Buying a new bicycle, information and recommendations

[Samui Bodoh]

Hi All

 

As per the title, I am going to buy a new bicycle in the next few weeks, and am looking for information and/or recommendations.

 

Currently, I cycle every morning along the ring road, so it would be a bike for that; I don't do any mountain biking or off road. I currently have a (basic!) Trek mountain bike which has been great, but it is about five years old and I feel the need for a change. I bought the Trek as (at the time) Thai bikes were about 2-3 centimeters too short for a full leg extension, even with the seat raised to the maximum. 

 

I will have a look at the shop in Mae Nam at Soi 2, Racing World in Bophut (near the market), and the place 100M south of the PTT station in Southern Cheweng, as well as Tesco and Big C. Are there any other bike shops on the island? In Lamai, perhaps?

 

Cost. I do not want to pay through the nose (who does), but as I will be using this 320-340 days a year for the next several years, cost is less important than getting something good.

 

So, any suggestions regarding makes? Models? Shops? 

 

The default option for me is simply to get another Trek Mountain bike.

 

All comments very welcome!

 

Cheers

[irishken]

I can't advise you on where to buy on Samui, but if i was living in Thailand i would want a Cyclocross bike or something similar.

Much easier on the road than a mountain bike but easily able to handle the off road and Samui has plenty of dirt tracks. 

[SpokaneAl]

I highly recommend that you make sure you buy a bike that fits you - not some generic sized bike. Good bike shops can measure you and order a bike to fit you. Most bikes in stock seem to be too small for the average sized foreigner. And as you mentioned, with the amount of riding you do, buy a good one with higher quality components - you get what you pay for.

 

If I were you I would be prepared to spend at least 34 thousand baht for a bike of reasonable quality.

Edited October 19, 2017 by SpokaneAl

[LawrenceN]

I'm guessing you like an upright posture, so have a look at the light hybrids like the Trek FX Series or Specialized Sirrus line. Both companies have multiple levels (prices) based on better components. Other companies have similar lines. Better on pavement than mountain bikes due to narrower, higher pressure tires, less rolling resistance. If you want drop handlebars, then the suggestion of a cyclocross bike is worth considering. 

 

I second the comment about making sure you get a good fit with the correct size frame.

[chingmai331]

I bought a near-new Marin hybrid bike for 20K thai baht.  Could not be better for all my needs. Big size too to fit me; hardly any thai thieves could reach the pedals.  Rack on the back for the veggies, baguettes, beer. Hope to carry it to Ireland next year for touring. 

[Samui Bodoh]

Many thanks for the feedback to date!

 

The Cyclocross bikes look great, but on the Trek website they begin at 5,000 USD. I am willing to spend a bit, but that is too much, especially as I really don't do off road.

 

I agree re: comments regarding the size; that is why I bought the Trek bike last time. Unless things have changed, Thai bikes were a tad too small for me. @SpokaneAl, you raise a good point regarding a shop measuring me and ordering an appropriate bike, but I haven't yet seen a shop on the island of that level of quality (recommendations/suggestions, anyone?).

 

I will look into the Marin bikes; I had never heard of the company. I especially like that you found a big size; that is a key issue for me.

 

Thanks loads for the comments. Anyone else? Especially from Samui?

 

Cheers

 

Edited October 19, 2017 by Samui Bodoh

[XJPSX]

Everywhere I go I look for bike shops. Samui is limited. If you want something that will last and most importantly enjoy riding I would head to BKK.

Play Bikeshop has the best prices and stocks a lot of bikes. They also have a dedicated Shimano fitting room / building to ensure you get fitted correctly.

I have been to nearly all the bike shops within a 60km radius of BKK and you will save 20k on an 80k bike from Play.

I would stick to Specialised or Trek personally. They have some great entry models and you can also get last years model with considerable savings if you wait for early next year.

To get anything decent you will have to pay north of 50k. You can obviously spend 20k but you get what you pay for.

