Longbarn Killer

Going back or turning back the clock, the only reason Raleigh was able to drop their prices in 2009 was because they had hiked up their margins so such a crazy extent in 2008. They wanted to play in the Pinarello, Cannondale space and it cost them dearly. People stopped buying Raleighs. That is also the reason why they had no new models for 2009, they had so much unsold stock from 2008. It was a pity, we lost a really good brand when they disappeared (or became Axis).

I'm a little behind when it comes to group rides but I often see cyclists meeting in the Checkers parking lot on my way to work in the mornings (I leave home at 6am). I haven't really noticed if they are returning at that time or just about to leave. There was also a group that meets at Virgin Active in Lorraine. I cannot offer any names or contacts I'm afraid. I'm on a cycling whatsapp group. I'll post something there for you.

Hosting this event in Hoedspruit is alienating a good chunk of cyclists in SA. From CT its a whopping 1 800km drive. Flying to Jhb is a good option, but then there is the cost of transporting your bike and hiring a car big enough to carry a bike. I realise that wherever the event is hosted, there is sure to be some logistical issue for someone at some corner of SA, but this event is in the corner of SA and a lot of people will struggle to get there or pay the costs of getting there. I suspect this event will probably be an extension of the Gauteng champs.

i can't believe its been 5 years since this thread started. Have we ever heard the outcome? Did Mr Armstrong get his money back? What happened with the court case?

Yes, you are right. I think Bike Hub played a roll (maybe a small roll) in exposing the CSA for what they are. So yes, we deserve to know. You do realise, that no matter the outcome, things are unlikely to change.

I can't say if this was the same situation, but if we turn back the clock to 2011 when PE last hosted SAs. EP Cycling (now East Cape Cycling) was informed at the Nth hour that PE would host. To add to this, the champs were brought forward by a few months. There was no time to organise a proper event. CSA stated that they would organise. Despite EPs protests of the routes chosen by CSA, they went ahead anyway and it was a disaster. Half the events were cancelled due to traffic and safety problems. CSA never owned up and shouldered the blame and most cyclists pointed a finger at EP Cycling for the stuff ups. EP Cycling had little involvement in the organising, but incurred the wrath of the entants. If PE had done nothing to organise this most recent event, I'm willing to bet something similar happened.

80% of a travel allowance is subject to PAYE. So if they insist on giving you a travel allowance, they should be taxing R4 000 of the R5 000. If your IRP5 doesn't show a travel portion, you will not get any deductions. You can opt to pay tax on the higher amount. So, what i am saying is, let them keep the travel at R5 000, but you can opt to the full amount to be taxable. There will be no cash implications for them as it is your money they are withholding to pay over to SARS.

PAYE is calculated after the rebate is brought into consideration. So if I understand your comment correctly, the employer processed it correctly.

Apparently the SA Champs are in PE next year.

I test drove a Nissan Sentra with CVT. The worst gearbox ever invented. It whines, it never seems to be in the "right gear", the revs go up and down like a yoyo. It just never seems to get going.

My man cave is my garage. 2 of my bikes, 7 radio control cars, all sorts of spraying, cutting, grinding tools and a fridge with warm beers in it (it hasn't been switched on for ages). It also doubles up as my wife's woman cave. There is a washing machine and a tumble drier.

Huh? looks pretty good to me.

Haval has been getting rave reviews in the motoring press. Good value for money My problem with Haval (and most Chinese brands for that matter) is how long these vehicles will last. They are too new on the market to see what problems they'll give in a few years time. They are made by GWM. Most GWMs after 5 years start looking tatty. Paint is starting to fade, lights get that greying look and body panels out of alignment etc. That points to poor build quality and poor quality of components. I realise Haval is the luxury arm of GWM and is expected to be better, but is it better? I would like to see what the current crop of Havals will look like in five years time, with 100 000kms on the clock. If an Haval will still be in the same condition as what a Japanese, Korean or European car is after 5 years, then they are worthy of consideration. The only way to find this out is to wait 5 years. Personally, I would rather get a used Japanese, Korean or European car with low mileage before I go with Haval.

Yes.........whilst putting new bar tape on mine split as I peeled them back. I will also be looking. There was someone on the Hub selling some after market ones (maybe Hudz), but they were in all sorts of strange colours. I wanted black. About 10 years back I tried to get some of the older 105 9 speed hoods and struggled to get them. Not even Coolheat could help. I suspect we may struggle for these 10 speed ones too.

Just looking at the Swift in the list of possibles. The wheels don't look like Dura Ace. The latter has a 16/20 spoke count. Unless they are very old Dura Ace that have been sprayed and had new decals fitted.

I've never tried this, but I have always been lead to believe that if your frame is designed for a straight steerer, a tapered fork will not fit. You can fit a straight steerer to a tapered frame by using adaptors, but not the other way round. Maybe I am wrong, but I don't think so.

If it's a product that is supported in SA, you would be able to take to any bike shop that is an agent for that product, no matter where you are.

OK.....I spoke to our attorney who specialises in estates. He said the following: There will be no tax implications for you as this is not your money. The payment can go directly to your cousin (not via you) as long as he still has a bank account in SA and if the payment is done via that bank account. If not, you'll have to go the 3rd party route.

Before spending any money on a new saddle, check your current one with a spirit level. Even the slightest raise at the front can cause discomfort. Make sure its 100% level. If it is level, then you can consider dropping the nose of the saddle ever so slightly and if that doesn't help, then look at something new.

All this talk about buying girl wives/girlfriends bikes. I dated a girl who was almost a pro. She had around 5 bikes that she had received from sponsors over the years. She offered to sell me one to get me into cycling (despite having received them all for free). I declined as I had no interest in cycling back then. it was my wife who got the bug going. She bought me a bike for Xmas. I started riding, then bought her one for her birthday.

Donations tax is not my area of expertise, but logic tells me the money was already taxed as part of the estate and therefore cannot be taxed again when bequeathed to the cousins. The will clearly shows that the cousins are the recipients of the money, so the OP is nothing more than a conduit to get the money to the cousins in the US. There was a court case on this conduit principle, but I cannot think of it right now (although this involved Trusts). I don't believe that there will be any tax implications, but as I said, donations tax is not my area of expertise.

I don't think that would be a option. It was practise years ago to loan rather than donate to the recipient. To avoid donations tax, write off the loan annually at an amount just below the donations tax threshold until the loan was written off. Now there are anti avoidance processes in place for this and of course an exposure to Capital Gains tax when the loan is written off.

Please don't go there.

Pretty fair question. I understand why bike shops would want you to book it in. Space is often at a premium and managing the amount of bikes in the shop by booking them in at any one time would also alleviate having a pile of bikes in a queue waiting to be repaired. It's also is a question to manage a client's expectation of when his bike will be ready. Shop: "have you booked the bike in?" Client: "yes, booked in for today: Shop: "great it will be ready this afternoon" or Shop: "have you booked the bike in?" Client: "no I haven't" Shop: "great, but we already have a number of bikes booked in for today and tomorrow, we can look at it on Thursday and it will be ready for you then."

Funny you should say that. Divorced and remarried to each other again.