The 3 Bike Repair Shops Only Granada Locals Know About

The search every cyclist in Granada knows

It was 7:30 in the morning on an ordinary Tuesday. I was leaving the house, on Calle 5A with Carrera 36, when I heard that sound no cyclist wants to hear: a hiss followed by the sharp thud of the tire hitting the asphalt. A flat tire. Right on the climb up Avenida 3N. With my coffee half-finished and the clock ticking, I had to push my bike as best I could to the first bike shop I found on Cra 38. Result: a 40-minute queue, a poorly done patch that lasted three days, and a bill that hurt more than the puncture.

That experience led me to ask the long-time locals, the ones who have been riding around Granada for years, where they take their bikes. Not the Instagram shops with neon lights and specialty coffee, but those that seem invisible, without a big sign, where the owner greets you with greasy hands and says, “come in, have a seat, it'll be ready in 20 minutes.”

After several weeks of asking around and testing them out, I put together this guide to the three bike repair shops that only the locals of Granada know about. Trustworthy places, fair prices, and above all, they won't leave you stranded. If you're one of those who bikes around Cali every day, this will interest you.

What to do: find the right mechanic

Before diving into the shops, it's worth understanding how the cycling ecosystem works in Granada. The neighborhood, known for its restaurants and nightlife, is also a transit point for urban cyclists heading north or downtown. Here you won't find specialized stores for 10-million-peso carbon fiber bikes, but rather shops that know V-brakes, basic Shimano gears, and tires that can handle the potholes on the road.

The most common repairs in Granada are punctures, brake adjustments, cable replacements, and chain maintenance. Some people also come with electric bikes, though that's less common. The key is to arrive early (before 9 a.m.) if you want to be seen the same day, because after 10 a.m. they already have a waiting list.

The 3 shops only locals know about

1. Taller de Don Carlos: the old faithful

Address: Carrera 38A #5-72, half a block from the Música Park. It's an old house with green railings, no sign. If you pass by quickly, you won't see it.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sundays only until noon, and if he's in a good mood.

Reference prices (May 2026): Tire patch: $5,000 COP. Brake adjustment: $8,000 COP. Brake cable replacement: $12,000 COP. Full maintenance (cleaning, greasing, adjustment): $35,000 COP.

Don Carlos is 62 years old and has been repairing bikes in the same spot for 30 years. He doesn't use a computer, has no website, and his most modern tool is an air compressor he bought in 2018. But he knows every part of a bicycle as if he invented it. His specialty is 26-inch wheel bikes, the classics, though he also works with 29-inch and 700c.

What locals value most is that he won't put in new parts if you don't need them. If the brake just needs an adjustment, he adjusts it and only charges you for that. Plus, he always has good used tires that he sells from $15,000 COP, ideal for those who don't want to spend on a new one.

Fun fact: Don Carlos keeps a cardboard box with over 200 bicycle bells he has collected over the years. He says they are “memories of bikes that no longer exist.”

2. Bicitecnia: the urban cyclist's shop

Address: Calle 7N #37-28, on the second floor of a house, right next to a pet store. You have to go up some narrow stairs; it's not easy to find.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

Reference prices (May 2026): Tire patch: $7,000 COP. Gear adjustment: $15,000 COP. Chain replacement: $25,000 COP (includes labor). Full maintenance: $60,000 COP.

Bicitecnia is the middle ground between the neighborhood shop and the specialized store. It's run by Andrés, a 34-year-old mechanic who started repairing bikes at home and now has this small but well-organized shop. He has a wheel truing stand, precision tools, and even a test bench for adjusting Shimano and SRAM gears.

The locals of Granada recommend it especially for precision work: gear adjustments, spoke replacements, or mountain bike repairs. It's not the cheapest, but the quality of the work is consistent. Andrés explains what he's doing while he works, which is useful if you want to learn how to maintain your bike.

Local tip: If you bring your bike before 10 a.m., Andrés will make you a tinto (black coffee) while you wait. It's not specialty coffee, but it tastes like a trustworthy shop.

3. Taller El Monarca: the most hidden of all

Address: Carrera 37 #4-50, at the end of a dead-end alley that looks like a garage entrance. There's no visible number; you have to look for a monarch butterfly graffiti on the wall.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

Reference prices (May 2026): Tire patch: $4,000 COP (the cheapest in Granada). Brake adjustment: $6,000 COP. Full cable replacement: $10,000 COP. Basic maintenance: $25,000 COP.

El Monarca is the neighborhood's best-kept secret. It's run by Don Jairo, a 55-year-old man who learned the trade in his hometown in Cauca. He has no social media, doesn't accept cards, and if you ask him for a specific spare part, he'll say, “come by tomorrow, I'll get it.” And he does.

His specialty is cruiser bikes and those used by delivery drivers. That's why his prices are the lowest: he knows many of his clients live off the pedal. He also has an agreement with a tire shop on the corner to patch tires at wholesale prices.

Fun fact: Don Jairo has a notebook where he records every repair since 2015. If you've ever been there, you're sure to be in it. He says he does it “so I don't charge twice for the same thing.”

