Where to buy a REAL Mountain bike?

[STUDMEYER]

Hi TV,

I researched this a few years ago and the best answer was buy it in North America or Europe and bring it on the airplane. Well I never did that and I'm hoping the market has improved since then.

Since there's literally a bike shop on every corner in Chiang Mai I was hoping someone could steer me in the right direction here. Looking for a shop that sells real trail, XC, or DH bikes.

Specialized

Rocky Mountain

GT

Kona

Trek

GIANT

etc

Thanks

SM

[junglechef]

Best to do your research on the Internet and when you narrow it down ask again.

Have you checked out any of the major shops?

Velocity, Jackie, Cherry, 4 Heavens for a start

DH try Mojo

Lots more that have substantial machines for sale.

For top of the line you might find it worthwhile, and fun, to try BKK.

I got my most recent one at Kh Cycles there.

Edited July 28, 2016 by junglechef

[daveAustin]

As opposed to an imaginary one?

Yes, avoid the Chinese tat in the ubiquitous corner shops or, gawd forbid, Big C. lol

Lots of places: Cherry (118, beyond Central), Chaitawat (old town), Top Gear? (Chang Moi rd), Velocity (Huay Kaew rd), and a place I refuse to mention. Google for websites.

Cherry had Specialized last time I was there (albeit road bikes) and most can do you a Trek and Giant.

[Hardback]

In Bangkok - on Soi Sarasin by Lumphini Park, there's a place called ProBike. They have been around forever (long before the craze hit here) they have a massive range and are really worth checking out. They also have a great website.

[MissAndry]

They all have a good range of XS, S and M Bikes.

If you are 6' and need a large size, forget it.

As for Cyclocross and Gravel bikes, no demand for them sir.

Edited July 28, 2016 by MissAndry

[dcnx]

They all have a good range of XS, S and M Bikes.

If you are 6' and need a large size, forget it.

As for Cyclocross and Gravel bikes, no demand for them sir.

I got a smaller size due to not being able to find something larger and totally regret it. Road it a few times and never again. My next bike will be imported.

[jobin]

I like Mong bikes on Chiang Moi Rd, not far from the moat and great folks to deal with, and 'talk bikes' with.

[MissAndry]

I like Mong bikes on Chiang Moi Rd, not far from the moat and great folks to deal with, and 'talk bikes' with.

If only they stocked decent bikes ..... but the same problem as everyone else in CM (and indeed all of Thailand).

A very mediocre range of quite expensive hybrid bikes last time I went.

No road bikes, no decent hardtail mountain bikes, no full suspension mountain bikes, no cyclocross bikes.

It really doesn't matter how friendly a shop owner is if he doesn't have any stock.

Just walk in and ask for a specialized stump jumper with 29er tires and a large frame?

How about a Giant AnyRoad 2 large size, or a Giant Revolt 3 Large size ...... they should be easy ........

No have, can't get!

Edited July 29, 2016 by MissAndry

[Dante99]

I like Mong bikes on Chiang Moi Rd, not far from the moat and great folks to deal with, and 'talk bikes' with.

If only they stocked decent bikes ..... but the same problem as everyone else in CM (and indeed all of Thailand).

A very mediocre range of quite expensive hybrid bikes last time I went.

No road bikes, no decent hardtail mountain bikes, no full suspension mountain bikes, no cyclocross bikes.

It really doesn't matter how friendly a shop owner is if he doesn't have any stock.

Just walk in and ask for a specialized stump jumper with 29er tires and a large frame?

How about a Giant AnyRoad 2 large size, or a Giant Revolt 3 Large size ...... they should be easy ........

No have, can't get!

That is a bitch, no large sizes in Thailand. Perhaps you should try Vietnam, Malaysia,Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia, Korea, Burma and Indonesia, they all most certainly have them.

[jobin]

What the H? i bought a 20.5 inch?? frame on a hybrid bike at Mong not long ago. I'm more than 6 feet tall. I'll tell you this: damn few Thais could reach the pedals.

How big are U? And who besides U wants such a specialized bike? Maybe, god forbid, you're a 'moaner' on all things Thai.

[MissAndry]

What the H? i bought a 20.5 inch?? frame on a hybrid bike at Mong not long ago. I'm more than 6 feet tall. I'll tell you this: damn few Thais could reach the pedals. How big are U? And who besides U wants such a specialized bike? Maybe, god forbid, you're a 'moaner' on all things Thai.

If only they stocked decent bikes ..... but the same problem as everyone else in CM (and indeed all of Thailand).

A very mediocre range of quite expensive hybrid bikes last time I went.

Yes, we agree, but that isn't what the OP asked for.

