Menga: The Bike Shop That Even Repairs MIO Bikes

Menga: The Bike Shop That Even Repairs MIO Bikes

Menga is not the prettiest neighborhood in Cali, nor the greenest, nor the most touristy. It's a working-class neighborhood, with houses with bars, mechanic shops on the corners, and traffic that sometimes feels like a bad joke. But if there's one thing that makes Menga unique, it's that here, among motorcycles and beat-up buses, there's a bike shop that has become legendary among the city's urban cyclists. It's called BiciDon Oscar, and it doesn't just repair bikes: it makes parts that are no longer available, recycles old brakes, and, most curiously, fixes the bikes of the MIO guards. Yes, the bikes used by the security guards of the mass transit system. As of May 2026, this shop remains the best-kept secret of those of us who pedal every day.

Introduction: Menga as a Cyclist Connection Point

Menga is located in northern Cali, right next to the Autopista Suroriental and near the Transport Terminal. Most people know it for the Parque de la Iglesia de Menga or for the empanada sales on the corner of Cra 1 and Calle 70. But for those of us who move by bike, Menga is a key point: it connects the flat northern area with the road to Yumbo and with downtown via the bike path that runs along Avenida 3N. The problem is that this bike path is full of potholes, debris, and drivers who think the road is only for cars. That's why having a reliable bike shop in the neighborhood is not a luxury, it's a necessity.

In Cali there are dozens of bike shops, from the most commercial ones downtown to specialized ones in the south. But BiciDon Oscar is different: it doesn't sell new bikes, it has no website or social media, and its facade is a rusty metal gate. It's open only Monday through Saturday, and on Wednesday mornings the line of bikes stretches to the corner. The reason? Don Oscar, the owner, is a guy who understands bikes like few others, and charges prices that don't hurt.

What to Do at BiciDon Oscar: More Than a Shop

Going to BiciDon Oscar is not just about dropping off your bike and waiting. It's an experience. The shop is at Calle 71 # 1-45, in an old house that Don Oscar turned into his kingdom. When you enter, the smell of grease and burnt rubber greets you, and you see bikes hanging from the ceiling, tools scattered on the floor, and a skinny dog lying at the entrance. Don Oscar, a man in his 60s, with magnifying glasses and hands always stained with oil, greets you with a "What's up, buddy?" while adjusting a chain.

The shop offers the basics: tire patching, brake adjustment, cable replacement, chain lubrication. But what makes it special are three things: the fabrication of hard-to-find parts, component recycling, and the express service for MIO guards. If you have an old bike, one that no one repairs anymore because parts are unavailable, Don Oscar tells you: "Leave it with me, I'll make something for you." And he does. With welding, wire, and patience, he makes basket supports, adapters for old disc brakes, and even handlebars made from recycled tubes.

What Else Can You Do at the Shop?

• Buy used parts at a good price: Don Oscar has a bunch of parts from disassembled bikes: tires, derailleurs, pedals, grips. All at prices ranging from $5,000 COP to $30,000 COP.
• Ask for a no-obligation quote: He doesn't charge you for checking the bike. He tells you the problem, the price, and the time. If you don't like it, he gives you the bike back for free.
• Watch him work: Don Oscar has no problem with you staying and watching while he repairs. Sometimes he even explains how to do it yourself. However, don't ask him questions while he's welding, because he gets distracted and might burn himself.

Where to Eat or Drink Near the Shop

After dropping off your bike, you'll most likely get hungry or thirsty. Menga has simple but good options, no frills. Here are the ones the neighbors recommend:

• La Esquina de las Empanadas: At Cra 1 with Calle 70, two blocks from the shop. They sell beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas for $2,500 COP each. They are fried, crispy, and served with homemade hot sauce. Open from 7am to 9pm.
• Panadería El Trigal: At Calle 72 # 1-30. They have pandebonos, almojábanas, and pan de yuca from $1,200 COP. They also sell black coffee for $1,000 COP. Perfect for a quick breakfast before picking up your bike.
• Tienda La 71: On the same street as the shop, at the corner with Cra 1. They sell sodas, cold beers, and bags of chips. There are no tables, but you sit on the sidewalk and watch life go by. A beer costs $3,500 COP.
• Restaurante El Sabor de Menga: At Cra 1 # 71-50. Set menu lunches: soup, main course, and juice for $12,000 COP. The menu changes daily, but on Monday there's always bandeja paisa. Open from 11am to 3pm.

The Fun Fact: He Repairs the Bikes of the MIO Guards

Here comes what makes Don Oscar famous. It turns out that the MIO security guards, the ones you see at stations and on buses, use bikes to patrol the routes. They are black bikes, with the MIO logo, and they undergo brutal wear and tear: brakes that wear out every two months, tires that get punctured by glass, chains that break from dust. MIO has contracts with large shops to maintain them, but those shops charge a lot and take days. Don Oscar, who lives two blocks from the Menga station, started repairing them outside the contract, at lower prices and on the same day.

The guards bring him the bikes in the early morning, before their shift starts, and Don Oscar has them ready by 6am. He himself says he has repaired up to 10 MIO bikes in one morning. He does it because he likes the system's people, and because he knows that if a bike breaks down, the guard has to walk kilometers under the sun. "They pay me what they can, sometimes with a lunch or a soda," says Don Oscar. But the fun fact is that he has developed a method to repair the brakes on those bikes using parts from old bikes that people throw away. He puts recycled brake pads on them, which last less than new ones, but cost half as much. The guards love him.

