boshk

Hi All

Just want to ask for some suggestions.

I live in Hong Kong and want to take up cycling for health reasons.
I haven't cycle before, only rentals maybe once a year.

Hong Kong is mainly paved cycle path, so most of my riding will be on paved road and paths. As to forest trails etc, I don't even think there is any like what you guys have in US and Europe.

I've been to a few LBS and they mainly carry Giant, Merida, Cannondale, some Scott, Norca and Trek.

They asked me what type of bike I want and I couldn't even answer them, Road or MTB.
I know I don't want a full road race bike. Also, there is no try-out/demo bikes, they don't do that here.

I've heard MTB are easier to ride, less aggressive positioning but if I ride on paved, the front shock is pretty useless, Road bikes easier to get speed but thinner tires and way more aggressive but they do offer several riding positions/grip.

So far, I've seen a Scott Cross hybrid
https://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/p...ss-30-Men-Bike

Giant Fastroad SLR2
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/bikes-fastroad-slr

Giant Anyroad 2
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/bikes-anyroad

Merida Big 7 500
BIG.SEVEN 500 - Hardtails - Merida Bikes International

Any opinions on these?

Homebrew01

Eliminate bikes with suspension.

1 advantage of a road bike with drop bars is the multiple hand positions. You could get a road bike that had room for wider, more comfortable tires, like 28mm or 32mm.

The Giant Anyroad looks good at first glance

Brian25

I recommend that first figure out if you prefer road or flat handle bars. Do more calling around to find a store that will let you test ride. Explain to them that you would be much more motivated to spend your hard earned money on a bike if you could at least try it first to see if you like it. Let them know what time frame test ride you are talking about. Make sure that there is more seat post showing than head tube size. Usually more than 9" of seat and post.

FBinNY 

IME, both as a rider and years selling bicycles retail, most new riders are happier with upright bars. I also think that the low end shocks we see on entry and mid level bikes are a poor value, so like Homebrew, I suggest going without.

So, look for a decently light upright position hybrid, either with 26" road style tires or 700c. This kind of bike is comparable to family coupes or sedans in the auto world and the right thing for most riders. After riding a while, you'll either decide you want something sportier, or try a more dedicated mtn bike (assuming you can find a place to ride that), or you might stay with this first bike, with minor upgrades and changes as you go along.

Maelochs

I'd say that for someone who wants a bit of comfort and isn't concerned with flat-out speed the Anyroad seems the best choice ... but so much ... depends ....

Is the OP planning to ride five or fifteen miles at a time or fifty or 80? (Sorry, ten to 30 km, or 100-150 km at a a time?) Will s/he be riding though traffic or crowds of people? Will these be leisurely walking-pace cruises or a little more rapid and vigorous rides?

For any sort of distance over 15 miles I'd go with a drop bar. The rider can raise the bar as high as needed for comfort, but multiple hand positions are a plus for any ride more than about half an hour.

The hardest part about putting novices on drop-bar bikes is that their legs and core muscles aren't strong enough, so they lean on their hands and it hurts. Setting up the bike properly and learning to ride it properly alleviate these issues.

I say all this as a person with many, many years of commuting on a flat-bar bike and about as many years and miles on drop-bars.

MikeinFL

can't imagine not trying a bike before I buy it, because the bike must fit you and feel comfortable for one thing. see vids on frame size fit to start

jefnvk

Paved cycle paths? Hybrid/upright position. At minimum, flat bar no suspension MTB.

Picking your way through cycle traffic in a road position that has you looking five feet in front of your front wheel is not the best way to start cycling.

reppans

I lived in HK for a couple years in the 90s on an expat assignment - looks like there's been quite an investment made in bicycle paths since then. If it were me, I'd get a folding bike - a Brompton specifically which will is nearly as convenient as wheeled carry-on luggage in terms of taking it anywhere. HK public transportation is excellent between the MTR, buses, and cheap taxis, think of how fun it would be to take your bike to ride the best spots, yet avoid the hellish traffic, dangerous narrow roads, and crazy steep mountain roads. There's a lot more too... best city bike there is.

