Recommended road bicycle for new rider

[wildpikey]

Hi all, didn't see a cycling forum so posted here.

I have always had a mountain bike for keeping fit, but I am thinking of getting a little more into cycling and considering getting a road bike. I don't want to break the bank, so thinking about $1000 or less (Thai equivalent)

Anyone have any recommendations for a good bike that is available in Thailand?

Thanks in advance...

[Rhys]

The Trek Road Bikes are a good choice... more like 40-50K...Depends on the shop's location..

[Jdiddy]

Something with an alloy frame with carbon fibre fork and a 50-34 crank

[CharlieH]

MOVED to cycling

[patrick1968]

got this from bangkok is not bad for new rider like myself ,,,,

Edited June 25, 2016 by patrick1968

[bobfish]

Get one that fits - in my experience, road bike fit is less forgiving than a throw about MTB.

Consider 2nd hand. [i just sold a great bike for less than your budget that cost me rather a lot more.] Try Thaivisa classifieds or Bahtsold etc.

New: Jdiddy is right, look for a quality alloy frame with a carbon fork. At a $1000 budget, the build will be pared back due cost considerations: a so-so frame may have better components, or vice versa. Drivetrain wise I'd go for a Tiagra level if at all possible. Brakes Tekra or better. Generally the big Taiwan frames - Merida,Trek,Specialized,Giant have the balance close and have economies of scale. But there are exceptions, you need to look around and educate yourself. If you buy on line, shipping costs may proportionally be too large, although prices in GBP are at a discount right now and some of the in house bikes represent very good value [hmmm, Chain Reaction is suspiciously offline as I type this!]. Homegrown? have a look at LA bicycle's stock of Infinite models.

Last thought, budget for some good lycra, pedals and shoes. You can ride in baggy shorts and with flat pedals, but you do lose part of the raison d'etre .... and you'll be slower.

[Generalchaos]

Please God do not suggest another forum, there are already a million choices - if they do decide on a bike forum please can we call it MAMIL?

(Middle Aged Men In Lycra)

Seriously though-

Wheeler is a very nice bike for the money, very light very strong and comes with a lot of Shimano bits like brakes and gears and front cogs. I bought one 10 years ago for 25K Baht, it is still as good as new apart from a slight problem with the Marzochi front shock not locking out.

For a cheaper model take a look at Giant, they are not a bad bike, a bit heavier, a little bit less well spec'd but still very strong and well made, probably nearer to 15-18K Baht.

Quite a bit depends on where you live, if you can find a good dealer he can set you up with a great bike and good service. Up here in Chiang Mai we have an excellent bike shop that services repairs supplies all the parts etc. a real one stop shop, and not greedy either!

Edited June 25, 2016 by Generalchaos

[ttakata]

Thais sell new and used bikes on Kaidee and Thaimtb.

Browse with Chrome so it translates it all for you.

Java seems to have some cool bikes.

I'd steer towards the better frame and crappier components.

All components wear out and need to be replaced anyway, but a frame is much costlier to replace.

Or, buy a cheap bike for 10-15K now and if you like road riding save up for a CAAD12.

It's Cycling's bike of the year and the cheapest is $1680 with Shimano 105; although it probably costs more here being a luxury item.

http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bike/ProductDetail?Id=189da40e-e489-4512-aa13-e925ea006156

Edited June 25, 2016 by ttakata

[moonoi]

Only thing to add to what Bobfish said is that if you're tall and need a larger frame size you're going to struggle to find something easily.

If in Bangkok, the Trek dealer (Probike) has the best selection of bikes for taller riders, after that it's Giant or Merida although they don't bring in many so you may have to wait 3-6 months to get something the right size.

If you're smaller, then you shouldn't have a problem finding something in your budget that fits well.

Top top: Sports Bicycle/Specialized are also having a clearout on old stock until the end of this month, you can pick up a Specialized Allez E5 with Shimano Claris 16 speed for 18k if they have your size. Its an excellent frame and well worth upgrading in the future of you really get in to riding on the road.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Edited June 25, 2016 by moonoi

[johna]

So many pro shops about Bangkok and environs, all of them will suggest the right size frame, and a bike to fit your budget. Your location will get better reply's on where to shop.

