parrcat

So I'm not sure about replacement costs of bikes for insurance purposes. When you insure say a 2-year old car, the value is that of a 2-year old car, and that's what you pay, and what you will be compensated for if lost, crashed etc. That figure should go down as the car gets older. I've insured my bike for what I know it's worth on the market if I sell it, and I adjust it accordingly. I'm not sure why one would insure for a new replacement bike that obviously is way more expensive, and why insurance companies accept that kind of valuation? Surely this is what potentially leads to so many fraudulent claims, and pushes insurance costs up?

This is an interesting question. I have frequented lots of shops over the years, from all those around Somerset West where I now live, and back to Jo'burg and the North West where I lived for 9 years. From what I hear most shops make very little on selling new bikes, even the franchises, and rather make their money on other merchandise, and the service side of the shop. I think there are some though that do make money on bikes, those that are able to pay for their bikes in cash up front. They get good discounts from the suppliers, and are able to pass these on while smaller enterprises buy on terms and have to sell at full sticker price. Dealing with the guys who pony up front, and there is a very well known bike shop in Rustenburg who I still transact with that does just that, it's amazing the difference in the price of bikes. But saying all this, having a good relationship with a bike shop that services one's bike properly, doesn't try to rip you off, gives good technical advice and is always there for you is invaluable and I always go back to them. Fortunately the shop in Rustenburg was exactly like that, and down here in Somerset West I have found 2 shops that are great, while there are one or 2 others that can leave a sour taste at times. Case in point, I needed to replace a brake lever on my son's bike broken in a fall. Shop1 - assures me Shimano don't supply just the lever, you'll need to buy a whole set. Oh, and we just happen to have a set right here. Didn't sound right to me so off to another one down the road - no problem we can order the lever from Cool Heat for a 1/4 of that price, except Cool Heat couldn't deliver in time for a race. One phone call later, shop in Stellenbosch has it, rush there but the wrong side. Phone around, land up at Chris Willemse in Durbanville and buy the lever over the counter for a good price. So, long story short, LBS's can compete, just get it all right and you will keep your customers.

Not sure about Trek being bigger than Merida who not only make their own bikes, but also Specialized (they own 49% of Specialized, Trek's big rival in the USA) and many other brands. It makes over 2 million bikes a year, has factories in Taiwan (1), China (3) and Germany (1) and is one of the biggest companies on the Taiwanese stock market. Around 99% of Trek bikes are made for them by other companies, in China mostly.

Just like the Scott Spark RC and Spark 900 series.

Great, thanks.

Hi you can join The Wannabees Club, just search online. Also Helderberg Trails, The Hanger Bike shop on the R44 is the where to go. Otherwise there are plenty of trails around, the best starting from the Paradise Kloof/Eden gate and you can ride Eden, G-spot, Mont Marie, Coetzenberg and elsewhere. Go to Specialized Cycles on the R44 halfway to Stellenbosch on the right, turn at the garage and then turn immediately right again with Spar on your right, they'll point out where these are. These trails are all free and open to the public. There is also a XC track called Southies in a park down Irene Rd. at the bottom on the right if you're coming from the R44 which is good for getting your fitness going and practicing some skills. Also Lourensford but quite restricted access.

Hi Anyone know exactly where they are building the Dark Fest jumps in Stellenbosch, my son very excited to go and check his heroes out and have a look at the jumps?

I sent a mail, no reply, then followed up with a phone call. Person found my mail, said they would send me details like start times etc. Still waiting. Anyone have an idea of what time the 50k starts please?

Sorry to only reply now, just seen this. I went with the investigating policeman and he did the arguing. Took some time but he, and I, were determined. I decided not to take it further but it is possible to bring a case against the store, if you have reported it. They can't just buy anything, especially a large chain like Cash Crusaders. When I found out both the thief and the manager of the store were Nigerian, I left at that.

I found my Trance 29 at Cash Crusaders in Milnerton.

Really, really sorry to here that, I just found mine at Cash Crusaders in Milnerton.

Hi everyone Thanks to RudieV and his friend Heinrich, heroes both, I got my bike back. They saw it for sale at Cash Crusaders in Milnerton, took pictures of the bike and even phoned the manager there to tell them to keep the bike. I rushed through with the detective who is handling my case, and after some argument we got it back. SAPS were great, I had to pick him up, no car. He brought all his case dockets with him in my car and worked all the way to Cape Town and back. And Specialized Stellenbosch, outside of which the bike was stolen, insisted on giving me a full house service for free. So, good people all around and thanks to the Hub for being the kind of platform that made this possible. Cheers!!

Thank you, I really appreciate that.

Stolen: Giant Trance 29 2013 When: 22 July 2017 Where: Stellenbosch, Western Cape Went to have coffee at the coffee bar at Specialised Bikes in Stellenbosch after a ride, put my bike in the rack outside the shop with the others like I have many times. And came outside to see it gone. One of the car guards in the area saw the thief, the bike was ridden through Blaauwkippen Wine Estate up to James Town nearby. The thief tried to have a least one person hold the bike for awhile but was refused when they saw the kind of bike he was on. Specialised called a security company and we drove around but couldn't find it. Bike wasn't insured. I really loved that bike. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

I guess you're right but I'm fastidious about looking after my bikes. I suspect that the clutch system jammed, just such a bloody expensive derailleur!