Bike prices have dropped globally in the last 10 years for what you get due to technology and China. The technology on a 50k bike would of been double that price 10 years ago.

Agree to get a touring / hybrid bike for complete comfort factor and versatility. There are some great bikes out there.

 

Great you ride that often and wish I could!

Edited October 19, 2017 by XJPSX

[SpokaneAl]

I spend time up in Korat and since I knew my bike size and what I was looking for, was able to order a bike from a BKK bike shop. It came exactly as advertised, and I used a local bike shop to put it together and fit it for and to me.


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[Mansell]

My Trek is 20 years old and going strong.....what is wrong with your 5 year old one, components wearing out? You can replace them as needed. As for Thai bikes being short....I got a folding bike and the seat post was short as my legs are long. I took it to a engine machine shop and the guy welded on an extension, buffed it etc and charged me a 100 baht. Very impressed.

[MaeJoMTB]

49 minutes ago, Mansell said:

My Trek is 20 years old and going strong.....what is wrong with your 5 year old one, components wearing out? You can replace them as needed. As for Thai bikes being short....I got a folding bike and the seat post was short as my legs are long. I took it to a engine machine shop and the guy welded on an extension, buffed it etc and charged me a 100 baht. Very impressed.

Unfortunately bike fit is more than just the distance from the seat to the crank.

[Samui Bodoh]

Hi All

 

Again, thanks for all your comments! They are greatly appreciated.

 

XJPSX, thanks for the mention of Play Bike shop, I am looking through their website now. My real concern would be the shipping; I have a (perhaps unreasonable!) wariness about buying stuff in Thailand/Asia that I haven't seen with my own eyes and I would be afraid of opening the box and receiving something rather different than what I ordered. As for being able to ride as much as I do, that is a choice. I get up at 4:30-4:45 in the morning so that I can cycle for 45-60 minutes daily. And, I must say, it is easier to do here on Samui than other places.

 

Mansell. Fair question regarding my current Trek. It is simply that I just got some unexpected cash and this seems like a good way to spend it. My current Trek has been good to me, and if I am not happy with the process of getting a new one, I'll keep it.

 

Can I pose a question for all of you? I get the distinct impression that you all know much more than I.

 

In fitting the bike, what precisely am I looking to fit. With my current bike, I have made sure that I got full extension of my legs as I cycle, and I tinkered around with the front handlebar angle and height until it was comfortable. Should I be looking for something else? Remember that I am cycling for pleasure and exercise, not racing or anything else. Further, I just stick to the roads.

 

Is there anyone from Samui out there? Some local knowledge that I might be able to access?

 

Thanks again

Cheers

Edited October 20, 2017 by Samui Bodoh

[MaeJoMTB]

You look on the manufacturers website and choose a bike that fits your inside seam leg measurement.

The recommended bike will fit, unless you are an unusual shape, in which case you may need to go up or down 1 size.

 

I bought a Merida Matts 18" MTB using manufacturers recommended sizes, gave me back ache but an adjustable angle stem (600bht) fixed it. (Trek 19" MTB fits perfectly)

I  bought a Trek 1.1 Alpha 56cm road bike (mail order from BKK), gave me back ache, but tilting the horns up a bit cured that (no cost).

 

You can't really go wrong buying manufacturers recommended size, but it may need a small adjustment to fit to your body. 

Edited October 20, 2017 by MaeJoMTB

[LawrenceN]

2 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

You look on the manufacturers website and choose a bike that fits your inside seam leg measurement.

The recommended bike will fit, unless you are an unusual shape, in which case you may need to go up or down 1 size.

 

I bought a Merida Matts 18" MTB using manufacturers recommended sizes, gave me back ache but an adjustable angle stem (600bht) fixed it. (Trek 19" MTB fits perfectly)

I  bought a Trek 1.1 Alpha 56cm road bike (mail order from BKK), gave me back ache, but tilting the horns up a bit cured that (no cost).