[n210mp]

From an OMIL (Old man in Lycra)

Until you know what you are doing in and around Thailand on a bike I suggest that you go the middle road as it were and go for a cheaper "Hybrid" bike.

The cross between an MTB and a road bike in my experience around the locale of Pattaya is definitely the best option what with potholes and large slot apertures in most grids where a road bike wheel can easily slot into leaving you parting with the bike and going over the top.

Some roads especially now in the rainy season are very dangerous especially on a road bike with sandy gravel, slippery conditions especially withy shoe clamps.

An Hybrid can accept various sizes of tyre including semi road and also the bulbous off road tyres making them a lot safer.

I use an "Haro" flightline 29er and have just yesterday replaced my road tyres with my off road tyres and put back on my mudguards for an almost wet free ride.

I changeover the tyres when the rainy season begins

I have had my Haro now for over 4 years and only replaced parts due to wear and tear.

The Haro cost around 14 /18 K Baht and for me is perfect for maintaining my ageing lycra covered body

[StreetCowboy]

My choices in about that range were Giant Anyroad, Specialized Diverge, or Avanti Giro AR2; cyclocross bikes with allegedly more forgiving frames, and disk brakes for when your fellows in the peleton are idiots on scooters and in cars and pickups, not professional cyclists.

I went for the Avanti, due to availability of a frame in my size, and being able to walk to the shop.

SC

Edited June 26, 2016 by StreetCowboy

[coops]

Bike Station on Phattanakan road in Bangkok is friendly and wide range of bikes to get a feel for things.

The main Merida distributor also has a good shop in old town/chinatown ish area, can park opposite in an old mall - Merida are good and good value Taiwan brand and as the distributor will probably have your size in stock...

or if you do have a good idea of suitable size etc then second hand is a good first choice to get a feel for things and then see how far you want to take it and in what direction... all out racer type, more long distance relaxed style, etc etc.

I got a first bike from that Merida, a cyclo cross 300 which was fine for ~ 25,000 baht so well under $1000.. think the one up the model 500 with carbon frame would be more $1000 or more...

I'd say get something reasonable first - I've since sold that bike and got something lighter etc etc as I found I felt the need for speed...

Get an idea of what pedals you may want - tyres, and whether you may want disc brakes or rim etc then your next bike you'll be in a better position of what you want and like (and can carry over any pedals, saddles, or even new wheels you may invest in with the first 'beater').

ps you'll still see bikes sold with silly skinny 19mm tyres, despite 23mm being the 'new' sensible minimum and 25mm being even better if you can get those in stock - you'll probably want to change out any 'knobbly' tyres as they really slow you down, so more road tyres as stock if possible.

pps I am kind of assuming you won't be doing much if any town riding in traffic (in Bangkok) - either cycle tracks mainly or out of town etc... the bike track behind Seacon at Nong Bon lake is a pleasant 4kmish loop.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/340392/

it's an old article, so now it's a complete loop...

there's a newish road/overpass that allows you to avoid Sri Nakarin road - take Pattanakhan road 'all the way' and over the overpass, turn right at lights and the lake is down soi 43 ( and straight on at those lights and maybve half a mile on the left is a good cafe for breakfast after an earl ymorning ride - ' Lang Chang' )

Edited June 26, 2016 by coops

[StreetCowboy]

If you'e planning on riding in town, consider getting a hybrid - road geometry and tyres, but flat handlebars - not too wide, though, for filtering through the traffic.

It took me a long time to get confident in traffic with the drop handlebars, and I'm planning on fitting my mountain bike out with basket and panniers for round town errands. I only just today set a Personal Record better than what I achieved last year with the mountain bike on a busy downhill main road section that I traverse regularly.

SC

[scubascuba3]

And by the way, wearing lycra isn't essential kit, in fact i highly recommend you don't wear it ( for every one elses sake).

