What bicycle do I need?

[SanukJoe]

After years of successfully maintaining my overweight and not losing one kg (strong personality ) I have now decided to go downhill with my weight but more importantly go uphill with my condition.
This also as I'm afraid kilograms will be added to my weight due to the total stop of alcohol...

Well, to do so I decided to get a bicycle (I will use bike but was afraid to use the word in the title as most people call a motorbike a bike too).
Now you say: buy a bike and shut up. Correct, if you don't know where and how I live
I live in the hills of remote Isan, 75 km east/south/east of Udon, 35 km from Nong han (dir. Sakon Nakhon).
No huge hills but about 100 m difference in height (in several climbs and downhills) to go to the main village, distance 5 km.
Oh yes, before I forget: the largest part (the hills) of this road is a red sand, clay, mud, stones collection with more holes per sq m than a piece of Emmental cheese has...

Therefor my question: what kind of bike do I need?
Do I need just a bike with 27 or more speed, an ATB (All Terrain Bike), Mountain Bike or even another kind?
What do I specifically look for? Tyres? Speed system? I'm a total virgin on this subject

Any serious advice would be warmly welcomed. Any jokes too =D>

Thanks guys.

Joe

[RLTrader]

If you do not get any good answers and if "FDMIKE" does not see this, then you might want to PM him. He has to be the expert on bikes on this forum.

I have a 1k special with 2 flat tires. When I want to use it I walk it down the soi and inflate the tires, and go on my 3 or 4 k ride, and it is really flat around here, so no coasting. Mike on the other hand, well just add 10 or 20 k to the above.

[arjay]

A general All terrain bike with some gears (any number between 3 and 21). Assuming you are an average height farang, make sure it is large/high enough. Thai bikes tend to have short wheelbases and be of a small size, leaving you hunched over the handlebars. Ideally, you want to be able to almost fully straighten your leg when the pedal is at the bottom of it's circle/cycle.

Don't get anything too elaborate or expensive until you have established to what extent you will use it, and you don't want to worry that it might get stolen if left outside the local shop or bar!!

There is an existing thread or two on this subject. I'll see if I can find a link and add it to this post.

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/b ... 11589.html

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/s ... t8248.html

[SanukJoe]

A general All terrain bike with some gears (any number between 3 and 21). Assuming you are an average height farang, make sure it is large/high enough. Thai bikes tend to have short wheelbases and be of a small size, leaving you hunched over the handlebars. Ideally, you want to be able to almost fully straighten your leg when the pedal is at the bottom of it's circle/cycle.

Don't get anything too elaborate or expensive until you have established to what extent you will use it, and you don't want to worry that it might get stolen if left outside the local shop or bar!!

There is an existing thread or two on this subject. I'll see if I can find a link and add it to this post.

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/b ... 11589.html

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/s ... t8248.html

Thanks Arjay, very useful.
Yes I'm average, in height that is (1.81m), so I should care about the height of the bike.

Quote: and you don't want to worry that it might get stolen if left outside the local shop or bar!!
This made me smile. Firstly there is no bar in the whole Tambon (13 villages) and the places where I go have people who know me and will watch that nothing happens to my bike. If one tries it must be a "visitor" as all local people know me and I have a good relationship with them. The good village life!

Joe

RLT if FDMike will not react I will send a pm, thanks.

[petemcc]

I have a half-decent bike, cost me $600, but to be honest you have to spend that much on something reasonable. My bike has 18 gears but I would use perhaps 5 of them, maybe 7 at the maximum.

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to ride around at 30kph, you need the 'racer' type bike with thin wheels and tyres=less resistance=go faster. However, if you have to cope with anything other than sealed roads you are looking at going AOT and ruining your bike. With the type of terrain you are talking about you need what I have, which is effectively a cheap mountain bike. I say cheap because there is a warning on it, despite its sturdy construction, not to use it for off-roading. It is BTW a 'Giant' bike, Giant being the name of the American company which is apparently quite good.

So you need chunky tyres and good wheels. My mistake was not paying out the extra for 'suspension' for the front forks and back/saddle, because even on so-called flat ground, the pounding can get to you, especially if you are overweight, and certainally going over rough ground you will know, as will your arse.

Yep, you can pay 100 bucks for a 'mountain bike' in your local store, but it will probably be the death of you if you are going to do anything semi-serious in the way of riding, and if you go on rough ground. This is the newest version of my bike, note this one has front suspension and disc brakes: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bik ... 181/31861/

I would thoroughly recommend something like this, but get some mudguards and a carrier at the back.