 

You can't really go wrong buying manufacturers recommended size, but it may need a small adjustment to fit to your body. 

Good post. When I bought my road bike, I changed the 100mm handlebar stem to 90mm. $45 to save a centimeter, and innumerable backaches. Sounds like you already know you can flip the stem over to raise or lower it 14 degrees, usually.

[Samui Bodoh]

Okay, I get the inside seam leg measurement. Thanks.

 

I was chatting with a Thai bicycle guy this afternoon and we were discussing tire size. My current bike has 26 inch tires, but he was recommending 29 inch tires for me. I get that larger tires on my motorcycle are useful in dealing with potholes, but is there any other advantage to larger (29 inch) bicycle tires? As I noted in my OP, I cycle on the ring road, a decent road which is newly paved in many places, so I don't hit many, if any, potholes.

 

The Thai bike guy was recommending either a Trek FX T hybrid or a Merida Speeder 100/200/300.

 

Any comments? These bikes are much cheaper than what is recommended here, but they both seem to be quite good for my needs. I have to say that I am a wee bit confused...

 

Cheers

 

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

I was chatting with a Thai bicycle guy this afternoon and we were discussing tire size.

The 'Thai bicycle guy' will tell you whatever he needs to sell his existing stock.

His only interest is profit, and he doesn't care about repeat sales.

26" wheels and tires are easily available in SEA, 29", don't break  down away from specialist stores.

 

Trek or Merida will suit you fine, if they are the right size.

If you are tall, the 'Thai bicycle guy' will try to tell you 'small' or 'medium' will fit fine with the seat extended, don't believe him (Most Thai shops  only stock small and medium sizes). Look on the manufacturers website for the correct size.

Edited October 20, 2017 by MaeJoMTB

[Expat68]

Specs are more important than brand name ie shimano I would not go less than Deore, it will last for years. The roads in Thailand are so s**t I prefer Mountain Bikes, with hard tail and put thinner road tires on. I have just bought a Merida Big 7, 300 Mountain Bike for 19900 baht and a Australian guy who has ridden bikes all his life more expert than me, told me the specs on the bike were excellent.

[MaeJoMTB]

7 minutes ago, Expat68 said:

Specs are more important than brand name ie shimano I would not go less than Deore, it will last for years. The roads in Thailand are so s**t I prefer Mountain Bikes, with hard tail and put thinner road tires on. I have just bought a Merida Big 7, 300 Mountain Bike for 19900 baht and a Australian guy who has ridden bikes all his life more expert than me, told me the specs on the bike were excellent.

All the Shimano gear sets work perfectly well, I have one bike with Acera, still working perfectly after 15 years. Also bikes with Alivio, Claris, Deore, Sora. The most problematic is the Deore (2 years old) that sometimes needs 2 clicks to change gears.

Edited October 21, 2017 by MaeJoMTB

[LawrenceN]

16 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Okay, I get the inside seam leg measurement. Thanks.

 

I was chatting with a Thai bicycle guy this afternoon and we were discussing tire size. My current bike has 26 inch tires, but he was recommending 29 inch tires for me. I get that larger tires on my motorcycle are useful in dealing with potholes, but is there any other advantage to larger (29 inch) bicycle tires? As I noted in my OP, I cycle on the ring road, a decent road which is newly paved in many places, so I don't hit many, if any, potholes.

 

The Thai bike guy was recommending either a Trek FX T hybrid or a Merida Speeder 100/200/300.

 

Cheers

 

29-inch is a mountain bike wheel. The Trek FX has 700mm wheels, like a road bike. So something is amiss here. Pick up the bike and read the tire size off the tire itself.

 

Friend of mine here in Chiang Mai got a light hybrid with the GT brand on it a few years back for ฿12,000. I agree with the rest of the bike snobs on here that you get better quality for more money, but if you want to keep it cheap, there are options available. GT is a respectable brand owned by Pacific Cycle. They also own the Schwinn and Mongoose brands.

