To Bike Or Not To Bike . . .[that Is The Question!

[impy_la_blimpy]

Am moving to BKK soon - wondered what people recommend about push-bikes. I'm a keen mountain biker, and whilst I realise there won't be alot of scope for that in BKK - would it be worth bringng my bike over for general use? And if so, what's the best way to get it over there [from England] and at what cost.

Appreciate your advice.

Cheers

Imp

[Mig15]

Yes, absolutely! I find that not many other people that I know or see use a bicycle here but for me it’s the best way to get around and go to work. I have been cycling here in Bangkok for the past year and I also lived in Chiang Mai and cycled there for the year that I lived there. That is every day to work and back – about 10 minutes each way. And a longer ride at the weekend. www.probike.co.th is the best bike shop near me. They are cheap for repairs and maintenance but parts and bikes can be expensive. I would recommend bringing your own, you can take them on the airplane for free, take the front wheel off and get it in the taxi form the airport.

Cycling is easy as the town is flat. It is not as hot as walking because of the air flow. You can dodge round the traffic. The only downside is that the roads are very dangerous but I wonder how much more dangerous than Birmingham where I lived before moving here.

A mountain bike will be good for the roads as some can be very potholed. I have a crossbreed that I like but you have to watch out for some of the drain covers as they have wide slits in them.

I hate taxis and tuk tuks, I hate haggling over the price every time I want to go anywhere and I hate standing in traffic in a car. I don’t get any of that on the bike.

[Up2U]

How fond of your bike are you ?

Out here a basic mountain-bike look-alike can be bought new for 1,000 baht (single gear)

A bike equipped with full Shimano rig can be between 3,500 baht and a touch over 5,000 baht (at roughly 70 baht to the pound) So what is the cost of bringing over that much-loved velocipede and seeing it smashed by a careless taxi-driver on Sukhumvit on day two of your bangkok stay ?

Bike factories in South East Bangkok, Big C, Tesco/Lotus and Carrefour all stock reasonable look-alikes. Few specialist shops, but if you try hard enough, you can find them.

What size wheels are you using? 27" or 700mm ?

Really - I would come over here and look around for a local product (Crocodile or similar)

[thailien8]

So what is the cost of bringing over that much-loved velocipede and seeing it smashed by a careless taxi-driver on Sukhumvit on day two of your bangkok stay ?

And what is the cost of your hospital stay, if you are lucky enough to survive the death-wish activity of biking on Bkk's traffic-choked streets?Before you bring your bike over here, you might want to have a first-hand look at just what you would be riding in, any time you want to go anywhere.

[DSBones]

I cycle in Taiwan where the driving is equally as bad as Bangkok. As long as you are doubly careful and assume the worst at every junction you should be ok. You can not legislate for every knobhead on the road but common sense and a good cycling helmet go a along way in preventing major incidents.

On a bike you soon get to know back roads & short cuts where the traffic is not quite so dangerous.

I may be in Thailand for a few months in the Summer & I am considering bringing my bikes over. Incidentally, if you want a good bike at a quality price then try Taiwan. I have bought a Giant Road Racing Bike over here for 550 GBP. The exact same bike in the UK was 1350GBP and in the U.S. $2100. Giant bikes are made here and exported. The one I got had a U.S. instruction booklet inside complete with disclaimer should you ride your bike under the influence of drugs,alcohol, without a helmet etc. The guidance booklet looked like it was written for five year olds who had never been on a bike before.

[p_brownstone]

Just a spot of trivia - not at all sure if it is still applicable.

I recall 10 - 15 years ago (hmmm - maybe longer) there was a major push to promote cycling in Bangkok; reduce pollution, exercise blah blah blah, the promotion was fronted by several local celebrities, politicians etc. and a lot of people started to use bikes - within a day or so dozens had been flagged down by the local police and fined .......... because they did not have a licence.

Cost of the licence at that time? 1 Baht!!

As I say though, not sure if it is still a requirement to have a licence to ride a bicycle in Thailand!

This was way before the "Amazing Thailand" slogan too.

[Bluecat]

Bringing your bike to Bangkok and using it is sure a good idea, I mean if you want to emulate Marylin Monroe, without the sleeping pills,...

[Guest chingy]

how many time did the governement promoted riding your bike to work, car free day, and how many time did you see the concept ever worked. 0 to none.

i hope you have full coverage of your medical insurance, you gonna need it if you're gonna ride your bike around the city.

