Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cbbjork]

First of all, hi to everyone. I'm new to the forum, and will soon be in Seoul it seems. Thanks to all for the interesting posts and advice throughout the forums.

On to my question: Are there any used bike stores in Seoul? If so, could anyone give me a ballkpark estimate of how much they would run (I'm not too specific, even though a road bike would be nice).

Also, is it even possible to ride a bike around town in Seoul? I'm trying to find some links regarding bike paths, but not finding what I need so far.

Thanks in advance ,
-Christian

[MikeJ123]

you could get one anywhere from 70,000 - 1,000,000. it all depends on what kind of bikes you want. best place to get a quick and easy bike are at carrefour or E-mart. they're like walmarts of korea.

[waterbaby]

I wouldn't describe Seoul as a very bike friendly place. I used to ride my bike a bit along the Han River... that's the only bike bath I know of... and it's pretty dangerous, particularly on a weekend when all the roller bladers, runners, walkers and other riders are out together - you're guaranteed at least one stack!!! I used to get around my "dong" on my bike OK - taking the back streets and never venturing out on the main roads.

[Zyzyfer]

A bike's fine as long as you're an attentive rider.

I have a very crappy bike that I'd give to you. The frame's fine, but it's guaranteed to need repairs. I took a bad spill on it a while back and the gears are shot. Teeth won't grip well on inclines. Probably needs the front wheel straightened out again. New gears would run about 30K or so, and not too sure about the straightening. 26" wheels, kind of dirty from sitting outside.

Haven't seen anything for used bikes, but the cheapies tend to be fine, unless you're gung-ho 10 speed mania freak.

[lion]

Korean-made bikes SUCK. (Heavy, with the lowest possible grade of components. Some of them even have plastic cranks!) And imported ones are obscenely expensive. I'm riding a cannondale hybrid that I was lucky enough to buy second-hand off of an american guy leaving the country. If you want a half-decent ride, and don't want to pay a million, I would consider paying extra baggage to bring whatever you're riding right now along with you.

And yeah, about the bike-unfriendliness, you REALLY want to watch out for the idiots (taxis, etc) in the curb lane, who don't allocate even one neuron to the task of considering the possibility that you might exist...

[ddeubel]

I second about Korea being a very "unfriendly" bike city. That said, drivers do have more awareness of bikes , believe it or not, than my old neck of the woods, Toronto. Just less space here, worse roads/surface and lots of other action and things coming at you....Man, those bus drivers always seem to brush my left elbow as they scream on by!!!! Scary as hell......

I have an old (looks 10 years old but is only 5 months) Next beater. Works like a charm and I've hit almost everything hard and it stands tall like a Sherman. Heavy, not a fast ride but if you are looking for good "bang" for your 100,000 won -- it'll do. Dependable, sturdy.