[Samui Bodoh]

6 hours ago, LawrenceN said:

29-inch is a mountain bike wheel. The Trek FX has 700mm wheels, like a road bike. So something is amiss here. Pick up the bike and read the tire size off the tire itself.

 

Friend of mine here in Chiang Mai got a light hybrid with the GT brand on it a few years back for ฿12,000. I agree with the rest of the bike snobs on here that you get better quality for more money, but if you want to keep it cheap, there are options available. GT is a respectable brand owned by Pacific Cycle. They also own the Schwinn and Mongoose brands.

 

Hmm... I'm not willing to use the term "bike snob" until someone recommends a bike over 100,000 Baht . But, my needs seem to be of a... less expensive nature.

 

The 700mm wheels is just me not writing in proper detail; all is good.

 

I am leaning towards a lower cost bike; I ride on the paved road and don't really need all the fancier stuff, fun as it all sounds.

 

Still hoping for any local members who might suggest shops, etc. I know that you are out there as I see you on your bikes.

 

Cheers

 

[ricklev]

Decathlon, but I'm not sure if they deliver to Samui.

 

https://www.decathlon.co.th/en/

 

 

[mcdiver]

I have a Merida Speeder and have done more then 9000km, my friend have done 20000km+ on his speeder. Very comfortable using 32mm tires, with room for bigger if you want and we are super happy with the bike.  Fast enough to go for a 30km+ avg long road ride, comfy to do off road and gravel rides, great city and all round bike. This one is 20k. 

 http://www.sangcharernbike.com/store/product/view/เสือไฮบริดทางเรียบ_MERIDA_SPEEDER_200_ปี_2016_สายไฮบริด_ปั่นสบายๆ_เรสซิ่งแบบเสือหมอบ-28153882-th.html

[LawrenceN]

That Merida Speeder looks pretty sweet.

 

Samui Bodoh, I hope you tell us what you bought, after you buy it.

[Samui Bodoh]

21 hours ago, LawrenceN said:

That Merida Speeder looks pretty sweet.

 

Samui Bodoh, I hope you tell us what you bought, after you buy it.

As I noted in my OP, it'll be a few weeks. And I am still looking about here on Koh Samui as I am old-fashioned (or perhaps a fossil ) and prefer to see/try out what I am buying before I pay for it, if possible.

 

However, some things have become clear.

 

When I bought my current Trek about five years ago, I paid 11 thousand Baht. I was working on the (very, very) wrong assumption that a new bike of similar quality would now cost somewhere between 15 and 20 thousand, and a high quality bike would be in the mid/high 20s or low 30s. After reading this thread, I realize that in order to get a bike that is significantly better, I would need to pay north of...35? 50? thousand baht, and to really go upscale I would be looking at 80 thousand plus. Considering that I cycle along a paved road, it does not seem worth it to go up scale that much.

 

Best guess is that I will go with the Merida Speeder; It seems to fit all my needs without being too expensive. If I were a serious mountain biker and/or did a lot of off road, I would buy something much better, but I am not.

 

Thanks to all who contributed, it was/is greatly appreciated! And if there is anyone from Samui out there, I'd love to hear from you.

 

Cheers

[impulse]

I'm not exactly clear on why the OP feels the need to ditch his current bike, as opposed to doing some sprucing up and possibly upgrading the components that aren't up to scratch?

 

Don't get me wrong, I understand the itch.  And if the frame doesn't fit- so be it. 

 

But I spent 10 years doing vendor qualifications in China, including visiting dozens of bicycle manufacturers.  In fact, I'm in China right now and planning to visit some bicycle factories I met at trade shows last week.  And I can tell you with engineering certainty that you don't always get what you pay for...  Unless you like paying for advertising and sponsorships.

