Edge_Design

Gauteng criminals waste so much effort with this whole mozambique thing... here in CT they take it round the corner, it gets sold to 1 person who sells to another who sells to another and then it goes on gumtree or in the cape ads... If you happen to see the ad, they all plead ignorance because they bought it from a legitimate person (just like the last one they had) and the police thank them for co-operating so nicely...

If you remember, please let me know once details are finalised... Would be very keen on doing the General R&M course.

JB, you don't ever offer courses in CT or know of any decent ones down here? Would love to do a course, but think flying to JHB is a bit excessive...

The problem is that they catch out the recreational cyclists which really irritates me, we know wat a tube should cost, they don't... one of the busiest bike shops in cape town is also probably the biggest rip off, but they happen to be in the right area so ppl go there without having the slightest idea they are being ripped off... I know there is no reason why they can't charge any price, but offering to "negotiate" marked prices just shows you are trying to scam the ppl who don't know any better while still catering for the more "educated" shoppers...

I am just so happy this thread is finally in English so I don't have to spend 10 minutes deciphering each post! I have had so many disappointing experiences with bike shops in cape town, yet some of them are the most popular shops around - I think in general, the service you receive depends on who you know by the look of it. I went to Willie Engelbrecht 5 times and not once did a sales person acknowledge my existence - I had to almost beg them to let me spend R10k on a bike; other ppl on here will stand by them to the death... currently I will only use Bridge Cycles as far as possible, not because they are the best at anything, but just because I actually feel welcome in the shop, they are always willing to help out (with a smile!), and haven't charged me the last 3 times I've taken my bike there (to change a stem/adjust the gears/remove my rear derailleur). I was so happy at not being charged that I bought more than R300 worth of unnecessary stuff each time!

Out of interest CR, when you pulled over at the "request" of the cyclist, was it so you could apologise for hooting and politely explain the difficulties the residents are having or because you couldn't resist the manliness of a confrontation? I hate to say it, but that makes you just as bad as the person you are insulting publically on here (you haven't posted a picture of yourself all red in the face yet?!)... you are annoyed at being held up, yet you have the time to stop for a fight? I understand the frustration, but I don't believe you are any better than anyone else on here... it probably took you longer to make that video, make screenshots, load it on here and then watch this forum than the entire time you have been held up behind cyclists in your lifetime. Think of the time you have spent discussing this issue with ppl, the calls, the letters, the meetings etc. Surely this is more inconvenient than an extra 5 minutes on your way to pick 'n pay on a saturday morning (where you get stuck behind bad trolley drivers no doubt and waste another 10 minutes you could be spending on The Hub!) I also get irritated getting stuck behind cyclists on the road (come to cape town in march!), I rant and swear, hoot once or twice, then drive around them and forget about it by the next corner... this all just seems excessive.shaun2312009-11-10 06:14:45

I have the FSA K-wing bar which is seriously comfortable (and the stem has to match the bar! IMHO at least)... The FSA stuff is definitely not the lightest, but seems to be well built and looks awesome (once again, IMHO)... Honestly, it probably isn't the 'best', but for my purposes, it provides a good balance of everything I needed (and every now and then there are some awesome deals on CRC so it's cheap!)

Cycling groups (clubs included) should limit their numbers to 5 to 10 riders - more than this and you really don't stand a chance. With fewer riders in each group, passing (as mentioned by Andrew) also becomes easier and doesn't require a few hundred metres of chaos. Sitting in a big bunch is more sociable, but then rather go to spinning with your friends or have coffee after the ride. The road is a place for transport, not a tea party. Imagine if you had a convoy of 10 60 seater busses that just had to drive right behind each other because it was more sociable? They don't, they space out so other cars can get past if necessary. Save the big bunches for organised events or otherwise do it out of public space. We have a right to use the roads, not control them. I am sure club rides are great fun, but unfortunately I don't believe the public road is the place for fun.

I must say Cradleresident, I really dislike your attitude in most of your posts, but this does make a very good point... I have seen many groups of cyclists in cape town cycling like this and, surprisingly, it's generally the slowest groups that ride in the middle of the road on the slowest uphills having a nice chat... I also swear and rant at them (from my bicycle as I pass them generally) so I think most ppl, including cyclists, understand your frustration. Unfortunately it's still no excuse for knocking ppl over (like the monkey in the BMW from the other day), but those pics do look really really painful... In one of our funrides last week a car hooted at a bunch of us - coz some guys seemed to think we should make sure we fill every possible inch of the lane as we bought the road when we paid the race entry - and some chop next to me starts swearing and pulling signs at the driver so I asked him why he couldn't just move left a little and let the car pass, just doesn't make sense to me. You need to stop generalizing (we're not all bad, just spending money on a bicycle doesn't automatically make you an idiot - wouldn't be surprised if you have one sitting in your garage for yourself or kids?!) and rather be proactive about it (and this does not mean holding neighbourhood tea parties with friends and politicians to 'discuss your concerns'!). Speak to the clubs in the area - a simple phone call should suffice -, ask the traffic cops to send a bike through the area a few times in peak hours (weekend mornings I'd think), I am sure you have ADT or some neighbourhood watch, ask them to patrol as well and try to (politely) change the cyclists mentalities and you might be able to co-exist with them.

