Mountain Bike People

[KRS1]

Im looking to get a 'sort of' decent bike to add to my running regimen. I just need a basic bike, nothing balls to the wall or anything, just something to ride up and down doi suthep (pavement) with light trail and lightweight.

Ive narrowed it down to the :

GT Aggressor 2.0 http://www.gtbicycles.com/2013/bikes/mountain/trail/aggressor-2-0

LA Bicycle EL 26011 (or 26010) http://www.la-bicycle.com/th2/proline-page9.html

Schwinn Mesa 2

I know these are on the low end of things (average 10k baht) but do they suck ? Im leaning towards the GT Aggressor 2.0, but if its no better than the LA Bicycle that would save some dough at 7.5k vs 11.5k...

Ive looked at TREK, but its heavier than id like. Budget is around 12k baht any recommendations? Or if there is a big increase in performance at 15k, im listening.

...oh and what are good tires so i wont crash and burn down the mountain road? The GT and Schwinn have the same tires, but the LA comes with Kenda which looks like better traction on dirt ?, all have mechanical disc brakes, 24 speeds and weigh about the same. Is deraileur quality really that important? Whats the difference between a low level Shimano and a higher level Shimano?

Thanks !

Edited September 7, 2013 by KRS1

[ianf]

You don't actually need an MTB with suspension forks for riding on the road up Doi Suthep. And cheap full suspension bikes are not worth the hassle or the money. I suggest you get a cheaper road bike, put straight bars on if you want MTB style. Such a bike with more narrow tyres would make your rides up Doi Suthep easier, and therefore more fun. I do happen to have an old Trek road bike for sale, but it is a small size and only suit a rider up to about 5' 8" depending on leg length/body length. 10k baht wouldbe OK. Money used to help young cycists in Chiang Mai.

Incidentally there is a time trial up Doi Suthep starting at 7am Sunday from near the Zoo. However, you MUST sign on and enter before 4pm Saturday. All bike types accepted except (I'm told) pure tt/tri bikes. In any case tt bikes are of no value up this road. Finish at the helipad about 4km past the temple. I have the dubious honour of being the official timekeeper. Its a fun race for all categories.

[junglechef]

I think a MTB is better if your thinking of riding trails as there are so many here and better riding on so many levels than up Suthep. A Trek should not be too heavy , maybe the weight relates to the strength and it will last longer.

[KRS1]

You don't actually need an MTB with suspension forks for riding on the road up Doi Suthep. And cheap full suspension bikes are not worth the hassle or the money. I suggest you get a cheaper road bike, put straight bars on if you want MTB style. Such a bike with more narrow tyres would make your rides up Doi Suthep easier, and therefore more fun. I do happen to have an old Trek road bike for sale, but it is a small size and only suit a rider up to about 5' 8" depending on leg length/body length. 10k baht wouldbe OK. Money used to help young cycists in Chiang Mai.

Incidentally there is a time trial up Doi Suthep starting at 7am Sunday from near the Zoo. However, you MUST sign on and enter before 4pm Saturday. All bike types accepted except (I'm told) pure tt/tri bikes. In any case tt bikes are of no value up this road. Finish at the helipad about 4km past the temple. I have the dubious honour of being the official timekeeper. Its a fun race for all categories.

If i were to enter that race, id end up pushing the bike uphill..lol just starting out here, i can only jog halfway for now

im considering road bikes also, but i have a feeling that im going to be taking some easy trails also and would like to do some light stump jumping.

[KRS1]

I think a MTB is better if your thinking of riding trails as there are so many here and better riding on so many levels than up Suthep. A Trek should not be too heavy , maybe the weight relates to the strength and it will last longer.

ive been running around town looking and weighting out various brands, those TREKS are the heaviest in my price range.

I always wanted something light ever since i was a kid.

