Bike buying question

[speedtripler]

I'm looking for a mountain bike or hybrid with 27.5" or 650b wheels

I've tried a few shops, found a bike I liked but it's only available in S and M frame sizes

 

I'm 183cm so the correct size is likely L but the guy called his supplier and they only have them in Medium, 

 

Is there any place that sells bikes in larger frame sizes? 

 

In bkk btw

[StreetCowboy]

Out of interest, why 650 wheels?  Most of the bikes I've seen have been 29" / 700c.

 

(I'm slightly baffled by wheel sizing, but I always seem to end up with tyres and tubes that fit, so I don't ask too many questions...). 

 

Some bike models the smaller sizes have 27.5" wheels, the bigger sizes have 29", if I recall correctly.

 

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[Kinnock]

Try Decathon - the big French sports equipment shops, usually next to a Tesco Lotus or Big C.

 

The bikes are better quality than the supermarket cycles, and the top end ones are well-equipped with quality gears and brakes.  I think the frames are Chinese made - but the design has been adapted by Decathon in Europe.

 

They do a 'B-Twin' model with 27.5 inch wheels.  There's also Trek and Cannondale available from the specialist shops like Probike, but prices in Thailand are painfully high for quality, imported bikes (more than a new scooter).

 

There's also a decent cycle shop next to Udom Suk BTS station.  I've also seen some very nice Thai made cycles from small manufacturers, and you can spec them to your needs, but cost will be higher depending on spec.  There's a shop on Sarasin next to Lumpini Park/Wireless Road corner that sells some interesting local cycles.

[speedtripler]

3 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

Try Decathon - the big French sports equipment shops, usually next to a Tesco Lotus or Big C.

 

The bikes are better quality than the supermarket cycles, and the top end ones are well-equipped with quality gears and brakes.  I think the frames are Chinese made - but the design has been adapted by Decathon in Europe.

 

They do a 'B-Twin' model with 27.5 inch wheels.  There's also Trek and Cannondale available from the specialist shops like Probike, but prices in Thailand are painfully high for quality, imported bikes (more than a new scooter).

 

There's also a decent cycle shop next to Udom Suk BTS station.  I've also seen some very nice Thai made cycles from small manufacturers, and you can spec them to your needs, but cost will be higher depending on spec.  There's a shop on Sarasin next to Lumpini Park/Wireless Road corner that sells some interesting local cycles.

 

My local bike shop has a specialised pitch on sale for 14,900

It's cheaper than the UK and USA price so I thought I'll just get that but the sizes he has are limited to SMALL +MEDIUM 

 

 

[speedtripler]

15 minutes ago, StreetCowboy said:

Out of interest, why 650 wheels?  Most of the bikes I've seen have been 29" / 700c.

 

(I'm slightly baffled by wheel sizing, but I always seem to end up with tyres and tubes that fit, so I don't ask too many questions...). 

 

Some bike models the smaller sizes have 27.5" wheels, the bigger sizes have 29", if I recall correctly.

 

SC

29" would be great but they seem to be a bit hard to find 

 

I don't want to spend 40-50k for a bike an inch larger than one I could buy from Lazada who also seem to only have small and medium frames except in the top spec models

 

[Kinnock]

14 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

 

My local bike shop has a specialised pitch on sale for 14,900

It's cheaper than the UK and USA price so I thought I'll just get that but the sizes he has are limited to SMALL +MEDIUM 

 

 

 

That's a good price for Specialized - shame about the sizes.  It's an entry-level bike, but good spec and well regarded.

 

But if it's too cramped for you, it will be no fun.  Any chance they can order an L size for you?  (if so, I'll have one too!)

 

Decathon does not have the brand name, but spec will be slightly better than the Specialized for the same cost - and they have the full range of sizes.  They also do a full suspension bike - but I've not been able to find one in Bangkok.

 

 

 

[StreetCowboy]

21 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

29" would be great but they seem to be a bit hard to find 

 

I don't want to spend 40-50k for a bike an inch larger than one I could buy from Lazada who also seem to only have small and medium frames except in the top spec models

 

This place offers Marin bikes that seem to match your spec, but I don't know if they have L size.

 

http://www.bikezone.co.th/product.php?cat=3&sub=10

 

I have walked past the shop often enough, and personally, thought it was a bit fancy for my tastes, but the two bikes highlighted look quite utilitarian.

 

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[speedtripler]

31 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

That's a good price for Specialized - shame about the sizes.  It's an entry-level bike, but good spec and well regarded.

 

But if it's too cramped for you, it will be no fun.  Any chance they can order an L size for you?  (if so, I'll have one too!)

 

Decathon does not have the brand name, but spec will be slightly better than the Specialized for the same cost - and they have the full range of sizes.  They also do a full suspension bike - but I've not been able to find one in Bangkok.

