Want Touring Bicycle

[tim armstrong]

I want to buy a good quality touring bike, secondhand is preferable but open to ideas. I'm trying to avoid all the import hassles.

Prefer Trek 520; Surly trucker; Koga Myata; Thorn; Roberts; or similar. I'm about 6'tall so a 57cm or medium size frame with 26" wheels. Also prefer chrome moly or steel frame. Extras including a Brookes saddle would be great. I know I'm asking a lot, but I would really like to get into some long distance touring. Also interested in a Rohloff 14 speed hub. Regards.

[ColinChapman]

I can't help with secondhand, but I have spent months trying to buy a new one. This is what I found about six months ago:

The Cannondale shop on Sukhumvit 26 (02 253 3454 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              02 253 3454      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) has two models, both very nice but very expensive. They were so far out of my price range that I didn't write the prices down, but from memory the cheaper of the two was 70,000 baht. Lovely bikes, handbuilt in America. The chap who runs the shop was very nice and helpful.

ProBike at Lumphini (02 253 3384) has one model, the Trek 520, 58,000 baht. It had the gear levers sticking out of the ends of the handlebars, which I personally don't like. The staff were completely unhelpful and totally uninterested. They ignored me completely and when I spoke to one of them he just waved vaguely across the shop, did not accompany me to look at the bike, barely even spoke (the shop was not busy).

Bike Zone in Amarin Plaza were very pleasant and helpful, but don't stock a tourer.

Sport Bicycle in the HSBC building on Rama 4 (02 637 5487) sell Specialized. They don't call them tourers, but the Tricross looks like one to me, has mudguard and rack fittings Specialized Tricross. Unfortunately, Sport Bicycle don't carry the Tricross, but they say they can order it for the same price as on the Specialized web-site (USD990 which is just under 30,000 baht today). I have been trying to order one and delivery is currently promised for January.

Hope this helps.

[tim armstrong]

I can't help with secondhand, but I have spent months trying to buy a new one. This is what I found about six months ago:

The Cannondale shop on Sukhumvit 26 (02 253 3454 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              02 253 3454      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) has two models, both very nice but very expensive. They were so far out of my price range that I didn't write the prices down, but from memory the cheaper of the two was 70,000 baht. Lovely bikes, handbuilt in America. The chap who runs the shop was very nice and helpful.

ProBike at Lumphini (02 253 3384) has one model, the Trek 520, 58,000 baht. It had the gear levers sticking out of the ends of the handlebars, which I personally don't like. The staff were completely unhelpful and totally uninterested. They ignored me completely and when I spoke to one of them he just waved vaguely across the shop, did not accompany me to look at the bike, barely even spoke (the shop was not busy).

Bike Zone in Amarin Plaza were very pleasant and helpful, but don't stock a tourer.

Sport Bicycle in the HSBC building on Rama 4 (02 637 5487) sell Specialized. They don't call them tourers, but the Tricross looks like one to me, has mudguard and rack fittings Specialized Tricross. Unfortunately, Sport Bicycle don't carry the Tricross, but they say they can order it for the same price as on the Specialized web-site (USD990 which is just under 30,000 baht today). I have been trying to order one and delivery is currently promised for January.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Colin,

Very helpful, and confirms what I had in mind. I have now searched quite widely and read many reviews. The names I originally listed seem to be the pick of the tourers. But in terms of price, availability, spares etc., it seems that the Trek 520 is the way to go. I have also found a shop in Pattaya on Theprasit Rd that will discount them to around 46,000 baht. With a few modifications like the saddle and maybe the rims I will have a good tourer. Cannondale look good but they don't quite get the reviews of the others. I know touring is not as popular as MTBs but I'm surprised there isn't more choice in Thailand. Thanks again.

[mr_hippo]

I can't help with secondhand, but I have spent months trying to buy a new one. This is what I found about six months ago:

The Cannondale shop on Sukhumvit 26 (02 253 3454) has two models, both very nice but very expensive. They were so far out of my price range that I didn't write the prices down, but from memory the cheaper of the two was 70,000 baht. Lovely bikes, handbuilt in America. The chap who runs the shop was very nice and helpful.

