Im coming from the uk to taipei in January and bringing my bike. I’d like to get a decent-enough full-face helmet, something which is going to protect my head/jaw but isn’t going to snap my skinny neck with its weight. I’d also think about picking up some goggles to keep the crap out of my eyes as I heard it can get pretty muddy.
Can anyone recommend a website to browse such items at a good price? Ive heard alansbikes is a good place to go but theres no pricing info on his site.
Would you recommend buying in the UK where theres pretty competitive prices and bringing it in my suitcase, or is there good value in Taiwan?
Offerings for downhill/freeride oriented parts and gear are pretty limited in Taiwan.
So it’s definitely better to buy in UK and bring with you, or order from an online store and have it delivered to Taiwan once you’re here.
I’d get down to a dealer and try on a few for size, then buy one if they can offer you a good deal or order from chainreactioncycles.com.
I bought a 661 evo carbon three years ago from All Terrain in Shipley, they have a wide selection and small sizes, and I paid $105. They cost almost twice that for the not carbon one here, and you’ll do well to find anything that isn’t L or Xl or XXL (Taiwanese people have big heads). Most of the full face helmets here are imported and therefore much more expensive than buying in the UK. Yes they are imported into the UK too, but here there is something like a 50% tax on imports here. Made in Taiwan stuff is cheap here, but made overseas is more expensive than back home.
Chain Reaction recently changed their postage policy to Taiwan too. The last couple of times I wanted to order something I changed my mind on account of the postage. My advice is just bring those things over with you if it’s not too much hassle. CRC do free delivery to the UK but you need to try on a helmet before you buy it. The head size guides are decent, but even the shape of your head makes a big difference to fit. My head it like a bean, and it’s difficult to get a good fit. The last three helmets I’ve had, I put extra padding at the sides to stop it wobbling. A good fit is more important than a good price, in my opinion.
If you want to get goggles, get some extra lenses when you order like I didn’t. I wish I had now because they get scratched really easily.
I use the Spy Clutch goggle. It works and is cheap. I have never used any other goggle so I couldn’t really rate them objectively. Roel and Pommes use different brands.
Great advice. Had no idea the taiwanese had such oversized heads. Small bodies and large heads… strange.
I’ve already bought a helmet now, couldn’t find enough info about them in taiwan so I didn’t want to risk it. Essentially did what you recommended. Tried a few on in a shop and then ordered from CRC as they have some great sales on at the moment. 661 Comp seems fine for me, light enough, vented and decent price.
Am I right to assume goggles are pretty necessary for trails in taiwan? From what i’ve read it seems to be either real muddy or real dusty.
You’re right about the trails. Summer is dusty as hell, lots of exposed rock and piles of soft dust. In the north the winter is pretty much constant rain for four months of the year (maybe that’s pessimistic but it feels like it at times). It has literally rained every day but one since the 18th in Taoyuan. That race track is slick. I’d recommend some eye protection of some kind. I usually ride with prescription glasses, but they definitely affect my judgement so I will go for goggles and contact lenses for racing from now on.
In the UK I would wear gloves in winter to keep my hands warm and not bother in summer. Here I wear them in summer to stop my hands slipping off the grips because of the sweat, and don’t bother in winter.
Also, I usually ride in wife beaters because it’s so bloody hot. Even in winter if its not raining you get a sweat on after a couple of minutes.