moonoi

I am Chiang Mai so I don't know anything about the Pattaya cycling scene. The only people I have seen with mirrors were round-the-world cyclists, hard core roadies and the like. The are not mainstream on bicycles but I would say it's valid that only experienced cyclists seem to have them. I don't have any fitted to my bikes though, I have not got to that stage yet either!

Hardcore roadies have mirrors? You're having a laugh, may I point you in the direction of rule #66 which clearly states:

Rule #66 // No mirrors

Mirrors are allowed on your (aptly named) Surly Big Dummy or your Surly Long Haul Trucker. Not on your road steed. Not on your Mountain bike. Not on your helmet. If someone familiar with The Rules has sold you such an abomination, return the mirror and demand a refund, plus interest and damages.

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#66

On a more serious note, I know no serious roadie that would use mirrors on their bike, and these are people that ride a minimum of 10k km and some as much as 40k km a year.

I think you'll find most experienced road cyclists do not use them and when asked why will tongue in cheek respond that it is a violation of the above rule [emoji6]

On the other hand plenty of touring/audax riders do, I suspect these may be the people you're referring to.

Anyway back to the topic, I find cycling in Pattaya to be safer than Bangkok, but a little more dangerous than Cha-am/Hua Hin and Rayong/Chantaburi.

In my home country Norway you can not ride a bicycle on public roads without mirrors. Thats the law. Off road is a different matter of course.

On a different note, I've not tried the Garmin Varia. I think it would be more useful to alert me on less busy roads when I may be getting tired/complacent or unable to hear because of wind noise above [sorry!] 30kph.
I've been using a Fly6 [camera/light combo] but that of course does not provide me with active awareness. 

You think that's a personal attack? If you feel so that means that you read more in to my comment than was there.

You are the one that insists that your view is the correct view, and are unwilling to accept that of others.

I've been riding over 12 years in Thailand, and have never come across anyone riding 3/4 abreast, in Bangkok, Pattaya, Rayong and Hua Hin, except on the Skylane around the airport.

I don't accept a mirror is a necessary safety requirement as I've never encountered a situation where having one would improve my safety. But I did state if you want to use one then by all means, I also suggested a far superior alternative (Garmin Varia) that doesn't have blind spots that a mirror has, that would seem to be perfect for someone like you that isn't as flexible as they once were. It even shows you how fast vehicles are approaching, and how many and I use one combined with a Garmin 820. You didn't comment on that.

And as I sign off on this you are the one that accuse others that don't use mirrors as being insane, not me, I just disagree with you that they are necessary in Thailand.

You don't know any better than me or anyone else, you have your own opinion that you're trying to force on others, and don't accept anyone that doesn't agree.

I'm not childish enough to need to block or ignore others just because they have an opposing view to mine. So In fact that is real last resort of someone who has no real argument to offer to defend their position. This is further reinforced by the fact you claim to be trying to educate me, you never were trying to debate.

Still next time I'm in Pattaya, I'd love to ride with you, I'm not what or who you think, I just happen to not agree with your stance. I'll even buy you a coffee (or beverage of your own choice, post ride).

And if not, I'm sorry for any offense you may have taken, but really you need to calm down, this is just an Internet forum full of different views.


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Having been a driver all of my life and actually driving the farm tractor since I was ten years old has made me use mirrors as instinctively as breathing.
 
Not being of the "elite"  group of "racing on a public road"  type of Idiot / cyclist with  uncommunicative noses  in  the air, as evidenced by their silent and deadly overtaking procedures , these immature  speed freaks who seem oblivious to all those other users of the road by their inane and obsessive  need to ride in a group that however small  dictates to them that they must ride line abreast and ergo alienating all  those whom they delay by their selfish antics 
 
I object to any idea  (Usually coming from a member of this latter type of group) that to use mirrors on a bike on a main road especially in Thailand  is insane, impractical and must be  somehow either beneath the detractors  dignity  or somehow injurious to their need for speed, performance or low self esteem.
 
Further,  that they are suffering from a delusion that they are  not on a busy and dangerous  multi use Highway in one of the most chaotic parts of the world  but that they are competitors  on a cordoned off, highly marshalled stretch of the tour de France.
 
Not to use a mirror is not only crazy it could be suicidal and any of those belonging to the group above whom I have the misfortune to encounter most days when riding can do what they want to do but for those like me who only came into riding a bike in their late lives and are not part of the "Elite" need all the help they can get and mirrors are  an essential aid where you only need to turn your eyes to look back and not your head and body.

Far more useful than mirrors in a high traffic environment is Garmins Varia Radar, which is what I use occasionally on the roads of Bangkok.

