Bicycle Upgrade
I believe I told the story in previous posts but I’ll repeat it again. I spent around 4,500 baht ($136 USD) on a bicycle from Big C which is basically Thailand’s version of Target from the USA which turned out to be a complete waste of money. In addition to the handlebars falling off as I was riding it home, the cheap components died after the 2nd bike ride I went on. While the bike had multiple suspension systems and looked cool, it was a complete piece of garbage.
I ended up giving the bike to one of the security guards for my apartment building and start looking for a real bike shop to get a bike I could zoom through the streets of Bangkok on. I had ridden a bicycle through the streets of San Francisco for the past 3 years on my Specialized Sirrus Comp and felt the need to get a better bicycle if I was to ride one at all.
Probike
I found probike by searching on google. The location was perfect because it was in a familair location right next to Lumpini Park (map above). I bought a bicycle in the first place because of the traffic-free bicycle path which leads from my apartment to Lumpini Park (pictured above). After getting used to the Bangkok traffic I decided that it is actually easier to ride bikes through the streets of Bangkok than San Francisco.
While there is more traffic in Bangkok than San Francisco the traffic is slower and believe it or not a little more predictable. As I was looking around Probike’s showroom I noticed familiar hybrid style bikes which is what I wanted as well as high end road bikes, mountain bikes, and all sorts of bikes.
I started thinking that I really didn’t need a street bike because Bangkok’s geography is the polar opposite of San Francisco. While the hills in San Francisco present a challenge for any bicyclist the almost 100% flat area of Bangkok doesn’t require as light a bike. The unevenness of the curbs, and poorly layed brick sidewalks of Bangkok gave me the idea that a mountain bike would be a better idea anyway.
Part of the Showroom at Probike in Bangkok
Probike Service
Probike is stocked with mostly Trek and Gary Fisher bikes from what I saw. The staff of green shirted employees was very friendly and helpful. As soon as I pointed out the bike I wanted, without asking they immediately dropped 2500 baht ($75 USD) off the sticker price, offered me a free 1 year service plan and a bunch of discounts on accessories such as lights, locks, helmets and more. I talked to an ex US army doctor on the way out and he told me they did the same for him saving him a lot of money as well.
I ended up spending 14,000 baht ($415 USD ) on a 2009 green Trek mountain bike (picture at top of post). The sales guy offered me the 2008 model of the same bike for 10,000 baht ($330 USD) but I liked the green color and thought the bike’s Shimano components felt a lot smoother. I was very surprised how fast the mountain bike was compared to my hybrid from in San Francisco. It probably has something to do with riding on all flat surfaces past the slow Bangkok traffic.
I have went back a few times since I bought the bike to get things tightened up and tuned up a bit and the staff is always very friendly and doesn’t even ask for my proof of service plan to fix everything for free. The shop and atmosphere reminds me of my bike store in San Francisco Mike’s Bikes. I highly recommend Probike for anyone looking to buy a quality bicycle in Bangkok.
The Probike website is very nice as well with tons of information about the shop as well as everything related to the bicycle culture in Thailand. Probike.co.th
Last 5 posts by Mike Behnken
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- Things to do from Pokhara: Part II - Sunrise at World Peace Stupa - January 8th, 2011
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- Places to Visit from Kathmandu- Nagarkot: Part II - November 19th, 2010
December 30th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Don’t you worry about theft with such a “good ” looking bike? Did you put any Buddhist decals on? Good post!
June 17th, 2010 at 12:15 am
I ride in Bangkok all the time. I have a Trek 4100 mountain bike and I ride a lot, mostly at the bicycle park next to Chutuchak park. I ride between 30 to 50Km evertime I go out. Sometimes the park is to crowded and I will ride out towards Don Muang airport and then to a lap around Northpark. But in the big scheme of things I miss rding wide open spaces and clean air of California where I spent most of my life. I have been riding road and mountian bikes for 30 years. I will say I get a lot of respect with the cars in Bkk and in Thailand in general. I have also ridin a lot up around Lampang near the lignite mine. Now there is some wide open spaces, lots of cool back roads and clean air. If you want to hook up for a bike ride shoot me an email. Btw, will be getting a road bike soon as they got these Thai racer guys at the bicycle park that like to fly around and around at about dusk. I was in a 20 bicycle peleton a few days ago… Thrilling… laters, JP jp.packets@gmail.com
June 17th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Thanks for your post JP,
I just saw the 2nd park next to Jatuchak park a couple days ago… I remember there being a significantly long bike lane out towards Don Muang…. do you know which one I’m talking about? I have no problems riding through traffic but always enjoy the traffic free (w/ the exception of the occasional food vendor or motorcycle taxi, as you know) places to ride bikes and relax a bit….
