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2012-02-25 1:38 AM

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Master
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Subject: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive

Today was a lazy Saturday. All my work done in the morning so this afternoon I decided to go to Novena Square (Singapore's Sports Mall) just to  browse.   Holey Carp!  Things are expensive compared to Canada and USA!  An aero helmet was $490 (some brand I never heard of), shoes are about 33% dearer, etc.   Thakfully I don't really need anything but I feel bad for those who get hocked on the sport here and end up spending $180 on a pair of tri shorts.



2012-02-25 4:16 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
Yep, I feel your pain. If I need something and it can't wait for Christmas or summer, it has to come from Singapore as there's NOTHING here. Best thing to do is try on there to find sizes, then order online and have it shipped to someone in the US or Canada who can bring it over to you or so you can pick it up when you go home. Might even be cheaper to do that and have it mailed to you than to buy it in Asia. I've found a few decent deals at Motion Sports in Paragon on Orchard Road. You do have to dig thru a lot of stuff, though, and no fantastic sales. In fact I don't think I've ever seen a sale on anything tri or run-related in Singapore. Most ridiculous are the prices for gu and energy bars--I was astounded to find Cliff Bars for 4.50 each at Running Lab. I can get them on sale for 79 cents in the US. It seems like retailers know it's mostly wealthy people who do the sport, so they charge what the market will bear. I've found the best deals to be had are when exhibitors sell stuff before/after events, but again, selection is limited. If you think Singapore's bad, try Vietnam. I looked into clip-on aerobars here--only real bike shop in the country. They wanted $800. Seems overkill for a $1000 bike LOL. Needless to say, did not shell out the $$.
2012-02-25 8:37 AM
in reply to: #4065716

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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
HK is no different; and not just for tri gear either.   Paid $300 for a North Face jacket that I would have paid $180 back in the US.  In retrospect, I should have bought it in the US and had my in-laws ship it to me.  
2012-02-25 9:11 AM
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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive

Okay, now I don't feel so bad ... I thought I got gypped in S'pore, but nothing like that!

Now I'm trying to remember where I went ... they also always have a sale bin, and I got an Orca tri top for S $35 and a pair of Ironman brand tri shorts for about the same out of that. I got a really nice, high-end pair of 2XU tri shorts (mainly they carry 2XU) but those ran me nearly $80.

I got a box of Powerbars there at either 1.80 or 2.80 each. Still a heist, but not that awful.

I think they're down the street from the Bike Depot. I was so ill when I was in S'pore, I barely remember ... not easy to find, and small, and mostly catering to runners, but all of the tri basics they had.

Okay, I THINK it was Athlete's Circle on Boon Tat.

2012-02-26 6:41 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive

Where's Bike Depot?  Where's Boon Tat?  I'm going to look if I have anything left (money or energy) after Saturday's race. Desperate for edible energy bars--some of what Mom gave me for Christmas is too sweet and nauseating me on long rides. (She complained that Mojo Bars are too expensive, and got some Nature Valley stuff that's also supposedly "sweet and salty", but yuck--world of difference.) We have the same issues with sweet stuff--what was she thinking??  Got to find a deal on Cliff Bars!

BTW, anybody know where Vertex is?? I have a $150 voucher for Assos products from my last race that has to be redeemed at a store there. Wonder what that's going to buy in S'pre....a water bottle??

2012-02-28 11:08 AM
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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
Hot Runner - 2012-02-26 8:41 PM

Where's Bike Depot?  Where's Boon Tat?  I'm going to look if I have anything left (money or energy) after Saturday's race. Desperate for edible energy bars--some of what Mom gave me for Christmas is too sweet and nauseating me on long rides. (She complained that Mojo Bars are too expensive, and got some Nature Valley stuff that's also supposedly "sweet and salty", but yuck--world of difference.) We have the same issues with sweet stuff--what was she thinking??  Got to find a deal on Cliff Bars!

BTW, anybody know where Vertex is?? I have a $150 voucher for Assos products from my last race that has to be redeemed at a store there. Wonder what that's going to buy in S'pre....a water bottle??

All my S'pore notes are ... somewhere. Let me do a little digging around my desk and the 'Net and I'll getcha exactly where it was.

I'm sure it fluctuates by time of year, but they were quite adequately stocked especially for smaller sizes (which you would be). Even a hefty (by Asian standards) like me found plenty of stuff to buy.

The chick there who helped me out qual'ed for Kona and had just come back from there ... I wish I could remember her name. Can't be that many S'porean female athletes who KQed last year (or ever).



2012-02-28 11:36 AM
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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive

It IS Athlete's Circle on Boon Tat Street, which is in Chinatown ... okay, I realize "Chinatown" is laughable when speaking of Singapore, sort of, sniff, but still. (One of the historical ethnic districts drawn by Raffles, I think).

http://www.athletescircle.com/

Give them a call before you go to S'pore and ask what kind of gear they have in stock (that you're interested in). They were pretty friendly and helpful to me. Some of the floor staff were kinda schtoopid when I actually got there, but still very eager to try to please, and directed me to the Kona chick.

2012-02-29 7:10 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
Thanks Yanti. I'm staying not far from Chinatown; know the general area. I do have a map but the index isn't great and Google Maps is wonky here--speed too slow or something. Will definitely check it out if I have time/money/energy after the race. (Or I may just spend the rest of the day whimpering in bed.)  Still working on Vertex for the Assos stuff. Wow--KQ in Singapore. I should stop whining about heat and humdity. Can't imagine the amount of sweat (and blood and tears) THAT involved!
2012-03-07 9:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_33692/t... is about three bike shops in this block. If you need help with the voucher let me know
2012-03-08 3:30 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
Found Vertex and got my bike stuff--they actually let me use the voucher for anything in the store. Spent a little extra (since I'd just won some $) and got a Nalini jersey (with pocket to stash a third water bottle....sigh)  and shorts. Needed the latter as I actually owned only one pair of bike shorts! Too tired for the other store and realized I can't stand any of the Power Bar flavors anyway. I did bite the bullet with the Cliff bars, though. I know....too picky! But with the heat, it has to be something I like or I won't eat enough on long rides. Thanks for all the info.
2012-03-10 6:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
Are you guys all from Asia? I live in the United States. If youre up for a sport, let me know!


2012-03-10 6:45 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Tri gear in Singapore is danm expensive
You can check on the introductions thread to see where everyone's from, if it's not mentioned with their avatar. Robbo, mgalanter, antman are based in Singapore. There are no doubt others I'm forgetting. I'm based in Vietnam; Yanti in Indonesia, others in Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand.  Probably some other places I'm forgetting. Singapore is a hub for races and tri organizations in the region, and where the rest of us go shopping for gear LOL.Cool

Edited by Hot Runner 2012-03-10 6:49 AM
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