Bicycle tools - bring or buy

[Gregjam]

Had a look at the websites mentioned and as usual in Thailand there were no prices mentioned. One of the reasons I buyabroad and bring stuff back is that I don't have to go round either asking or phoning up to both check availability and cost. I am sure in time it will improve but at present the lack of sites like e-bay or e-tailers mean that it is terribly difficult to establish what is a proper price. As the company pays for my flights this is not a factor for me, just how big or heavy the item is and I can still see me getting the kit abroad. It is good to know where I can get some of the stuff individually but a complete kit works out a lot less than even just getting the items I need. And they cone in an easy storage box!
Jimmy, I am not an expert but that bike looks good. My main issue when I started was punctures. Solved by putting decent tyres, a liner and extra tough inner tube. If you are just starting out, my own experience was to start on short trips (less than 30km) and extend once you are ready. Use the quieter roads and bendy ones as the straight stretches are boring. Enjoy.

[PeteC]

What about seats? I've always had a problem with seats such as the style on the Trek in the link, which I think is the "normal' style seat for most mountain and road bikes these days.

I'm really not that heavy although a bit over, about 210lbs at 5'10", but after trying so many times the pain those type seats causes puts me off of riding, and usually within an hour each ride. I know that some bike suits have built in crotch padding but I want to ride more relaxed, not padded up.

We've asked many dealers who sell Trek and others if the seat can be changed out to something more comfortable and always get a negative answer. I assume anything can be done, but I haven't found a willing shop in my area yet. Pete

[Gregjam]

Funny you should mention that as will also be getting a new saddle. My friend who has done serious miles on his expedition bike has a Selle SMP saddle with the 'beak' downward slope at the front. He says that they are comfortable and the downward slope accommodates blokes bits more than others. I see they also do saddles for women and the base models while not cheap are not too expensive. I will be getting a TRK model. They do one with a gel insert which might be more comfortable if you don't want to wear padded shorts. When I first started the worst part was doing John Wayne impressions when I got off the bike but the more I ride the less it bothers me.

[usual suspect]

Hua Hin Bike had a real fat seat on their hooks this week..about 800b I think..

[Big Boy]

How fat?

[PeteC]

For me it's not the butt or any frontal pieces, it's the edge of the bone (I guess pelvic) where it meets the top inside of your legs. Pure agony after a few miles

[JimmyGreaves]

Jimmy the Trek hybrid you're looking at seems a nice bike.
It's got a Shimano Hollowtech based crankset, has SLX brakes & rear mech..altho' the brake disc on the front looks like it's only 160mill (usual mtb spec is 180mm).
All in all there's some good quality components on there..

Thanks for your feedback US. I'll go have a chat with HHB and see what the prices are

[STEVE G]

Funny you should mention that as will also be getting a new saddle. My friend who has done serious miles on his expedition bike has a Selle SMP saddle with the 'beak' downward slope at the front. He says that they are comfortable and the downward slope accommodates blokes bits more than others. I see they also do saddles for women and the base models while not cheap are not too expensive. I will be getting a TRK model. They do one with a gel insert which might be more comfortable if you don't want to wear padded shorts. When I first started the worst part was doing John Wayne impressions when I got off the bike but the more I ride the less it bothers me.

My last bike in Europe had a Selle Royal gel saddle and it was incredibly confortable, I hadn't ridden for a while and did a 100 km on it the first weekend I had it without any problems at all.

[usual suspect]

Jimmy..the lady who serves you at HHB (Kaeg)..WILL give you generous discount without to much haggling from you..if the ticket price is say 15,000B..you'll get it for 12-13.

[usual suspect]

BB..the seat I saw was about 8-9" wide..did'nt know if to sit on it & seat the whole family around it for lunch..

[usual suspect]

..OR seat the whole family...(not and)

[Big Boy]

BB..the seat I saw was about 8-9" wide..did'nt know if to sit on it & seat the whole family around it for lunch..

I'll have to take a trip down there, that might be almost wide enough

[Gregjam]

Have taken the plunge and ordered the Birzman studio toolkit from Oz. Over sixty pounds cheaper than the cheapest I have seen it from the UK and over a hundred less than from main sources. Will wait to get the saddle from the UK as the one I want appears to be cheaper there. Good job I have enough clothes in both locations so the suitcase can be dedicated to bringing stuff across.