Easy Riders
How to buy a bike, where to ride, and why the government doesn’t want you to do it. John Robertson looks at the ins and outs of biking in Hong Kong.
It’s healthy, it’s fun and it’s just what our congested city needs more of. So why don’t more people cycle? Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to have a death wish to go biking in Hong Kong, but simply the right information and a good dose of energy. We can help you out with one of these.
Choosing a bike | Gear | Shops
Where to cycle | Biker Gangs | Uphill Battle
Choosing a bike
What kind of bike to get depends on what you want to use it for. But whatever that may be, make sure above all that the size is right for you. If your bike doesn’t match you size-wise, you’re in for a whole range of problems (looking lame being the least of them). Most bikes will set you back anywhere from $2,000-$10,000.
Mountain bikes
If you’re going off-road, you’ll need a mountain bike with at least front suspension to handle the bumps. Mountain bikes are popular these days because they’re multi-purpose, covering all terrain. However, if you’re planning to use it primarily on the road, forget the full-suspension. Hydraulic disc brakes are now popular for mountain bikes and work much better than the old wire or “v brakes” when wet.
Trusted brands: Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Giant, Turner.
Road bikes
If you’re only ever going to be on the road, get a good road bike. The handlebars allow for varied grips during extended journeys, and the frame and wheels are built for maximum efficiency and speed. The gears on any decent road bike will be enough get you up and down steep roads.
Trusted brands: Same as mountain bikes.
Hybrids
Midway between mountain bikes and road bikes, these essentially retain the look of the former with the comfort and efficiency of the latter. Or as some put it, they’re for posers.
Foldables
If you’re not going off-road or on long distances, consider a foldable. A good model will be perfectly road-worthy, even if it isn’t the fastest thing around. And of course, it’s perfect for cramped city living.
Trusted brands: Strider, Daihon.
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Gear
As with choosing a bike, what you need depends on what you’ll be doing. If it’s really leisurely “family” cycling, you won’t need (or want) anything more than the bike. If it’s more rigorous road riding, you’ll want a good helmet, dark glasses (mainly for the pollution these days), cycling jersey and shorts, biking shoes, and plenty of liquid (many bikers now use water packs). For mountain biking, make sure you’ve got a colorful jersey to alert hikers, as well as gloves and the necessary armor – knee and elbow pads for cross-country; full-face helmet and half- or full-body suits for downhill. Read on for our picks below, with suggested prices, and available at most of the following shops.