Korean Job Discussion Forums

[moosehead]

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!

[robot]

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]

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]

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]

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]

[twg]

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]

[moosehead]

vanislander - excellent!!!

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]