Korean Job Discussion Forums

Thiuda · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:58 pm Post subject: 29er SS?

I'm looking for a mid-range 29er, 20", preferably a HT SS - something like a Gary Fisher Mamba/Rig. Ideally I'd like to spend no more than 1.25 million, though I'm willing to go higher for the Rig. I've checked out local bike stores, but, not surprisingly, they have trouble comprehending 29er, SS and 20".

Spo-world carries 29ers, but they're geared and the largest size they carry is 17". Does anyone have an idea where I might be able to pick one up in Korea?

Cheers for any tips.

talltony4 · Joined: 09 Aug 2004

I'd say you'd have zero luck finding a bike like that in Korea. Your best bet would be to approach the importer for the brand you want and persuade them to include the bike you want in their next shipment from Taiwan.

Find out who does Gary Fisher/Trek in Korea then go to their office with a Korean friend? Worth a try anyway

Thiuda · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject:

Word on the street is that Specialized will be stocking 29ers starting in July. The Rockhopper looks pretty good and has gotten pretty decent reviews, maybe I'll wait until then. Surly's Karate Monkey is also available, but for a price that is not justifiable.

Crockpot2001 · Joined: 01 Jul 2007

I'm not questioning your choice or intended use. However, have you had a chance to ride some of the trails here? I ran 2x9 for a while on my Dos Niner and found that I really needed the granny on my 29er if i wanted to make it up many of the hills and that was when i was racing and training here a lot.

I confess, I have no idea of your intedended use.

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

I would go with a 29er here if ur gonna be one of these funny KOrean MTB guys who ride their gnarly MTB bikes almost entire time on da street ha ha -I have seen them with a general adaptation on it though because they use cross or non-knobby tires.... so they a bit wise on the nature of road VS dirt at least... But cha know if u do just put slicks on a 29er you would more or less have a road bike with fatter tires and a very upright position so in theory you be able to cover the same distance as a true road bike without the SUpa dupa tedious roll of a regular diameter MTB wheelll.... belive me I use to do street / urban tricks in the big big city and it would take me miles and mmiles of boring fat tire mtb wheel roll time to get thier and back

BUt yeah if you are going to race a lot of tight up and down MTB courses I guess a 29er is sometimes a disadvantage but a 29er is also a hassle to transport if you are going to take it on a plane as the frame is that much bigga

I was so completely rad on my 1,300 mTB I was like jumping stairs and getting huge air time - I was like the coolest rider ever in my ole Korean city before I moves to the country I get like litle kid fans who would watch me jump up and down from benches and then jump off stairs - sadly no supa cool mTB street riderz girlz showed up buut I guess I gotta save up and go to Moab vacation for that- I had to get rid of though ccuz I left Korea - and also I did not get a new one yet becasue I was afraid of getting too crazy and hurting myself... anyhow I did not ever see a 29er and I am thinking you will only find an exotic one that cost like 3-7 million... I do recall I had to go all the way to Seoul to some shop I forgot where it was and buy my 19 inch mtb - caseu I am Big and Fat like that - anyhow if I reup a contract again here and mopve to Busan I will have to buy a 2-3 mil MTB and be the c00lest there too in which case you should ride with me as you can maybe gain some cool guy factor from me.

I forgot the post but that helpful lady Cedar wrote on me about a c00l shop in Seoul... you could search it maybe... also you could get a hanguel reader to check online for you or buy a Korean bike mag - I have seen them and they always have tons of adds on stores and bikes...

Thiuda · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:36 pm Post subject:

I live in Wonju, Gangwon-do, so there's a fair bit of single track in the area and I've ridden a lot of it. The 29er I want to commute with, since I do about 40k a day going to and from work and my trail bike isn't set up optimally for roads. I want a SS to increase my general fitness level, but more so because the drive train lasts longer than on a geared bike.

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

MM I know what you mean they are getting stupid now with 11 cogs in back... for Crecord. I have seen some sweet MTB SRAM setups with 2 rings in front and the regular number I guess it was 9 (back then) cogs which seemed erase the chain suck problems and was good for a person who just wanted two rings... That appealed to me as I was a Monster for smashing pedals and only used the little riign to do wheelies. I know Euro guys - and actually iknew a US racer who would ride single cogs to train with but I got to have a 53X11 to draft trucks and pass cars on downhills at 50. But, I guess you are just looking to commute with it - you might want to drop a ton of cash and get one of the higher end internal german hubs but that would probably cost you a 100 percent luxury fee here in Korea. I have no idea why but Koreans seem to love these ridiculous Moulton style 20 inch wheel folding bikes - and it seems some of these might come with a funky internal 6 speed hub - so maybe a dealer in those bikes could get a hub like that for a reasonable price. Anyhow good luck and let us know what phat High End Road store worked out good for you... I f I do not go to work in Singapore, Taiwan, the USA, or The middle East teaching I think I am going to have to splurge and dump 3 grand on a rad mtb.... Maybe see you on Jeju-DO this summer I was thinking of riding around either there or Gangwando for a tour I bet the road s are great in the North there for the summer- actually Jeju is packed full of clowny Sunday drivers and rental cars in the summer and the beautiful coastal road can be dangerous.

This is what "Cedar" wrote on a bike topic I had a while back... I think I may have even gone there before I saw this as I had a hard time finding a 19 inch MTB and I had to go to Seoul to get one...

Thiuda · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:40 am Post subject:

Thiuda · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:36 am Post subject:

Addendum.

In the end, after much searching, I decided to keep an eye on the classifieds section on mtbr.com. Almost immediately I picked up a nicely upgraded 2008 29er Redline Monocog for $550, shipping included. It's been on commuter duty, but riding it is so much fun that my Trek isn't seeing much action these days. I've had no issues getting extra parts; the bikestore I frequent sells fixies, so they stock SS chains and are able to order 29er tubes and tires for delivery in 24 hrs.

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

http://www.hitenbike.co.kr/

Pricey place (as are most high end bikes in Korea) but it's the only Specialized distributor in Korea. Nice guys and they have an awesome selection.

Bought a Rockhopper 26' disc comp last year. Looked at the 29's but after looking around, I realized that my plans of traveling around with it, it could be a hassle to find replacement parts if I needed them. The 29's are fun though... Anyway, this place is in Yongin, end of the Bundang line. IF you're in the area. I've been in Wonju on my bike, and if you want to come, the bus from Wonju to Yatap, then subway to the end of the line and you're there.