Which bike to buy

[h90]

Today I was in a shop and I was overwhelmed.

The recommended the brand "Infinite". Because it is from Thailand. (is it cheaper because from Thailand??).

I recall right it was the Spad Pro http://www.infinite-cycling.com/main/?page_id=683 Something like 28.000.

With Shimano Tiagra.

The bike looks pretty, but so do all other. From the price I guess it is pretty much low end. What I thought is strange that the sizes are small, medium, large.....and not the numbers.

The also have Scott and Cube which are much more expensive. But maybe just because they are imported.

Someone mentioned Merida.

I want to spend max. 50.000, but I would go over it if it is really justified.

I don't need a carbon frame. Aluminum or steel would be OK. I want that the gear works perfect, but I guess now it does even with cheap components without ratteling, or?

I don't have the knowledge to see any difference between a 28.000 and a 68.000 bicycle.....please someone help.

In the past I look pedals. Is this still the thing to use or are there better ones meanwhile?

[h90]

To add: Maybe it would be smart to say: the frame should be more important than the components as they can be swapped later?

Are all wheels suitable for Thailands streets or do I need pay special attention to good one?

Any bargain that someone has seen?

For myself: I am 43 and did really a lot biking 15-20 years ago, but out of shape.

[fdimike]

Imported bikes typically face an import duty of about 30% the last time I checked. From my perspective the best made Asian bikes come out of Taiwan. Most good bikes will come in numbered frame sizes such as 36, 38, 40 etc. Those that come in S,M,L normally will show the number size on their web site/catalog. I would look at the L A bike s if youRe concerned about cost. LA makes a decent Black Line bike. You can see their entire line on their web site.

Most inexpensive pre-built bikes usually come with low end components to save money. The most popular components here in Thailznd are made by Shimano. I would look for a bike with SLX or XT components. You may be able to get the shop to swap out low end components for better ones.

Aluminum alloy frames are available for nearly all bike lines with the exception of most touring bikes which normally come with chrome moly steel frames. Look at the welds. Are they nice an smoothe or rough. Merida makes excellent bikes and their high end bikes have excellent welds and use better ( stronger & lighter ) grades of aluminum.

I would look for an MTB bike rsther than a street bike as it can be used in all conditions. You can easily swap out knobby tires for ones which can be used both on the street and dirt.

I hope this helps.

[h90]

thank you for the good informations.

I think low end components (as long as they aren't too low end) shouldn't be a problem as they can be replaced later.

I don't look into MTB. Never liked it much. Street is my thing

Anyone has a specific recommendation? A seen a bargain recently?

[ianf]

thank you for the good informations.

I think low end components (as long as they aren't too low end) shouldn't be a problem as they can be replaced later.

I don't look into MTB. Never liked it much. Street is my thing

Anyone has a specific recommendation? A seen a bargain recently?

It depends where you are and what bike shops you have available to you. There is a world of difference between a 20k bike and one that costs, say, 70k. The 20k one is probably ok for poodling about your area, but the more expensive brand has probably got more sensible gear ratios and components that would stand up to the rigors of longer and frequent rides. Bianchi, for example have a nice range here in Chiang Mai - or go to a smaller bike shop without the selection but with the time to talk through your needs would be good too. There are many bikes available at the 60k price point and you are not necessarily paying import tax at 30% because many importers can register their quality bikes as 'sports equipment' and get the appropriate reduction in duty. Meanwhile the most important thing is fit. It doesn't matter how expensive or cheap your bike is: if it don;t fit it won't serve you well.

As for components, these can be easily upgraded: so go for an aluminum or carbon frame and then get a bike with mid-range components, be they Campagnolo (which I prefer) or Shimano (which is easier to find replacements for here in Thailand). Don't go for the bottom end if you intend to do any semi-serious riding.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

thank you for the good informations.

I think low end components (as long as they aren't too low end) shouldn't be a problem as they can be replaced later.

I don't look into MTB. Never liked it much. Street is my thing

Anyone has a specific recommendation? A seen a bargain recently?

Plenty of street bikes in Cherry Bike Shop, just after the Dunlop Tyre shop past Central Festival on the 118 to Doi Saket.

Loads of Trek and Merida, new and secondhand. (10k S/H, 24K New)

Jacky Bikes have a new Trek 7300 for 15K (between Nimmanhaemin Soi 15 and Soi 13)

Big S/H selection (200+) out of town on the 1001 near MaeJo, all makes (several Giant to choose from), near the 'in to town' petrol station, after the traffic lights when coming back to CM. Prices from 5k to 10k.

Online, OLX.co.th will find you plenty of S/H sellers in ChiangMai, just enter 'bicycle Chiang Mai' in their search engine.

If you don't know the name, you don't want the bike, loads of no-names from China that fall apart in a few weeks.