[KRS1]

Ran into this Specialized Hardrock 26 today at the same shop that had the GT Aggressor, and like it much more, its a pound or two lighter:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/hardrock/hardrock-disc-26

Anyone know a cheaper Specialized dealer? Guy at Velocity wont budge on price. The girl at Bike Mall is 500 baht cheaper for the Schwinn (heaviest) so I know the Velocity guy can give some wiggle room on price. The Hardrock is 14k, looking for around 12.5k-13k...and i'll pick it up asap.

Really liking the Hardrock, its much more balanced.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

If i were to enter that race, id end up pushing the bike uphill..lol just starting out here, i can only jog halfway for now

Walk up through the jungle with us.

We do it 2 or 3 times a week, Pilgrim's Trail, takes around 1ht to walk up.

Meet 8:30 start of Pilgrims Trail (top Suthep road by channel 7 mast) day after tomorrow (Monday).

http://goo.gl/maps/mZZwU

18.797933,98.942281

It'll be a slow one as we have a newb coming.

Edited September 7, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[KRS1]

If i were to enter that race, id end up pushing the bike uphill..lol just starting out here, i can only jog halfway for now

Walk up through the jungle with us.

We do it 2 or 3 times a week, Pilgrim's Trail, takes around 1ht to walk up.

Meet 8:30 start of Pilgrims Trail (top Suthep road by channel 7 mast) day after tomorrow (Monday).

http://goo.gl/maps/mZZwU

18.797933,98.942281

It'll be a slow one as we have a newb coming.

Thanks for the invite i'll join when i take care of my footwear problem. All i have right now are Addidas Aerates with breathing holes on the bottom...its a slippery ride, and challenging enough to jog on wet pavement/algae

you guys might end up carrying me back if i go with these shoes.

do you walk or run up the trail?

Edited September 7, 2013 by KRS1

[AnotherOneAmerican]

do you walk or run up the trail?

Walk, the trail is very steep, I think impossible for most to run.

Only 3Km to the top, but a complete killer, mostly steps.

[KRS1]

do you walk or run up the trail?

Walk, the trail is very steep, I think impossible for most to run.

Only 3Km to the top, but a complete killer, mostly steps.

glad i asked...lol

[ianf]

I think a MTB is better if your thinking of riding trails as there are so many here and better riding on so many levels than up Suthep. A Trek should not be too heavy , maybe the weight relates to the strength and it will last longer.

ive been running around town looking and weighting out various brands, those TREKS are the heaviest in my price range.

I always wanted something light ever since i was a kid.

"treks are heavier"??? As a blanket statement this is not correct. Also strength and weight is not necessarily and equation. With any bike, or at least the decent brands, you can buy light or heavy according to how much you are spending and what you need the bike for. If I am not mistaken, the op was looking for a bike that he could ride "on the pavement" and my experienced advice was if that is how you will ride a bike, then no need for suspension or fat tyres. If however you are doing a mix of rides, trails and roads, then an MTB is OK, but I would shy away from double suspension. Hard tail would suffice. My MTB is hard tail, and I change the front forks from suspension to rigid according to need. I have done long rides on the road on this bike and that's OK but it is a top end Orbea (specced by myself) and rides almost like a race bike.

The Trek I have on sale is very light. Not new, has some good quality parts on it and is available cheaply. However, I am also happy to hang on to it as visitors (house guests) can also make use of it. I also have a spare MTB, Gitane, which is very very light alu and has no suspension although shock forks can be easily fitted. Horses for courses is a saying that readily applies to bicycles. But at the end of the day the most important factors are size and position - too many people make extra hard work of their cycling (saddle too high or too low, feet in the wrong position on their bike etc etc) because they have not been advised correctly.

[ianf]

Ran into this Specialized Hardrock 26 today at the same shop that had the GT Aggressor, and like it much more, its a pound or two lighter:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/hardrock/hardrock-disc-26

Anyone know a cheaper Specialized dealer? Guy at Velocity wont budge on price. The girl at Bike Mall is 500 baht cheaper for the Schwinn (heaviest) so I know the Velocity guy can give some wiggle room on price. The Hardrock is 14k, looking for around 12.5k-13k...and i'll pick it up asap.

