Korean Job Discussion Forums

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

ok, i've been here several years and am on my 3rd bike now - one of those folding types, this one was a little more expensive as it's lighter weight

but i just moved to a nabe w/more hills and it just doesn't do the job - it has 7 gears but i'm really disappointed in its shifting - and it's not that comfortable after an hour or 2

i'm thinking of getting a more serious bike, one i can really ride on at least some of the longer slopes, not necessarily really steep hills

what can someone suggest? how much do i need to spend? all the bikes i've seen so far here in k seem so heavy, not really that good but i see other people riding along the rivers and wherever they seem to have really good bikes.

anyone else serious about biking? i honestly think i could bike my way to work with a better bike, right now i take the bus, am a true believer in biking as much as possible.

whoever can take a gander at this thanks! Cool

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

I was willing to spend about 200,000 won. But for that price, like you said, the bikes were all heavy junk.

So instead I shipped my nice GT from Vancouver. Only cost about $50 by boat.

TheChickenLover · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: The Chicken Coop

I'd have to agree with the last poster. Even a 200k bike is essentially crap. I had a Kestrel Talon SL (with Dura-Ace kit) shipped over here about 2 years ago. Cost me nearly $7000USD, but was more than worth it.

That is one extreme end though. But if you want anything of quality & would like to improve your health, expect to pay a little. Nothing purchased that was too cheap ever really lasted long enough to be worth the money spent.

Chicken

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

i'll be going to japan next month and am wondering if i should just try and pick up something there?

i saw some jp bikes here and they were going for 7 mil won - no, i don't want to spend that much - but i love jp bikes and think they are good -

i also have a bike back in the u.s. but it's in storage so i can't get it over here - would love to have it - but it was actually a mountain bike anyway, i took it on trails there -

i need a good fast urban bike that can do hills and not numb my butt!!! seriously - or go flat to easy - am worried the skinny tires on the touring bikes would do that - opinions anyone?

The Den · Joined: 26 Jan 2003

I've done a fair bit of biking in Korea and I would recommend a name brand entry level mountain bike. Swap the knobby tires for slicks. Trek, Giant, and Specialized are all well represented in Korea. Expect to pay about 800 000 for an entry level Trek, Spec, or Giant. (I am just guessing at that price) You might be able to find something a bit lower in a KHS or something like that. You might also be able to find something in a chromolly frame for even less. Whatever you do, do not buy another 200 000 bike.

If you are mainly riding on pavement look for something with a rigid fork. It will make the bike less expensive and in my opinion you do not really need front suspension if you are on pavement.

Look for Shimano or SRAM components. Shimano STX is of reasonable quality. I do not know much about SRAM.

I lived in Pusan and I know of a couple of good bike shops at the foot of Kumjong San.

You could also check those biking companies websites. They usually have a Korea page that might help you find a dealer.

Go to bikeforums.net and read the biking forums there. Tons of great info there.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

Bikes here are designed for kids to ride around their neighborhoods. Grown men drive cars, don't you know?

The only "serious" bikes I've ever seen were million won racing bikes, which were useless for the pothole and loose-pavement-stone land they call Korea.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

vanislander - excellent!!! Laughing

have you ever ridden a critical mass ride? they used to have them here in seoul but i never could find out the time and locale.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject:

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

i may live in a city - and have much of my life - but was born in the country and am just a country gal at heart Wink

hence feel the need to try and keep down on the air pollution by riding a bike!! Very Happy

thanks again for the pix made my gloomy cold sunday!! Very Happy

am definitely going to get a new bike come warmer weather!

Thiuda · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:46 am Post subject:

I've biked quite a bit here in Korea as well; just finished a three day tour through Gangwon-do (Wonju to Sokcho, the long way). There is a great shop in Wonju called Bike for You, and the owner is a passionate cyclist himself. I was able to pick up a very decent Elfama for W 500.000 two years ago and am still using that bike as my touring bike, because I'm really happy with it. Not one problem in two years! He also has a variety of brand name bikes on offer: Scott, Kona, Assos...etc.

VanIslander, where was the second picture taken, the one with the polars flanking the path?

Suwoner10 · Joined: 10 Dec 2007

I actually like Korean MTB's. Not the 200,000 won ones, but pay 350/400 and you'll get a good, sturdy MTB. I like it just about as much as my Santa Cruz Heckler. Switch out the standard Korean tires to some Kujo's or the like, and you're set. Climbs better than me Heckler and I've had far less maintenence as well.

eliross · Joined: 14 Jun 2007

I'm waiting to find a decent used bike for sale. I prefer road bikes. Does anyone know how they hold up in Seoul? I'm looking to get out and ride along the Han river a couple times a week. I like 100+ Km rides (or I did before I put on a few extra pounds). Are there any good cycling clubs in Seoul?

TheChickenLover · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: The Chicken Coop

There are a few clubs in the country that do a proper sport/touring ride. Keep in mind though that as most clubs, these tours turn into races for town signs (as mine did) which can go on & on into 130-150km rides (our club had nearly 60-80 rider packs that held together nicely).

There is a website called http://www.corearoadbike.com/ which has clubs in all cities. If you're a cyclist, the easiest way to find a club is to go to your local (decent) bike shop & ask where the people meet up for a ride. People are always happy to have an extra person to draft behind Cool

.

If you still out of luck & have a car that can properly transport a bike, send me a pm & we may be able to meet up with a group that does somewhat long rides though in very difficult mountain terrain (road bikes only).

Chicken