[Felt 35]

impy_la_blimpy!

If biking is a habit you don't want to be without, move to one of the less populated province`s instead of Bangkok.

As an example her down South (Phuket). Even if the traffic also here have increased a lot the last five years its quit many people who use bikes for exercise and there is also a couple of group rides every week with a mix of Thais and foreigners.

Avoid the rush hours and take your long rides in the weekend and you can still have a nice ride.

Should not be any problem to bring your bike over here. Most airlines bring it free as long as your total luggage, included the bike not exceed the weight limit.

(Usually 20-40Kg, depends on the airline)

[Mig15]

Don’t buy a Thai made bike. Unless something dramatic has happened in the past few years the quality is very poor to say the least. I had one and it fell apart. The iner-tubes were so poor I was fixing punctures every week.

[Mig15]

I live on Sukhumvit Soi 22 and cycle up Sukhumvit everyday.

[Up2U]

But the inner-tube problem is not confined to Thailand. If it's old / been subject to humidity in storage / whatever, it will be perished. One or two punctures and you should change it, wherever you are. That's why, earlier on in this thread, I asked about size of wheels. 27" and 700mm look very similar, but you need different inner tubes. (Can't stretch to fit!!) Need to check availability or bring several - and store properly.

Personally I find nothing wrong with Thai bikes - both with two wheels and two legs. But then I've spent half my life in Sandland, so have no discriminatory taste whatsoever.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Am moving to BKK soon - wondered what people recommend about push-bikes. I'm a keen mountain biker, and whilst I realise there won't be alot of scope for that in BKK - would it be worth bringng my bike over for general use? And if so, what's the best way to get it over there [from England] and at what cost.

Appreciate your advice.

Cheers

Imp

Nearer my God to thee

[Mig15]

Like I said maybe things have changed – I’m talking 1996 when I had my Thai bike. It lasted two – three months. I rode a ancient Chinese made racing bike round Chiang Mai and it was 100% better. The comment about inner tubes is true you can’t get some of the UK sizes here. But she has a mountain bike so that would be the fatter, smaller tubes, I am sure you can get those here. I also have puncture proof tires that help to cut down on punctures.

[impy_la_blimpy]

Thanks for all those inciteful comments guys . . .hhhhmmmmmm . . . .can't decide what to do now!!

Got a few weeks before I come over - will have to think!

cheers

Imp

[Mig15]

If you have a half decent bike you will not want to go to a cheap Thai bike. Your problem will be if you are moving here that you will have lots of other stuff to bring with you. The two bikes I have brought form the UK have been on return trips when I went back for a holiday to the UK. You can get a decent bike for under £200 form probike so maybe that would be better than paying the excess baggage and having to manage a bike as well as all your other luggage at the airport.

[impy_la_blimpy]

Good point Mig

My bikes a Marin though - not that old - would dearly love to bring it over - but the thought of trapsing it around guesthouses when I first arrive in BKK is a bit of a nightmare!! Don't like the thought of NOT getting out and about though if I don't bring it. Will have to be ultra-disciplined I geuss.

[Sunshine]

I love riding and I ride everyday for exercise but I find that it’s just not a practical means of transport in this country due to the heat and humidity. By the time you get to your destination you are too hot and sweaty.

[mbkudu]

I lived and worked as an English teacher in Bangkok for a little over 9 years. The last 6 years I rode a bicycle to work 6 days a week. Nothing beats it for speed, cost, health benefits and your doing your small part to keep the air cleaner.

I have fond memories of whizzing through deadlocked traffic at high speed and arriving on time to work everytime. People bottled up in their cars can only get a quick glance as you blaze by.

This may all seem grand, but there are down sides to every mode of transport. If you plan well and learn to adapt, it's the only way to go. You can even take it on the Skytrain. First of all, there are other dangerous vehicles on the road.

My simple rule is, GO WITH THE FLOW. Don't try to fight a 3 ton bus, just veer over

like motos do. Asians drive and ride differently than Yanks and Euros. Find the gap, climb, dive, slash, perry, readjust and move on through. Don't stay put, hesitate, finger, or yell, or you might get dead. All those years riding I had no serious accidents. The worst I had was a pedesrian step straight out in front of me. I crashed onto the pavement with skinned knees and a bloody elbow. The guy I hit lost one of his fingernails; sheered clean off.

The hot weather can be dealt with. Clean, pressed clothes can be kept at work. I just rolled them up in my pack and changed in the parking garage restroom of the condos where I taught. A little water and deodorant with a towel does wonders. My students were unconcerned with my appearence; they were so impressed that I actually rode a bike to work and always arrivrd on time.

Lastly, rain is the cyclists greatest enemy. It can be downright miserable in the rainy season. However, if you make it to work on time in the rain, you are almost a diety in your student's mind. You are the mad crusader who garners unfathomable amounts respect.

[NedKelly]

Another choice to confuse you is to buy a bike here in Thailand. You can get imported ones from Probike - Gary Fisher brand fromabout 15,000 baht or maybe a bit more....last time I looked was a while back. But the prices go way higher as well, lik e70,00 or 120,000 baht. Personally if you buy one for say 20,000 baht you will get a decent model. These are made in Taiwan for export to the US and include all alloy parts, shimano gears etc. They have clip on front wheels and if you pay a little extra you get front suspension, disc brakes etc.

They also stock another brand I cannot remember the name, but it is probably higher quality again and more well known.....something like Trek or Giant...cant remember. Anyway you can do the figures about buying one......depends what currency you are loking at US = 39, Aussie = 30, UK = 70 ish.

Probike is across from Lumpini Park near Silom area. There is another bike shop in Bangkok also, it is on Sukumvit Soi 3 and sells Cannondale bikes imported from the US. They are expensive though......and I dont think there is a website as probike have.

[impy_la_blimpy]

MMMMMmm - sounds like I'll be looking into buying one at some point. Really cant be bothered to lump it over on the plane

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Try eBay when you arrive here

[impy_la_blimpy]

Try eBay when you arrive here

Bravo idea Dr PP!

Cheers

[boNita aPPlebuM]

You better get good locks for you bike! And never leave it unattended!

I lost my bike when I rode it to the market to get some "pa tong ko" for my mom

It was one of those girlie bikes with a bell and a basket on it ... and some sicko stole it from me (how sad is that?)

other than that, please be careful of the crazy drivers na ka

[dkstoney]

Nothing beats it for speed, cost, health benefits and your doing your small part to keep the air cleaner.

Of course, the traffic is dangerous, as they say, but the absolute worst is the air quality. You'd might as well start smoking if you're going to ride a bike in this city. Riding a motorbike is bad enough. When I get home after riding my motorcycle through the thick of it for about 15-20 minutes I have to wash the smog particulates from my face. There are places here where you can feel it landing on your face and you instinctively try to hold your breath----just walking. It's not in the best interest of your health.

However, if you're going to be out in the country or plan on taking a nice long riding tour of the country, then by all means. I'd buy one here when you're ready instead of lugging the Marin around.

Does anyone know if Probike sells Cannondales?

[mbkudu]

Dkstoney is right about that. The years that I rode a bicycle in Bangkok, I always wore a good quality dust mask. You do what you gotta do. At least riding a bicycle your blood is pumping and your muscles are being worked, so a lot of the toxins are being expelled from the body. On a motorcycle, your just another fat, lazy smoker polluting yourself and the air around you.

[Up2U]

Does anyone know if Probike sells Cannondales?

Not listed on their web-site. But other bikes, up to >200,000 baht, are!

Please ignore my other posts on this thread, I did not realise that bikes in Thailand could mean really serious money. I'm happy spending 3k on a bike, regretting a little that I didn't go up to 5k, then I look at Probike web-site.

[chanchao]

So as for bringing the bike:

You can do it FREE! I did it free. Flew with Chiana Airlines, and they didn't raise an eyebrow at having the bike (boxed, pedals removed, tyres deflated) in addition to my regular bags. No charges, and the thing was waiting for me when I made it to the luggage belt, even before the regular luggage arrived! Also no problems at customs. The dude waved me over, just to open a bigger gate on the side to make it easier for me to bring the bike through..

Cheers,

Chanchao

[ltdknowledge]

Personally if you have a Marin i would bring that. Not sure what model you have though but that is a very good bike. I use a Cannondale and it's like an extra body part. When i ride another bike it doesn't feel the same.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Personally if you have a Marin i would bring that. Not sure what model you have though but that is a very good bike. I use a Cannondale and it's like an extra body part. When i ride another bike it doesn't feel the same.

Did you perchance notice that these posts are two and a half years old ?