Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tobias]

Looking for a used Bianchi, Cinelli, or Colnago road bike.

I'm 5'10", so I need a frame size of 56, 57, or 58 cm. Even a 59 may work.

Prefer Campy hardware, but Shimano components would be fine if the price is right.

Sellers please drop me a PM.

[climber159]

Good luck on this. I too am looking for a road bike. I've been all over Seoul in search of a 58cm or 59cm bike. Everywhere I go the reaction from the shop is, "a 58cm bike is HUGE, that doesn't exist here in Korea." Really? In a city of 13,000,000 that claims it is the "Hub of Asia," there isn't a single shop that has larger road bikes. Anyway...the largest bike I've found thus far in my search is a 56cm at the Trek Bicycle Store near Gangnam. Here's the website http://www.spo-world.co.kr/

[talltony4]

I don't get this either. You see some tall koreans around, but you can only buy small and medium frames.

You could try the MTB shop (I think it's called MTB House) alongside the Dorim Cheon (Dorim stream) in Shillim Dong, southern Seoul. I was in there on Saturday and he had a good range of bikes, including roadies and even what looked like a fixie.

He showed us a new Cello carbon MTB which he said was "large", but I think it was just a 19inch frame.

You do see some big koreans riding small frames though, so maybe that's how they do it. big seatposts?

Can't you buy online from the states? An APO address would be the best for shipping...

[IlIlNine]

I have a Giant MTB which is a 23.5 inch (59.7cm) model. It rocks... But I have to keep it inside my house because I'm afraid that it will get stolen.

I love it.. I'm about 195CM (6'4ish) -- most people tremble in fear as I cut a swath through the crowds of little Koreans on (what look like to be) child sized bicycles.

[Tobias]

You guys aren't kidding. I was in Jinju a few weeks ago and found a brand new Colnago frame with headset. I believe it was a 56, and that was the largest bike frame there. Beautiful piece, but it was a tad too short for me.

Where are the bigger bikes in Korea? I even stop demanding an Italian ride if that will get me SOMETHING. Just give me a 57 or 58 from any company. I'll even settle for just a frame and then build it up using (choke) Shimano parts.

Hey, Climber, thanks for the link to the shop, but it seems to be dead. Anyway, good luck on finding a bike that fits.

I want to get my new ride soon, as I plan to take the coastal road from Ulsan to Sokcho during my summer vacation or during Chusak.

[talltony4]

You could try going here

http://www.seoulsynergy.com/

and asking on their board. It's the expat triathlon club and they do a road ride every saturday out of Itaewon. they might have a lead on larger size bikes.

[talltony4]

Or I found this

http://odbike.co.kr/index.htm

They say they do it in Large. Not sure what 58cm works out to in a compact frame, but probably about a large.

They go higher than tiagra, I just chose this one because it looked like a good deal. I think tiagra is pretty sweet, much better than Sora anyway.

Tobias, tell us more about your plans. You gonna do a full-on tour, or more of scuzzy 3 day "wash my shorts in the sink" type thing.

Actually, in korea that wouldn't be so bad, there's yeogwans and food everywhere, and it's not exactly cold in summer

[talltony4]

Damn, that link didn't really work. follow the link then click 완성차 then go to 메리다

tiagra for 1.2million

105 for 1.5million

Ultegra (not full groupset) for 1.68million

actually they seem like pretty cheap deals. I should go up there and see if a Large frame fits

[climber159]

The sizing chart they provide on their website says a large frame is equivalent to 52.5cm. ARGH!!!!

[talltony4]

yeah, but that's a frame with compact geometry. i.e sloping top tube, shorter seat tube, heaps of seatpost showing.

most bikes are like that now, cos it makes the frame stiffer and lighter.

Old style sizing (57, 58, etc) doesn't really mean anything anymore.

That's why I say the large Merida is probably equivalent to a 57or 58cm in the old sizing

[climber159]

Are you going to check out this shop? Let us know what you find out. (Note: I still prefer the classic sizing for longer rides.)

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[pkang0202]

I never understood why the largest shoe size in all the stores is 280. Even then, they won't have the 280's in stock. I see big Koreans too and they have big feet.