Funnily enough the most dangerous place I've ridden is the Skylane around the airport, full of idiots thinking they're safe because there aren't any cars, so don't take any basic safety precautions like checking it's clear before pulling out.

Nice bike but no mirrors ?   Be careful , first thing you should do is to get mirrors on both sides. 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubbish, any competent cyclist does not need mirrors, they also end up making your bike wider, less maneuverable and less stable with the additional weight on your barends.

Also, why would you have a use for mirrors on the trail anyway?

Sportbicycle in U Chu Liang building opposite Lumphini Park


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Largest road frame I've seen available in BKK is a Specialized S-Works Tarmac size 61, they had 2 in stock last month.

Other than that Trek sometimes carry larger sizes, everyone else it will be a special order that could take anything from 1 month to 9 months to arrive

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Available in Thailand, normally sell at 1500 THB, but currently have 50% at Specialized dealers during March.

No L size left though, so if anyone needs them this is a good deal.


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They didn't reopen it fully, they kept one lane closed over the damaged section. The reason to keep it open for traffic was to reduce the possibility of jams, makes perfect sense to honest.


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Just drive up to Ram Inthra road, there are many many tyre and rim shops along it, I use CG400 most of the time, they have a few branches and good service. The one with the biggest selection is just before Big C on Ram Inthra km2


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They guesstimate it, or if there is a local equivalent they will base it on that, but normally it's a guesstimate.

If you check the custom rules, this is normal, even if you have a declared value, they are free to ignore it and make up their own.


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Coming from Europe, US or Australia will make no difference. It also doesn't matter what you mark it as, they'll open it and apply duty according to what is in it. You may even end up paying more if the classification is incorrect (this happened to me once).

Shoes are classified as clothing, the pedals as parts, so they will charge duty according to each classification.


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10% on parts plus 7% duty

Clothing is 20% plus 7% duty, unless it's classified as luxury (e.g. Rapha) then its 30% plus 7%

Completely built up bikes are 30% plus 7% duty

It's important to note you add the duty after the import tax calculation, so it isn't 37%, works out closer to 40% on a complete build bike. Also they will include shipping in the calculation, if shipping is free, then they will calculate the shipping to be 10% of the value of the shipping. It's always better to pay shipping for this reason.

If the value is less than 1500 THB then there is no tax to pay.

Oh, and the valuation is based on what customs think the item is worth, not necessarily what you paid for it. It can work out in your favor sometimes, but occasionally you'll get stung.

If you have a choice in shipping provider, try to avoid DHL, you will get stung on import duty through them.

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No problem, you can look up JJ Pro Cycling Centre on Facebook, all his contact details are there. He is to the NW of Bangkok


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This is good news. Where are Stages available from? I'm assuming you can order them online. Do you know the ballpark Thai price for a 105 stages crank?

It's 2% behind schedule already....they only started work on the main part last month, maybe end of 2019 is more realistic...

I particularly enjoy the fact that this tunnel to reduce congestion has already increased my commuting time by 45 minutes. I suppose it is going to get worse and suspect that by the time it opens, it already won't be able to cope with the amount of traffic...

Have a look at D2Autorack http://www.d2autorack.com

They are the Thule importer and every kind of rack imaginable, at every price point.

Another rack to look at is the SeaSucker Mini Bomber, I don't know around Chiangmai, but it's available from Play bike in Bangkok. Can only carry 2 bikes though. There is a 3 rack Bomber version, but haven't seen it advertised over here.


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I use specialized, maxxis, continental and schwalbe tubes here, not had any issue as mentioned and cost from 110-180thb each


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Good to know about the typical frame size range. I'll see if a local shop can custom order for a reasonable price.

The best and most reliable track/floor pump I've owned is an Airace Infinity. Replaced my Joe Blow (Top Peak) which died after 18months, this one is now 4 years old and still going strong, well worth the 1600THB price.

I got it from Km8Bicycle in Bangkok


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You'd be better off saving a bit more and going for a 10-15K Giant/Merida that has standard components and is upgradable as you wear parts out.

It'll take you a while to wear one out mind


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You can't estimate the size of a frame based on wheel size, almost every road/hybrid bike will have 700c wheels irrespective of frame size.

If you need a 60cm frame you're going to have trouble finding one in Thailand without a special order and especially not at the price you are looking at on Lazada.

That bike will be somewhere from 44-52cm in size to fit the majority of locals.


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I'm running 24mm tyres, so at 32mm that would be around what I would use too, although I'd go lower at the front 70 or 75


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