Chaitawat Bike Shop is this month’s featured bike shop in Thailand. This small but well stocked shop is located inside the old section of Chiang Mai city. Situated on the corner of Ratpakinai Road and soi 6, opposite the Bodhi Serene Hotel, the Chaitawat Bike Shop is a great find for visitors who are staying in the boutique hotels and guesthouses of ‘Old Chiang Mai.’ Chaitawat Bike Shop has been in its current location for many years and the owners claim that it is one of the first bike shops to open in Chiang Mai. The Chaitawat sign is written in Thai script but the shop is easy to see from the road as it has bicycles displayed on the sidewalk in front of the shop. As always, you can use our handy GPS coordinates to help you find the shop on Google Maps.
Chaitawat Bike Shop
75/4 Ratpakinai Road
T. Phra Sing A. Mueang Chiang Mai
50200
ภาษาไทย [+]
Tel: 053-279-890, 081-626-2590
GPS – N 18 47.063, E 98 59.427
Trek, Challenger, Merida, and Gary Fisher are the bicycle brands available at the shop. Like most small bike shops the accessories and parts are stacked into every nook and cranny in a system only the shop’s proprietor can decipher. A collection of jerseys and padded cycling shorts can be found here but finding larger sizes could be difficult. English is spoken by the older Thai gentlemen who runs the shop. The shop offers full bike services including wheel and custom bike building. Next time you’re in Chiang Mai stop in and familiarize yourself with this family owned and operated shop. Happy Riding!
Hello,
I will be arriving in Chiang Mai on January 3rd with my bicycle. It will need to be assembled. I was wondering if I’m able to come straight to you from the airport and have my bike assembled?
I am cycling across Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia for 3 months.
Also, is it possible to keep the box for it at your shop until my flight home (March 31st)? If you need to charge me for storing the cardboard box I understand. I just need to know it will be kept safe and ready for me when it’s time to go back to Canada.
Please let me know!
Thank you,
Britt
While we’re sure that Chaitawat Bike shop can build your bike up for you they may not have the extra space to store your bike box for you, especially for a long period of time. We would recommend also looking to have your bike built and box stored at Bicycle Addict or Triple Cats. Both shop locations can be found here – https://bicyclethailand.com/bicycle-shops-in-chiang-mai-province-thailand/
I would stay away from this shop. Several shops in Thailand will let you test ride a bike before you buy it, but not Chaitawat Shop. If you read the one-star review by Jackie Hu on Google, you will understand the frustration. Jackie was fitted with the wrong size bike by Chaitawat Shop. The bike was too small and uncomfortable to ride. And of course, Jackie could not do even a short test ride before buying. I’ve bought several bikes over the years and have always been able to have a short test ride. It’s nothing but a little dirt on the tires! You can test ride an expensive luxury car, but you cannot test ride a bike even 100 meters before you buy it ??? Also, there is a young guy working at Chaitawat that overtightens the bolts. When I was having my bicycle assembled, the owner had to raise his voice and tell this young person to stop tightening a bolt. Minutes later, the overtightening happened again. Secondly, this shop has limited knowledge of carbon frame bikes. I had to explain to the owner about carbon paste being used on carbon seat stems to prevent slippage. Lastly, they have a rope at the front door preventing people from entering the store. Of course, this is related to COVID-19. Chaitawat Shop wants you to tell them what you want so they can bring the item to the door! I have visited several bicycle shops in Chiang Mai and was able to walk freely into their shops, but not Chaitawat Shop. The selection of bikes is also limited. Stocked with lesser-known brands of mountain bikes. Only a few road bikes. A very bad overall experience.