Buying a mountain bike in Cuenca, Ecuador. After several months of research I bought a new mountain bike yesterday. It’s a GTI brand, 21- speed, dual suspension, 26″ mountain bike. I bought it at Coral at Mall Del Rio in Cuenca. It was $151, before Christmas they were $173.

I’ve been a “bike mechanic” since I’ve been old enough to walk and I’m also a Guitar Technician so I brought some hand tools with me from the states to do guitar setups and repair. A word of caution, just about everything on that bike needed to be adjusted, but I knew that when I bought it and had the tools. I also replaced both inner tubes so the valve stems would be compatible with the foot pump I purchased, what came with it wasn’t. And I replaced the plastic pedals with metal ones.

I think the bike is an excellent value at $151 and I’d highly recommend getting one if you’re in the market for one. However, I’d recommend purchasing the bike and then taking it (via taxi or car trunk) to an excellent bike shop up the road and have them go through it and set it up correctly. That would probably cost you about $5.00, I’m serious.

The shop is called “Los Angeles Bikes”, it’s located on Don Bosco on the left side of the street going east about 50 yards before you get to Tres Puentes. I bought the replacement inner tubes there at $3.50 each, a set of metal pedals for $6.00, and a bike lock (Masterlock) for $5.00.

Los Angeles Bikes

On Sundays, Cuenca has mountain bikes available you can ride for free if you have a cedula. More about that here.