ProBike at Lumphini (02 253 3384) has one model, the Trek 520, 58,000 baht. It had the gear levers sticking out of the ends of the handlebars, which I personally don't like. The staff were completely unhelpful and totally uninterested. They ignored me completely and when I spoke to one of them he just waved vaguely across the shop, did not accompany me to look at the bike, barely even spoke (the shop was not busy).

Bike Zone in Amarin Plaza were very pleasant and helpful, but don't stock a tourer.

Sport Bicycle in the HSBC building on Rama 4 (02 637 5487) sell Specialized. They don't call them tourers, but the Tricross looks like one to me, has mudguard and rack fittings Specialized Tricross. Unfortunately, Sport Bicycle don't carry the Tricross, but they say they can order it for the same price as on the Specialized web-site (USD990 which is just under 30,000 baht today). I have been trying to order one and delivery is currently promised for January.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Colin,

Very helpful, and confirms what I had in mind. I have now searched quite widely and read many reviews. The names I originally listed seem to be the pick of the tourers. But in terms of price, availability, spares etc., it seems that the Trek 520 is the way to go. I have also found a shop in Pattaya on Theprasit Rd that will discount them to around 46,000 baht. With a few modifications like the saddle and maybe the rims I will have a good tourer. Cannondale look good but they don't quite get the reviews of the others. I know touring is not as popular as MTBs but I'm surprised there isn't more choice in Thailand. Thanks again.

I have a Trek 520 and am very happy with it. The Specialised Tricross is a cyclocross bike, not a tourer. Mudguard eyes are on the front forks as are low rider bosses but I would question the validity of putting those on carbon forks! Fronr wheel is 20 spoked and rear is 24 spoked, hardly the spec. for a tourer which is normally 36 spokes front & rear. Chainset of 50/39/30 is too high for a tourer as is the 13/26 block. Like most touring cyclists ( most of my cycling has been on tourers) I prefer a steel frame not aluminum.

Tim, the rims in the 520 are Bontrager Camino with all spoke holes fitted with brass eyelets - nothing wrong with them. Saddle? Personal choice but for now, the saddle is OK. When the time comes I will replace it with a Brookes B17

My 520 has the bar-end levers which are ideal for tourers; if you are touring with integrated levers and they break - what can you do? With bar-ends, simply change from index to friction!

[ianf]

The only specialist Touring Bike retailer in Thailand is khun Tanin at Bike & Travel in Bangkok.

He imports the American Soma brand which is a pure touring bike with an option of normal 700c wheels or the smaller mtb type 650s (shod with smoother tyres)/

He is a touring cyclist himself (currently on a ride from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, Pai and Chiang Rai) so really knows about these types of bikes.

My experience of the Specialised and Trek bike shops is that they know about their brands but not about cycling in the wider sense - at the end of the day they would be more interested in selling you a bike (any bike) than one best fit for purpose. PM me if you want Tanin's number.

[tim armstrong]

The only specialist Touring Bike retailer in Thailand is khun Tanin at Bike & Travel in Bangkok.

He imports the American Soma brand which is a pure touring bike with an option of normal 700c wheels or the smaller mtb type 650s (shod with smoother tyres)/

He is a touring cyclist himself (currently on a ride from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, Pai and Chiang Rai) so really knows about these types of bikes.

My experience of the Specialised and Trek bike shops is that they know about their brands but not about cycling in the wider sense - at the end of the day they would be more interested in selling you a bike (any bike) than one best fit for purpose. PM me if you want Tanin's number.

Thanks to you both. I think I am more convinced about the Trek, but ianf I will get the other number from you via PM. I haven't heard of Soma before. One question, I understand the logic for a preference for 26" wheels over 700cc as they are stronger. But as so many bikes are now made in Taiwan, are 700cc wheels as widely available in Asia, and/or better.? Thanks

[ianf]

Do A google search for Soma or ring Khun Tanin on 0816861239. He speaks decent English.

Personally, I don't like Trek at all and I don't have one in my bike collection. But that is only my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ColinChapman]

Well, one step forward, two steps back - TIT. Having been repeatedly assured that the Tricross price of USD990 included all shipping and taxes, I have just been told that shipping and taxes will be about an extra THB20,000. So I have abandoned that plan.

