Cyclists - I need your advice

[Ratsima]

Thanks for the pics.

I originally posted this in "Ask the expats". For reasons unknown the moderators moved it here?

[Big Boy]

For reasons unknown the moderators moved it here?

Not me, but the answer is simple. Cycling is an activity.

please.

[V4281051]

Nimit bikes are very good ..Hua Hin bikes near soi 43 in Hua hin have plenty of stock but the customer service in my experience has been very poor.. in my experience staff trained at the Basil Fawlty charm school...LA Bikes in Hua Hin are good..
You can get some excellent ex hire bikes at the bike shop just past Cicada Park in Khao Takiap..Owner speaks excellent English..He has new bikes also..This bike shop is in my opinion the best for customer service in the area..friendly ,helpful..cheap..

[Ratsima]

Thanks.

Now I need some suggestions on what bike to buy. I guess "purchasing" is also considered to be an activity so I won't even try to post this question in the "Ask the Expats" subforum.

As I said, I now ride a Trek 4300 mountain bike here in Korat. However, for Hua Hin/Cha Am I want a lighter hybrid bike. I want to sit upright. I don't want tiny road tires.

Any suggestions, keeping in mind what's likely to be available locally?

[usual suspect]

If you find a mountain bike that suits your size/stature, & if it's on 26" wheels there's a good range of (what I call) 'hard' mtb tyres..ones with an mtb tread, but more for general use, & are harder for road use..but still absorb some of the bumpiness from the rough road surfaces, & not to much 'drag' either.
Many mountain bikes look great in the shops when nice & clean, but my past expirience with L.A. bikes was not great..cheap components throughout.
IF you're willing to part with a bit more Baht then aim for Trek, Meridia or Giant..these 3 company's bikes are common here, & do at least have Shimano kit fitted on them, & all components on these bikes can be easily upgraded if you so wish.
Forks..? Now you can spend big bucks on trick forks for the front end of your bike..or part with lots of Baht on a bike due to it having trick forks fitted..
..my bike has basic 'solo coil' forks & are all I need..they work well at soaking up the bumps, can be stiffened if needed..but are simple in design..check the adjustment between hard & soft settings feels ok for you..ride up a curb a few times after playing with the setting..
Brakes..most have disc systems fitted now, again, if your future bike has Shimano brakes on then you're gonna be OK (Avid brakes are fitted on some mtbs..& can be a bit of a pain).
Don't 4get to buy a saddle bag for your spare inner tube & tyre levers, & a decent compact pump that fits your tyre's valves..some do come with a mounting bracket.
(Most bike shops such as HHB DO have a range of 'multi-tools' that slip nicely in your bag also..for that moment when something comes loose or needs tweaking-up).

Hope my info here is a little bit of use..?

[Ratsima]

Thanks, US. Exactly what I needed. My current bike is a Trek 4300 with Shimano kit. I bought it in Bankgok 10 years ago and it continues to perform well. It is indeed fitted out with a spare tube, compact pump and tool kit. (I get a LOT of flats….)

Is there any particular model that you recommend?

BTW, what are "trick forks". I Googled, but no joy. Just some YouTube videos on balancing table forks!

[STEVE G]

As I was heading into town from Cha Am the other day I spotted a new shop on the left out towards the airport that seems to be an Orbea dealership, they're a quality Spanish bike manufacturer popular in Europe.

[Gregjam]

To reduce the occurrence of flat tyres I have used a successful combination of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (road orientated but strong enough to handle road and trail) with Slime inner tube and a liner between tube and tyre. Makes the wheel a little heavier but has so far meant zero punctures in my case.

If you venture into Pranburi there is a cycle shop there where I bought my bike. Heading south turn right at the third set of traffic lights and it is just on the right in the middle of town. Usually going just outside Hua Hin means that prices are a little lower.

[Big Boy]

If you venture into Pranburi there is a cycle shop there where I bought my bike. Heading south turn right at the third set of traffic lights and it is just on the right in the middle of town. Usually going just outside Hua Hin means that prices are a little lower.

I was introduced to the shop by Sarge - savings are substantial when compared to Hua Hin.

[Ratsima]

Once again, thanks for all the info.

[usual suspect]

Sorry Ratsima..'trick' forks are ones that are more expensive & are for the harder riders..rule of thumb is basic mtb's have 80mm of travel when they compress, some have 100mm.
Once you start looking at air forks, & longer travel items (140/150mm) the price goes way up here.
(Mine are only 'single coil spring', but have 130mm of 'travel' to soak up them bumps)..

Sorry we're all filling your head with jargon & options here..you're gonna need a holiday soon!..5-5!

[Ratsima]

I'm taking it all in. I cycle a lot, but don't pay much attention to the gear. (Same with scuba. I couldn't tell you the model #s of anything I own, but I still do 100+ dives per year.)

I'm getting up to speed....

[Ratsima]

Is the one in Pranburi called Sun Lee Bicycle (ซุ้นหลีจักรยาน)?

I suppose I'm going to have to invest in tire liners.

I didn't have much luck with Slime inner tubes though. One morning I woke up to find a flat and a huge puddle of green slime on the driveway. Horrible to clean up!

[Big Boy]

Is the one in Pranburi called Sun Lee Bicycle (ซุ้นหลีจักรยาน)?

I'm sorry, although I've used the shop a few times, I've never looked at the name outside.

[Ratsima]

No worries. I think I can find it.