Looking For That Bicycle Shop...

[Raiderz4Life]

I have heard of a very good bicycle shop "near" Chiang Mai gate but I haven't been able to find it. Can someone zero in it's location for me?

Muchas gracias :jap:

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

would probably be Chittawat.

list of bike shops

"Chaitawat

In the city center, on Ratchapakinai Road, nr. 75/4, opposite the Bodhi Serene Hotel. A Thai-Chinese owned shop and one of the first. They have been in business many years and have become technically proficient in recent times. Telephone 053 279 890 or 081 626 2590. Dealer Probike (Trek) and CycleSport (Merida)."

[davidgtr]

My guess is you're talking about

Chaitawat

In the city center, on Ratchapakinai Road, nr. 75/4, opposite the Bodhi Serene Hotel. A Thai-Chinese owned shop and one of the first. They have been in business many years and have become technically proficient in recent times. Telephone 053 279 890 or 081 626 2590. Dealer Probike (Trek) and CycleSport (Merida).

Look here for Chiang Mai Bicycle Shops info.

Edited November 12, 2010 by davidgtr

[Asmerom]

Well, there's one at Suan Prung Gate which is the next Gate along -a bit more than half a km East of Chiang Mai Gate. That might be the one. This BIKE shop is about 100 metres West of Suan Prung Gate -that's the South side of the moat of course, on the inside road --- Bumrungburi Road. There are a few others often mentioned on TV. LA Bicycle,Jacky Bikes,Tony's Big Bikes etc. but the above post is more informed than me.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Asmerom

[jdinasia]

VeloCity --- for road bikes (mostly?) at Chang Puak Gate area ... (btw I have found their opening hours to be stable)

[Lobin]

Another good bike shop is Jacky Bike, ProBike Dealership Trek etc etc, K Jacky is the owner, not so much English, K Dton speaks english. That Chaitawat Bike Shop would not let me test ride the bike, how can you buy a bike with first test riding? Jacky bike closed 15-21 of this month.

maps.google.com then enter these coordinates: 18.796143,98.968384

http://www.probike.co.th/dealers.php lists them all Thailand wide, with address and phone details.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Lobin

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun RaiderzForLife,

For many years Khun Jacky's shop was on Chotana near Chang Pleuak Gate, and considered by us as the best shop: it has moved, and Khun Lobin, below, in his response to this thread, gives you directions where it is now. We once checked out Velocity behind the Novotel Hotel further down Chotana, but found it very pricy, but that was many years ago (it could have moved).

Also, when we bought our bike, eight years ago, we checked out the Chaitawat shop mentioned here: no test ride, and the same bike, with more accessories, was about 1500 baht less at Jacky's shop.

Of course all this is so long ago it could have no relevance to these shops today, given TIT.

best, ~o:37;

Edited November 12, 2010 by orang37

[Raiderz4Life]

VeloCity --- for road bikes (mostly?) at Chang Puak Gate area ... (btw I have found their opening hours to be stable)

Well, I bought the bike at Velocity, but since then I when I go back for service/adjustments there is no one there who speaks any English, and, my Thai is way too weak to speak bicycle tech stuff. That's why I am looking for a new place. But thanks anyway for the response. I will try the others listed below.

[junglechef]

I go to Cherry Bike after trying a few of the others mentioned and find it to be real good. And the service was excellent, not only did they call me when my bike was ready but it was spotless after they service it, I do wash it after I ride thru the muddy rice fields but it's still has muck in the parts (another of the mentioned shops would not even wipe off the area they were working on and told me they do not clean bikes!) I found in on google, it's on 118 (nawart rd.) right before 3029 intersection of heading from town.

[jackr]

Also, when we bought our bike, eight years ago, we checked out the Chaitawat shop mentioned here: no test ride, and the same bike, with more accessories, was about 1500 baht less at Jacky's shop.

Think you'll find varying prices with different models between the various shops as have experienced the exact opposite, with bikes and parts more expensive at Jacky's. A friend bought a relatively expensive bike with 12 months warranty and Jacky refused flatout to repair/replace a fundamental part of the forks after they failed in less than a week. Wouldn't touch the guy with a bargepole... morose and not entirely honourable.

[OriginalPoster]

Also, when we bought our bike, eight years ago, we checked out the Chaitawat shop mentioned here: no test ride, and the same bike, with more accessories, was about 1500 baht less at Jacky's shop.

Think you'll find varying prices with different models between the various shops as have experienced the exact opposite, with bikes and parts more expensive at Jacky's. A friend bought a relatively expensive bike with 12 months warranty and Jacky refused flatout to repair/replace a fundamental part of the forks after they failed in less than a week. Wouldn't touch the guy with a bargepole... morose and not entirely honourable.

That's odd. If it's under warranty wouldn't Jackie be able to bill back the cost of the repair to the bike manufacturer?

