Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy a half decent mountain bike in Thailand. I live in Phayao now, so anywhere like CM or CR would be great. I'm looking to buy a Trek probably, with budget around 25k. Anything you guys can recommend in terms of bike models and shops? Maybe some even have credit option for pricyer models?

Driving on the road and off road too

Cherry Bicycles.

In San Sai Chiang Mai

From Doi Saket...presuming you are entering Chiang Mai from the north. Basically, it is near the light at the middle ring road and 118

Come down 118 until you reach San Sai. Continue on past the 121 outer ring road to the middle ring road (3029). Just past the light, you will see it on the right side....before the yellow Dunlop Tire Building.

Looks small, but has a good selection...and many people buy good bikes there. I bought a bike rack for the car. Looks like good service too. They speak English, as well. Prices are on the bikes....no foolery. I got ten percent off the price on the box, for my bike rack. You might ask 10 to 15 percent of a bike....expect 10 percent for cash.

http://www.cherrybike.com/index1.php

They have name brands. I even saw a Schwinn cruiser. Prices look about 11000 on up..but I bet you get a decent one for 13 to 15000 baht. You can go much higher...but as for me, I am satisfied with a good, basic bike. Not a professional.

I

Edited December 17, 201411 yr by slipperylobster

Jacky Bike
12/7 Nimmanhaemin soi 13
T. Suthep A. Mueang Chiang mai
50200
ภาษาไทย [+]
Tel: 053-225-278, 089-755-7910
GPS – N 18 47.769, E 98 58.106

Trek affiliated shop. This is a riders shop - don't be put off initially as Jacky can be a bit shy because he doesn't speak english. One of the best mechanics in Thailand works here and speaks english, so its worth nuturing the relationship.

If you want to blow the budget completely, there's always Mojo bikes, although 25K won't even cover the forks. Worth a look just to drool.... or buy a pair of Five 10's.

The big bike shop in Pasang (40 kms SE of CM) probably has over 1000 models on the floor at every price point. If you can't find it there, you can't find it anywhere.

If you speak Thai, I agree with the recommendation of Jacky Bikes if you're looking for a Trek or Trek-owned brand. But if you don't speak Thai, and none of the English speaking staff is there or has time to deal with you, you'll be frustrated. And living in Phayao, you'll never develop a relationship with Jacky. I lived 2 blocks away, bought 3 bikes from him (for my wife and two friends), and rode with Jacky on a few Sundays but I still don't get acceptable service. You can the same selection of bikes from Chatiwat Bikes, inside the moat near the SE corner. Friendlier service with the same lack of English.

Good luck.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I plan to get one in January. But will probably go to scout end of December to CM to see what is avaliable. Any suggestions for model for moutain bike? Preferably Trek because there is a service shop here and in CR.

Also, when I was a kid we just had mountain bikes (mine is still running over 15 years of proper maintenance), we had several categories of mountain bikes. Front suspesion only and also front and rear. But I noticed after 2-3 years bikes with rear suspension just dissapeared. Why is that?

Edit:

I kind of starting to have second thoughts on all out mountain bike. What puts me off is design, seems like one puprose off road BMX-ish looking bike. Is there something like a hybrid availiable. I will be doing roads (and bumpy ones) and sometimes join for some offroading. Anything decent?

It seems like I just like Trek's mountain bike range is only designed for off roading, frame and tyres.

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by sup3r1or

A Trek like this can easily be used on road or off. Over time, every part on this bike as been upgraded here in Chiang Rai at Northern Bike.

Edited December 22, 201411 yr by villagefarang

Or you could try the new category of bike "adventure road". Giant being their Anyroad in to Thailand, although it's a bit marmite in its looks. Basically a mtb with a rigid fork and drop bars......

Unless you're gonna race down mountains ..... no suspension, it's not needed for roads or most tracks, just adds weight.

Also avoid fat tyres, too much drag and extra effort to pedal on roads. 700x35 is as big a tyre as you need for most conditions.

The Trek FX7 series hybrid is worth a look, but in CM the shops largest size is 48cm.

Cherry don't have anything over 48cm, nor Jacky.

They do have bigger bikes at Probike in BKK. http://www.probike.co.th/ (lifestyle)

Don't let the shops talk you into buying a small frame, if taller than 5'6", 48cm is no good. (6' and you need a 56cm frame)

See the photo of the Trek in post #6, that frame is way too small for the rider, 6' foreigner riding a bike size for a 5' 6" Thai.

He let the shop sell him what they had, not what fitted!

(every part upgraded, apart from the bit that needed upgrading, the frame)

Edited December 23, 201411 yr by AnotherOneAmerican

Every online sizing chart I looked at had this frame size right in the middle of the range for my height. My old 4500 frame was bigger but this 8500 frame feels better and is much lighter, weighing in at a little over 11 kg for the entire bike. Many of my dirt trails are like a washboard in places and the front suspension really helps smooth out the ride as do the two inch tires. You ride what you want but kindly let others ride what I want.