Really liking the Hardrock, its much more balanced.

Try Cherry Bike for specialised.

[KRS1]

I think a MTB is better if your thinking of riding trails as there are so many here and better riding on so many levels than up Suthep. A Trek should not be too heavy , maybe the weight relates to the strength and it will last longer.

ive been running around town looking and weighting out various brands, those TREKS are the heaviest in my price range.

I always wanted something light ever since i was a kid.

"treks are heavier"??? As a blanket statement this is not correct. Also strength and weight is not necessarily and equation. With any bike, or at least the decent brands, you can buy light or heavy according to how much you are spending and what you need the bike for. If I am not mistaken, the op was looking for a bike that he could ride "on the pavement" and my experienced advice was if that is how you will ride a bike, then no need for suspension or fat tyres. If however you are doing a mix of rides, trails and roads, then an MTB is OK, but I would shy away from double suspension. Hard tail would suffice. My MTB is hard tail, and I change the front forks from suspension to rigid according to need. I have done long rides on the road on this bike and that's OK but it is a top end Orbea (specced by myself) and rides almost like a race bike.

The Trek I have on sale is very light. Not new, has some good quality parts on it and is available cheaply. However, I am also happy to hang on to it as visitors (house guests) can also make use of it. I also have a spare MTB, Gitane, which is very very light alu and has no suspension although shock forks can be easily fitted. Horses for courses is a saying that readily applies to bicycles. But at the end of the day the most important factors are size and position - too many people make extra hard work of their cycling (saddle too high or too low, feet in the wrong position on their bike etc etc) because they have not been advised correctly.

only the TREKS that seem to be in my price range seem heavier, im sure they make some great light stuff too

the last bike i had was in high school, it was the brand winnebago, yes the RV company...it mentally scarred me for life in fear of heavy bikes and also weighed about the same as a winnebago...i remember peddling through a reservoir with a longggg road with strong head wind, that was it no more heavy bikes for me !

[KRS1]

Ran into this Specialized Hardrock 26 today at the same shop that had the GT Aggressor, and like it much more, its a pound or two lighter:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/hardrock/hardrock-disc-26

Anyone know a cheaper Specialized dealer? Guy at Velocity wont budge on price. The girl at Bike Mall is 500 baht cheaper for the Schwinn (heaviest) so I know the Velocity guy can give some wiggle room on price. The Hardrock is 14k, looking for around 12.5k-13k...and i'll pick it up asap.

Really liking the Hardrock, its much more balanced.

Try Cherry Bike for specialised.

thanks i'll give them a call.

have i missed any other bike shops from this list ? :

velocity

arm

jacky

bike mall

LA bikes on moat

cherry

thanks again

[KRS1]

Nevermind, i looked through some old post and found recommendations (unless im missing something):

Below is copy and pasted here for anyone else that needs to know. From this website : http://www.chiangmaicycling.org/bicycleshops.html

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).

Jacky Bike
Nimmana Haeminda Road, Lane (Soi) 13. A very well presented bike shop with lots of beautiful bikes and bicycle parts. Probably the first place to look if it's fancy 'gear' you're looking for. Telephone 053 225 278 or 089 755 7910. Email: [email protected]. Dealer ProBike (Trek, Gary Fisher) and K-Trade International (Ortlieb).

Song
Follow Moon Muang Road north to the corner of the moat, swing left into Sri Phum and it's on your left. Not as well run or stocked as Chaitawat, but a good alternative if the latter hasn't got what you need. A good place to pick up a cheap new bike if you're only around for a short while and don't need anything too good. Dealer L.A. Bicycle.

Top Gear
Half way down Chiang Moi Road, look for the striking blue and yellow on the right after the Kasikorn Bank. Top Gear is a Canadian-owned mountain bike shop. Telephone 053 233 450. Email: [email protected].

