Jules

Any volunteers to help dig a tunnel under William Nicol? Should be good cross training

What pressure do you think they pump their tyres to?

I've ridden one, but I was drunk and it was in a shopping centre, so I don't know whether my findings (which were good) will be of much value for the purposes of this discussion. My housemate just got the one with full XTR and he is full of praise. He says it's stiff, light and durable, although it must be said that he's only ridden it twice. I chatted to a guy at the race today who was riding one just below the top of the range model. It has XT with XTR shifters and DT Swiss wheels for R25k. I think I'd find it hard to justify the extra R10k for the top of the range one.

Finally Korbach has provided us with a credible and informed reason for the price discrepancies

I think this bike is good value. I'm considering getting one myself.

No doubt the wholesalers will deny the allegations of collusion, but it would be nice if J&J and Coolheat could give the cycling public a credible reason as to the fairly large price differences between "authorised dealer" prices and those of CWC. It is my understanding that CWC's retail prices for Campagnolo are more or less the same as what the LBS pays for Campag. I'm sure that being the "authorised dealer", J&J is able to get the best possible prices for Campag stuff, so how is it possible that CWC and other, foreign, online retailers are undercutting it?

CWC is making serious allegations about wholesalers in South Africa. I'm not sure if Probike is included in these allegations. Nevertheless, I think it's fair comment for Brandon to say if CWC is in arrears or not. Perhaps wholesalers are closing CWCs accounts for other reasons? CWC took the fight public, so let's hear the other side of the story

If we were to follow this logic, then all retailers with single-digit markups should close shop and buy the All Share Index. Oh wait: why was the lowest-margin retailer (Shoprite) the best-performing retail share on the JSE in 2007?

Agreed, but Probike seems to be thriving in a SMALL economy like SA. What are they doing right that J&J and others are not? CWC is not trying to undercut Probike. It is undercutting the likes of J&J and Coolheat. And why did J&J lose Northwave to Probike? Food for thought...

Seems opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of the free market. Our local wholesalers should have spent less effort fighting CWC and other online retailers and more effort in lowering their prices and providing better service to the LBS network, which is their lifeblood. I'm no expert, but I disagree with the statement that the days of distributors are numbered. As long as you can provide a good service at a good price, you will be alright. It's probably no coincidence that few people are trying to undercut Probike (Raleigh, Northwave, BBB) and Omnico (GT, Easton). It's the importers of Campy (J&J) and Shimano (Coolheat) that are squealing.

Perhaps someone who represents J&J and other wholesalers could present their side of the story. I for one would like to know why I can get stuff from CWC for the cost price that my LBS pays J&J. This competition commission stuff is also very interesting. I would like to hear the dealers' response to CWC's allegation of collusion. Anyone? Also, if the importers really have been ripping us off all this time, which I have reason to believe they have, will the competition tribunal reimburse us cyclists when they extract a big fine? How about a set of carbon record cranks to every cyclist who's bought a campy groupset?

I decided to celebrate the New Year with a 175km Hekpoort ride with Thug and Gaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhreeeeeeeeee. Thug, still smiling! Gaaaaahhhhhhreeeeeeee The duo riding off into the distance Thug at the top of Hekpoort

Gaaaaaahhhhreeeeee and I passed you on the long hill. We were both in Standard Bank kit. We were amused that you were brave enough to ride in the rain and your supposedly hardcore clubmate, Epoh, didn't come because he didn't "want to ride with wet shoes".

Wonder woman, was that you we passed in the rain on Monday?

I usually lap between 2:05 and 2:30, depending on how tired i'm feeling and whether it's my first or second lap. I've only broken 2 hours once. My goal is to do three laps though. I don't know what it is about the reserve, but it manages to make 110km feel like 200km. Did two laps on Monday in the rain and I haven't felt that exhausted in a long time!

I'm considering an upgrade to tubeless too. Is it generally accepted that Stan's is the best?

The couch must stay!

Wow, nice bike Is that a custom paint job?

Nice looking bike, although I'm not sure it's as sexy as the BMC.

What about RSA's first ever TDF stage win?

I feel like i've spent a night in prison after reading this thread I'll take an Arione and the extra grams any day.

Can't have been that strong because it seems to be missing its rear triangle?