Jules

I was merely suggesting an alternative response in the face of smoking-gun evidence. The point was made that the responses of Brandon and Summit have been to their credit. Something similar from the "two fall guys" would do them a world of good. Obviously nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. But admit them, when busted, and you'll get a better reception in the court of public opinion.

Solomons had a special on KMC at 94.7 time. R99 for a 9spd chain. I bought six.

Actually it would be the moral high ground to buy Raleigh. He's been the first to admit that he made a mistake, and he has noted that he attended the meeting reluctantly and did not agree with the proposal for higher margins. If the topic of this thread is to be believed, Fritz vigorously denies any wrongdoing. I'd argue, however, that his e-mail is a smoking gun. The mature response, in my opinion, would be something along the lines of what Brandon has said. "Yes, we made a mistake. We're sorry. Despite our meeting, there has not been any coordinated price increase and hence consumers are unaffected. We'll co-operate entirely with the Commission. We'll accept any sanction that is handed down." Now wouldn't that be refreshing? If Fritz was my LBS, I'd be the first oke through the door the next day.

Right. If you don't like it' date=' just stop looking. That's not entirely true either. You must have missed the bit when Brandon Els told us how he told Fritz what he could do with his collusion ideas. You must have also missed the bit where some anonymous hubber with only four posts published an e-mail, which looks remarkably genuine, in which Els threatens Zoon Cronje, formerly of Silverback.

Are you for real? To form a cartel' date=' you need to corner the WHOLE market. Honest Fritz might be. A little too honest for his own good: From: Fritz Pienaar [mailto:mm@firebreak.co.za'] Sent: 17 September 2008 12:27 PM Subject: Minutes - margins in the bicycling industry Dear bicycle wholesaler and retailer, Thank you for your support and great response in making our industry more healthy. For those of you who were unaware of this meeting here is a quick refresher: "I am sure that most of you are aware that there are a lot of concerns in the retail bicycle industry. There is a lot of rumours about retail shops that are struggling and wholesalers that are not getting paid. This causes a lot of problems for everyone in the industry and I?m sure that you would agree that it is not a healthy position to be in. I have had numerous meetings with retail shops and wholesalers over the last couple of months and everyone seems to agree that the retail shops are not making enough profit and that something needs to be done about it. The bicycle wholesalers agree that a healthier retail industry would also allow for a healthier wholesale industry." We've had a great response from the meeting on 10th September 2008! With all the mayor bicycle wholesalers and retailers in Gauteng, we've all come to agreement that raising the margins is the resolution to the problem. It is of utmost importance that we sign-up and state that you support this decision, we need everyone?s support to be able to make this change and to be able to implement these changes right away. Click here to see the attendance of the meeting on 10th September 2008 Click here to see the meeting on 10th September 2008 minutes Please click here, to state if you are supportive of higher margins in the Bicycling Retail sector (We recommend that you read the minutes if you were not present at the meeting) Regards, Fritz Pienaar 083 275 2123 PS. Please forward this to all bike shops you know of, or wholesalers that did not attend.

I'd go for a Madone, Cervelo or Addict. Then kit it with the best Campy and wheels that your budget can afford. Just bear in mind that in ten years time, your bike will be worth less than a tenth of it's value (measured in today's money). However, if you put the R70k in the market today, you'll probably have enough to buy ten bikes of the same value in a decade's time.

A 32/16 was good enough for me to set a new personal best at Delta Park last night on my steel niner. That's including previous efforts on a geared bike! It's also a nice gear for cruising the spruit on. When I did the Crater Cruise, I increased my gear to a 42/16, which was perfect for that course. Seeing as the gears aren't that expensive, why not buy a 16 and an 18 and alternate between the two?

Congratulations on your company's principled stance, Brandon Has the Commission contacted Probike for input in its investigation?

