South Korea - what to bring???
07-20-08, 05:39 PM
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South Korea - what to bring???
Hi all, I'm going to be going to teach English in South Korea starting at the beginning of next year, and I've looked around on the internet but don't have a good idea of what type of biking gear I would need to bring.
I live in DC now, and I use my slow 700c wheel Trek hybrid mainly for recreational rides and also for transportation. I currently have a nice Blackburn rack on my bike, and I use Nashbar Townie baskets all the time for pretty much everything. I also own a used low-rider front rack and some used low-rider front panniers from Nashbar that I've never used.
The question is, what types of panniers and racks do I need to bring to South Korea? I want to be able to go shopping or out on bike paths and be able to toss whatever I pick up onto the back of my bike, but are these the types of things I need to bring with me, or are bikes and panniers so prevalent there that I won't need them?
Suitcase space is precious, but so is the ability to transport stuff by bike, and I'll be sorely disappointed if I get over there and no one uses racks and panniers, or if they do, they're hard to come by and expensive.
Also, I have a large selection of tires, both 26 inch and a few fat 700c's that I like a lot. What kind of bikes are over there? I tend to like fat slicks for city riding. Do I need to bring my own? Should I bring folding 26 inch mountain bike tires? I really don't know what the selection of things like this will be.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
I live in DC now, and I use my slow 700c wheel Trek hybrid mainly for recreational rides and also for transportation. I currently have a nice Blackburn rack on my bike, and I use Nashbar Townie baskets all the time for pretty much everything. I also own a used low-rider front rack and some used low-rider front panniers from Nashbar that I've never used.
The question is, what types of panniers and racks do I need to bring to South Korea? I want to be able to go shopping or out on bike paths and be able to toss whatever I pick up onto the back of my bike, but are these the types of things I need to bring with me, or are bikes and panniers so prevalent there that I won't need them?
Suitcase space is precious, but so is the ability to transport stuff by bike, and I'll be sorely disappointed if I get over there and no one uses racks and panniers, or if they do, they're hard to come by and expensive.
Also, I have a large selection of tires, both 26 inch and a few fat 700c's that I like a lot. What kind of bikes are over there? I tend to like fat slicks for city riding. Do I need to bring my own? Should I bring folding 26 inch mountain bike tires? I really don't know what the selection of things like this will be.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
07-28-08, 08:44 AM
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Hello,
I have owned many bikes in Korea. I always leave mine at home and just buy them here. My wife and I will be take our current bikes with us when we go to America but in the past I've just given them to friends. Folding bikes are the most popular and you can get any kind of tire you want. Racks are common. There are some good shops in Korea, mostly around Olympic Park in Jamsil (lots of good shops around there).
Check out this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pommesk...1/in/pool-k2w/
and my flickr group, Korea on Two Wheels (it's new so not much in it yet):
https://www.flickr.com/groups/k2w/
I have owned many bikes in Korea. I always leave mine at home and just buy them here. My wife and I will be take our current bikes with us when we go to America but in the past I've just given them to friends. Folding bikes are the most popular and you can get any kind of tire you want. Racks are common. There are some good shops in Korea, mostly around Olympic Park in Jamsil (lots of good shops around there).
Check out this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pommesk...1/in/pool-k2w/
and my flickr group, Korea on Two Wheels (it's new so not much in it yet):
https://www.flickr.com/groups/k2w/
10-30-08, 10:28 AM
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you're probably already here by now so i guess i don't have much to add.
if you live in seoul or out in namyangju-si i suggest you check out camel bikes in donong. bob, the owner, studied in the states and speaks great english. he also gives great discounts!
besides bob there is also a great namyangju-guri area commuters ride every tuesday night as well as the mountain bike korea expat group that meets every saturday to take on local mtb trails.
if you live in seoul or out in namyangju-si i suggest you check out camel bikes in donong. bob, the owner, studied in the states and speaks great english. he also gives great discounts!
besides bob there is also a great namyangju-guri area commuters ride every tuesday night as well as the mountain bike korea expat group that meets every saturday to take on local mtb trails.
