bobfish

Either bike with a Shimano 105 groupset is probably okay. Good information already. As well as weight considerations, I'd probably add that for climbing you may wish to go for a compact crankset [50/34]. Not all Shimano 105 is equal: some bikes on special still come with older 5800 series rather than the newer 7000. As well, check that the rear deraileur is GS [medium cage] spec to handle a wider gear range. Shimano say the GS5800 will work to 32 teeth and the GS7000 to 34. But practically that can be pushed further with a longer B-screw, or as noted earlier, a roadlink extension. I wouldn't get tooo bogged down pushing the envelope: 34/32 is overkill for Doi Suthep.

I think the Kaze comes with Tektro rim brakes - okay, but not as good as 105. I personally wouldn't buy either of these bikes though, as my preference would be for disc brakes.

I've had a good run with Moon lights. Had one rear Nebula fail, but it was replaced for free. Front X-Power [separate battery pack] is BRIGHT, so I have to ensure it doesn't annoy or dazzle. 

Generally I only use a rear light in the daytime and have been using a Fly6 for quite a while. The inbuilt camera might only let the coroner know who ran me over, but it has been handy on occasion. Battery life is only around 3-4hrs, so not nearly as good as the Moon for longer rides. 

On 5/27/2020 at 11:19 AM, elgenon said:

5555 bikers = bicyclists

 

I don't understand your points at all. You are just being argumentative. Sorry I rolled the stone off you.

No stone unturned..... My impression was that you were interpreting other's replies as an argumentative victim. I just couldn't resist a dig then at your own ambiguous grammar. So, sorry if my feeble attempt at ironic sarcasm offended. I do understand from my American friends that irony and taking the P155 can be confusing. My profound apologies.

And: Oxford English Dictionary: "Biker" [n] . A cyclist. A person who rides a bicycle. Yep, separated by a common language and I assume your vision of bikers conjures up visions and aromas of sweat, leather and sleazy bars. Lucky you. Tomato/tomato - can we now just get along with our lives? Kind regards, Bob the Biker.

With a sixpack, that's 0.1 tonne! ????????. Good idea!

Steve73 has pretty much summed up your options without some sort of custom semi-permanent set up. How successful depends a bit on the car. I've carried bikes on cars from 911 to Limo, 4wd to Van: I don't like the removable trunk racks, not so stable and inhibit trunk access. Towbar mounts are great if you already have the towbar fitted..... otherwise it can get expensive quickly. I'm now on my third set of Thule Pro Ride bike carriers. I use these with roof bars, but some people attach to the pickup bed. Not the cheapest option, but I think the best compromise. Bikes can be loaded without removing wheels. Loading/unloading is quick and easy. Downsides:  is it is quite a reach on a 4wd wagon, like SC says; need to remember the height before underpasses, garages etc! some wind noise at highway speed, but not alarming.

34 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

what amazes me is that so many of these Lycra team colours are dark and do not reflect, so they are riding without the protection of hi viz.  A bit stupid really. Saw a chap yesterday on his bike  in all black?  Cool looking but hardly appropriate. 

That's a fair point. Fashion victims and Rapha is guilty of pushing it. 

On 5/7/2020 at 10:36 PM, Pilotman said:

I guess that anyone who sits for hours having his knackers squashed to death on a thin strip of leather, is allowed to be a bit grumpy.  I know that I would be.  

Not really how a bicycle seat works. Not blissful, but much more comfortable than a couple of hours strapped to one of Mssrs Martin & Baker's finest.

On 5/23/2020 at 6:49 AM, pineapple01 said:

Fortunately their rudeness has a price.Its only a matter of time before a pack of Soi Dogs get him, a tired Taxi Driver or anyone else who doesn't use the road as a free Gym brings home the message that no one likes these fancy dress idiots.

On 5/19/2020 at 8:56 PM, Flyfish said:

Sheer testosterone fuelled arrogance,a product of the “look at me generation”, but now quickly being adopted by anyone who can buy 

Lycra with logos and has sufficient imagination to believe they are a professional cyclist.   My experience of UK ,but seen also in Hua Hin where my neighbour and his pals all wear “teamcolours” and take it in turns to “set the pace” .....to be fair,Ive not seen them on their road race,and perhaps are exceedingly polite?