Giant, Merida, Trek, etc., all fairly safe to buy. From 5K why buy anything less?

(I have a Giant 3200 Cross, cost me 6K S/H and cycle 40Km every other day, average speed 25Km/hr, top speed 50Km/hr. on the flat)

Edited October 27, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[h90]

thank you for the good informations.

I think low end components (as long as they aren't too low end) shouldn't be a problem as they can be replaced later.

I don't look into MTB. Never liked it much. Street is my thing

Anyone has a specific recommendation? A seen a bargain recently?

Plenty of street bikes in Cherry Bike Shop, just after the Dunlop Tyre shop past Central Festival on the 118 to Doi Saket.

Loads of Trek and Merida, new and secondhand. (10k S/H, 24K New)

Jacky Bikes have a new Trek 7300 for 15K (between Nimmanhaemin Soi 15 and Soi 13)

Big S/H selection (200+) out of town on the 1001 near MaeJo, all makes (several Giant to choose from), near the 'in to town' petrol station, after the traffic lights when coming back to CM. Prices from 5k to 10k.

Online, OLX.co.th will find you plenty of S/H sellers in ChiangMai, just enter 'bicycle Chiang Mai' in their search engine.

If you don't know the name, you don't want the bike, loads of no-names from China that fall apart in a few weeks.

Giant, Merida, Trek, etc., all fairly safe to buy. From 5K why buy anything less?

(I have a Giant 3200 Cross, cost me 6K S/H and cycle 40Km every other day, average speed 25Km/hr, top speed 50Km/hr. on the flat)

I think I go with a Trek Madone 2.1 Model 2015, 36.000.

Hopefull tomorow I buy it.

[el jefe]

I think I go with a Trek Madone 2.1 Model 2015, 36.000.

Hopefull tomorow I buy it.

All the posters above have given great advice.

Based on your description in the other thread the Trek sounds like a great deal and the perfect bike for you.

Congratulations! Enjoy the ride!

[h90]

here is the beauty....

Unfortunately today different staff at the shop.

They weren't very helpful or interested and had not Lock pedals. So I have to set it myself....shouldn't be a problem.

Edited October 28, 2014 by h90

[chiangmaiexpat]

Congrats, nice bikey! What is the difference between the Madone 2.1 and the $800 more expensive Madone 2.5?

[h90]

Congrats, nice bikey! What is the difference between the Madone 2.1 and the $800 more expensive Madone 2.5?

No idea. This bike is Aluminum frame, the better ones are carbon frame. But I don't know if the 2.5 is already carbon.

But I actually looked for an Aluminum frame. They told me it has 8 kg, which sounds low for Aluminum. But I don't care too much.....the weakest point of that point is the guy who sit on it.....

I don't have even pedals, yet, can't even try it out around the house

Edit:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/performance_race/madone/madone_2_5_h2_compact/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/performance_race/madone/madone_2_1_h2_compact/

Ultegra instead 105.....

Edited October 28, 2014 by h90

[AnotherOneAmerican]

How could they not include pedals?

[h90]

How could they not include pedals?

They told Shimano clip or normal pedals, but I assumed that I must pay them extra. It might has been a miscommunication from my side. But they were not helpful at all.

I wanted to buy trouser, glasses, tacho, gloves and they just told here look. Maybe the manager was pissed of that I buy it for 36K with the price tag of 45K.

Was there on Sunday and the lady was excellent and told immediately it is 36K because the last one. The lady on the counter was friendly but the "manager" was very strange.

I was ready to buy another 5000-10000 Baht things. But didn't.

I don't care too much because I want look (not lock I thing I spelled it wrong before).

One Thai lady in front of me also had some problem with them.

I see the back well is moving about 1 mm...but that isn't a problem because it need to be checked after 100-200 km anyway and I just go to a other shop.

[StreetCowboy]

 

How could they not include pedals?

They told Shimano clip or normal pedals, but I assumed that I must pay them extra. It might has been a miscommunication from my side. But they were not helpful at all.

I wanted to buy trouser, glasses, tacho, gloves and they just told here look. Maybe the manager was pissed of that I buy it for 36K with the price tag of 45K.

Was there on Sunday and the lady was excellent and told immediately it is 36K because the last one. The lady on the counter was friendly but the "manager" was very strange.

I was ready to buy another 5000-10000 Baht things. But didn't.

I don't care too much because I want look (not lock I thing I spelled it wrong before).

One Thai lady in front of me also had some problem with them.

I see the back well is moving about 1 mm...but that isn't a problem because it need to be checked after 100-200 km anyway and I just go to a other shop.

 

I walked down to the bike shop, so if they hadn't have included pedals I'd not have ridden it away.

To be honest, I'd not planned on spending so much on a bike - I'd only planned to tootle round my suburb, but it was a long walk home, and I had a long weekend coming up...

SC

[h90]

 

How could they not include pedals?

