Preparing your bike for Colombia #

Ensuring you come equipped with a bike that can handle the terrain in Colombia is easy and not expensive . In an earlier post we mentioned the importance of having your bike checked out and serviced by a professional bike tech, prior to packing it up for the trip. Here we talk about the style of off-road MTB adventures you can expect to encounter in Colombia, and the equipment best suited for the adventure. The majority of our clients bring all-mountain style MTB rides, typically bringing full-suspension equipment like All-Mountain, Trail, or Enduro bikes. This is perfect for most all riding conditions in Colombia! XC bikes are also a good fit for the Amazon regions and many areas in the high Andes where the jeep trails offer fun riding conditions. While some adventures are also fine for gravel bikers, we ask that you check with us prior to booking as route conditions can change from time to time.

For cross-country riders, a well configured hardtail or XC full suspension bike with 100mm to 120mm of front suspension is ideal. Meanwhile, gravel bikers will find a well-equipped gravel bike sufficient, but leave your old beach cruiser at home – for all-mountain rides, we suggest bikes with 140mm or more of suspension both front and rear, with tube or tubeless tire setup. We like Maxxis Minions, Highrollers, Aggressors, or Assegai here for this kind of riding.

Ensure your bike is in prime condition before arrival – no stretched chains or dirty cables allowed. Stock up on essentials like extra brake pads, a derailleur hanger, and optionally, a spare tire, tailoring to your bike’s brand and model. Consider packing a derailleur hanger, multi-tool, and tube as a precaution, along with zip ties, extra screws, and fluids such as Reverb oil, brake oil, tubeless sealant, and chain lube, all securely packed in sealed baggies to prevent spills. Consolidate everything into a compact bag and stow it in your bike’s travel bag – with that, you’re ready to hit the trails in Colombia. We’ll see you here soon!