Columbia - HTC Kit

pottssteve

Hi All,

For all the Mark Cavendish/Tony Martin/George Hincapie fans out there, I was in the Columbia store in Sha Tin today and they are now selling team cycling kit. They had jersey and bib shorts (in Chinese male sizes, so they would just about fit my 8 year old son!). They also had raincoats (no rear pockets though), and some damn ugly Omni Tech sun protection long sleeved T shirts. Racing jersey was HK $700 and bib shorts HK$800 (about 60 and 70 quid respectively). They may start stocking it in the UK soon.

They won't make you sprint faster but everyone will see you coming...

stevenmh

That is pretty reasonable, do they have the 2009 white short sleeve jersey in HK?

Here in Bangkok they have started selling the bike clothes you mention too. The blue 2008 short sleeve jersey (they do not have the current white) is 6,999 Baht which is about GBP 130. Their sizes are also not that big, not that I care with prices like that.

Pretty big price difference between HK and BKK. Strange.

pottssteve

stevenmh wrote:

That is pretty reasonable, do they have the 2009 white short sleeve jersey in HK?
Here in Bangkok they have started selling the bike clothes you mention too. The blue 2008 short sleeve jersey (they do not have the current white) is 6,999 Baht which is about GBP 130. Their sizes are also not that big, not that I care with prices like that.

Pretty big price difference between HK and BKK. Strange.

Yeah, they had one, small yellow/white jersey with short sleeves. You can buy it elsewhere in HK - my LBS sells most of the pro team kits. They've just got the black Cervelo jersey and bib shorts - lovely - but I'm not paying HK$1800 (about 140 quid) for it!

Thailand seems really expensive though...

stevenmh

Which LBS do you use in HK? I am often in HK and normally around the Shatin area while am there.

In Bangkok jerseys are not so expensive normally, it just seems that Columbia do not know what they are doing here, as their kit is only available through a few of their outlets, and are extremely overpriced.

Plus I am hoping to get some Assos when I head back to the UK for a quick holiday.

pottssteve

stevenmh[b] wrote:

Which LBS do you use in HK? I am often in HK and normally around the Shatin area while am there.[/b]
In Bangkok jerseys are not so expensive normally, it just seems that Columbia do not know what they are doing here, as their kit is only available through a few of their outlets, and are extremely overpriced.

Plus I am hoping to get some Assos when I head back to the UK for a quick holiday.

I tend to use Flying Ball for clothing, though as they are quite expensive I've bought my latest jersey and bib shorts online from Wiggle. They are near Cheung Sha Wan MTR and have a website.

My LBS is in Sheung Shui, a few stops further north than ShaTin. The owners don't know much but the mechanics are good and they are the main HK dealers for Specialized, Trek, Giant, Pinarello. They have a reasonable selection of clothes, accessories etc. If you're interested in a visit some time let me know - they give me a discount as I'm always in there for something or other...

Steve

stevenmh

Thanks for the tips Steve.

I have not yet bought any jerseys online as I still prefer to try them on etc. There is a reasonably good selection of jerseys etc in Bangkok but no Assos and that is what I am hoping to get next especially the shorts and bib.

I do like the white Columbia HTC 2009 jerseys but they are overpriced imho.

Will let you know when I head to the LBS in Sheung Shui.

Cheers

pottssteve

No worries,
PM me next time you plan to visit, if you like.

In case I'm not around when you next visit, here are directions:
Exit Sheung Shui station on the side of the tracks nearest the shopping centre (Landmark North) and drop down to ground level (use the escalator/stairs just past the ticket office on the right). Keeping the KCR on your left and the shopping centre on your right, walk past the bus stops and up to the traffic lights (about 300m). Opposite will be a HK Jockey Club outlet. Cross at the lights, go past the Jockey Club and walk about 20m along the road. You'll pass a Cafe de Coral. The bike shop is on the left next to Mannings. If you reach the Post Office you've gone too far. The walk is less than 5 minutes.

The owner and most of the staff aren't that helpful. Best to ask for Mr Jin (Ah Jin). He's a little mechanic guy who usually wears a casquette. He's very helpful and has pretty good English. If you mention me (the gweilo who bought the Specialized Tricross) they may give you a discount.

Cheers,
Steve
By the way, there is an Assos dealer in HK - Bike City in Mong Kok. However, their sizes are all small and they don't have a lot of choice - it's pricy too.

stevenmh

That's great Steve thanks. I owe you a beer or two.

I will definitely pop by the Mongkok shop just to see what the big fuss about Assos is all about. I have never seen them in Bangkok.

There is an outside chance I might be moving back to HK in the near future. I used to call Tai Po home, so it is good to learn about the LBS in that area as I was not into biking so much back then.

Cheers
Steven

pottssteve

Steve,
No problem, you're welcome.
I noticed today that the Bike City website is not running so they may be in trouble. I wouldn't get too excited about their Assos stuff - unless you're built like a Chinese whippet they won't have your size. Also, it's probably cheaper in the UK. Some nice frame sets though.

Here's a link to a lot of the HK bike shops:

http://hkbicycle.com.hk/index.php?lang=eng&pg=shoplist

Chung Yung is my local. I have a friend who uses MT biker in Tai Po but I've never been there. As I said, Flying Ball are good but pricy. The owner's a nice guy though (Mr Lee)- apparently he sponsored David Millar when he started out, and he also donated stuff for a LIVESTRONG event I ran.

Definately PM me when you're over next - what line of work are you in?

Steve

stevenmh

what line of work are you in?

I am in the travel industry.

Am actually looking forward to going to Flying Ball as I have a Trek so that is handy. Have looked at their site too and it is ok looks like it is better than some of the other shops I have seen in HK.

pottssteve

steve,
Flying Ball deal mainly in Cannondale, plus other makes like Ridley, Seven, Storck etc. The Chung Yung shop in Sheung Shui is the HK dealer for Trek. They have 2 shops in Sheung Shui - the main one I gave directions to carries Specialized, Pinarello and Giant. They have another branch at the far end of the same road which carries Trek.

Steve