Service comparison table

To help you make a quick decision, here's a comparison of the three shops based on the most common services:

• Taller de Don Carlos: Specialty in classic bikes (26-inch wheel). Average patch time: 15 minutes. Price range: $5,000 – $35,000 COP. Payment: cash only.
• Bicitecnia: Specialty in precision adjustments and mountain bikes. Average patch time: 20 minutes. Price range: $7,000 – $60,000 COP. Payment: cash and Nequi.
• Taller El Monarca: Specialty in cruiser bikes and delivery bikes. Average patch time: 10 minutes. Price range: $4,000 – $25,000 COP. Payment: cash only.

Where to eat or drink near the shops

Since you'll be leaving your bike for a while, take the opportunity to explore Granada's food scene. Here are my recommendations near each shop:

• Near Don Carlos: Two blocks away, on Calle 5A with Cra 38, is La Sandwichería de Granada. A chicken and avocado sandwich costs $12,000 COP and is served in under 10 minutes. Ideal for waiting for the patch.
• Near Bicitecnia: Heading down Calle 7N, you'll find Helados Popsy. A simple cone is $4,500 COP. Perfect for hot days while Andrés adjusts the gears.
• Near El Monarca: On the corner of the alley, on Cra 37, is Panadería El Trigal. A pandebono with cheese costs $2,000 COP and a small coffee is $1,500 COP. Don Jairo himself sometimes sends his clients there while they wait.

How to get there and transportation

Granada is well-connected, but arriving by bike is the most practical. If you're coming from downtown, take Avenida 3N north and turn off at Calle 5A. From the north, go down Avenida 6N to Calle 7N. All the shops are within a 10-block radius, so you can walk from one to another if you need to compare prices.

If you're coming by public transport, the bus routes that pass through Granada are T47 and T51. The nearest MIO station is Estación Granada (Troncal 3 line), a 5-minute walk from the shops.

By car, the nearest parking lot is Parqueadero Granada on Cra 38 with Calle 5A, with a rate of $3,000 COP per hour. But be careful: the shops are small and have no parking space, so it's better to arrive by bike or on foot.

Local tips

These tips will save you money and headaches:

• Negotiate the price if you have multiple repairs: At all three shops, if you bring your bike for full maintenance (brakes, gears, and chain), you can ask for a discount. Don Carlos usually lowers it by $5,000 to $10,000 COP if you tell him you'll pay in cash.
• Bring your own parts if you can: If you know what you need (a new tube, a brake cable), buy it at a spare parts store before you go. The shops have parts, but sometimes the markup raises the price. On Calle 15 with Cra 4 (downtown) there are wholesale stores where you can get everything cheaper.
• Don't go on Mondays: Bicitecnia is closed on Mondays, and Don Carlos sometimes doesn't open if he's running errands. El Monarca is open, but Monday is its busiest day because delivery drivers take advantage to repair their bikes after the weekend.
• Bring cash: Only Bicitecnia accepts Nequi. Don Carlos and Don Jairo only work with bills and coins. There's a Banco de Bogotá ATM on Cra 38 with Calle 5A, but it's sometimes out of cash on weekends.
• Ask about the warranty: At Bicitecnia, if the patch fails within a week, they'll replace it for free. At the other two shops, the warranty is verbal: if you come back the next day, they'll fix it without charge, but don't expect a receipt.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the cheapest shop in Granada?

Taller El Monarca has the lowest prices, with patches starting at $4,000 COP. However, its specialty is cruiser bikes and delivery bikes, so if you have a mountain bike with complex gears, it's better to go to Bicitecnia.

Do they accept credit or debit cards?

No. None of the three shops accept cards. Bicitecnia receives payments via Nequi, but Don Carlos and Don Jairo only work with cash. It's recommended to bring bills of $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 COP so they can make change.

Can I leave my bike while I go to work?

It depends on the shop. Don Carlos has a space in the back where he stores bikes during the day, but he is not responsible for damage. Bicitecnia has a lock at the entrance and allows you to leave your bike if you arrive early. El Monarca has no storage space; you have to wait while they repair it. In all cases, it's best to ask before leaving your bike.

Do they repair electric bikes?

Bicitecnia is the only one that repairs electric bikes, but only mechanical issues (brakes, gears, tires). They do not work with batteries or motors. Don Carlos and Don Jairo do not touch electric bikes due to a lack of specialized tools.

How long should I wait for a patch?

At El Monarca, if you arrive early, it can be ready in 10 minutes. At Don Carlos, about 15-20 minutes. At Bicitecnia, the time can stretch to 30 minutes if there's a queue. On weekends, the wait doubles at all three shops.

If you know another hidden shop in Granada that isn't on this list, send us the location via WhatsApp at 3001234567 and we'll add it. The more we ride, the better.

Historical or contextual introduction

The bicycle culture in Bogotá has experienced remarkable growth in recent decades. Since the first bike lanes were implemented in 1995, more and more citizens have chosen this means of transport, not only because it is eco-friendly, but also for its ability to navigate the city's chaotic traffic. This boom has brought with it a growing need for repair shops, where cyclists can take their bikes to keep them in optimal condition.

Granada, a neighborhood that has seen a transformation in its infrastructure and commercial offerings, has become a haven for bicycle enthusiasts. The repair shops found here not only offer technical services but are also meeting points for the cycling community, where stories, tips, and above all, a love for cycling are shared.

In this context, it is relevant to mention that many of these shops have adapted to current needs, offering not only repairs but also advice on buying bikes and accessories, as well as organizing events and group rides that promote cycling as a lifestyle.

If you are looking for a place to repair your bike in Granada, here are some tips that only the locals know: