Where to Buy a Good Bike?

[SecretAgentMan]

I need a bike for moderate cardio a couple of times a day in a Land and House Moo Baan. Where is a good place to purchase one?? Should I get new or use? I am a very big guy. A XXXL guy. What kind of bike should I buy?? What should I look for?? Any suggestions or advice is helpful. I haven't had a bike in thirty years! Thx.

[BruceSmith]

If you are staying in Pattaya, when traveling on Suhkomvit towards BKK about 1-1.5 km after Bangkok Pattaya Hospital you will find two bicycle shops with a wide assortment and knowledgeable employees.

I suggest you purchase a new but older model large mountain bike since they are usually “heavy duty”

[jackr]

^^ CM forum.

Yep, mountain bike. Giant, Trek, Merida 12-15k, all good 'budget' options that last. Chaitwawat in the old town is a nice guy to do business with and has good discounts. Cherry on the 118 between the Super and Inner is also okay, and Top Gear (Tom) down Chang Moi Rd on the right. Avoid Jackies, cheapo bikes in Tesco (though LA is not a bad local brand) and those second-hand places. Also, keep an eye on TV Classifieds for the above.

[puukao]

since it's been 30-years, i'll recommend a mountain bike. XL should fit people up to even 6'5, or whatever that is in cm. however, a used mountain bike is more difficult to buy than road (bike). why? hard to tell if chain worn, cassette almost gone, and crankset teeth also near its end. with the proper tool, you can guage the chain. once the chain goes, it can ruin everything; effectively costing hundreds to replace (USD). ok, so i would still try used mountain bike. make sure tires have good thread, buy lube for chain, and stay away from steel since it will rust in thailand. aluminum then is your only real choice. since aluminum is harsh, try to get suspension. suspension both front and rear, if possible. unless you are really only on the road, then suspension in the front. used bikes also hard to tell if front suspension about to die. more hundreds. anyhow, try craigslist. budget around 12000 baht i think. maybe less. flat pedals, and tons of spokes in the wheels (more durable, generally). components....if used, get at least shimano slx or lx. if new, i guess shimano tiagra (not sure). also remember, mountain bikes require much more care than road. so don't get frustrated if the wheels come untrue, or chain brakes, or weird stuff happens......just roll with it. pun.

[DaamNaam]

Jacky Bike. best in CM.

http://www.cyclechiangmai.com/shops/jacky-bike/

[junglechef]

I might be of some assistance if you provide more info such as budget, how you plan on using it (sounds like around your moo ban and local roads), and your height and weight. I've bought new and used bikes here and had good and bad experiences with both as can be usual here, so buyer beware with either. I go through chains a lot, replacing them at least once a year, often much more frequently when riding hard, for not much money like most things here. From what you said size might be an issue, and it's much more comfortable hence enjoyable, with a correctly fitted bike. They can be ordered if you can't find what you need local (and beware as many shops with tell you that a bike fits you because they have that size to sell). And of course budget is always an important factor. The price range is large, but the inexpensive ones (3000 bht) are cheap and won't last (but good for my boys who grow out of them) and just yesterday I test rode a mt bike that sold for 263,530 bht new, to give you a few examples on either end of the spectrum.

[SecretAgentMan]

I might be of some assistance if you provide more info such as budget, how you plan on using it (sounds like around your moo ban and local roads), and your height and weight. I've bought new and used bikes here and had good and bad experiences with both as can be usual here, so buyer beware with either. I go through chains a lot, replacing them at least once a year, often much more frequently when riding hard, for not much money like most things here. From what you said size might be an issue, and it's much more comfortable hence enjoyable, with a correctly fitted bike. They can be ordered if you can't find what you need local (and beware as many shops with tell you that a bike fits you because they have that size to sell). And of course budget is always an important factor. The price range is large, but the inexpensive ones (3000 bht) are cheap and won't last (but good for my boys who grow out of them) and just yesterday I test rode a mt bike that sold for 263,530 bht new, to give you a few examples on either end of the spectrum.

My budget ceiling is 30000 BHT. I would love to get something around 10000 BHT that would work if possible. But need something that is not a pain in the "arse" to ride. I am 6 feet and 290lbs. I tested a few bikes today at VeloCity. I didn't like them. The felt uncomfortable as heck. I know I need a wide saddle. Those small seats are like a spear stuck up my rear. I have lost 10 lbs and my blood pressure has dropped from 159/106 to a today of 130/90 by walking an hour in the morning and dietary changes and no meds. Now I want to add biking in the evenings to my regimen. I want to bike for cardio and fitness purposes and little fun. So having a comfortable bike is essential. I will bike primarily in a well paved and large moo Baan. Eventually I would like to bike into CM from San Sai near Mae Jo. But my fitness level and weight will not allow that for some time. I need something that will work right now and I am willing to get another bike if necessary for future cardio/leisure trips to the city when I have reached my present fitness goals

[SecretAgentMan]

^^ CM forum.

Yep, mountain bike. Giant, Trek, Merida 12-15k, all good 'budget' options that last. Chaitwawat in the old town is a nice guy to do business with and has good discounts. Cherry on the 118 between the Super and Inner is also okay, and Top Gear (Tom) down Chang Moi Rd on the right. Avoid Jackies, cheapo bikes in Tesco (though LA is not a bad local brand) and those second-hand places. Also, keep an eye on TV Classifieds for the above.

Where is Chaitwawat? What is wrong with Jackies? I went there yesterday. Some rave about it. It was small and not a lot of selection. But they did sell Trek. The last bike I had was a Trek hybrid and I loved it but that was also 65 lbs and twenty years ago. Thx for the advice.

[SecretAgentMan]

since it's been 30-years, i'll recommend a mountain bike. XL should fit people up to even 6'5, or whatever that is in cm. however, a used mountain bike is more difficult to buy than road (bike). why? hard to tell if chain worn, cassette almost gone, and crankset teeth also near its end. with the proper tool, you can guage the chain. once the chain goes, it can ruin everything; effectively costing hundreds to replace (USD). ok, so i would still try used mountain bike. make sure tires have good thread, buy lube for chain, and stay away from steel since it will rust in thailand. aluminum then is your only real choice. since aluminum is harsh, try to get suspension. suspension both front and rear, if possible. unless you are really only on the road, then suspension in the front. used bikes also hard to tell if front suspension about to die. more hundreds. anyhow, try craigslist. budget around 12000 baht i think. maybe less. flat pedals, and tons of spokes in the wheels (more durable, generally). components....if used, get at least shimano slx or lx. if new, i guess shimano tiagra (not sure). also remember, mountain bikes require much more care than road. so don't get frustrated if the wheels come untrue, or chain brakes, or weird stuff happens......just roll with it. pun.

When I did the counting it was more like only 20 years ago. Thx for the abundance of advice.

[anto]

OP ,Are you an American Black man who rides a Honda Click ? I only ask as i may know you .The Turbo make of bike that they sell in Tesco/Lotus are strong .I have one for a few years and i am 93kg . The Meadow make of bike they sell in Bg C ,will fall apart within 4 weeks .( built in obsolesce i guess )