[tomartoh]

I go to Cherry Bike after trying a few of the others mentioned and find it to be real good. And the service was excellent, not only did they call me when my bike was ready but it was spotless after they service it, I do wash it after I ride thru the muddy rice fields but it's still has muck in the parts (another of the mentioned shops would not even wipe off the area they were working on and told me they do not clean bikes!) I found in on google, it's on 118 (nawart rd.) right before 3029 intersection of heading from town.

I also have used Cherry Bikes a number of times and found their work well done and a fair price and they are very helpful and will they also discount prices on equipment as well.

IIts easy for parking outside which is why I went in the first instance

[ianf]

Also, when we bought our bike, eight years ago, we checked out the Chaitawat shop mentioned here: no test ride, and the same bike, with more accessories, was about 1500 baht less at Jacky's shop.

Think you'll find varying prices with different models between the various shops as have experienced the exact opposite, with bikes and parts more expensive at Jacky's. A friend bought a relatively expensive bike with 12 months warranty and Jacky refused flatout to repair/replace a fundamental part of the forks after they failed in less than a week. Wouldn't touch the guy with a bargepole... morose and not entirely honourable.

If the frame was a Trek, then your friend should have complained directly to Trek. They pride themselves on their after sales service and it is one reason why so many Thais buy them.

As for bike shops:

TCA: probably the best mechanic in Chiang Mai and a nice range of Bianchi bikes. Fairly top end.

Velo City: A rip off and extremely bad mechanically. Making their money from those colourful fixed wheel bikes you see all over town. A number of bad experiences here.

Cherry Bike: Nice range of low end Specialised. Moderate mechanically and quite a good stock. They can order from the Specialised catalogue.

Jacky Bike: Agents for ProBike Bangkok, importers of Shimano and Trek. Good stock and reasonable mechanically, but take note of the comments above.

SpinBike: Moderate mechanics. Small stock. It is reported that many people have not been entirely satisfied. Say no more.

Unfortunately I have not found one shop that I could label excellent for service, mechanics and stock. People seem to think that any person can become a bike mechanic but this is not so. You need an understanding of bikes and a deft touch.I am speaking as someone who has 50 years of experience with bicycles and more bikes in my bike shed than half of these shops have in stock!

[wynzlo]

Glad to hear that Cherry Bike might be better than the rest. With the exception of Top Gear, all the shops I've visited within the city have been miserable. And with a crappy attitude usually comes crappy service....

[el jefe]

As for bike shops:

TCA: probably the best mechanic in Chiang Mai and a nice range of Bianchi bikes. Fairly top end.

Velo City: A rip off and extremely bad mechanically. Making their money from those colourful fixed wheel bikes you see all over town. A number of bad experiences here.

Cherry Bike: Nice range of low end Specialised. Moderate mechanically and quite a good stock. They can order from the Specialised catalogue.

Jacky Bike: Agents for ProBike Bangkok, importers of Shimano and Trek. Good stock and reasonable mechanically, but take note of the comments above.

SpinBike: Moderate mechanics. Small stock. It is reported that many people have not been entirely satisfied. Say no more.

Unfortunately I have not found one shop that I could label excellent for service, mechanics and stock. People seem to think that any person can become a bike mechanic but this is not so. You need an understanding of bikes and a deft touch.I am speaking as someone who has 50 years of experience with bicycles and more bikes in my bike shed than half of these shops have in stock!

Here's my take of the local shops:

TCA -- Been in once to have one relatively simple repair done. It took multiple trips to get it right.

Spin Bike -- Very little in stock but the owner can often come up with the best deals in the area. Of course, the deal sometimes changes. However, if you know what you want and don't pay for something you didn't want, I can't see how you could ever have a problem.

Jacky and Velocity -- I agree with the comments above.

Chaitawat -- very friendly and helpful, but they seem to specialize in mid-priced mountain bikes.

It's always interesting to disagree with "IanF". It will give us something to debate on our next ride.

[junglechef]

Next ride? I'm new in town and would enjoy riding with some guys if you let newbies come along

[ianf]

Next ride? I'm new in town and would enjoy riding with some guys if you let newbies come along

Anyone can come along. Meet at the coffee shop at 8:30am every day.

Coffee shop is located on the road that connects the Hang Dong Road to the Canal Road (and then continues up to Samoeng). Just past the 7-eleven on the left facing Samoeng, 1 or 200 metres before the traffic lights. Coffee shop called Case del Caffe

[bangkokcitylimits]

Does anyone knows if ball bearings are international standardized and if Chiang Mai bike shops have the better ones ? My Dutchy bicycle need new ones, but I not really rust the repairers here with my 100.000b bike. The (very good) mountainbike shop south of the Sunday market does not want to do normal bikes.