They told Shimano clip or normal pedals, but I assumed that I must pay them extra. It might has been a miscommunication from my side. But they were not helpful at all.

I wanted to buy trouser, glasses, tacho, gloves and they just told here look. Maybe the manager was pissed of that I buy it for 36K with the price tag of 45K.

Was there on Sunday and the lady was excellent and told immediately it is 36K because the last one. The lady on the counter was friendly but the "manager" was very strange.

I was ready to buy another 5000-10000 Baht things. But didn't.

I don't care too much because I want look (not lock I thing I spelled it wrong before).

One Thai lady in front of me also had some problem with them.

I see the back well is moving about 1 mm...but that isn't a problem because it need to be checked after 100-200 km anyway and I just go to a other shop.

 

I walked down to the bike shop, so if they hadn't have included pedals I'd not have ridden it away.

To be honest, I'd not planned on spending so much on a bike - I'd only planned to tootle round my suburb, but it was a long walk home, and I had a long weekend coming up...

SC

I know, a guy who is well off. He is designing special machines, let the parts be produced at some contract workshops, while he supervise it. On the finished machines he produce something on the spot in other countries. So he always travels and has little to do there. He loves biking. So everywhere he buys a bike....And always the very nice one (a couple 1000 Euro doesn't matter to him). He always take the bike home later.

Now he has over 100 of the nicest bikes at home.....

So it ends if you walk around and buy a bike for fun....

Unfortunately he is tall and I am short, else I would have offered him to keep a 3000 Euro bike warm for him in Thailand.....Imagine >100 of the best bikes, just staying around.....

[Puwa]

I see the back well is moving about 1 mm...but that isn't a problem because it need to be checked after 100-200 km anyway and I just go to a other shop.

Nice bike! If there is some kind of lateral or fore-and-aft movement in the rear wheel, you should have it fixed before riding the bike much. 100-200km of metal grinding against metal is enough to ruin expensive parts.

[h90]

I see the back well is moving about 1 mm...but that isn't a problem because it need to be checked after 100-200 km anyway and I just go to a other shop.

Nice bike! If there is some kind of lateral or fore-and-aft movement in the rear wheel, you should have it fixed before riding the bike much. 100-200km of metal grinding against metal is enough to ruin expensive parts.

sideway it is moving like 1 mm (really not much), no visible up down movement. And no grinding somewhere. So I assume it is OK.

[HooHaa]

if it just out of the box and has been sold to you without a thorough check id recommend going over all nuts and bolts and checking all running gear.

they are generally not shipped ready to ride and need some attention or nasty stuff can happen.

[h90]

if it just out of the box and has been sold to you without a thorough check id recommend going over all nuts and bolts and checking all running gear.

they are generally not shipped ready to ride and need some attention or nasty stuff can happen.

I am not sure. But I think out of the box.....But gear and brakes is adjusted so maybe someone did something. I'll check it. Anyway I need to mount the pedals, adjust the saddle, mount the plates on the shoes......and make some test rides first. Will go thru every detail while doing that. I don't know about modern bicycles but being a technician it can't be too difficult......

[bobfish]

if it just out of the box and has been sold to you without a thorough check id recommend going over all nuts and bolts and checking all running gear.

they are generally not shipped ready to ride and need some attention or nasty stuff can happen.

I am not sure. But I think out of the box.....But gear and brakes is adjusted so maybe someone did something. I'll check it. Anyway I need to mount the pedals, adjust the saddle, mount the plates on the shoes......and make some test rides first. Will go thru every detail while doing that. I don't know about modern bicycles but being a technician it can't be too difficult......

H90,

Correct, most of the time its not Rocket Science! I'm sure you'll check that 1mm play and adjust [bearing preload?] etc if necessary.

Congratulations and enjoy your ride. The Madone is a good choice, alloy or carbon. A couple of years ago, 3 of my friends rode their 3.1's Chiang Mai to Phuket in only 10 days without a problem....

[h90]

if it just out of the box and has been sold to you without a thorough check id recommend going over all nuts and bolts and checking all running gear.

they are generally not shipped ready to ride and need some attention or nasty stuff can happen.

I am not sure. But I think out of the box.....But gear and brakes is adjusted so maybe someone did something. I'll check it. Anyway I need to mount the pedals, adjust the saddle, mount the plates on the shoes......and make some test rides first. Will go thru every detail while doing that. I don't know about modern bicycles but being a technician it can't be too difficult......

H90,

Correct, most of the time its not Rocket Science! I'm sure you'll check that 1mm play and adjust [bearing preload?] etc if necessary.

Congratulations and enjoy your ride. The Madone is a good choice, alloy or carbon. A couple of years ago, 3 of my friends rode their 3.1's Chiang Mai to Phuket in only 10 days without a problem....

thanks! I think the shop I bought it is awful but the bike is great....