and found Imbert's business card laying on my kitchen counter - I had never heard of the shop but noticed it was in the neighborhood. Turns out my nanny had flatted the stroller and took it to the nearest bike shop to get it patched (obviously, she has good instincts). Reading this article, I am stoked to know that there is a badass-with-a-wrench a few blocks from home.

Peter Hines – Jun 8, 2006
Imbert is an incredible mechanic/owner--very fast, yet metliculous. He is detailed (caught a teammates' cracked frame two other mechanics missed), yet honest--has never over-repaired/over-charged me. Close to the Park also.

lee3 – Jun 8, 2006
Niko....spot on props for giving this shop some press. This dude is a freak for detail and yes only highend swords grace the doorstep of his operation whenever I stop in. I use to take my Serotta to Toga back in the day and ask specifically for Imbert to tool the tune-up. He really is quite masterful.

Andy – Jun 8, 2006
D'oh!! All fixed.