Every online sizing chart I looked at had this frame size right in the middle of the range for my height. My old 4500 frame was bigger but this 8500 frame feels better and is much lighter, weighing in at a little over 11 kg for the entire bike. Many of my dirt trails are like a washboard in places and the front suspension really helps smooth out the ride as do the two inch tires. You ride what you want but kindly let others ride what they want.

I modified that last sentence but forgot to change the “I” to “they”. Sorry about that.

I know what you meant by your last sentence VF !!

I agree - we all should just ride what we enjoy. But I'm always open to [kindly] suggestions...

{PS: Still wearing your helmet?? }

I know what you meant by your last sentence VF !!

I agree - we all should just ride what we enjoy. But I'm always open to [kindly] suggestions...

{PS: Still wearing your helmet?? }

Yes, I’m still wearing it but mainly because it looks good. Other than fending off the leaves on a low hanging branch or two, it has served as a lightweight fashion accessory more than anything else.

My last ride was a tiring 81 km but I feel fully recovered today so I think I will put the computer to sleep and go for a slightly shorter bike ride this morning. With these temperatures my head might get cold today.

Edited December 24, 201411 yr by villagefarang

I was expecting to do 40 or 50 km but ended up continuing on to 75 km, because the weather is just so nice. This is perfect mt. bike weather.

It seems like I just like Trek's mountain bike range is only designed for off roading, frame and tyres.

It may come as a surprise to some, but mountain bikes are generally designed for off road use. But most mountain bikers in Thailand don't seem to have discovered that yet. And no, rear suspension hasn't disappeared. It's probably more popular than ever.... with mountain bikers who actually ride mountain trails.

I know we've discussed the merits of MTB vs Hybrids before, so I won't go [too far] there.

Suffice to say I'd prefer to have a selection of bikes. The latest addition to the herd is an MTB hardtail [650b]. It goes most places on XC tyres, but isn't going to set any downhill records, nor scare the peloton on road. If you're only going to get one bike - it's hard to go past the type. Of course, I got a Ti frame and fancy baubles to hang off it - but that's a whole other $$$tory....

There is a new bike shop on the Samoeng Road just after the junction with the 121. It's on the right on the Malada strip of shophouses. Called Activ Bikes it stocks Fuji & Cannondale and has a very good range of low-priced road and MTB. Well worth popping your head in there.

How much was that trek that is on the photo?

AnotherOneAmerican, they do look really small though. Iam 180cm so about 5.9 is that too small for me?

How much was that trek that is on the photo?

AnotherOneAmerican, they do look really small though. Iam 180cm so about 5.9 is that too small for me?

Measure your inside leg then x.66 = frame size for hybrid and road bikes.

Trek FX 7.2 can be had for 15kbht (after discount), and is recommended as best value in the FX range.

(Also best value compared to all the other manufacturers, the hybrids are all a similar design)

The one in the photo is for off road, you don't need the suspension if you aren't going off road most of the time.

I'm not a big off road (downhill) fan, my hybrid is fine for dirt tracks without big rocks or steps.

Off road have smaller frames because you don't sit and pedal along much, you ride mostly standing.

Edited January 6, 201511 yr by AnotherOneAmerican

It seems like I just like Trek's mountain bike range is only designed for off roading, frame and tyres.

It may come as a surprise to some, but mountain bikes are generally designed for off road use. But most mountain bikers in Thailand don't seem to have discovered that yet. And no, rear suspension hasn't disappeared. It's probably more popular than ever.... with mountain bikers who actually ride mountain trails.

No no: Mountain bikes are for fashion, because High-So neighbor also has one. Also on a street bike you look like an idiot with a fat belly....

But seriously, going with the street bike a bit around in the south the last few days, there are asphalt/concrete streets that needs a mountain bike (20 cm deep holes).

Or you could try the new category of bike "adventure road". Giant being their Anyroad in to Thailand, although it's a bit marmite in its looks. Basically a mtb with a rigid fork and drop bars......

New? A couple of years ago were all MTB without suspension. So we can take our old MTB from the stock and call it Adventure Road

How much was that trek that is on the photo?

I would be a little embarrassed to admit how much that bike has cost me. I suppose the original bike was in the 15kbht range but I have, over time, replaced every single part with aftermarket upgrades. The hubs and custom wheel set alone cost much more than the original bike.

Or you could try the new category of bike "adventure road". Giant being their Anyroad in to Thailand, although it's a bit marmite in its looks. Basically a mtb with a rigid fork and drop bars......

New? A couple of years ago were all MTB without suspension. So we can take our old MTB from the stock and call it Adventure Road

I actually thought about doing something like that with my old Merida Big Nine MTB frame, as no one seems to want a 21" MTB frame in Thailand (except me). Just need a cheap group set and a rigid fork.........only my financial manager is having none of it at the moment ;-)

How much was that trek that is on the photo?

I would be a little embarrassed to admit how much that bike has cost me. I suppose the original bike was in the 15kbht range but I have, over time, replaced every single part with aftermarket upgrades. The hubs and custom wheel set alone cost much more than the original bike.

If you ever need the seals in the suspension replaced, I sometimes produce these. I do some for France and what customer want for the same suspension differs a lot. One customer insist on a solution that another customer tells me that it doesn't work at all.....