How to Get There by Bike from Downtown (Safe Route)

If you are in downtown Cali and want to get to BiciDon Oscar by bike, there is a route that local cyclists use to avoid heavy traffic. Follow these steps:

1. Leave downtown via Calle 15 heading north: Take Calle 15 to Avenida 3N. This road has a bike path in some sections, but watch out for potholes. Go slowly.
2. Go up Avenida 3N to Calle 70: The 3N is a wide avenue with quite a bit of traffic, but cars respect you if you stay close to the right edge. At the intersection with Calle 70, turn left.
3. Go down Calle 70 to Cra 1: Calle 70 is narrow and has speed bumps. Cars go slowly, so it's safe. At Cra 1, turn right.
4. Arrive at Calle 71: Cra 1 has an improvised bike path (painted on the ground) up to Calle 71. There, turn left and look for number 1-45. The shop is in a house with a green gate.

Safer but longer alternative: Take the bike path on Avenida 2N to Calle 44, then go up Cra 1 to Calle 71. It's safer because Cra 1 has less traffic, but it's about 20 extra minutes.

Safety tip: Bring front and rear lights, because on Calle 70 and Cra 1 there are sections without street lighting. Also, avoid riding after 8pm, as the area gets deserted.

Hard-to-Find Parts That He Makes

Don Oscar is known in the neighborhood for making parts that are no longer found in any store. Here are the most sought-after ones:

• Front basket supports: Those metal baskets that go on the handlebars. The original supports break easily, and they are no longer sold in stores. Don Oscar makes them from recycled steel rods, hand-welded. He charges $15,000 COP per support.
• Adapters for old disc brakes: If you have a bike with disc brakes from the 2000s, replacement parts are impossible to find. Don Oscar adapts brakes from modern bikes using nuts and washers he makes himself. The adapter costs $25,000 COP.
• Handlebars made from bike tubes: When the handlebar breaks, instead of buying a new one (which can cost $80,000 COP), Don Oscar takes a tube from an old bike, cuts it, welds it, and makes you a functional handlebar. He charges $20,000 COP.
• Single-speed sprockets: For fixed-gear or single-speed bikes, new sprockets are expensive. Don Oscar makes them from gears from old sewing machines. Yes, seriously. He sells them for $12,000 COP.

The key to his work is that he doesn't use molds or prefabricated parts. He does everything with hand tools: a lathe, a bench drill, and an electric welder. He says he learned from his father, who was a motorcycle mechanic. "Bikes are easier, buddy. They don't have an engine, just legs," he jokes.

Hours and Busiest Days to Avoid Lines

BiciDon Oscar is open Monday through Saturday, from 7am to 6pm. But not all days are the same. According to neighbors and customers themselves, these are the days and times with the most and fewest people:

• Monday and Tuesday: Medium traffic. Workers who left their bikes over the weekend arrive. Lines are 15 to 30 minutes.
• Wednesday morning: It's the busiest day. MIO guards bring their bikes, and cyclists from other neighborhoods also come because Don Oscar works faster. The line can last up to 1 hour. If you want to avoid waiting, go at 7am, right when he opens.
• Thursday and Friday: Low traffic. It's the best time to go if you need a complex repair. Don Oscar has more time to explain and show you how things work.
• Saturdays: High traffic in the morning, because people take advantage to repair their bikes before the weekend. After noon, the shop empties out. However, Don Oscar closes at 6pm, but sometimes he leaves early if there's no work.

Recommendation: If you want Don Oscar to show you his recycled brake invention, go on a Wednesday at 8am. Bring your bike, and while you wait, he'll explain how he converted mountain bike brakes into road bike brakes. It's a marvel of improvised mechanics.

Local Tips

• Bring cash: Don Oscar doesn't accept cards or transfers. Cash only. Prices are cheap, but bring bills of $10,000 and $20,000 COP so he can give you change.
• Don't go in a hurry: Don Oscar works at his own pace. If you tell him you're in a rush, he gets nervous and might make mistakes. Better to arrive with time and sit on the sidewalk to wait.
• Ask about used parts: Before buying a new part, ask him if he has a used one. You'll save money and help with recycling.
• Watch your bike while you wait: The shop doesn't have locks or surveillance. If you leave your bike outside, lock it with a lock. Don Oscar is not responsible if it gets stolen.
• Say hi to the dog: The skinny dog that lies at the entrance is named "Milo." If you give him a piece of bread, he becomes your friend and won't bark at you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Basic Repair Cost at BiciDon Oscar?

Prices vary depending on the job. A tire patch costs $5,000 COP. A brake cable replacement costs $15,000 COP. A full chain lubrication costs $8,000 COP. If you need a special part made, Don Oscar gives you a quote before starting. In general, prices are between 30% and 50% cheaper than at bike shops downtown.

Does Don Oscar Repair Electric or Mountain Bikes?

Yes, he repairs mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, and even basic electric bikes (those with a motor in the front wheel). But he doesn't touch the electrical part: if the battery or controller is damaged, he recommends going to a specialized shop. What he does do is fix brakes, gears, and tires on any type of bike.

Can You Pay with Card or Transfer?

No. Don Oscar only accepts cash. He doesn't have a card terminal or a bank account for transfers. If you don't have cash, you can ask him to wait while you go to the ATM at the Éxito on Calle 70, which is a 5-minute walk away. But be careful: the ATM sometimes runs out of bills.