Like the boring Farangs at the bar in faded football team colours...? Pro's every one.  Most cyclists don't wear lycra to look cool, I know I can't carry that off. ????  A lot of cyclewear comes in team colours. If a rider likes a team and chooses to wear the same sponsored gear? So what. Helps that it is usually brightly coloured for visibilty.... Do cyclists think they're pro just because they are dressed in practical attire? Does the Barfly think he's what's-his-name from Man U? Probably no more than the golfing dude in a Nike T-shirt thinks he's Tiger Woo'. Guessing all are just wearing attire that is comfortably efficient for the task at hand. Get a grip Gents, please.

On 5/7/2020 at 10:30 PM, Pilotman said:

and in Kent, where I saw them rattle past 

Surely you heard, not saw them rattle? Maybe adjust your squelch?

9 hours ago, steelepulse said:

>>None of the three showed any signs of infection, the report noted.

 

 

As most of the people who get covid, it's not even noticed.  Perhaps he's reasonably healthy.

None of the three showed any signs of infection, the report noted. When he returned from Shanghai in March. Unlikely then they had Covid at that time and were asymptomatic. Maybe read the report.

7 hours ago, elgenon said:

Well, your writing skills are lacking because that is the precise message i got from your writing.

 

Only if they are aware and care. One day I was running on the Strand the wide cement path along the beach. I didn't see anyone else. All of a sudden I heard "Look out". Then the biker plowed into me from behind. I was running in a straight line, no other person near me and the guy did not swerve to try to miss me. On his phone or spacing. Yet you say it's my fault I got hit. Yes, you have nothing to do with god or sense.

This guy was riding?- so that's six times? Previously I understood the other five bikers hit you while walking. I guess they must have told you they were bikers, or else had there bikes with them. Middle aged? and, were they wearing Lycra? Or did you just not like them and decided they must be bikers then?

 I wouldn't go near the max limit unless I was looking at big jumps onto a smooth touchdown surface...????. And I'm getting much too old for that!! Normally I just want to avoid pinch flats/rim damage or unwanted deformation/burping during cornering loads. For road, as high [low!] as is 'comfortably fast' ie speed, smoothness and grip.

I hear you though with highest pressure giving lowest rolling resistance: smallest contact patch etc. But that's only true for a billiard-smooth surface. For a given tyre, load and [less than perfectly smooth] surface, there is a point where an increase in pressure increases rolling resistance due to the kinetic energy conversion: Lack of tyre deflection exerts vertical forces to lift both bike and rider rather than being absorbed. Certainly feels fast though!

Definitely not telling anyone how to live their life, so the correct answer is "whatever you like" I guess. More important to just ride. ????‍♂️ ????????????

There's been a bit of chat lately about recommended tyre pressure.

Generally, I use the lowest pressure I can get away with depending on the ride and conditions. Sometimes around 100psi on a road bike down to 23psi on a MTB. Aside from personal preference, and in the search for some objective guidance, I stumbled upon the Silca calculator: https://silca.cc/pages/sppc-form?submissionGuid=da5896df-5304-4cf4-bd99-051b2808d277

You need to sign up for the pro version - obviously Silca then want to send you product info, but you can opt out later. Of all the tyre pressure calulators this one seems to have been derived from the largest database. And it is predicated on having an accurate pressure gauge [$ilca?].

Probably the best starting point I've found, though I think there's still room for personal preference on the day: Particularly for less mainstream antics like big hit jumping etc.

Anyone anything better? 

Chafing: For chamois cream I use 'Smoothasssilk' normally, but I've gotten away with just using baby nappy [diaper] cream in the past. Something mild and antifungal like Egoderm soothes the redness if needed.

And #8 to the comfort tips: you've fitted the biggest volume tyres, have you dropped the pressures? Try riding with the lowest pressure that doesn't give pinchflats or cornering squirm. Check if you can go tubeless....

To reduce sweat I use a Buff or similar with the front folded into a cuff, and it stops sunburn on my bald patch! If riding during midday/early afternoon make sure to hydrate. I try to choose shaded roads and avoid long climbs to keep a cool breeze going. Limiting the rides to 2hrs or [road] around 50k's helps. 

'Tricks'...? Soak the Buff [and arm protectors] in water before setting off. Tried jumping in the pool pre-ride with limited success - tip: dry socks!

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Hi @bobfish and @beachproperty

 

Many thanks for your replies, and I think you both have made great comments.

 

I see a sale at Probike for a Domane al 2 @12,900, which looks like both a good bike and a good price for me.

 

Any thoughts? You guys are on a roll...