[Chriss]

Joe,
I was the same a year or so ago, wanted to get a bit fitter so I bought a couple of LA bikes (http://www.la-bicycle.com), one for me one for her in the kitchen. We live outside Kutchap where we don't need to go far to get into the hills, mostly paved roads but the same red earth along the canals. We also go off road in the hills through the forest and through the rubber plantations. Bikes are fine for both.
My bike is 26inch (where they measure from and to I have no idea) I'm 1.80 m tall and it's fine and easy to ride, both bikes are 21 gear mountain bikes, at the time of buying it was 21 gears or 6, all the shop had for the price I was willing to pay, I guess I use about 10 of them now, started off using 2 or 3. Both are alloy framed with decent brakes, I would have liked the disc brakes and rear suspension but too expensive. My bike was 4,000 bht hers 3,500.
Never knew riding a bike could be such fun. Until now the last time I was on a bike I was riding to school in the rain, hail and snow.
Hope this helps

[parrot]

Assuming you're going to buy your bike in Udon, I suggest checking the following locations to size up a bike to your liking:
The LA bike shop on the corner of Adunyadet and Wattananuwong (grid O-10), the bike shop on the corner of the 5-way intersection of Adunyadet and Prajak (N-12) and the bike shop that's on the same side of the road as Makro (as you're heading from AEK to Makro). It's down a side soi....don't know the name, but there are signs on the main road.
If you're riding on semi-rough terrain, you'll definitely want a mountain bike. Be sure you're comfortable with the size. I paid 13,500 for an aluminum frame, shimano 27 gear....5 years ago. Extremely well-built. You can go way cheaper and way way more expensive, depending on your likes.

[panick]

Assuming you're going to buy your bike in Udon, I suggest checking the following location .... the bike shop on the corner of the 5-way intersection of Adunyadet and Prajak (N-12)

A little bit of editing

I bought mine from here a couple of years ago .... " Cycle Bay " made in the UK, 21 speed. alloy frame, all Shimano gears and brakes and front suspension ... Great value bike at ฿5600

Last year bought little'un a steel framed version ( can't remember where it was made except it wasn't China!! ) ... Shimano gears etc.etc. at ฿4200

Very good after service, I was offered free servicing for 1yr on both bikes

[Farang1]

I bought mine at LA bikes a couple years ago. 26in, 6 speed. It is my transportation while my bride is at work and I ride it all over Udon. It has jerk tires so, I guess you can call it an off-road bike. I am the same, a novice so, I wasn't looking for anything fancy. It gets me up and down the small grades around town without me huffin n puffin too much. I paid 4700 baht, including a skid-lid.

[Texpat]

Don't forget a crash helmet.

[thrilled]

you could always buy A samlor,and ride your friends around."lol"

[fatbas***d]

Since a few months ago I am a recent convert to recreational Cycling and I admit now firmly addicted, myself and my young and sprightly mates do around 40 kms every 2nd day, sometimes up to 80 kms. I believe we have covered every track and road within a 30 kms radius of Udon.
I use an old Peugeot sports bike gifted to me, but intend to buy a flat bar road bike from LA in the near future.
Good off road tracks are getting harder to find around here, so more and more on paved sections, I prefer the riding position of a 28 inch tall frame road bike, mountain bikes seem to be too small to accommodate my frame, petite as it is.
I always wear a helmet, following the death of an associate a couple of yrs ago, on the Sakorn rd.
Helmets aren't uncomfortable and add to my sense of security.
Taking into account the number of bike shops there are here I see little evidence of Thai's riding in any numbers, so where do all the bikes go to ?

[nkstan]

This is probably not relevant to the type of bicycle you would need .out in the ''sticks'',but I live in NK and because it is so easy ,to get around on a bicycle,I started riding one almost 7 years ago at 65,something I had not done for 50 years!

I ride 3-5 times a day and casual riding is great for using the muscles and joints regularly and gives me plenty of opportunity to lok about and take notice of things that I am unable to pay attention to while driving a motorized vehicle!

I prefer ''a girls bike'',as it is easy to get on and off and I have used several LA brand models that I would not recommend to anyone.I am presently using a Raleigh thin wheel that I purchased used and It has been the best so far!

I am also concerned about my weight,but find that unless I ride some distance at ''fast speed''(I am not using a multi gear speed bike),I am not exercising enough for weight loss!

It is important,to me, to ride in a relative safe environment,especially where traffic is concerned!I would never ride a bicycle in large city traffic like Udon ,Korat ,Bangkok etc.,Nong Khai is great!

[arjay]

Something that Stan said to me previously on another "Bicycle" thread, which I have found to have significant merit/validity:- I have found that I do prefer a bicycle which has more of a sit up straight riding position. I find that the riding position of mountain and specialist sports bikes have me looking at the ground too much (thus I can't see what's going on around me so well), and also they tend to cause my hands & wrists to ache after a while, presumably from my weight falling forward to my hands/handlebars.

Thus my comment previously about not getting anything too specialised unless you are very sure/clear about what you want, and particularly if it's mainly for road or track riding. Just a personal observation and thought.