As for an "expensive" bike, I'm not sure of the point if its for exercise, i.e. cheaper ones are heavier but if its for exercise who cares.

[StreetCowboy]

And by the way, wearing lycra isn't essential kit, in fact i highly recommend you don't wear it ( for every one elses sake).

As for an "expensive" bike, I'm not sure of the point if its for exercise, i.e. cheaper ones are heavier but if its for exercise who cares.

If you go into the shop with a budget of US$ 1,000, don't expect to come out with anything but coppers from US 1,500. But it will be worth it...

After being shocked at the price of bikes, I put my hand in my pocket rather than walk home, and I was amazed to discover that roads I had thought were level were suddenly down hill on my new bike.

And as for the lycra,,, My mate and I were on a popular cycling route, and encountered some tail-enders from a cycling club We sailed past them - they probably lacked the motivation of a few beers at the end to see them through, and I'm sure I heard two of them say:

"What was that?"

"Dunno. Looked like cyclists, only bigger"

SC

[moonoi]

And by the way, wearing lycra isn't essential kit, in fact i highly recommend you don't wear it ( for every one elses sake).

As for an "expensive" bike, I'm not sure of the point if its for exercise, i.e. cheaper ones are heavier but if its for exercise who cares.

I love my Lycra, don't care what you or anyone else thinks, wicks away the sweat fast and is comfy for a full day in the saddle, there's a reason why it is designed the way it is. Last thing you want is uncomfortable chafing that puts you off riding.

To sum up, wear whatever the hell you like on the bike and don't care about anyone else, all that matters is that you're comfy and you're out on your bike having fun.

Cheaper bikes aren't just heavier, but have crappy components, and generally don't fit as well, so in the medium to long term they end up costing more in repairs and upgrading parts.

Another brand to check out btw is Axman Bikes http://axmanthailand.com/lineup.html

very good frames and value for money.

Sent from my turnip using Tapatalk

[n210mp]

Taking the bait

Mamil or in my case Old men in lycra , is a sensible and practical choice for many reasons.

1 Safety, usually the bright and colourful Lycra designs can be seen at a distance., white colours for those like me who often ride before Sunrise also make for better visibility and therefor safety

2 Practicality, close fitting, light weight, breathable material allows the body to be cooled so much more efficiently and with three pockets sewn into the back of the shirt allows plenty of unobtrusive room for stuff like phone food and money.

3 The psychological lift of wearing specialised clothes for the job IMHO also makes for a better mind set when actually cycling, yes I know it's all in the mind bu golfers , footballers skiers Etc must fall into the same category or would the Lycra objectors make the same illogical criticism of these other sportsmen, any criticism or argument against lycra and cyclists must logically be used against any other sport which uses similar materials in their apparel.

Finally people who specifically make adverse comments about Middle aged men or in my case Old men possibly need to have their ageism hangup problem addressed by a suitably qualified medical person.

If the MAMIL or OMIL objectors need a little counselling for their obvious insecurity problems, I of course would be willing to help by riding alongside them in my full lycra outfit and thereby getting them accustomed to the phenomena

Just Pm me for an appointment but you will have to be an early rise and fit enough to keep up with especially on the hills

On the other hand it occurs to me that anyone who makes objection to MAMIL (Men In lycra) or OMIL (old men in lycra) really isnt a biker in the first place and probably is another one of our bar propping, booze guzzling , 80 a day smokers, obese and part of the bitter and twisted couch potato brethren who have nothing better to do than make snide remarks.

I could be wrong though

[StreetCowboy]

One problem with wearing ordinary shorts while cycling is the risk of the low-hanging crotch of your shorts snagging on the nose of your saddle.

[scubascuba3]

I prefer to wear combat shorts, not a problem

[ttakata]

Those Axman bikes seem nice; they won some Asian games medals.

After my regular soccer shorts kept snagging on my wide Brooks; I ordered a full cycling set.

Might take a bit to get used to but I'm past caring about my appearance.