Oh, and as far as the mob mentality goes... you make it sound like the cyclists ride around your neighbourhood spray painting walls and smashing you windows... It might just be me, but if someone unnecessarily endangers my or anyone else's life, I am going to get upset with them... and in the heat of the moment, who knows how a person will react to that anger, it takes a strong person to deal with it in a civilized manner.

Cradle resident...you still haven't said how he hit her or if it could have been avoided?! I hate to point this out, but most people here are both drivers and cyclists so do have both points of view (unlike you)... and when you knock someone over, I wouldn't be surprised if giving false information is also illegal unless you go straight to a police station and report it yourself... From what I've read, the guy in the BMW is a monkey and caused someone unnecessary harm, (whether she was a perfect little cyclist sitting well out of his way or not)... that to me is illegal and could amount to attempted murder if he did drive like an idiot (there should be enough witnesses to confirm/deny this) and he should be thankful that all he got was a few swear words. If he has no problem defending himself through normal channels, he should have refused to give them his information and ensured they all went to a police station to make statements rather... Seems more reasonable than lying to the person he just knocked over.

Wheels! Preferably deep section... nuff said! <Oh, and that stem of course!>

I have a Record cassette and Chorus chain that would go very nicely with that crank! Only R2k with about 500km's on them (I'm not so sure Record is the cheapest way though!) Should be able to pick up some fairly well priced parts from the cheaper ranges if you post in the wanted section, but you're going to need chain/cassette/shifters/derailleurs to change to 10 speed. (Assuming your hub is 10 speed compatible)... Remember your hub will only be shimano compatible and won't take the campy cassette without a change of body.

I definitely believe you did the right thing... you didn't injure him by the sound of it so he shouldn't have a grudge against you... most of these guys don't take getting caught personally, it's all in a days work. He knows he will be out of jail tomorrow morning so shouldn't be too worried. At least you know that you have tried, even if the justice system doesn't support you, you can't just leave these guys too get away with it without at least some inconvenience.

If you want something that lasts, from my experience, steer clear of both the Attack/Force and GP 4000, had 2 sets of both and they seemed to be very susceptible to getting cut by anything that even looked at the sidewalls... Have Gatorskins now and loving them, no punctures in about 600km of riding and they still look like new, hardly any wear at all. Haven't tried much else though so that's as far as my experience goes.

I'll take a shot at 7.05kg... some awesome kit there!

That would be a pretty good mix of parts for a R10k bike especially if it is all new... I built up a bike for R10k and spoke to a shop 2 weeks ago who reckoned it would cost about R25k for an equivalent factory bike. My 2c is go for it, much better selection of parts than any (as far as I know) R10k factory bikes. Do some research though and you might find you can get better parts for the same money... CRC has some great deals at the moment.

VAT is 14% on 110% of the purchase price for imports, which is the same as 15.4%... could try and get them to break the bike down, but if they decide to be difficult, be prepared to pay the duties...

15.4% VAT and no duties on bike parts, only on complete bikes and clothing...

How much do you have to spend? Have you looked at importing a fork yourself? Might get a much better fork that way...

That really is unfortunate and I hope you have some luck in finding it... I know better than anyone that these things do turn up! The only problem is you seem to be predicting the future? Think you may have gotten the date wrong! Good luck!

Got my bike back this morning (albeit missing a set of crank bro's pedals and a few extra scratches)... Very happy to have it back and going to push the police to keep investigating it and hopefully can catch the people involved... Luckily there are cctv camera's in the road and the guy was in a car so should be able to get some info. from that and hopefully the police can use it to find the person (the guy that bought it from the thief and then offloaded it straight afterwards again). These are amazingly clever people involved... the bike changed hands twice in 2 hours before ending up with the guy that I got it back from thanks to Bionic Man who recognised the bike from this thread. I really appreciate the help of both Bionic Man and the person who had the bike who unfortunately lost out on what he had paid to buy the bike... And I should also apologise to any cyclists who may have gotten a fright from me driving around the southern suburbs like an idiot for a few hours yesterday morning, but I was a little angry and really really hoping I saw my bike on the road.

Nope, only getting the bike back tomorrow so will get more news then hopefully... doesn't sound promising though... will report back tomorrow if there is anything interesting to tell... at this stage, just a bit in shock. Never thought I'd actually get a phone call about it, didn't even know what to say on the phone (forgot to ask what the guy who called me's name was even, but assume it was Bionic Man)... will call him tomorrow once it's all sorted out to thank him for the help.

Incredibly enough my bike has been located... the guy traded it in on another bike 1 block away from my house! The hub is the most connected place I know!!! 1 ad is all it takes... luckily enuff it is a very distinctive bike. Thanks for the help for those who care enough to keep an eye out for these things and don't just look at them as an interesting read, I really really appreciate it! Think it's time for insurance now!