[thedude]

You might check out Mainer's LA bike he's selling, along with a few remaining household goods.

You can PM Mainer or check out the Ads here on UdonMap.

Looks like a good bike at a good cost, though not sure if it'll meet your needs.

Believe he's knocked it down to about THB4500 now...heard through the grapevine. But get there fast, as he's heading back to Maine end of next week.

OK, off my butt (& broken chair); here's the ad: http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/b ... ?ad_id=538

And yes, I'm getting 60% commission!

[RLTrader]

You might check out Mainer's LA bike he's selling, along with a few remaining household goods.

as with everything second hand, make sure you check it out completely.

But get there fast, as he's heading back to Maine end of next week.

sounds like after checking it out, just might can get a good deal. (2.5k)


It does seem like "Mainer" is leaving and needs to sell stuff, every couple of months.

[petemcc]

With all the talk of which bike to buy I have to also give you some warnings from someone who has been there.

When you get your bike, remember you aren't 16 anymore and you will fell well and truly fcuked if you do too much. Also, fully expect on the second day when you get on the bike, your bum will be so, so sore. It's hard, but get over it and ride away, if not you'll leave it a week for your bum to heal and never get on the bike again.

[fdimike]

Joe

All good recommendations from what I see. I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination but have learned quite a bit about biking along the way. I have been riding now for abnout 5 years and have owned 3 bikes with my latest a Merida. I've toured through 5 different countries in the region and have logged thousands of kms. When choosing a bike you have two basic choices - road bike and mountain bike. Mountain bikes are typically more versatile can be ridden on all sorts of terrain and can be outfitted with all kinds of accessories to include panniers to carry your groceries. I ride with the Udon Riders Club and we ride a mix of mountain and road bikes. I prefer mountain bikes because I also do a lot of touring and this kind of bike is sturdier to carry additional weight.

When choosing a bike size (fit) is the most important factor. I am 5'10" and ride a 20" Merida. This 20" measurement is taken from the center of the crank to the top of the seat post opening. There is normally a sticker on this tube indicating the length of the tube. All other dimensions are the based off that central figure. A shorter down tube will alter the distance to the handlbars and the distance to the pedal cranks which could make for an uncomfortable ride.

Here is a good website to help you chose a bike: http://www.mountain-bike-world.com/buy- ... -bike.html

Here are my recommendations:

1. Mountain bike/road bike: recommend an alloy frame mountain bike. Alloy frames are lighter making pedaling easier. remember you are the motor.

2. Suspension: Front suspension is usually adequate for most riding. Try to get a front "air fork" as it will be lighter than a steel spring loaded fork.

3. "V" brake vs disc: Disc brakes are becoming more popular, less expensive and lighter in weight and will provide better stopping distances.

4. Size: Sit on the bike and ride it if possible to see how you like the feel of it. Your back should be at about a 45 deg angle leaning forward and your leg should be nearly straight when on the down stroke.

5. Safety: Buy and use a helmet all the time. I have been hit twice now and my helmet defitely sve the day for me.

6. Riding clothing: designed for comfort and visibility. Riding shorts come equipped with a large cushioned pad toi help absorb road shocks.

7. Cost: Expect to pay around 12-15,000B for a decent bike here in Udon.

8. Where to buy: Parrot's recommendations are all sound. There are basically 4 decent bike shops here in Udon Thani. I like Pepsi's bike shop on Sri Chomchuan Road because he is a well respected rider and will help with fiting the bike. The owner of the bike shop at the 5 way intersection close to Robinsons speaks english and is also very helpful His name is Peter. Road bike has a large selection of bikes and is located just north of makro on a side soi next to a tire shop.

Here is a great bicycle website: www.crazyguyonabike.com

Hope all this helps. Fire away if you have additional questions.

Mike

[fdimike]

One more thing you should rememeber. The only way to truely get used to riding a bike is to ride ride ride. You'll quickly discover all sorts of things to make riding easier from gloves, to clothing to shoes , mirrors etc.

[SanukJoe]

Thanks you all for your advise and comments, even Texpat (I knew you would come up with a useful idea ).

Pete thanks for the butt pain warning, I remember it from ages ago and will continue riding every day.

It seems it will be a mountain bike with suspension, disc brakes and enough gears for the climbing.

Thanks to you I have enough shops in Udon to go to, I prefer the ones with good service, everybody can sell a bike,I need advise and assistance from the shop owner.

Mike, thanks for your clear technical info, I hadn't a clue about 20"/21" now I know and will try out having my toes touch the ground when still sitting on the saddle.
A few questions left:
I read about full suspension and hard tail. After clearing my mind of naughty thoughts I wondered what it is exactly and if it would be necessary for me?
Does the number of gears make climbing easier? I mean is 27 gears better for me than 21?

I learned a lot already, thanks all of you! =D> =D> =D>

Cheers
Joe