Travelling with a MTB

[DrHoneydew]

I picked up a medium quality carbon frame 29er in Pattaya and kind of want to upgrade it with high end components. I also want to travel around Thailand and it's neighboring countries, maybe a month or two in Cambodia, Vietnam and other places. Perhaps in Thailand too. Maybe Pattaya to Chiang Mai or Phuket or Krabi. - Then at some point, back to Canada.

 

I'm not 100% sold on upgrading and taking the bike with me or not. I'm not sure about the cost and logistics of traveling with a bike.

 

Anyone know the best/smartest thing to do? Is it safe to ride an expensive bike around and be seen regularly for a couple months in Cambodia or Vietnam? I have no idea and know very little about either country, but I'm not sure I'd do the same in some areas of Mexico. Had a used bike down there that was cheap but looked nice. Lots of people eye balling it and the security guards actually tried to steal it from a very large hotel I had facility access to. I know a few people who have had multiple bikes stolen.... so I'm weary and don't want to be mugged for the bike at a red light while out for a ride.

 

What about the costs of shipping and things to be aware of etc?

 

 

Cheers

[NoDisplayName]

Why upgrade components?  What do you have now, and do all the parts function correctly?  If you can wait to upgrade, parts should be cheaper in Canada.  Spares for high-end parts likely will be unobtainium.

 

Are you planning to tour by bike, or take your bike on trains/buses and mostly ride around towns?

 

If touring, does your carbon frame have rack attachments?  If not, carbon limits your bike-packing bag options.

 

If stowing it in bus/train baggage compartments, expect to have sacks of produce loaded atop your bike.

[DrHoneydew]

29 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Why upgrade components?  What do you have now, and do all the parts function correctly?  If you can wait to upgrade, parts should be cheaper in Canada.  Spares for high-end parts likely will be unobtainium.

 

Are you planning to tour by bike, or take your bike on trains/buses and mostly ride around towns?

 

If touring, does your carbon frame have rack attachments?  If not, carbon limits your bike-packing bag options.

 

If stowing it in bus/train baggage compartments, expect to have sacks of produce loaded atop your bike.

I'm just an enthusiast and want to build a good bike. Prices actually seem to be close enough for me between here and Canada. Riding in other countries is kinda cool. I won't stay more than a few months in Canada anyways before finding a new country to ride in.

 

Don't plan on touring.. Will use it as a daily driver around town, go shopping with etc. Maybe hit some trails if I can find them.

[ChristianBlessing]

I've bicycle-toured throughout Thailand without issues, and have transported my bike via plane, train and bus. However I don't imagine I'd want all that hassle just for a daily driver given how cheap and easy it is to get around most SE Asian countries. Furthermore, it's clear you're worried about theft. I think I'd rather have a mediocre bike with low-end components lifted then the same with expensive high-end components.

[NoDisplayName]

On 11/26/2022 at 1:21 AM, DrHoneydew said:

Don't plan on touring.. Will use it as a daily driver around town, go shopping with etc. Maybe hit some trails if I can find them.

Would be too much trouble (for me) to lug a bike through airports and train stations and bus terminals for an around-town ride.  And too much worry about damaging the carbon frame under piles of luggage, or potential theft.

 

In this case, I'd pick up a cheapish folder that could be easily transported, then donated at the end of the trip.