Almost all the bike shops in the USA and UK would carry the 'REAL mountain bikes' I described, they are considered a normal part of the range. But a hybrid isn't a bike purchased by cycling enthusiasts, it isn't a mountain bike, it's for beginners who don't really know what they want, cycling on a smooth and level road. I would be happy to use a hybrid for shopping with a nice little basket on the front.

Read the OP, "where to buy a REAL mountain bike?"

Well a hybrid doesn't fit the OPs request in any way shape or form.

Edited July 29, 2016 by MissAndry

[STUDMEYER]

Thanks for the great replies guys. Will do some scouting of above mentioned shops this weekend and also thanks for the tip on ProBike!

Rgs

SM

[JHolmesJr]

Best place for a good bike at a great price (but only if you've done your research before) is online.

I have used evans cycles and chain reaction cycles in the UK and they rock….some of their deals are incredible.

They ship the bike striped down in a sturdy box and I just get a local bike shop to assemble it for a small fee.

[StuinCM1]

On 7/29/2016 at 9:34 AM, MissAndry said:

If only they stocked decent bikes ..... but the same problem as everyone else in CM (and indeed all of Thailand).

A very mediocre range of quite expensive hybrid bikes last time I went.

No road bikes, no decent hardtail mountain bikes, no full suspension mountain bikes, no cyclocross bikes.

It really doesn't matter how friendly a shop owner is if he doesn't have any stock.

Just walk in and ask for a specialized stump jumper with 29er tires and a large frame?

How about a Giant AnyRoad 2 large size, or a Giant Revolt 3 Large size ...... they should be easy ........

No have, can't get!

I wish I had stumbled onto this post earlier.  I, Mong Cycles, have been sitting on a bunch of 19" & 21" Fuji Tahoe 1.5 mtn bikes (yes, "only hardtail") for about 1.5 years and have only sold 2 of them in that time. Now I am blowing them out at a 7000 Baht loss per bike just to move them on. So, <deleted> is this about not bringing in large bikes? It is the suppliers who refuse to bring in anything big or higher end in large sizes as the market for them is quite limited and there is a strong likelihood, as in my  case, that they will lose money on their efforts. I have gone over the top to bring in bikes of all types and brands in larger sizes and, for the most part, it has been a disastrous business move. The last time I checked, most people did work or business with an expectation that they would NOT lose money, but this seems to be what is expected of bike shops. If you were in the biz, what would you do? 

As for "decent bikes" I have found the most farangs in Thailand are here on the cheap and balk at spending even 20,000 Baht on a bike, and almost always demand a discount. Why would a shop bring in a big inventory of hard to sell, expensive bikes for a tiny, tight-fisted market?

I will not make those efforts again - besides the pure monetary loss there is the huge loss of my time. I now know that even if I did have more large bikes in stock the customers would come in and demand discounts that would cut any profit to nothing. By the way, I still have Marin Gestalt 2 gravel bikes and Fuji Cyclocross bikes in sizes up to 63cm, and Merida cyclocross bikes up to 56cm...same story, will have to give them away to move them.

I welcome the complainers to start their own shop as they apparently think it should be possible to make a fortune on all of this unsatisfied demand, or they feel altruistic and want to provide goods and services to people at a loss. 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, StuinCM1 said:

I welcome the complainers to start their own shop as they apparently think it should be possible to make a fortune on all of this unsatisfied demand, or they feel altruistic and want to provide goods and services to people at a loss. 

 

I think one of the issues is that guys who claim they want "a high end bike" have already picked out exactly what they want, and aren't going to pop the $$$ unless you have their exact model, color, and size, and are willing to source the aftermarket upgrades the blogs have convinced them that they absolutely can't live without.  All that information out there on this interweb thing is a double edge sword.   It works great in a market like California or Germany where there are zillions of aficionados and tons of discretionary money.  But it sets up unreasonable expectations in a market like Thailand.

 

My heart goes out to anyone trying to fill that niche in Thailand.  You'll get close, but since you won't have this year's right color, they'll say "screw it" and go for a local choice off the shelf for half the money.

 

BTW- the reason for my thoughts is that I have been guilty of exactly the same behavior, though not usually with bicycles.  

 

 

Edited August 28, 2017 by impulse

[CMKiwi]

well said Stu.... you still run a damn good bike shop.  Hope business picks up!

[CNXBKKMAN]

I would actually say Chiang Mai is now a better place to buy a bike than Bangkok because there are lots of shops and they are not very far from each other. You can cruise around a whole bunch and find something suitable a lot easier than BKK. Do the same in BKK and the shops are spread over a much bigger area with even hour plus taxi rides needed. 

        Cyclocross type bikes are brilliant and for many people better than buying a roadbike if they only knew. The strange thing in Thailand though is local riders dont seem interested in them at all. I see them for sale secondhand sometimes and they always are cheaper than the same priced roadbike. 

