Hello. Anyone have any ideas on where to get bicyle parts without using one of the numerous small bike shops (which I’ve found to be a little pricey)?
I need two tires for a folding bike (19" wheel) as well as inner tubes, tire irons and a pump. Would prefer Internet shopping (tried Yahoo, no luck) or big retailer (don’t think Costco do bicyle tires?).
Any thoughts appreciated. I am in Tianmu.
I know Costco doesn’t sell bike tires.
Carrefour did sell some accessories, but I didn’t see any tires.
You could look at www.pchome.com.tw
I’ve found this place in Neihu called “100 Mountain” , 100mountain.com/shop/ but never been inside of it. Supposed to be near Costco Neihu
Thanks for the tips. Will check that place in Neihu. I asked in a little shop in Tianmu today and was quoted about NT$1800 for 2 x 20" tires with inner tubes and they’ll fit them as well. Not too bad I guess.
I can save you the trip to Neihu. I went 100 Mountain and no bike tires. They have two stores on the same street. One is mainly camping, the other is other outdoors. The “other outdoors” has some bike stuff (not much), but no bike tires. However, they do have a lot of outdoor stuff and camping stuff that I haven’t seen in other places. Also found some river running shoes. I will be back there to buy some. Also saw a kayak for sale.
look online, various shops at yahoo and ruten auctions sells cheap bike tires/tubes. For some reason those bike shops charge way more than they should.
Found a place with bike tires. Didn’t look at the price or exact sizes, but they did have various sizes.
Metro Oasis
台北市中山區中山北路一段21號1F
1F, No 21, Zhongshan North Road Section 1, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
metroasis.com.tw/
Close to Taipei Main Station, north of Shimin BLVD
There is a small shop at the end of Jilong Rd. (past Civic Blvd.) that has great prices for bike accessories. It’s a bit out of the way in terms of public transportation but if you’re on a bike its no problem. If you are on the bike path, exit near the Raohe Night Market and go down the road that follows the river.
Don’t expect great service. It’s small and crowded. No one really speaks English.
Anyone buy touring wheel set from BWW, Bicycle Wheel Warehouse in CA, USA? Price for set I’m looking at is around $200US. Thanks in advance
Never heard of them, looking at their site now…
I’m having trouble communicating with them via email.
Are double butted spokes stronger? Seem to recall they are but can’t recall source.
They’re lighter, not sure about stronger.
edit:you can go down the rabbit hole but I’d just order db spokes for a normal bicycle.
Per Robert Masson’s book, they’re more elastic and reduce the stress on both ends, which is where failures usually happen.
So, they are not only lighter, but better. Unless the wheel is going to be low budget, I’d say go for double butted.
Sorry for my late reply. I’m busy… building wheels 
This 
A double butted spoke is much more fatigue resistant than a single gauge spoke. I rarely use single gauge spokes owing to longevity issues. This is exacerbated by low spoke count wheels.
Single gauge spokes are often used on “price point” wheels that have been quickly built en masse. As such, if you buy a wheelset built with single gauge spokes, I would advise you to have the tension checked and adjusted.
Could you make a light touring wheel set, 32 spokes, rim brake, 19-21mm width, double wall, 700c for around 6000nt? Bike is a 2007 Bianchi Volpe so I don’t want to put a lot of money into wheels. Looking for a good value solid wheel set. Thanks in advance
I’m in Indonesia. Unfortunately, I don’t ship outside of the country.
Price wise, a wheelset with that spec would be about 9000ntd here, but that’s a function of our steep 25% import duty on parts.
If you could find someone there to build up a wheelset with Kinlin XM25 700c rims you might be able to do it for around 7000ntd depending on the hubs you use.
Does the Volpe have 135mm rear spacing?
Yes the Volpe has 135mm rear spacing. Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the BBW wheel set might fit my needs.
From what I saw on that site, the rimbrake wheelsets utilize centerlock or 6 bolt disc hubs. Not that you couldn’t use them, I have that on a rear of one of my bikes w/cantis, but I’d like to replace it w/ a proper non-disc hub someday.
Velo house in Sanchong has several wheelsets in your desired price range, just not sure they fulfill all of your wishes.
Wheels / Hubs
Thanks for the Velohouse lead but I remember getting a quote that was too high. Went with BWW and paid $215US for a touring wheelset. I had to carry them on the plane in a box and they have a ratchet sound. I prefer silence. Haven’t installed them yet.
