james

Whose pocket is more important, mine or that of the LBS? You don't mind complianing if the service received is poor, but you never complain if you feel that you are being ripped-off. The idea is if sufficient people have identified internet based sites are cheaper, the LBS will have to either discount or go out of business. I was told by a rep of a bike company that on a daily basis he sees packages arriving at LBS's from CRC etc.. He said that the LBS sometimes complain that the local "so called agents" do not carry the appropriate stock, lead times are long and related to production, so they have no alternative but to source the product themselves. So it means that sometimes the LBS is the "pot" fond of "calling the kettle black". My LBS has an understanding as he says that he has no problem fitting the internet sourced parts as at least he makes a penny from fitting the product which is better than keeping himself outside the loop totally.

I saw this product the other day at Dave Sheer Gunsmithing http://www.davesheer.co.za/ . I read a review in the magnum magazine on this product http://www.jetprotect.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=5 I am seriously thinking of acquiring two or three of these http://www.jetprotect.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=6 and arming fellow riders with it when we go out. I do however think from reading the Magnum article that it is a good solution to anyone who tries to hijack a bike. I always tell the folk who ride with me to stand on the front brake disk, if they can remember to do so, during a hijacking as it will immobilise the bike after a hijacking and the bike would still be rideable if left behind as the wheel can be turned around and ridden, but obviously you will have no front brakes. P.S. I have no financial interest in the product or in Dave Sheer Gunsmiths so this is not an advert.

My experience is always to get a proper UST rim as one always has a hassle with rim strips when it comes to sealing and also when you have a puncture in the field you are faced with unnecessary problems. The same goes for using tubless tyres and not converted tyres.

Met one of the partners of Tank Cycles whilst on a ride, he was affable and free with his information about the products he was importing and his plans for the business. His bike was scary light at below 7kgs and when we stopped for a nature break, I had a look and it was of good quality. He has apparently struck up a relationship with one of the bike manufacturers in the far east (not Springs or Boksburg) and is importing specially labelled products under the Tank label and other proprietary brand names. One acquaintance has recently acquired a tri bike and wheelset from them and he is very impressed with the bike. I think that maybe a copy of this thread should be sent to Tank Cycles in order to elict a response from them. I hope they forgive me if I have any of the info set out above incorrect.