Here is the attendance register. Apparently it is also "inaccurate" Absolut biking - Commencal Graham Terlouw Alien Cycles Mike Bosch Bester Cycles Jaco Bester Bester Cycles Peet Victor Bicicletta Shamus Kreuger Coolheat Cycle Agencies Steve Meltzer Cycle Lab Andrew Mclean Cycle Lab Brian Pienaar Cycle Lab Gary Marescia Cycle Tech Marco Swart Cytek Derek Edwards Dunkeld Cycles Merlyn Jackson Dunkeld Cycles Marc Wiederkehr Johnson Cycle Works Bassem Riad Le Peleton Eddie Brandstatter Le Peleton Dave Schemmel Maverick Cycles Mike Bradley Omnico Alan Hodson Omnico Vincent Stevens Probike Dave Wyatt Saloojee's Cycles Ebrahim Saloojee Silverback Zoon Cronje Sports pro (felt bicycles) Clive chowles Thule William Tyson Just Fun Sports (Trek) Barney Treger Just Fun Sports (Trek) Ricky Treger Hot Spot Cycles Jacques Maritz Summit Cycles Anton Bosman West Rand Cycles Eben Venter Fritz Pienaar Cycles Ervin Jacobs Fritz Pienaar Cycles Charl Theron Fritz Pienaar Cycles Fritz Pienaar Fritz Pienaar Cycles Heinrich Richter Fritz Pienaar Cycles Ruan Deyzel Cape Cycles Steven Cycles Africa Robert Cunnington The Cycle Hub Wendell Bole

So to you still allege there is a cartel among furniture and other retailers? I think Ellerines/Abil, JD Group and Lewis might disagree. They are struggling even more than bike shops at the moment.

Yes, Cervelo doesn't seem to realise that Game and Dion are part of Massmart. And JD group owns a number of furniture retailers.

I feel so privileged to belong to a forum of such well informed individuals. They know everything about the bike industry. Just a pity they're not quite up to speed about competition law.

Well I for one am not one of these well informed individuals. But I do now that the e-mail sent out by Fritz, the authenticity of which nobody has denied, including Fritz, is unambiguous. I calls for a collusion over prices. That is illegal. Let me just repeat it here for your benefit: rom: Fritz Pienaar [mailto:mm@firebreak.co.za] Sent: 17 September 2008 12:27 PM Subject: Minutes - margins in the bicycling industry Dear bicycle wholesaler and retailer, Thank you for your support and great response in making our industry more healthy. For those of you who were unaware of this meeting here is a quick refresher: "I am sure that most of you are aware that there are a lot of concerns in the retail bicycle industry. There is a lot of rumours about retail shops that are struggling and wholesalers that are not getting paid. This causes a lot of problems for everyone in the industry and I?m sure that you would agree that it is not a healthy position to be in. I have had numerous meetings with retail shops and wholesalers over the last couple of months and everyone seems to agree that the retail shops are not making enough profit and that something needs to be done about it. The bicycle wholesalers agree that a healthier retail industry would also allow for a healthier wholesale industry." We've had a great response from the meeting on 10th September 2008! With all the mayor bicycle wholesalers and retailers in Gauteng, we've all come to agreement that raising the margins is the resolution to the problem. It is of utmost importance that we sign-up and state that you support this decision, we need everyone?s support to be able to make this change and to be able to implement these changes right away. Click here to see the attendance of the meeting on 10th September 2008 Click here to see the meeting on 10th September 2008 minutes Please click here, to state if you are supportive of higher margins in the Bicycling Retail sector (We recommend that you read the minutes if you were not present at the meeting) Regards, Fritz Pienaar 083 275 2123 PS. Please forward this to all bike shops you know of, or wholesalers that did not attend.

Just kidding I think most people stick with the standard chainrings that come on a triple. Maybe go with a 44/32? I rode a double at Babba's yesterday, not out of choice though. I had to use my single speed crankset (Truvativ something or other) and it doesn't accept a granny.

53/39

comobike's selection is a little disappointing though...

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=33149&PN=13