Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vassalage]

I am looking to buy one of those small foldable bikes you see everyone riding around on.
Checked on Gmarket found some for around 80,000. Wanted to see them in person and try them out before ordering. Would prefer to buy in person.
Called the tourist line and got a recommendation to try near dongdaemun history station....found one small store with an even smaller selection.
Saw some bigger bikes at Costco but want a small portable bike.
Any recommendations where to go please!!!!!!!!!!!?

[Caffeinated]

Best bike store I've come across is at Hapjeong exit 5. Their website is

bikenara.co.kr

They have folding bikes as well.

[Troglodyte]

Where are you located? I've seen bike shops in most cities and areas of Seoul. Those fold up bikes seem to be really popular too. All the stores that I've seen have plenty of those fold up bikes.

On the topic of bikes, what happens to the abandoned bikes at train stations? I'm sure that most people have noticed that some of the bikes in the bike lockup areas outside train stations get a sticker/tag put on them if they get left there for too long. Eventually they disappear. At what point do the people administrating the lock up area actually cut off the lock/chain and remove the bike? What happens to them after that? Do the police or someone auction them off? Do they get chucked in the garbage? I know that in a lot of Europe and North America abandoned bikes like that are auctioned by the police every few months, and you can get some really nice bikes for dirt cheap prices. I've seen some nice bikes that are pretty much abandoned and have the tag on them. Since I'm only going to be around for a year or so, I'm perfectly happy buying an old bike or grabbing one out of a dumpster. I've looked around a few times to see if there's someone who's job is to monitor the bikes in the lock up area but didn't notice anyone in particular. Does anyone here know something about this?

[vassalage]

I am checking out Sam Chuly's website right now and along with google's translator (chuly's English site crashes my web browser) I think I am getting enough info to try to make a decision.

Think I will just order off Gmarket.

The prices everywhere else seem crazy in comparison. We were quoted over double the price for the same bike available on Gmarket

[nosmallplans]

Just gonna' drop a comment representing the 'we spend too much money on bikes' league:

If you actually intend to fold the bike, travel with it, and ride it often, then consider a more expensive bike. Dahon's offer significantly better engineered folding mechanisms and sturdier rides. You can get a 8-speed model for as low as $500 (or less).

Better yet, you can get yourself a Brompton. Bromptons fold as well as Dahons but ride even better. They start around $800.

Last up is Bike Friday. I think they look ugly and that only weirdos ride them but if you need to have a bike you can ride 100 miles on then fold up and dump in a suitcase... then you really only have once choice: a Bike Friday. The cost of a Bike Friday is ridiculous.

[drydell]

bikes prices are haggle-able here. As I found out too late...can still picture the delighted smile of the ajosshi when I paid full asking price.....grrrrrr

[carleverson]

[Underwaterbob]

Deserted bikes are open game here. I've had a couple decent bikes that I picked up for free that were left behind because they needed some minor repair to be functional. Ironically, the second one was stolen a few months after I picked it up off the side of the road where it had been laying for two months untouched. (The back brake was jammed, I fixed it with my bare hands)

[espo]

How do you guys feel about folding bikes? Are they any good? I found this one on G Market and I am thinking of getting it because it is in my price range.

http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=180483563&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000003&pos_class_kind=T

I also found a normal looking bike:
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=181585855&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000003&pos_class_kind=T

any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[talltony4]

Wow, they're cheap eh? No wonder I see so many bikes dumped outside subway stations.

What do you want to do on the bike? Commute or fitness/fun?

Why do you need a folding bike? for apartment storage or for travel?

If you give us the answers to those two questions we can help you more

[Jeaves]

[Troglodyte]

[noraebang]

Does anyone know if you can take a folding bike on an express bus (intercity bus) somehow? Like putting it behind the drivers seat or in a storage area?

I wanna know this before I buy one, otherwise I wouldn't be able to transport it anywhere.

Oh and last year I bought a bike at a junk yard in Korea, and replaced the inner tube and paid a guy to replace the chain. He charged me too much (didn't find out the price til after). For some reason there was still a problem with the chain skipping every few seconds so I wasted like $40 total on a unusable bike, lol.

[Wiltern]

[talltony4]

yes, you can take folding bikes on express buses. They just put them in the luggage compartment.

you can take regular bikes too, you just need to wrap the chain somehow so it doesn't put grease on everything