July 25th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Yes maybe not good bikes in big c but look at the prices in pro bike some 320000 baht woooooooooo
September 13th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Hi Mike, nice bike, I am a fan of Probike on sarasin and most of what you describe in the great city of Bangkok, I stay in Soi Ruam Rudee and used to use and enjoy the traffic free path by the klong to get up from Lumpini area to go to the park by Asoke. The night concierge in my building was quite surprised when I told him I went on this path, it was over a year ago and he said “very dangerous at night”.. fair enough, not something I planned to do, I forgot about it.
Last week I was at the Bike shop in UJulieng building Saladeng soi 1, which mainly sells Specialised and Colnago race bikes, I was speaking with the young but well qualified Thai manager there and mentioned that I sometimes run or bike up through the traffic free path to Asoke.. “very, very dangerous” he said. several people killed there, two on the same day 2 or three years ago, he has not heard of an actual murder for a while but said it is a place junkies and gang guys go and being so secluded, you really are on your own, they are free to do what they want, use, rob or attack and can see people coming from a long way off. It has always been almost deserted when i have been through, the odd runner but a couple of times I have gone past two guys walking or sitting on steps with a bit of a dark vibe. Generally I felt safe but having thought abut it I decided that I will give it a miss in future. When I next saw the night concierge at my building, I asked him again about the path, he actually lives in the polo club community which the elevated section of the walkway cuts through and over and is in the background of your photo, I asked him, would he ever go on the walkway in question ? “No way, never, not safe” I then asked him not even in the day time ? “No, people get attacked or robbed and junkies hang out there” Do people ever get killed there ? “yes, a few”
I saw your article and just thought you should know what I have recently found out, I also just told my friend who had just started using the path after I told him about it. Generally I think central Bangkok is pretty safe but its good to know the info! T.
September 13th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Interesting… I have been on that path probably 100 times and have never seen anything I would deem dangerous. I saw a few beer cans, and sometimes empty bags I think junkies were sniffing glue out of but never anything dangerous. On 2 separate occasions I ran into a whole professional film crew filming a music video on it. Usually I see kids playing soccer and the occasional jogger.
Come to think of it the only time I have ever been on that path at night there was a huge neighborhood gathering with a guy talking on a microphone giving away toys to kids. Nonetheless, thanks for the tip I will probably not go on it at night any more.
September 26th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Hello Mike,
I was doing some research about bike riding in Bangkok and came across your post, very interesting.
I am quite new in Bangkok and have brought both my road bike and mtb across with me, but do not know anyone to ride with.
Do you know if there is a group of expats that rides on the road regularly? I live in the Bangna area, East of the city.
Thank you.
September 26th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hello Juan,
I don’t know any specific groups. I did see a ‘Critical Mass’ get together one time, so I would suggest going on their website and checking… if you join in you could surely network with some bicyclists… I also was invited to ride to Hua Hin one day by a guy at Lumpini Park. There are serious looking bicyclists there throughout the day if you hang out there you should be able to get some inside information…. When you start riding in Bangkok, I would recommend staying on the streets, especially on your road bike as the potholes and loose stones on the sidewalk would probably be dangerous hazards for you…
September 27th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Hello Mike,
Thank you for the information, much appreciated.
I think Lumpini Park is a good option. Are the roads at the park good enough for the road bike, or should I take the mountain bike instead?
I will be visiting there shortly. I also checked the information on ‘Critical Mass’ and it guided me to a couple of useful Facebook pages.
Thank you again.