MuddyMike

Geez, how long is a piece of string, gotta give a budget...

My choice for the next while.... Berg & Bush Descent...... super excited for a big Jol Sabie Experience........ praying for dry weather like last year Cape Epic........praying for painless death while chasing mountaingoaty.......well at least trying to....... My wish list: Imana wild ride Tour de Tuli Sani 2 Sea 3 Towers I agree, if you havent done a stage race do Sabie Lite....dont let the name fool you, last year was pretty taxing if you raced it, but I hear day 2 this year is easier than last year.

It looks as though this is not the only time they have stopped supply without reason.......I wonder how many other dealers can tell a similar story. I wonder what the competition commsion would think of this anti-competitive behaviour, considering the cycling industry's not so perfect reputation?? Oh well so be it, I just wont buy any of their products. Thats the best form of sanction.

I really dont think AP are too bad. I have had photos from a few suppliers and they are all pretty much the same. AP did the photo's for Sabie Experience. I was very happy with what they sent me with some pretty decent action shots. I got the CD with around 10 photos and calendar templates and collages of the event for R200. Thats pretty good value. I think people will always say photo's are too expensive if they dont understand photography and the capital expense for pro kit. Why dont the people who say its too expensive get anyone to take their "action" photos with a basic camera and then they will appreciate the work the photographers do. Anyway if you dont like it dont buy it.

I cannot speak for the LBS but I do know them pretty well and I very very much doubt if it was an account issue.

@ onetrackmind, sure you can! I am not a fan of the local bike industry because of this kind of thing. I have spent plenty of cash with CRC over the past year with no issues whatsoever. I finally find a small "old school" LBS with great service and give them a bash and what happens??? The same old crap again with the SA bike industry...........

I would love to hear Dragons side of the story, but I wouldnt hold my breath......

I agree Giant are great bikes. Silverback are awesome value. It's the behind the scenes sh#t that gets to me..... But I doubt that this is kind of thing is unique to the cycling industry....

I had a very intersting experience last week. I am a Mtb'r but need to spend some hours on a road bike to enhance my perfomance on the Mtb. So I needed to get my hands on a road bike - nothing fancy so I had my eye on a Giant TCR CD 20, but my LBS, who is an approved Giant retailer couldn't get stock as the SA Distributor was out of stock. Last week my LBS gives me a call to say that out of the blue Dragon sports has refused to supply them any more Giant products (This after my LBS has been pushing Giant and building the Giant brand) All I can think is this is once again the ugly head of SA cycle distributors playing politics again. Anyway it seems to me that Giant is playing a dangerous game by refusing to supply a LBS without very good reason. So now I cant get a Giant, but I did end up on a new Silverback RS1 - Aluminium frame with full 105 and a great wheelset for a price matched to the Giant with Tiagra / Tektro. Silverback were never on my "brand" list, but after spending some time in the saddle this past weekend, what a great ride and brilliant, unbeatable value. So if you are looking for a new steed check out SILVERBACK!!

Yip, I built a full susser with full XT 10spd, carbon seat post, raceface hardware (stem, bar) including frame, suss excl wheels for just over R12k via CRC.

CRC currently has a special on XT. Front R661.09 back R918.50 plus vat will cost you R1800. Shipping from R55 via post. OUt of your budget but an awesome set to stop you.

Just recieved the following from CRC in 10 days incl Christmas and New Year: Camelback Rouge R288 plus 14% vat = R328.32 Shimano SPD M520 R186 plus 14% vat = R212.04 ProLogo Kappa Dea Saddle R232 plus 14% vat = R265.00 In Dec CWC delivered a new Truvativ Stylo Team stem and riser bar for R580 in 2 days to Jozi. Plus....I know a great bike mechanic who works from home to sort the mechanicals I cant do myself. So someone please remind me why we need a LBS?.............. My only loyalty is to my pocket!

The Parcelforce part of your delivery took 5 days which is good this time of year. Once it arrives in SA the Post Office takes over...... need we say more? It also needs to be opened and checked by SARS s that could delay it. Yours has been through SARS already so it should be with you in 2 days at most.

Hey Santa, How about a Fizik Tundra 2 Manganese Green Saddle to add some 2011 bling to my baby!