Velo City
On Manee Nopparat Road, nr. 186, between Changpuak Gate and Wat Chiang Yuen. This bicycle shop is the place to go if you have a race bike or need stuff for 28" wheeled bikes. Opening hours are not reliable, so please phone them to check if they are open. Telephone 053 418 861 or 081 595 5975.

Cherry Bike
On the road to Doi Saket at 378 Moo 3 Chiang Mai-Doi Saket Road, Sunsai San Sai. Telephone 053 380 229. Email: [email protected]. Dealer Specialized.

TCA (Chiang Mai branch for Thailand Cycling Alliance) - NEW
at 44/1 Tevarit Road in Tambon Changphuak. Near "Chiang Mai Grand View Hotel". Telephone 053 406 292 or 081 041 5511. Dealer Bianchi and Kona.

Spin Bike
241/6 Canal Road - (Hwy 121) T. Mae Hia A. Muang Chiang Mai, Tel. 081-655-8451.

heres a google maps pinpoint i found also:

https://maps.google.co.th/maps/ms?hl=th&vpsrc=6&ctz=-420&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=207698302530297519476.0004b059db9c2dc5551d8&ll=18.760144,98.9985&spn=0.005709,0.006899&t=m&z=17

Edited September 7, 2013 by KRS1

[Puwa]

If the Specialized has a better fork than the GT and LA then that's the winner hands-down.

[KRS1]

If the Specialized has a better fork than the GT and LA then that's the winner hands-down.

GT is out, heavy and unbalanced (but possibly the strongest frame with a slight increase in weight), its between the 14k Specialized and the 7.5k LA now...I have to go and lift the LA again, the components on the LA actually arent that bad, just the frame im worried about...the LA had (i think) higher grade derailuers though. Alivio/Alcera vs Tourney/Altus

From what i remember the Specialized fork had plusher dampening and could be locked (how important is that), the LA felt like a pogo stick. Both had preload adjusters.

Is it possible to replace springs? I know the fork oil can be adapted a bit.

Im a motorcycle guy, so have to learn a bit more about MTB's.

Edited September 7, 2013 by KRS1

[junglechef]

I believe the LA are made in Thailand for the local market which to me means not really good. I bought a couple of the top of the line ones for my kids and they have rust after a year. Obviously the more you pay the lighter you'll get but a bit heavier good bike is better in the long run and better components will increase your enjoyment as the shifting etc will be smoother. Cycling is a sport of momentum once you get going weight is not as big as a difference and standing in a shop lifting it. As for locking out the front fork this is for up hill riding on relatively flat surfaces ( to keep the bouncing from absorbing your pedaling energy) but if your shocks are adjusted pretty firm as they might be from your description of the kind of riding your interested in you don't really need it. I bought a 15k baht Trek hard tail 5 yrs ago here (probably similar quality is a bit more now) and it still is great and I doubt a cheaper brand would be. Another poster rec. the Specialized I expect for the same reason. As for replacing springs/oil I can't see a cheap bike would be worth or really respond to such modifications. Of course your right that Trek has more expensive lighter models, I have here two Teks hand built in the USA with carbon fiber frames (a road bike and full suspension MTB) and am a firm believer that a better quality product to start with will make one happier in the long run or long ride.

[DaamNaam]

Get a hardtail bike for road and soft trails.

Jacky bike the best bet in CM.

[KRS1]

I believe the LA are made in Thailand for the local market which to me means not really good. I bought a couple of the top of the line ones for my kids and they have rust after a year. Obviously the more you pay the lighter you'll get but a bit heavier good bike is better in the long run and better components will increase your enjoyment as the shifting etc will be smoother. Cycling is a sport of momentum once you get going weight is not as big as a difference and standing in a shop lifting it. As for locking out the front fork this is for up hill riding on relatively flat surfaces ( to keep the bouncing from absorbing your pedaling energy) but if your shocks are adjusted pretty firm as they might be from your description of the kind of riding your interested in you don't really need it. I bought a 15k baht Trek hard tail 5 yrs ago here (probably similar quality is a bit more now) and it still is great and I doubt a cheaper brand would be. Another poster rec. the Specialized I expect for the same reason. As for replacing springs/oil I can't see a cheap bike would be worth or really respond to such modifications. Of course your right that Trek has more expensive lighter models, I have here two Teks hand built in the USA with carbon fiber frames (a road bike and full suspension MTB) and am a firm believer that a better quality product to start with will make one happier in the long run or long ride.

