South African's are extremely tech driven, we NEED the bleeding edge tech becaue:
A. makes you feel faster
B. The bragging rights
The 'others' out there stick to what they have and upgrade us much as possible - and try buy new on special.
TBH if you know bikes, 2nd hand is often an expensive option as you find out after te fact how worn parts are and what really could do with replacing... And parts are pricey... And can work out close to or even more than 2nd hand asking prices.
I have a few 'project' bikes and asit is finding the parts is a complete and uttle labour of love. Rim brake wheels, 26" stuff etc. The parts are not easy to come by new - so you are forced esp. in smaller markets like SA into at least relatively modern components and even bikes. Try find decent wheel sets which arn't through axel and even then some 'standards' are a difficult find...
Used to irritate the K out of me. I'd scrounge the finances to buy a new bike. And almost with in the month some new standard has come out and my shiney new steed is now a 26er instead of 29er or 3x10 and not a 1x11, no dropper post routing, non-tapered stearer.
I remember discussing with a friend who works at one of the bigger SA distributors and its always a battle for them. Bring a container of X is and they sell like hot cakes. So bring another of the same and the stock sits - the market is already saturated... And to throw salt in the wound the proprietory standards (or close too) all these manufacturers are running.