 

Cheers

SB

 

https://www.probike.co.th/bike-and-frameset/793/2020-domane-al-2/

 

 

 

That Domane has a carbon fork with basic components. But, it will be solid and do the trick. It's actually a good price.  

Key will be sizing as mentioned, you'll probably want a 58cm, but could maybe get away with a longer stem/seatpost/seat offset on a smaller size depending on your body proportions. There are a number of online sizing calculators [or phone apps] that look at measurements such as inseam, torso, arm reach, etc and come up with geometry recommendations. Challenging to compare bikes as manufacturers differ in measuring datums. However, effective seat height, effective top tube length, reach and stack height are the main numbers to look at to get you in the ball park. You can probably find those numbers from your Marlin if you know the year and size, but beware that MTB's are in general more forgiving of sizing errors [I know there are counter arguments to that statement, but don't want to go down that rabbit hole right now!]

There are some good deals around right now, although as Scbascuba3 points out, bikes like the Trek Madone Project One at Bt443,000 may or may not be....

Good luck!

Agreed, 50 psi is the max rating. Depending on the tyre width I'd be running 30-35psi, and less off road.

Optima is a Thai company, good reputation with interests in Taiwan. 

Optima 4000. Components at the budget end but can work for your intended road biased use. Size wise, 17 can probably work. For me [similar height] I think I could get by with a 40cm seatpost, the reach might need a longer stem.

Agree with beachproperty, can't help thinking you'd be better off with a hybrid/road style bike. Much lighter and much, much faster with better road gearing. No need to waste your money on a heavy suspension fork, wheels and triple ring.

Decathlon good value but limited to trad style. Maybe try Mojo Bikes Thailand, they stock Five Tens.

Yep. 27.5 = 650B 

27.5 vs 29....  27.5 will be around for a while I think: Smaller sized frames, 'aggressive' gravel, quicker handling/park bikes tend towards the smaller size.

29er gets the marketing promos though and they've certainly proven to be fast in competition and roll well. I just haven't ridden one that feels [as] playful. Yet.

On 4/12/2020 at 10:48 PM, kingdong said:

_{!make sure the saddle on your bike dosen,t become loose.}

Dropper post!

I've been doing a few local mtb's in the hills. Just wearing a buff as a 'mask' for the first road km to/from. Now limited by sub-district restrictions, but the boundaries and checkpoints aren't to be found in the jungle and I rarely see another human. Yes, there's a risk of injury, however probably no more than from the shonky DIY I've been doing at home!

Was doing some road riding, but suspect the idea of being in the turbulent efflux of pelotons of scooter riders or groups crammed in the back of trucks etc may not be optimal right now.

Stay safe and healthy!

On 1/4/2020 at 2:07 AM, Inn Between said:

Gee, I saw the topic heading and wondered two things: 1) why does anyone need that many mountain bikes, and 2)How does one specifically buy 1/2 a mountain bike?  ???? 

 

Fortunate he didn't ask for 650b MTB then.

I guess small frames with big wheels are what sells in Thailand. ??

Other than the OP sourcing himself, 888bike sometimes comes up with some gems: eg https://888bike.net/product/8505/จักรยานเสือภูเขาฟูลซัส-giant-off-road-trail-full-suspension-trance-212sp-slx-27-5-giant-my2020

A bit of a search around might uncover others.

11 hours ago, WaveHunter said:

Good idea and I use OSM but not all of the off road trails on Doi Suthep show up on it.  Here's a snapshot of all trails I'm interested in on Doi Suthep (see below).  I have all of these trails on Google Earth and can export as KML files and convert to GPX or dozens of other mapping formats but but for some reason I can't get KML's to convert to ANY of the Garmin formats. ????

 

Do you know of a way to convert Google Earth KML files to a compatible format for Garmin?  Is there a non-Garmin format you think might work?  My format converting app will convert to dozens of different formats but every one I've tried so far is will not convert.  Here's the formats I've tried so far"

 

 

Sorry, no clue on the file conversion. You could maybe upload an update to OSM after riding a particular trail. Takes time though. 
The trails you displayed bring back many pre-gps memories of getting lost and bushwhacking around Doi Suthep,, ha those were the days! So many “options”. I used to like one of the other trails which drops straight down west of Doi Pui and then links right to head out to Mae Rim, or flows left to the Hmong village (The road climb then to the start of ATV is not fun on a DH bike)

Let us know how you go.