 

 

 

He's already made the call to whoever he gets them from and unfortunately they only have S+M 

No L or XL 

Ill have a check of decathlon tonight but wouldn't pay as much for an  unknown unbranded bike because there is probably no resale value

 

 

 

[Kinnock]

12 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

He's already made the call to whoever he gets them from and unfortunately they only have S+M 

No L or XL 

Ill have a check of decathlon tonight but wouldn't pay as much for an  unknown unbranded bike because there is probably no resale value

 

 

 

Good point regarding resale value.  Just out of interest - where is the shop in your photo?  I can see some full suspension bikes in the background.

 

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, StreetCowboy said:

Out of interest, why 650 wheels?  Most of the bikes I've seen have been 29" / 700c.

 

(I'm slightly baffled by wheel sizing, but I always seem to end up with tyres and tubes that fit, so I don't ask too many questions...). 

 

Some bike models the smaller sizes have 27.5" wheels, the bigger sizes have 29", if I recall correctly.

 

SC

MTB come in 26" (most common), 27.5" and 29"

Road bikes are 700c.

 

Not sure about hybrid, thinking 700c.

[speedtripler]

1 hour ago, MaeJoMTB said:

MTB come in 26" (most common), 27.5" and 29"

Road bikes are 700c.

 

Not sure about hybrid, thinking 700c.

Mountain bikes with 26" are going the way of the dinosaur.... Have a look on the bike shops and try to find one.... 

 

Just checked decathlon, they have some nice, fairly well specced  bikes 

 

4k up to 50k 

 

 

 

 

[StreetCowboy]

2 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

MTB come in 26" (most common), 27.5" and 29"

Road bikes are 700c.

 

Not sure about hybrid, thinking 700c.

Maybe 29”s are a bit difficult to manoeuvre in rough country.  Even on the mountain bike, I preferred to put my feet down and waddle through the labyrinth stile at the end of the village road, and dismount completely for the planks over the concrete drainage ditch; I’m not Danny Macaskill!

[speedtripler]

14 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Good point regarding resale value.  Just out of interest - where is the shop in your photo?  I can see some full suspension bikes in the background.

 

I'll post his business card later on

I have it  at home but I haven't got back yet

 

I saw a size chart last night that says persons up to 182cm should use the size M but I'm 183 lol 

 

B-Twin Rock hopper 540 from Decathlon feels like a quality bike but it costs even more than the specialised pitch (16,999) vs (14,900)

[MaeJoMTB]

5 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

I saw a size chart last night that says persons up to 182cm should use the size M but I'm 183 lol 

Offroad and downhill medium is fine, but if mainly on the road you need Large.

I'm the same height, Medium is just a little too small for me on the road.

[speedtripler]

14 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Offroad and downhill medium is fine, but if mainly on the road you need Large.

I'm the same height, Medium is just a little too small for me on the road.

most of it would probably be standing up on the pedals trying to get through bkk traffic i guess .......

still might buy the size M 

[MaeJoMTB]

21 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

still might buy the size M 

You'll get backache.

[speedtripler]

4 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

You'll get backache.

1cm  not critical I think, less than half an inch, I'll have another look around today but bikes in large sizes not easy  to find 

[Kinnock]

5 hours ago, speedtripler said:

I'll post his business card later on

I have it  at home but I haven't got back yet

 

I saw a size chart last night that says persons up to 182cm should use the size M but I'm 183 lol 

 

B-Twin Rock hopper 540 from Decathlon feels like a quality bike but it costs even more than the specialised pitch (16,999) vs (14,900)

I'm with you on preferring a Specialized over the B-Twin - but size matters, and I wouldn't fancy riding a Medium sized bike for any length of time - and I'm 184cm.  I think the B-Twin also has a better spec (hydraulic brakes?). 

 

I ride an L sized frame, and I needed to move the saddle back slightly and rotate the bars forward to feel comfortable on longer rides.  When I was serious about off-road riding I had a 26inch wheeled full suspension bike with a shorter frame, but wouldn't want to ride that all day.  Have you tried the Specialized with the saddle slip to the rear of it's rail and the bars rotated?  Perhaps a seat post with more lay-back would help?

 

But in the end I think you'd be better on an L frame.

[speedtripler]

9 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

I'm with you on preferring a Specialized over the B-Twin - but size matters, and I wouldn't fancy riding a Medium sized bike for any length of time - and I'm 184cm.  I think the B-Twin also has a better spec (hydraulic brakes?). 

