Tommo's bike shop

[WaldoPepper]

MTBers and other pedal pushers, FYI: just had superb service from this new place, opened a few months ago. Out of town, but worth the journey. On Canal Road, south of Samoeng XRoads.

[eyecatcher]

Yes i think the owners are pro cyclists .

Within five minutes invited me on a bianchi road tour ....but then thought it was acceptable a for me test out one of their bikes around their car park with a flat tyre and insisted it would be ok .

They don't get a second chance to make a first impression.

[Nowisee]

There's two bike shops on that corner, which one is it?
On canal road or Samoeng rd?

[ianf]

As a cyclist very involved in the cycling community I can honestly say that Tommo's is a breath of fresh air for Chiang Mai. It's a great little bike shop, with excellent service, prices and importantly, a great attitude to farang customers. I say this because one of the other shops (now closed) saw a farang as an opportunity to lie, to sell fake goods to and to generally rip 'em off. Tommo (not a pro cyclist but a good local amateur) and his sister Porng (ex national Team track rider) both speak good English and both know the cycling scene well. I can hardly countenance that they sent someone out on a road bike with a flat tyre for a test. Are you sure this was Tommo? They are not so much into Bianchi's either. Bianchi is imported and very expertly marketed by TCA who have a northern distribution centre in Chiang Mai. They prefer their sales to go through Arm Bikes a bit further towards the Doi Suthep road past the Maya Mall. But before you get to Arm there is Velocity - a hugely successful and expert bike shop which is at the centre of a lot of the top end cycling activity in Chiang Mai. There are a few other bike shops around: Jackie Bikes (who are limited to Shimano and Trek), Game Bike (a good mechanic but poor stock); Corner Bikes (who have good prices on Continental tyres etc) and the re are others too. A new one has just opened on the Samoeng Road just past Tommos. Why on earth they opened a shop so close to an existing one I don't know. To round off, In December there will be a Festival of Cycling in Chiang Mai and this will give people the opportunity to find out a lot more about the sport here. Meanwhile, I have seen a phenomenal growth in cycling in Chiang Mai since the 6 years that I have been here. I for one have raced and ridden since 1960 and still ride circa 600km a week. I currently coach a small group of Thai kids at the velodrome and looking to work with local cyclists to expand this activity.

[CharlieH]

POST REMOVED

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[puukao]

I have had the best luck at Velocity. I used some common sense: when you sell 100,000+ baht bikes, there is a good chance you know how to work on bicycles. They did a nice job and the price was good. prices of components are better in the USA, but I still recommend Velocity. I brought a nice bike from the States, and I felt confident in Velocity. Next time I will swing by Tommo's and get a feel for the shop.

note: the best deal i got was a place going out of business. i got about $200 of bike stuff for $80 USD. Should have bought more product.

[junglechef]

I agree Velocity is my to go to place and since my last detailed opinion that included most of the bike shops was removed as I defamed a bike store that ripped me off I guess you'll just have to figure out which shop I feel completely different about then another poster found to be a breath of fresh air.

But I am confused as to which shop the OP is referring to, could they please give the name.

[Puwa]

My rounds of the CM bike shops conform to the general retail pattern in Thailand: Depending on what I need, who's manning the shop, what they had for breakfast, how well my Thai is functioning that day, the alignment of the stars, etc., any place might produce a good or bad result on any given day. Sometimes the high end shops are hopeless and the modest ones are brilliant; sometimes it's the reverse; and sometimes a would-be transaction leaves us all empty-handed and scratching our heads. Regardless, Chiang Mai is a great place to ride.