Trackr

Hey, I've recently moved to Turkey and I'm trying to get a good road bike.

The only seemingly high-quality brands I've seen around here so far are: Scott, Carraro, Peugeot, Lapierre.

Would appreciate any help

tempocyclist

Did you perhaps try Goolging "bike shops in Turkey" by any chance...?

https://www.alatin.com.tr/

https://www.bikeandoutdoor.com/

https://www.giant-istanbul.com/main/

Hayat Bisiklet

https://probike.com.tr/

Pedal Sportif Gerecler Spor Org.Gida San.Ltd.Sti.

🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️

Broctoon

Can't help you find a bike, but I'm curious what part of the country you moved to. I've spent some time there.

Trackr

I don't know if you noticed, but all of those stores are in Istanbul.

The distance between me and Istanbul is about the same as the distance between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Besides, I don't see a reason to trust a store seller more than anyone here.

Thanks for the help, though!

I'm currently in Samsun.

Broctoon

Ah, I like their Galaxy phones!

Seriously, now. I’ve never been up to the northern part of the country. I stayed in the area around Adana and Mersin on the Mediterranean coast, and also travelled a little in Cappadocia and down to Antakya near the Syrian border.

Fun fact for those not aware: what we call the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea, Turks call the Black Sea and White Sea. This will probably not be on the test, but now you know.

tempocyclist

Rooooaaaad trip! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀



😎

biker128pedal

Ankara would be closer. Been there but never had time for a bike shop. Did Google and wish I’d had time just to look.

tomato coupe

Google maps says you can fly for US$90 round trip.

Broctoon

Why not make it a fly and ride? Less than ninety clams to get you there, then spend a week riding your new bike home. What's not to love?

Trackr

I don't know if you guys are trolling or just an elitist bias but as an intermediary bicyclist I am not willing to ride 800KM across a mostly rural country where I don't speak the language just to visit a few bike shops, lmfao.

Thanks for the ideas, though.

holytrousers

Try to precisely define your problem.

Iride01 

Well you seemed a little too dismissive of the first few replies you got. So I think it just gave others the feeling you didn't really want an answer.

I'm still confused about what you really want to get. Especially as it seemed you don't want to buy from a bike shop. So does that leave you only wanting a used bike? And might help to know something about how you wish to ride it. 20 minutes around the neighborhood. A 60 to 90 minute ride for a adrenaline junkie or just a somewhat relaxed ride?

If you are going to buy online then it really don't matter what is available in your area. Other than I'd prefer to get something that I have a chance of seeing a authorized dealer face to face if there is any issues after the fact.

Broctoon

Just playin'. On the fly and ride suggestion, I know that's usually not a viable option, especially when you're in a foreign country. But I seriously would see it as a fun adventure.

tomato coupe

You should buy a Scott, Carraro, Peugeot, or Lapierre.

Trackr

Well, I just thought I'd get some opinions about the brands here. Or if no one knew them, I figured I would be advised to wait and buy a bike when I get back home and then bring it here.

But instead I got this:

You sir, are a paragon of this community - and that's not saying anything.

IcySwan1 

The US used to have a base in Samsun to watch our Soviet friends and used troposheric scatter for communication. At least back in the days when Gary Powers was shot down near there on the wrong side of the border. If the base is still there and you work there, might not a MACS flight get you a bike from home for you?

Mike

freeranger

You might find some giblets, but a bike?!

tomato coupe

Why don’t you wait and buy a bike when you get back home?

You offered very little information about your situation, and you didn’t actually ask a question, yet you quickly dismissed every suggestion. As pointed out by another poster, maybe you should have defined your problem.

Iride01 

Just buy a bike. If you don't have experience with bikes then buy a inexpensive bike so you can get some experience and figure out what it does and doesn't do well for you and then you'll know better what to get and ask about when you decide it's time to get rid of that bike and get another.

If you buy a used bike make certain everything works on it. Otherwise you might have additional expense replacing out dated and no longer made components.

Since you are in the Road Bike sub-forum, I'd assume you want to do reasonably long rides on the open road. If you are going to be in stop and go traffic all the time or riding around the neighborhood for 20 minutes, then probably many other types of bike will be better than a road bike.

biker128pedal

Sorry if you don’t have a car. I was told they are costly there. But in Ankara in the shops I was surprised at the number of friendly people who spoke a little English. The Google translator was also helpful. My Verizon phone had a good signal too. Anyway I like Trek as they have a good warranty and may be they will support if brought back to the states. Five hour drive.

https://goo.gl/maps/zWRbasJpxnqrfRZWA

Otherwise the brands you listed are good. Google search in your area shows a few shop. High end bikes may have to be ordered.

Oh once you find a bike pictures or it never happened. We are curious and like to look at pictures. 99% of those here are helpful. The other 1% ignore.

Trackr

Because prices here are between half and 1/10 as high, so why not take advantage of that?

I wanted information about the bicycle manufacturers I found around here. What other information do you require besides the names of said manufacturers?

Which one? The one that said I should bike 800KM, the one that said I should spend >$300 to fly across half the country or the one that said I should drive 1,600KM when I don't own a car?

And how much time do you consider adequate to dismiss those suggestions? I feel like giving any attention at all is overly generous.

I've had 2 road bikes so far, but I gave up on bicycling after I bought my first motorcycle.

It's not really the starting and stopping that is the issue, but the lack of good roads (that and people here drive like maniacs), which make thin tires uncomfortable.

The only decent biking path is on the beach but it's relatively narrow for two lanes so you can't go very fast.

I'm thinking of going the route of 28c or 32c rather than 23-25c which is what I'm used to.

Hah. So far it seems like the reverse but I appreciate the advice.

So, I actually found some absurdly cheap bikes today - $25 new. Only issue, they're not my size, but otherwise they would do for now and I can just donate them later. They're basically free.

tomato coupe

Buy the $25 bike.

indyfabz

"*****in' Camaro"

BTW...I swear I have seen this photo before in an old thread.