I have been looking at a Surly Long Haul Trucker which looks very nice and has a Thai dealer. I haven't contacted them yet for prices, but here is a link to their web-site Piriya International - Surly agent. Does anyone know anything about Surly and / or Piriya? I probably shan't make any further progress until after Christmas (which is a shame because the bike is meant to be my Christmas present), but I will keep you all posted.

[burgdawg]

A touring bike in Thailand?

I ran across a similar problem in USA with motorbikes: do you take an off-road motorbike and make it street legal or take a street legal motorbike and make it off-road worthy?

I took my Gary Fischer mtn bike, ditched the noisy knobbie wheels and installed smooth slicks. Installed Ergon palm-rest type hand grips.

Very comfy bikes for long treks. Front Zefal fender and rear Blackburn rack for panniers. Three water bottle cages and a CamelBack added up to 7 liters of sippable fluids.

Just completed a fun ride from Pattaya-Ban Chang-Rayong-Klaeng-Chanthaburi-Trat and back, No flats, no close calls at all. Departed Chanthaburi early and made it to Pattaya in a single day.

Will do a longer ride-report write up. Having an active and strong front suspension and rear hard tailed bike (Genesis Frame) is a good call.

Yeah, I'm a big rider as well...196cm and 110kgs

Yes, the TREK shop on Thepprasit and Soi 8 in Pattaya is good. Turn east (towards the ocean and away from Sukhmvit) and go 1 block. On the south side of Thepprasit is the LA Bike Shop at 300/31-32. Good lads. 038 300953, 038 300953, 081-9159909

[BBbUn]

Found a pretty cool site for second hand bikes:

www.wesalebike.com

Some nice bikes there, though mostly for small riders. Not actually transacted with them before.

[tim armstrong]

Thanks guys for the updates. I haven't looked at the the thread since before Christmas. The Trek is still my first choice as its produced in Taiwan, and most of my cycling is/will be in Asia. But the Surly does get good reviews so I will check out the dealer info. Regards.

[SomchaiCNX]

Most of "made in Taiwan" frames are actually "made in China"<BR>

[PaulHamon]

SURLYs

Piriya International Co., Ltd. (web)

48/62-63 BanKrangMuang Soi, Paditmanuthum 19, Paditmanuthum Road

Khwaeng Lat Phrao, Khet Lat Phrao

Tel. 02-515-0179, 085-661-1923, 084-712-3666

GPS – N 13 48.49452 E 100 36.95712

(taken from http://bicyclethailand.com/bike-stores/)

[LeCharivari]

I have also found a shop in Pattaya on Theprasit Rd ...

Presumably "Max" at the SV Bike Shop on the corner of Soi 17 opposite the 7-11.

If you go back there they have had a nice looking tourer for a couple of months, discounted to around 25,000 baht - its the only "proper" tourer there. Sorry I can't give you any more details but I only noticed it in passing yesterday when I was looking for something else. Once in the shop its around the corner on the left hand side, colour green!

I've sent you Max's number by PM.

[LeCharivari]

I may have misdirected by you mistake about both the bike at Thepprasit and Bicycle Land in Rayong, who I suggested in my PM. I have, by coincidence, been to both since posting so can update you / save you a wasted journey.

First, Bicycle Land Rayong. I thought I had been there on a bad day when I first went there a couple of months ago, as some here have raved about it. No, that was a good day! They have a good stock of MTBs mainly aimed at the upmarket posing brigade, with a couple of other interesting bikes such as a single speed messenger bike, but they are not interested in ordering anything they don't have in stock - including bikes they had in stock last time which they first said they hadn't had then said weren't available in Thailand. Not impressed.

Second, Max at the SV Bike Shop. Excellent and pleasant service as usual, despite a busy shop and a queue of customers which meant that I couldn't ask about tourers. The touring bike they have is a Kona Sutra, an ideal touring bike for Thailand, but it was around 35,000 baht not 25, 000 (still a good price) and looked too small for a 6 footer. They may be able to order a bigger size for you, though; they have a really good range of bikes and special ordered a Trek for me some time ago, which they still gave me a good price on.