Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Hi Rebecca,
We have booked for the July 2009 tour and are currently attempting to arranged for the purchase of bikes in BKK for similar reasons to yourself in preference to bringing our own bikes(from Australia).
Having some difficulties; namely a lack of replies to several emails sent to various BKK bike shops.
One phone call to what I believe is a reputable bike store produced some results despite langauge difficulties - I believe we can acquire reasonable bikes in BKK for approx. 9500BHT (or less I hope as this was the first price given over the phone). I have just sent a letter as the store doesn't appear to have a web site or email. I will be happy to provide any info I receive.
If I can't secure forward orders for our bikes I might just land in BKK (5 days prior to tour) and arrange bikes from there.

Cheers,

Barry

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Hi Barry,

Thanks for that! Its great to hear from others who have also booked up!! 9500BHT isn't too bad once its a decent bike - I'm just terrified that when I arrive in Bangkok that I won't be able to find anywhere! I did contact imaginative Traveller and they said that our guide could help use with buying a bike so thats something. My sister and I are arriving in Bangkok (from Ireland) on the morning of July 2nd so I'll be on the hunt then! If you find any more info I'd really appreciate it if you could send it on!! Are you travelling in a large group or just with one or two others?!

Cheers,

Rebecca.

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Hi Rebecca,

The bikes I am trying to source at the quoted price of 9500BHT are Trek3900, or the Trek3700 - which should be slightly cheaper (try this link hhtp://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bikes/compare/ - use the drop down menus to select these models). You'll see that both models have a woman specific design (WSD) available. I believe they will be quite adequate for the tour and these bikes are avaialble from at least two stores in BKK that I know of.

Wendy and I will be on the ground in BKK first thing July 1 - so will have a bit time available to arrange the bikes although I will be attempting to have some guarantee of supply prior to leaving. I'm still waiting on a reply from one store in BKK. My contact at imaginative Traveller Australia is going to send an email to BKK to see whether they can provide a bike supply contact in BKK. Wendy and I are reasonably familiar with BKK as we have been there several times before and I have the addresses of several bike stores.

If I find out anything I will let you know.

3 couples from this end going on the tour - but don't worry we won't be a clique - we're not fussy and will drink with anyone!!!!!.

Talk soon - Cheers,

Barry

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Thats great, thanks for your help. I checked out the website and those bikes seem pretty good...also much much cheaper than what I'd buy a trek for in Ireland!! If I find out any other info, I'll send it your way!!

Thanks again,

Rebecca.

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Hi Rebecca,

I did this trip last year with Imaginative Traveller.
Half the group bought their bike in BKK (including me).
Most gave their bike away in Ho Chi Minh (even those who flew in BKK with their home bike). Our bikes prices ranged from 3600 to 10000BHT. Feel free to email me if you would like to know more (add @gmail.com to my username).

Website dedicated to "Bangkok to Saigon by Bike"!

Hello all of you,

You may be interested in this website which one of our past travellers put together after doing this exact trip in 2005:

http://www.tim-macdonald.com/ImTrav_SPBB/Imtrav_SPBB_Main.htm

The itinerary may have had some small changes since then, however you will get a great idea of what the trip is like and there are loads of images on here too.

Happy browsing!
Regards
Kelly

Bikes in Bangkok

I believe Imtrav have used Cycle Sports in Worachak Road in Chinatown, the guy's name is Mr Nattapon and he speaks pretty good english. The number is......
+6626217223 - 5
Cheers
Don Suz

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Hi,

Thanks so much to everyone who replied - I feel much more at ease now!! Barry, I recieved an email from a guy who did this trip and I just wanted to ask you some questions about it...just about the itinerary you were given in OZ...could you mail me and I'll forward stuff on to you? If thats not a problem. You can get me at dempsey_rebecca@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Rebecca

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh by Bike

Hi Rebecca,
Here is another good bike shop in Bangkok. It is much further the Cycle Sport, but the guys are helpfull, and will come to pick you up at the hotel, and drop you back with the bike(free of charge)
Contact: Ben
SAHAPHAT BICYCLES
105, Moo 5 Bangkruai-Sanoi Rd
Bangkruai, Nontaburi 11130
Tel: +66(0)28794259
E-mail: benspb@yahoo.com
They have Trek bikes in stock (9500Bht/10500Bht), which are perfect for this trip. They come mounted with off road tyres, and I would suggest to ask if you could switch them for dual terrain(off road/road). This should not cost more, and it would make a great difference on the calves when cycling. You also need to consider that you will cover quite a long distance, so buying a cheap bike could mean the need of fixing things up along the way, which is not ideal when your are in the middle of enjoying the scenery.
Since you will be travelling prior and after the tour, It is probably best to buy your bike over here, as travelling from home with yours could cost you more anyway. As long as you were planning on arriving a bit before the tour, then no problem.
You local guide in Vietnam at the end of the tour, will be more than happy to buy it from you. Bear in mind that even though the bike is new, it will only be at a fraction of the price. People here do not have great salary compare to western standards, and could not afford to buy an expensive bike.
If you had a look at the 2005 trip, the new one is quite different.
Anyone having any question about the trip, please feel free to ask through the forum,
Regards,
Franck

how's the weather?

I was looking into booking this tour in July 2010 -- but I've had a few friends warn me that I may be in for a good 22 days of being soaking wet, due to it being the start of rainy season. Have any of you going on the 2009 tour heard what it will be like? Anyone from previous July tours remember what they went through?

Bangkok to Saigon by Bike - weather in July

Hi copperlaw,

Thanks for your post!

I've been in touch with our Destination Manager and an ex-tour leader for this trip, who have sent me some very useful info.

It is always difficult to tell about weather anywhere in the world. From May to the end of October you have the rainy season in Thailand, Cambodia and South Vietnam. This year it started very early (last month). During the rainy season it normally rains a couple of hours in the afternoon, it is nice because it cools down the air a bit and can actually be quite pleasant.

The tour leader I contacted has done the bike trip 4 times and one of them in July, and they had nice weather almost all the time, maybe one or two rain showers during the biking. You have to be a little more careful biking when it rains but it was ok, no problems. It is warm rain and you soon dry up when it clears.

Our Destination Manager in Bangkok advises that in July the weather is okay. As mentioned, the rainy season has already started over there. In general during the rainy season there is a good chance of encountering torrential rain but usually from his experience it only rains twice a day. In Bangkok usually around 4 in the afternoon and around midnight.

I hope this helps!

Best wishes,
Kelly