Delilah

Eish! If it were me, getting that bike, I would at least have looked happy about it! EDIT: See heading of first post: "Another happy client". Wonder what he looks like when he is not happy?

Quite the horror movie! How can they do that to those beautiful frames??? Rather send me one - I'll conduct long-term tests

My condolences, Van Wyk family. You have my respect and admiration for staying strong and for never giving up in your efforts to get justice for Merzanne. This latest development will surely leave you with unanswered questions, but take solace in knowing that your daughter's killer has been brought to justice (even if it was by his own hand) and that he will never hurt another cyclist.

I have tried a number of different bags and all had their drawback - too wide chafes, too small, too large, swaying, drifting to one side, rattles (aaaarghhh!!!! would never be able to live with a clip-on!!!), etc. Found the perfect one, but of course it is not available in SA or on CRC: https://www.serfas.com/products/view/116/referer:products|index|bags-tools|page:2 This bag is the perfect size for MTB use, stays put and centered, things don't fall out when you open it, it is easy to open and opens wide, is not so wide that it chafes, does not rattle. I love it!

MTB Helmet (always!!!) 1 or 2 waterbottles, depending on distance and temperature (replace bottles with a CamelBak for races) Multitool Tubeless repair kit Minipump When riding very early or late, small lights to be visible to cars/bakkies/tractors/etc. Snacks if needed. I hate gels. EDIT: Don't like having bulging pockets, so will only carry small items like tissues and snacks on my person. The rest goes in the saddle bag, except the pump which has a bracket. It is faster for me to access tools carried in the saddle bag than have to take off, and rummage through, a CamelBak - that I use just in races and just for hydration and cellphone (in case things really go pear-shaped!).

The routes were great. As Backpacker said, marking could have been better near the end. One complaint from my side regarding the construction of the bridge over the dry stormwater ditch, the one after the tunnel: there is a pole (like a wood telephone pole, lying flat) that looks like it forms part of the right side of bridge. It does not! I took my turn onto the bridge too fast, put out a foot to steady myself and the pole just rolled away. This sad story ends with me and Storm lying at the bottom of the ditch after a 2m sideways drop. I did finish, and was lucky not to be seriously injured. Got away with a sprained wrist and lots of scrapes and bruises.

What is in the goodie bag? Please tell! Will only be getting ours tomorrow before the race...

It is gonna be bad no matter what shipping type/speed you choose. EDIT: Also, speakers are bulky. Most shipping companies or couriers calculate dimensional weight which would be more than actual weight. Many couriers have shipping cost calculators on their websites. Try a few.

26" Only reason is that you'd get a better specced bike. No way I'm buying that Trek "naainer".

We recently imported (CRC) a group order (about R12 000 iirc) including everything from components and tools to lubes and cleaning products. We just paid VAT and a processing fee (I think it was R60). EDIT: There were no clothing-type items in the order.

Oh great, Olympic uses First Freight. You are given a tracking number (only if you specifically request it), but can't use online tracking because you don't have login details for the First Freight website. You have to call First Freight and go through a number of people until you finally reach someone who can search for the package on their system... only to then tell you he isn't sure where it is, he THINKS it should have been delivered already Still no sign of package. Olympic might have a fine brick-and-mortar store, but they are just not geared for online sales. What a pity. EDIT: Okay, the above was what happened when I phoned the First Freight in JHB. Just phoned Cape Town branch for tracking info. Get this: they say the package is in JHB!!!

No vegan is 100% vegan if they've ever taken meds for any condition. Not even going into the fact that all active pharmaceutical ingredients are tested on animals before they are tested on humans, many of the excipients in dosage forms are obtained from animals in some way. EDIT: Sorry that was off-topic (kinda). Still, Brooks = leather. Something that looks like a Brooks, but has no leather, is not a Brooks - simple. Rather stick with Fiziks or such.

The properties of the leather is what makes a Brooks saddle "work". I seriously doubt if a similar-looking saddle, made from anything else, would come close to the experience you expect from such a saddle EDIT: Put a cover over the saddle. What the eye doesn't see...

26" : 2009 Schwinn Moab Pro CF, Medium, full XT, XT M775 wheelset, tubeless Bought this bike in May 2011 from CWC. There was only a small left, but they did a frame-swop with a Moab Team - same frame, but white on 3k weave instead of red on 3k weave. http://www.mtbs.cz/obrazek/SchwinnMoabcelk_cl.jpg http://www.01bike.com/mountainbike/img/09_schwinn_moab-team_4.jpg 29" : 2012 Silverback Storm 1.0 CF, Medium, full XT, Stan's Crest wheelset, tubeless Bought this one a couple of months ago from Dingo Cycles in Potchefstroom. http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011_website_SILVERBACK/web_gallery/images/storm1.jpg

Thanks Covie, I'll keep that in mind for future purchases

That is too bad then, for those of us who can't get to their shop. I love Lezyne pumps.

Really? You mean the actual shop? There is nothing available from their online shop.

Echo

Okay, wow, looks like things are finally sorted. (Why does one always have to throw one's toys before anything gets done?) One of the pumps apparently sold out since my order was placed, but they now found another and the shipment will be dispatched later today. My thanks to the Olympic employees who sorted this mess out. (No thanks to the one who created the mess in the first place.) EDIT: I've just been contacted by Jason. You guys were right, he is a capable and take-charge kind of guy. He apologised for the mess and will sort everything out. Hopefully Olympic will improve communication lines, because an incident created by one employee can make a whole company look bad.

Online or shop or both? EDIT: This "one bad dealing" represents multiple instances of bad customer care: not finalising my order, not answering two e-mails I sent, not returning calls.

And that is indeed the case right now. Spoke to another guy, but he has to "go find out". Again, I've just been promised a call back.

Yeah, wish I could. Potch LBSs don't carry much stock and ordering is just as much a hit-and-miss affair as online shopping. Thanks Majestic, I'll try that!

Oh dear Why, oh why, does CWC not carry the Lezyne product line??? EDIT: Has anyone had successful dealings with them (online)?

Just had extremely dissapointing dealings with Olympic Placed an order online on June 21st. Paid by credit card. Received an invoice. Assumed all is well. Okay, no package or word received by today, so I phone the number on their website. Guess what? The number THEY give on THEIR website is not the right one for the online shop. Wait, listening to canned music, and get through to a confused sounding person who thought my online order is for... get this... REPAIRS Over the internet nogal? Okay, so I suggest that maybe she would have more success if she had my order number. She disappears from the line, I hear papers being shuffled around. She returns. Okay, she found my order on the desk of a colleague who has since gone on leave! Well I never! I wonder when he was planning to ship my stuff? After school holidays? Also, they are now not sure whether they still have both items in stock. Wonderful. I am awaiting a return call with little or no optimism EDIT: Ask to speak with Jason in case of any problems with orders from Olympic - he will sort it out.

1.72m Medium Schwinn 26", medium Silverback 29".