The LA bikes im looking at are aluminum, they are in the Proline lineup, but the frame is what im worried about. The components they use are actually pretty good. Still leaning towards the Specialized Hardrock at the moment.

This LA looks interesting http://www.la-bicycle.com/th2/proline-page6.html

[junglechef]

This might be the line they made for Europe. Do you know where they are manufactured?

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Do an ebay search for 'carbon mtb frame' or 'carbon road frame' and look at the less expensive ones. Can get a solid one for $175 to $300. Often the same factory and molds as big brands like Giant etc.

I see people riding on them from time to time in CM. Even with import duty can undercut the decent quality alum frames.

Much better performance than Aluminum frame which are really harsh vibration and tend to crack over time.

A lot of those low end bikes will need all sorts of parts replaced like wheels, pedals, seats etc. After you replace the crap parts in the first 6 months or so then the cost of ownership is often much higher.

Would not cost much at all to have a local shop assemble the parts to the frame.

[KRS1]

This might be the line they made for Europe. Do you know where they are manufactured?

Dont have a clue,the one in that link appears to have a similar frame to the Hardrock.

"LA Bicycle" the name just sounds cheesy though

[KRS1]

Do an ebay search for 'carbon mtb frame' or 'carbon road frame' and look at the less expensive ones. Can get a solid one for $175 to $300. Often the same factory and molds as big brands like Giant etc.

I see people riding on them from time to time in CM. Even with import duty can undercut the decent quality alum frames.

Much better performance than Aluminum frame which are really harsh vibration and tend to crack over time.

A lot of those low end bikes will need all sorts of parts replaced like wheels, pedals, seats etc. After you replace the crap parts in the first 6 months or so then the cost of ownership is often much higher.

Would not cost much at all to have a local shop assemble the parts to the frame.

thanks for the tip, i will check it out.

[junglechef]

Sounds like a can of worms unless you know exactly what you want AND can instruct the shop what you want and how to do exactly do it AND be sure they are doing it correctly this of course after you get all everything you need. Sounds daunting to me and quite a challenge for a self proclaimed newbie first time buyer. I can't even find a shop that can do a simple service without messing up something.

[beb]

I appreciate your desire to have a light bike and I'm not a bike expert so I can't really give expert advice. But as somebody who is an avid, albeit casual rider, I can tell you that you will more than likely regret going too cheap on bicycle. Go ahead and pay a little extra or accept a little more weight to get into a decent brand and you're going to be a lot happier in the long run. Especially if you end up riding a lot.

I bought a department store bike while living in Korea and rode it everywhere but the day I rented a Trek during vacation made me realize that there was a clear difference in the riding experience and ever since I've stayed with Trek or Giant. Important point, I ride the low end of those lines because they fit my budget.

Anyway, you may have weight heavy on your mind (ooh, I made a pun) but it may be worth reconsidering because once you've been riding a while, there will be other issues that are going to seem a lot more important.

Good luck.

[KRS1]

Sounds like a can of worms unless you know exactly what you want AND can instruct the shop what you want and how to do exactly do it AND be sure they are doing it correctly this of course after you get all everything you need. Sounds daunting to me and quite a challenge for a self proclaimed newbie first time buyer. I can't even find a shop that can do a simple service without messing up something.

more than likely i'll be working on it myself. Compared to a motorcycle, working on a bike seems much easier - but tolerances would have to be much more exact for best efficiency ( i think)

When i think about bringing it up in the apartments elevator, washing it down with the bum gun and flipping it over and working on it in my air conditioned room...i get all warm and tingly inside...lol

Will be going Specialized hunting tomorrow.