DemitriN

So is goedkoop really duurkoop? Let’s find out! I recently picked out some cheapo Chinese Chaoyang Tyres from a bike shop to try out on my Giant Reign. My local trails are all around Table Mountain so lots of super steep gradients with a good mix of loose gravel, powdery sand, granite & sharp rocks - an unforgiving torture tunnel for MTB tyres if ever there was one! Price wise the Chaoyangs were substantially cheaper than anything else on offer. The tag on the 26 x 2.25 double hammer model was R399 - tubeless with shark skin side walls, dual compound & 60 tpi. I’ve never tried this Chinese brand before btw and can honestly say my expectations were low! My go-to tyres are Vittoria, but I’ve previously used Maxxis, Schwalbe, Michelin, Continental, etc. So in this durability & performance test I’ll try to compare with those brands esp as to whats most cost effective. Fitting the tubeless tyres was not too challenging at all. Rubber felt good and weight was decent at 660g. Inflated to 20 psi. First two rides I aimed at every rock on the trail, leaned into turns excessively to test holding & did a few jumps. So far so good! I’m stoked with performance & really like the tread pattern (perfect for rear wheel) - good holding & lowish rolling resistance. Will periodically update this post to share how the tyres hold out after a few hundred k’s around the mountain. Also would like to hear from anyone currently using Chaoyangs what your experiences have been. Is goedkoop duurkoop or not? :-)

No it doesn’t need to be certified

Update- Between Chris and I we have 6 guys now so we looking for 2 more riders for a 2nd group of 4. Anyone keen let me know asap:-)

Will do, thanks!

Anyone else keen to get the group rate for MyActivity Table Mountain card this month? My friend & I are about to renew our permits. So we can have 2 others join and save $. Let me know in next couple of days if possible.

Haha! All good on my side, no stress at all. I think what threw the SA distribution co was that it was a limited edition & probably not in any of their product manuals. On the upside at least now I can sell them with a guarantee they’re genuine from POC HQ dudes themselves!!! ????

Big thanks to DJ for advising me to send me photos of the sunglasses to POC HQ for their comments! ????????????????????????

So my “fake” POC mystery is finally solved! I’ve been informed by POC International HQ via DB Multisport SA that the sunglasses are genuine! ???? To quote their reply email... “Your Aspire's are the limited 10-year-edition Aspire (2016).” So if anyone wants to buy these do let me know!

Appreciate this advice DJ. I will definitely do this! Especially 3. When I handle these glasses they definitely do not feel like fakes the way imitation Oakleys do.

Thank you for all the advice everyone

Thanks for the offer. I have a family member who regularly goes there. Am following up!

Here’s some more closeups I took...

I see them on this German website. Seems they are 2018 model. https://www.lovehurtsbikes.de/bekleidung/poc-aspire-hydrogene-white-brille.html Also on Amazon Canada & UK... https://www.amazon.co.uk/POC-Aspire-Originals-Glasses-Hydrogen/dp/B07B1SRXV4 And Amazon Canada... https://www.amazon.ca/POC-Aspire-Originals-Cycling-Sunglasses/dp/B07B1SRXV4 Item model no is OLAS2018042BGM1

It was a biking, skiing and sports shop in Toronto not online

Hey guys wondering if any of you can assist me on this. I’ve had a pair of POC Aspire Sunglasses advertised for sale on bike hub. Last week my ad got pulled off the buy & sell section and I received this message— “Hi there, We've been informed by the South African POC agent that these are fake. I note you specifically mention they are genuine in your advert. Could you confirm where these were purchased? The advert has been removed pending review.” - Bike Hub I find this quite strange since they were purchased from a well known & reputable biking sports retail shop in Canada. Is it possible the Canadians are selling POC rip offs? How can one tell the genuine eyewear from the non-genuine? I looked online but all I could find is EOC’s :-) I replied assuring them the product is genuine and asking for the South African POC agents contact details. As of yet no one has gotten back to me. Does anyone know on what basis the agent is claiming the POCs are fake? I’m quite intrigued!