December 21, 201411 yr I was in Bangkok for only a few hours yesterday but I had to buy a bicycle. I went to 3 stores in the city. One was the Cannondale Store on Sumkumvit and then I went to 2 that were around Lumpini Park. In all 3, the rates were double what they were in the USA and even on some 4x what I would pay for a bike in the USA. I knew this would be the case, but I was hoping to find a good deal at one of the shops. No luck at all. If you are looking for a brand bike, your best bet is to buy in USA or your home country and ship here!
December 21, 201411 yr There are several Trek bicycle shops on Thepprasit Rd in Pattaya that are reasonably priced.
December 21, 201411 yr Author I did end up with a Cannondale but it was 65k baht. I was pissed but felt I had no alternative as the fit was good and I like the bikes. I just hated to spend double the price for something I could have easily gotten in USA but I am not in USA and not headed back there for some time so I sucked it up, bitched a bit and bought.
December 21, 201411 yr Who would have thought it, the cost of getting sorted with a ride in Thailand is twice what it is the States !! :-) ( a ride being an Irish slang word for sex for those that may not be aware:/)
December 21, 201411 yr Author Who would have thought it, the cost of getting sorted with a ride in Thailand is twice what it is the States !! :-) ( a ride being an Irish slang word for sex for those that may not be aware:/) LOL You are right, so in the end, I came out on top. If you figure I pay twice as much for bike and 1/10 the price for a gay hooker, then after hiring 5-10 times, I come out on top of the transaction. Wow, you have just made me feel better about my purchase yesterday! Thank you!
December 21, 201411 yr Author What about the import duties on a bicycle and the shipping costs? If you are coming, just pack it as a bicycle and usually pay 150 or 200 extra luggage fee if above quota. If you ship via UPS, etc. you will pay a duty.
December 21, 201411 yr I did end up with a Cannondale but it was 65k baht. I was pissed but felt I had no alternative as the fit was good and I like the bikes. I just hated to spend double the price for something I could have easily gotten in USA but I am not in USA and not headed back there for some time so I sucked it up, bitched a bit and bought. I paid a lot more money than that for my Cannondale in California and that was 10 years ago.
December 21, 201411 yr Most of us are decades beyond our bicycle riding days but Zimmer frames and C-pap machines costs, perchance more relevant here. Cpap machines common in Pattaya as sleep apnea is common. As I am fearful to ride a motorbike in Pattaya , I've been told if you can ride a bike, you can ride a motorbike. I'm also afraid to ride a bicycle in the sois of Pattaya, let alone the roads. Michael is fortunate to still be in his salad days and able to ride a bicycle in traffic, pedestrians, baht buses etc.
December 22, 201411 yr Author I paid a lot more money than that for my Cannondale in California and that was 10 years ago. They use to make them in America only and they are more expensive. The ones that are partly made in Taiwan are cheaper. Most of us are decades beyond our bicycle riding days but Zimmer frames and C-pap machines costs, perchance more relevant here. Cpap machines common in Pattaya as sleep apnea is common. As I am fearful to ride a motorbike in Pattaya , I've been told if you can ride a bike, you can ride a motorbike. I'm also afraid to ride a bicycle in the sois of Pattaya, let alone the roads. Michael is fortunate to still be in his salad days and able to ride a bicycle in traffic, pedestrians, baht buses etc. While I do appreciate the safety features, I have seen you in California Wow years back and you worked like a demon and I you can handle the exercise. But, you are right about the traffic. However, I much prefer Thailand over anywhere in USA. The USA is getting more bike friendly but I trust the Thai drivers more probably because they have motorbike lanes everywhere. That said, I HATED driving in Pattaya as too many drunks! 40K baht and you can get a motorbike. Yes, but hard to ship those out of country.
December 22, 201411 yr I always buy my Bike at home and bring with me in carry on. I opt for the super deluxe model with extra padding!
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