Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OneWayTraffic]

Not exactly cutting edge tech:

I want to get a basic commuter bicycle. I have a cheap Chinese one and I'm going to upgrade to a better model.

In the West you can get good commuter bikes: comfy seats, mudguards, enclosed chain, internal hub gears and so on. Here it seems that everyone is trying to push mountain bike lookalikes on me or folders. Neither of which I'm really after.

Anyone know where to find an affordable bike with a 7 speed hub and commuting setup for less than 500,000 won?

[Join Me]

Fenders...enclosed chain and hub...comfy seat...enjoy the ride... and don't forget your helmet.

http://corex.co.kr/shop/image_view.html?scroll=&image=/shopimages/tcorex88/021003000005.jpg

[OneWayTraffic]

Something for the over 5 year olds?

[nosmallplans]

[nosmallplans]

holy shit. i nearly forgot the mother of all commuters:

THE SURLY BIG DUMMY
http://surlybikes.com/bd_comp.html

the complete model doesn't sell as an IG but you can buy the frameset and build it up that way:

http://www.surlybikes.com/blogimages/rohloff_bd1_lg.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2698696107_3c3819710b.jpg

[OneWayTraffic]

Ouch. Too rich for my blood. I could get a nice electric assisted bike for that.

I was thinking more along the lines of this:
http://www.avantibikes.com/metro/metro.aspx?bid=99

[OneWayTraffic]

I'll probably either go for the Raleigh folder that I saw with a 3-speed hub (320,000 and subwayable) or go for a 700c hybrid in the 250,000-300,000 range.

I don't want top of the line components and frame. Just looking for a Chromoly steel frame without suspension (so I could retrofit a hub motor later) but with mid range derailers/or a internal hub. The mudguards and chainguard can be fitted later, though a chainguard is hard to do with a 21 speed. I'm willing to pay for reliability and longegivity, pay a little for speed, and nothing at all to save weight. Weight doesn't matter much on the paths in Seoul I'll be going on.

I rode my Chinese beater ( a Bimax for those curious) to Yeoido from Jamsil to a morning class. Did it as fast as the bus, and had more fun. A decent bike should be better.

But you may be right about the price ranges. I've seen some hub bikes here, but they seem to mostly either be specially imported luxury items or shaft drives or a folder or somesuch.

I saw that Civia on a bikeshop website here. 3,000,000 and 5,500,000 for the Rholoff! Couldn't justify that to the ball and chain, at least not while the kids are young.

[jkamphof]

For a city bike your best bet is a European bike with internal gearing b/w 3-7 speed or an Asian or North American equivilant. They are designed for comfort but also for local distance (within reason of course). North American bikes like MTB's are nice, flashy and light but very high in maintenance (like the cars) and no matter what people say, MTB's are not good for city use. The seating is wrong, the gearing is often reduntant and the fatter wheels will create extra drag. Most of all, your vision will be impaired by your riding position which on Korean roads is never a good idea (let alone sidewalks with the scooters). I love MTB's and my history with them has been great but for most users the hype of the 90's was overblown (in Korea though, most of your choices will be Mountain though).

Aluminum will probably be your best option nowadays as most bikes tend to be alloys rather than steels but either choice will be ok. Steels are certainly softer rides in most cases (absorbs more vibration).

For ideas check out my brother's shop in Toronto, use this for ideas only as his bikes can get expensive.

www.curbside.on.ca

[OneWayTraffic]

Yes, it's frustrating to see that 90% of the people on bikes out there have a bike that is: the wrong size, using the wrong tires, with the wrong gears in the wrong combinations and ridden for the wrong purposes. The more I learn about cycling the more irritating it gets. Because this is who the market is catering to.

And the basic ultility bikes that I can get here are all one speeds with antiquated design. I'd love to ride an old British 3 speed, but the Korean single speeds just leave me cold.

I may get a folder after all. It's good for about 80% of what I want to do. And I can keep my beater in the meantime for the other 20%. And when I finally take the jump into electric hub retrofits...

[jkamphof]

For a folding bike a decent Dahon (US brand) is good as the upper versions are designed for long-distance commuters. I used one in Holland and did around 17km a day on it. Not super comfortable compared to a hybrid or road bike but it did the job better than my old MTB. Plus when I need to take train or metro I could jump on for no extra fees...

If you really want a true folder that'll do the job better than any, do a Brompton from the UK and available in a lot of shops in Korea. However, they'll run ya $1500 plus for the 6spds. but you can always take it home when you're done.

[nosmallplans]

stridas are awesome folders too. i've seen a really cool model with a belt drive and disc brakes (on itty bitty wheels, so cute!).

as for me, i ride around town on one of these. no fenders, but i can easily run over any ajumas in my way.

[OneWayTraffic]

The Strida strikes me as a great bike, until you have to ride it anywhere decently far.

[nosmallplans]

[legalquestions]

Nah, roll on a Felt Taxi, like I do; it's the coolest bike in Korea. And it'll only set you back $500 (plus shipping, or bring it over as checked luggage like I did).

Check out the whole line of Felt bikes at: feltracing.com

[OneWayTraffic]