 

I ride an L sized frame, and I needed to move the saddle back slightly and rotate the bars forward to feel comfortable on longer rides.  When I was serious about off-road riding I had a 26inch wheeled full suspension bike with a shorter frame, but wouldn't want to ride that all day.  Have you tried the Specialized with the saddle slip to the rear of it's rail and the bars rotated?  Perhaps a seat post with more lay-back would help?

 

But in the end I think you'd be better on an L frame.

I think the btwin has alloy  pedals and shimano altus gears   as well so it's probably a very capable bike

 

The specialised comes with the plastic pedals but the frame itself gets great reviews and due to the fact its an imported brand with 25%  discount of the RRP  you can probably sell it to a Thai on Facebook cycling page for about the same money when you get bored of it

 

Specialised comes with a few nice touches like the cables inside the frame etc and the btwin still has them on the outside 

 

They feel similar in weight, I think the components make the btwin a bit lighter but probably only about 1kg......

 

I don't really want to spend enough that I need to worry constantly about it being stolen 

 

The first bike I bought from Lazada was a cheap Chinese brand and I thought it will  be fine but it was a bit of a deathtrap lol

 

 

 

[Deserted]

Trek hybrids are 19inch, 20.5 inch [what I have], and perhaps one frame size higher. I am 3 cm taller than the OP, so he should be okay with a 20.5inch frame size.

[speedtripler]

Just now, Deserted said:

Trek hybrids are 19inch, 20.5 inch [what I have], and perhaps one frame size higher. I am 3 cm taller than the OP, so he should be okay with a 20.5inch frame size.

As far as I can ascertain,

Size medium means about 17"

On 27.5 or 29" wheels it might be just about ok

 I have emailed most of the bike sellers online and the ones who replied said they have only M in the bikes i enquired about and none had 29" wheels unless you want to spend motorcycle prices (which I don't lol) 

 

 

[StreetCowboy]

9 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

As far as I can ascertain,

Size medium means about 17"

On 27.5 or 29" wheels it might be just about ok

 I have emailed most of the bike sellers online and the ones who replied said they have only M in the bikes i enquired about and none had 29" wheels unless you want to spend motorcycle prices (which I don't lol) 

 

 

Did you try Bikezone?  You can contact them by email via their website.

 

How do you measure the frame size?  I understand it's the seat tube, and based on my "Size 58" road bike, it seems to be bottom of the bottom bracket to the saddle clamp on the seat tube.

I'm about 185 cm, and my 20" hybrid is possibly fractionally on the small size (although could maybe be addressed with a slightly longer and upward-angled handlebar stem.

 

[speedtripler]

2 minutes ago, StreetCowboy said:

Did you try Bikezone?  You can contact them by email via their website.

 

How do you measure the frame size?  I understand it's the seat tube, and based on my "Size 58" road bike, it seems to be bottom of the bottom bracket to the saddle clamp on the seat tube.

I'm about 185 cm, and my 20" hybrid is possibly fractionally on the small size (although could maybe be addressed with a slightly longer and upward-angled handlebar stem.

 

I had a look on their site and they don't sell anything under 20k.... (like most  Thai bike shops) 

 

Actually the only reason I considered the specialised pitch is because he's selling them discounted from 20k  regular price to 14,900 and its the cheapest bike in his shop 

 

I might take a chance and order another one online, it doesn't take long to assemble them but if you get a bad one it's a bit of  time consuming hassle to disassemble it back into the box and send it back to the vendor etc 

 

There is a place on the rama 9 Road in the homepro building called bike City who have a decent selection of cheap bikes (the same Chinese brands the lazada sellers are selling if you can't be bothered building it yourself from a box lol) 

[StreetCowboy]

2 minutes ago, speedtripler said:

I had a look on their site and they don't sell anything under 20k.... (like most  Thai bike shops) 

 

Actually the only reason I considered the specialised pitch is because he's selling them discounted from 20k  regular price to 14,900 and its the cheapest bike in his shop 

 

I might take a chance and order another one online, it doesn't take long to assemble them but if you get a bad one it's a bit of  time consuming hassle to disassemble it back into the box and send it back to the vendor etc 

 

There is a place on the rama 9 Road in the homepro building called bike City who have a decent selection of cheap bikes (the same Chinese brands the lazada sellers are selling if you can't be bothered building it yourself from a box lol) 

The link I posted earlier should take you to a page with two Marin hybrids, one priced at Bht 18,500 and one at Bht 21,900, which I thought was a good price for the bike on offer (700c wheels, Shimano 27 speed drive train, but caliper rim brakes, not disc brakes).

 

I paid RM 3500 (about THB 28,000) for the hybrid pictured above, but inclusive of mudguards, carrier. panniers, pump, helmet, bell, and an ex gracia can of Carlsberg.  The sticker price is RM 2,990 (THB 24,000).  Similar drive train, but hydraulic disc brakes

 

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