        Bikeshops the world over are not big profit businesses. Lots of service,advice and talk but minimal profit when/if the sale actually takes place. Has anyone ever got rich selling bikes? 

[CMKiwi]

There is another nice bike shop on Charoen Muang Rd called Orbea store.  Lots of bikes but expect to pay some good money as they arent of the Big C quality.

 

Havent been there for a long time but do remember seeing some very nice quality MTB/ATBs in there.

[Puwa]

It really depends on what you want and how you plan to ride. If like most people you will start on a hardtail (damped front fork but no rear suspension), then I would be surprised if you couldn't find an entry-level Trek, Giant, or Merida to fit you.

 

But if you really intend to ride trails that require a full suspension, then prices increase by an order of magnitude, from 10-20K baht to 100-200k. Meanwhile, in western markets you can find secondhand full-sus bikes, barely ridden, high-quality, for 30-50K, in every size and configuration.

 

In this case, the best advice is still: next time you go home, buy three things: bike, toolkit, book.

 

Buying overseas and carrying in is still the best option by far, in terms of cost and choice. 

 

Also buy a decent tool kit ($100-$150). Serious mountain biking requires continual maintenance and repair. Some of the local repair shops are ok, but I've also had them fail at simple tasks that I ended up fixing myself-- brake problems, bearing removal, sourcing a derailleur hanger. 

 

And $10 on a bicycle maintenance book is money well spent. You don't want to go into the shop to chase down random squeaks and rattles. (A small torque wrench works wonders.)

 

At local shops you can buy replacement components when things wear out. They carry what you need-- Shimano and SRAM for most MTB drivetrains-- and the prices are good enough. Items you don't want to buy here, apart from whole bikes, include frames, suspension forks and shocks, wheels, and maybe handlebars.

 

Last good reason to buy used: sooner or later you will slip, fall, slide, scrape, smash, crash, tip over, meet a rock or a tree or pavement that has it in for you. Your bike will get scratched and bruised. The feeling of putting the first nasty scars into a new $4000 bike is unbearably painful. 

[junglechef]

9 hours ago, CMKiwi said:

There is another nice bike shop on Charoen Muang Rd called Orbea store.  Lots of bikes but expect to pay some good money as they arent of the Big C quality.

 

Havent been there for a long time but do remember seeing some very nice quality MTB/ATBs in there.

They don't carry any full-suspension bike's like they use to. 

But I bought a cool bike for my son's 3rd birthday there.

Yes, your right it's more expensive then the Big C, his cost me 12,500 bht.

I buy or take friends shopping for bikes in Chiang Mai often. Got a Trek at Jackies recently and two Scotts at Anek today but I bought my last two bikes for myself in BKK.

Edited August 29, 2017 by junglechef

[CMKiwi]

I do miss my Rocky Mountain full suspension bike that I left in NZ.  It's getting a bit old now but it was/is a great bike.

 

Lockout suspension front and rear and just so light and comfortable.

 

My elder brother borrowed it when I left NZ about 7 years ago and that switched him onto MTBs. He now rides a Specialised 29er carbon fibre full suspension.

 

When I queried the cost I had to ask where is the motor as you could have brought a nice motorbike for the money.

 

His only complaint was that far to many older riders were passing him on battery assisted MTBs nowadays!

[junglechef]

5 hours ago, CMKiwi said:

I do miss my Rocky Mountain full suspension bike that I left in NZ.  It's getting a bit old now but it was/is a great bike.

 

Lockout suspension front and rear and just so light and comfortable.

 

My elder brother borrowed it when I left NZ about 7 years ago and that switched him onto MTBs. He now rides a Specialised 29er carbon fibre full suspension.

 

When I queried the cost I had to ask where is the motor as you could have brought a nice motorbike for the money.

 

His only complaint was that far to many older riders were passing him on battery assisted MTBs nowadays!

I hear people say that too sometimes but can't figure out why it bothers them.

If it's a race of course but otherwise?? (obviously not allowed in competition)

On the race course when a 20 yr younger guy passes me I don't mind, even in a race but that's why there's different age categories. 

It's comparing apples or oranges.

Anyways always going to be someone richer, prettier, thinner and faster then me, doesn't take the enjoyment out of riding for this slow, ugly, poor and fat cyclist!!

Edited August 29, 2017 by junglechef

[ywamer]

There are quite a few good shops to get decent bikes at, starting at about 9000 THB for an entry level mountain bike. Open Google maps and search for bicycle shops. Just found a few new shops that way myself.

 

As for me, I bought a few Treks at Jacky Bike a while back and was happy with them. Now I'm searching for an entry level (but still "real") hardtail for my son and am considering a Kaze brand bike (Thai company) that uses their own frame with quality sourced components (Shimano, Suntrek, etc) that starts at 9900 THB and Trek, whose Marlin 6 is on sale now for less than 13,000 THB over at Jacky's.