boshk

Yea, its just the way it is here in Hong Kong. I'll go and visit a few more LBS and see what they say.

jbucky1

I'm a 100% sure I have been in the Specialized store in Kowloon and sat on bike for feel and fit. Might want to try there I think it's off Canton Rd

jbucky
https://www.buckyrides.com

Tombaatar

Just looked at Craigslist Hong Kong. One bike. Too bad. Might be good to find a properly sized used bike to see if you are going to stick with it before dropping a bunch of dollars.

fietsbob

folding bikes are very popular in the big Asian Cities, because they don't take up much room in small expensive(?) apartments + multi mode getting on trains and busses is possible.

folding bikes are a product. they make 1 size, but with their adjustments, you adapt them to you.

Homebrew01

Perhaps the bike shop has a trainer so you can take a stationary "test ride".
If nothing else, you could try out some saddles & the various gear & brake systems, that might uncover some preferences.

Daniel4

Sorry, I won't be contributing to your question but HK may be in my future. What is city cycling like on the island from Shek-O to downtown? I've seen the traffic and it seems a cyclist will get anywhere quickly by filtering through traffic.

I've seen the bike lane in Sha Tin and they look like you have to get off your bike every block to cross the street.

mongol777

I bet CL is not as popular in HK. For example in Canada CL is no longer go to site, Kijiji pretty much de-facto for regular ads plus various FB groups. I am curious to see what is there on 2nd hand market.

OP, what is the most popular classifieds board in HK?

boshk

Yea, I'll try to ask for one

boshk

For english, asiaexpat. There are a few chinese ones, am i allow to type them on this forum?

boshk

Hmmm, i would rate it as crazy, its a single lane each way, so if u cycle, u block cars and buses. Some will overtake you giving you 2inch space, then you have to deal with the trucks and buses headon in corners.

Then theres the weather, summer is 35C 96% humidity with exhaust thrown in.

Homebrew01

Yes. You can mention & link to sites that sell bikes etc... provided you are not promoting or trying to sell things.
For example,
If you see a used bike for sale, you can provide a link and ask for advice

mongol777

So this one is like 230 USD? Hong Kong Expat - Hong Kong apartments, expat relocation, Hong Kong serviced apartments, Hong Kong property, Hong Kong property for rent, apartments for rent
Pretty good deal if it fits you and checks out mechanically

mongol777

$420 (how much are they new in HK) Hong Kong Expat - Hong Kong apartments, expat relocation, Hong Kong serviced apartments, Hong Kong property, Hong Kong property for rent, apartments for rent

coominya

I concur if you're in a small area like Hong Kong there will be thousands of other riders all around you and as a novice you will need good control not high speed performance. Go with a hard fork hybrid with wide tires and disk brakes. Later if you feel like you need more speed you can get a more agressive bike then.

boshk

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions.
I went today to Monster Bike shop, guy was very friendly and helpful.

No demo available but he did let me sit on their Merida MTB and a drop bar race bike.

For sure, drop bar isn't for me.....yet, flat handle bars is better at least for my hurting shoulder.

Now its down to more research...
MTB like the Merida Big Seven 500....(but as you guys suggested, suspension is pointless for paved road cycling)
Merida Speeder 300 or 500...city bike
Giant Fastroad SLR

kuroba

As a newbie to drop bars I understand they may seem super weird when you're new to cycling, but in my experience it doesn't take that much to get used to them and they're really comfortable on long rides. With a riser stem you can get a more upright position (which is how I regularly ride my bike for commuting).

If you're firm on flat bars, or not planning to do any long rides, how about a hybrid? You get 700c wheels, wide tyres (you can switch between road specific tyres and something CX oriented, in case you want to try off road gravel grinding), no suspension and flat bars and either rim or disc brakes, depending on price. Something like the Kona Dew, Giant Escape, Specialized Sirrus, Merida Crossway Urban, etc

Almost every brand has a hybrid model with different components. The most basic models usually spec a triple crankset, with easy gearing for climbs.

boshk

here is one of the chinese/english sites...

**********?? 28Bike.com