Korean Job Discussion Forums

[retrogress]

I'm getting ready to buy a bike online,and I found a black cat that has much better specs that any of the Treks or Meridas or Giants of the same price range. The components are a step up and the bike is perfect me, complete with hybrid wheels. I just can't find anything about Black Cat bikes online. I'm just curious about where they are made. It's a great looking bike and I've seen people riding them in Korea.

Any info would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[nosmallplans]

don't buy online. support your LBS.

if you're not against a short trip across town, check out camel bikes in donong-dong, namyangju-si.: http://camelbikes.com/shop/main/index.php

the owner is bob, he's korean but studied english in high school in america. he just opened up his shop so hes eager for new customers. i recently purchased a scott scale 40 from him and got a great deal. the bike retails for 2.2mWon but i was only charged 1.5mWon. the same bike goes for $2200 in the states.

check out bikes by scott and merida - thats where you'll get the best deals. anything big in the states is going to see a huge price increase. hell, the cannondale track bike i brought to korea i sold for 200% of it's retail value and i only paid half that as i worked at a shop at home!

as far as where they're made most stuff now a days is made in taiwan. don't be fooled, taiwan makes solid stuff which makes sense because they make nearly everything. if you had to avoid any location of manufacture i'd suggest not buying anything made in china or korea, neither really have much experience with building high quality bikes. that said, korea does have several small custom frame builders that put together some really awesome stuff.

bob at camel bikes actually imports columbus tubing and nagasawa and kalavinka lugs for a builder called kayak bikes. they'll make you just about anything! custom frames built from the top down just for you! frame cost around 1.3mWon - in the states you're looking at at least $1500, $2500 for a reputable builder not even considering the 6 month wait!

[retrogress]

That's really good information. But I'm out in the sticks far, far away from Seoul or Pusan. Though there is one dealer here who stocks a few nice bikes, the prices are sky high as he makes his money from selling cheap corex and altons. The bike that is in my pricerange is all scuffed up--probably used.
So...going online.
Thanks for the info.