 

On the lower end is also TrinX, a lower "almost-real" Chinese company that had some good components (Shimano derailleur) mixed with brakes and crankcase I've never heard of. That sells for about 6000 THB.

 

At the top end, there are plenty of full suspension bikes which can be ordered in large frame sizes, but prices can be higher than you like.

[StuinCM1]

"BTW- the reason for my thoughts is that I have been guilty of exactly the same behavior, though not usually with bicycles. "

 

As "Impulse" said, it is really all driven by the least amount of money a consumer can spend. I too USED to be much more prone to this behavior than I am now after having run a ret-hell (retail) biz. The irony of this behavior is that most of us who never have run a retail biz, rather worked as employees, would scream in anger and offense if asked by their company or boss for a discount on their paycheck each payday. Yet, they have nothing "invested" in their jobs: they do not have to rent the building they occupy each workday, pay for the electricity for their aircon or the salary of the person keeping their restrooms clean and waste baskets emptied, etc. They have no capital at risk at all. Yet, they feel it is fine to push a retailer for a discount, somehow thinking the seller must be able to buy the inventory for nearly nothing, never must worry about obsolete or damaged stock or theft by 'customers,' that the business' employees must work for pretty much nothing, and so on. The answer a young Chinese tourist gave when I replied to his discount request with the question "what if your boss asks you for a discount on your paycheck?" - "oh, but I WORK for a living."  He wanted a discount on a 70 Baht bike rental.

 

It is a sad, ugly, greedy practice.

[CMKiwi]

Stu,

 

  Similar occurrence with my missus guesthouse.  Chinese guest books a bed in a dormitory.  This is the cheapest option at 150 baht per night.

 

On arrival asks if there is a discount.  When the answer is given ie NO.  They then ask if room comes with free breakfast.

 

I kid you not. Some people really take the piss.

[junglechef]

On 9/17/2017 at 10:39 PM, CMKiwi said:

It is a sad, ugly, greedy practice.

Asking for a discount is common practice in this part of the world. Many local bike shops tag items higher then the "real" selling price just for this reason.

Poor OP, just inquiring on buying a MTB here, a potential customer btw, and basically he's insulted for even thinking about entering the market.

[CNXBKKMAN]

Chaitawat seem to sell everything cheaper than the sticker price.last item i bought was chain lube 180 baht , 150 baht when you actually buy it. 

[StuinCM1]

So, all businesses should / do price things "outrageously" and hope you will be a sucker to not ask for a discount? Don't see many ask for a discount at 7-11, the local Phad Thai shop, the massage joint (usually a tip there), at Starbucks or any local coffee shop, on a  beer in the bar, at the dentist..., so what gives at bike shops and small vendors??  When was the last time we westerners were asked for a discount at our profession / job?  I'd love to somehow be able to turn the tables.

 

I mentioned before that the margins in the business are ridiculously small. Next time you ask for a discount on a product, try to imagine what the product cost from the maker/importer, add in Customs duties, VAT, profit added by the distributor, shipping costs to the local shop, VAT paid by local shop on purchase, some added amount to simply cover overhead of running the shop and paying employees, then squeeze a dribble of profit out of that.  Squeeze hard.

 

Everyone out there expects to be respected and appreciated for doing good work and trying hard to bring products to the shelves to meet customer needs and demands. To always try to wring a few percent out of a vendor (whose life is virtually certainly less 'well off' than yours) is simply selfish IMHO.

[StuinCM1]

JungleChef said:  

Asking for a discount is common practice in this part of the world. Many local bike shops tag items higher then the "real" selling price just for this reason.

Poor OP, just inquiring on buying a MTB here, a potential customer btw, and basically he's insulted for even thinking about entering the market.

 

No way do any of the bike shops price even close to MSRP.  And, what is the "real" price, CRC or Wiggle? If that is real, please buy from them (don't forget to add in shipping and duties), and ask them for install and support while at it.

 

The OP was not the target of most of the replies, rather those who replied to his info request saying, more or less, that one cannot find a decent mtb in CM. Maybe we should ask Studmeyer where he found a satisfactory mtb, then we'd all be wiser?

 

[junglechef]

14 minutes ago, StuinCM1 said:

simply selfish

Though I don't know why it's necessary I'll repeat it's a local custom here.

It's not at 7/11 or Starbucks.

Obviously I meant by "real price" as the price they really expect to sell the item for.

As a consumer I have no idea about MSRP just as when people came into my restaurant I didn't expect them to understand my food costs. For instance there were loss leaders on my menu (items that were sold for less then my cost) as that was common practice in that market. 

Was it also selfish for my customers to pay a price that was below what I payed?

btw I bought a great MTB here, oh yeah that was Bangkok where I went to find it. :)