 

[MaeJoMTB]

39 minutes ago, impulse said:

I'm not exactly clear on why the OP feels the need to ditch his current bike, as opposed to doing some sprucing up and possibly upgrading the components that aren't up to scratch?

 

Don't get me wrong, I understand the itch.  And if the frame doesn't fit- so be it. 

 

But I spent 10 years doing vendor qualifications in China, including visiting dozens of bicycle manufacturers.  In fact, I'm in China right now and planning to visit some bicycle factories I met at trade shows last week.  And I can tell you with engineering certainty that you don't always get what you pay for...  Unless you like paying for advertising and sponsorships.

 

Usually cheaper to buy new than to upgrade.

Just cost MTB going from V-brake to Disc brake.

or Road bike, 8 speed to 10 speed.

[impulse]

15 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Usually cheaper to buy new than to upgrade.

Just cost MTB going from V-brake to Disc brake.

or Road bike, 8 speed to 10 speed.

 

True, because the sum of the retail price of all the spare parts to build a bike is somewhere around 5x the price of the bike (just like cars).

 

Nor am I talking about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear (or chicken salad out of chicken shit, like we'd say back home...)

 

But if it's just a sticky derailleur, or a stretched chain with worn teeth, a couple of thousand baht goes a long way.

 

Edit:  I would also add that the OP's later posts give me the impression that he may not be getting the quantum upgrade he was hoping for within his budget.  If he's just going to end up with something similar to what he's already got, a rethink is in order.  I don't have a dog in the fight regarding which way he goes.  Just food for thought.

 

Edited October 26, 2017 by impulse

[Samui Bodoh]

 

29 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

True, because the sum of the retail price of all the spare parts to build a bike is somewhere around 5x the price of the bike (just like cars).

 

Nor am I talking about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear (or chicken salad out of chicken shit, like we'd say back home...)

 

But if it's just a sticky derailleur, or a stretched chain with worn teeth, a couple of thousand baht goes a long way.

 

Edit:  I would also add that the OP's later posts give me the impression that he may not be getting the quantum upgrade he was hoping for within his budget.  If he's just going to end up with something similar to what he's already got, a rethink is in order.  I don't have a dog in the fight regarding which way he goes.  Just food for thought.

 

You are correct that I will not be getting the 'quantum' upgrade that I was hoping for, and thus a re-think is in order.

 

That said, the point made by MaeJoMTB is also correct; if I replace everything that I think needs replacing it may well be better to simply buy a new one. And no, it isn't just a sticky derailleur.

 

I am leaning towards a new bike as it seems at the moment to be the most effective way forward. But I take the point made above that you don't always get what you pay for...

 

Perhaps I'll flip a coin... 

[impulse]

5 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

....if I replace everything that I think needs replacing it may well be better to simply buy a new one.

......

I am leaning towards a new bike as it seems at the moment to be the most effective way forward.

.....

Perhaps I'll flip a coin... 

 

I always start with a liberal spray of WD40, a rag, and an old toothbrush.

 

Edit:  And, the converse to what I've posted above- I'd cost out a list of everything that needs replacing up front.   I've been bitten before by replacing components one at a time, ending up spending more than a new bike would have cost.  False economy there, too.

 

Edited October 26, 2017 by impulse

[Samui Bodoh]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I always start with a liberal spray of WD40, a rag, and an old toothbrush.

 

I've always felt that if you aren't using WD40, you are not really accomplishing anything!

[MaeJoMTB]

7 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I always start with a liberal spray of WD40, a rag, and an old toothbrush.

 

I just replaced my MTB tires, it would have almost been worth buying a new (cheap) MTB just for the tires.

Was thinking of getting a Coyote (4k) with disc brakes and just swapping the wheels, tires and brakes onto my old Trek bike.

 

Front chain rings, what do you do when they wear out? almost 1k each ring (if you can find them) and there are 3 of them.

It don't matter how much WD40 I spray on them, it won't bring the teeth back!

 

Edited October 26, 2017 by MaeJoMTB