forgotten1

Grease Monkey, valid points. And you are correct, in hindsight I was incorrect with regards to the duties. You are right, there are none on spares. I personally have never imported or distributed. The thought and cost involved actually terrifies me. The other thing we need to remember is that CRC will, like you said, negotiate better pricing from suppliers. Coolheat will never turn as much stock per year as CRC. SA is but a small player in this global cycling market. You are correct as well, cost per click for an online store is something that eludes everyone. Posting, bad mouthing or naming and shaming has so far reaching damage to a business. I agree...think twice. A Tweet, social media post or online comment sent when you are angry can have a devastating effect on someones business. Online store or brick and mortar...if they close, you will miss them.

SKYLARK, I wish I had a answer that would be acceptable. But I dont. It is insanely soul destroying when my actual cost price from the guys like Shimano is more expensive than the online stores. I had a customer who begged me to match a price on a product, I resorted to taking him into my office and showing him my cost price. He was shocked. I think the perception is that the shop is killing it. In an instance like Coolheat, keep in mind that they carry a very wide range of product from Shimano as they are the designated agents. They dont just keep the fancy Dura Ace and XTR stuff, they have to keep all the everyday workshop items, small parts, older spares etc. Try ordering a shifter ratchet for a 10 speed Ultegra left hand lever from an online store. Chances are very good that they dont have it. But 9 times out of 10 Coolheat will. Those very same import duties that you all try and bypass when buying online from CRC...Coolheat cant. They pay heavily. In my personal opinion if our government dropped the duties on the bike parts, you would get way better and competitive pricing. These are the same laws that protect local manufacturers. As far as I know the only parts made locally are CSixx. (I might be wrong) Everything else is made in China but branded a South African product. While I agree 1000% that the local suppliers like Coolheat are expensive in comparison, I also see their point of view. If you had a business where 60% or more of your warranty claims were on the product you were the agent for, but were not bought from your region, then you can see why they fight to geolock a product. Thats money thats literally been thrown away. How do they survive? It is massively unfair to expect them to cover a warranty on a product that was not provided by them, even though its the same product and they are the agents. Believe me, in an ideal world I would love to be offering parts at ridiculous prices that would have the masses flocking to my door. But I cant. I respect the agencies that have them, I value their backup and training. And I carry on. When I am asked about costs and agencies instore, I respond with this..."You are free to go and source an agency for yourself from overseas. Drop R200k on an agency for a brand and get the rights for SA, wait 3/6 months for your stock to arrive, pay the clearing agents and then go store to store to proudly offer them your product...only to hear that the store doesnt want to carry it because customers can buy it for half your price online" Now you sit with a great product, but you are unable to sell it because its too expensive. And its frustrating because you did it because you wanted to make some extra money off the sport you love, and you wanted to change the industry and offer a great product at a good price. It is tough. This is why shops and agencies are going out of business all the time. I am not trying to save face for Coolheat or paint all the Bikeshops as hard done by...but simply giving my 2c worth having been the demanding customer and now the sleepless shop owner! Trust me...its not easy!

RoddieJ...you are 100% correct. The right to choose is the customers. And believe me, there is no money in the cycling industry. The shops do not make what you think they do. I wish they did. Believe me I wish they did. I am now simply rolling with the punches and simply have to make it work. I have no other choice.

BaGearA...bud, it saddens me more than you know. Owning a bike shop isnt as rosey and as exotic as you think. Suppliers have no stock = Your fault Customer does bad at a race = Your fault Product breaks = Your fault Online store sends incorrect part = Your fault (for not explaining there is more than one variant of a product) It has become a mine-field. Offer as good a service as you possibly can, be fair on your prices and go the extra mile wherever you can. Thats all we can do. Recently someone asked me how I felt about another shop opening in the area, I suspect he was waiting for me to have a negative word. All I said was the truth, "Bud...the only people that are going to benefit is the customers of all the shops in the area, coz now we all have to up our game to keep you all happy" He was shocked. But its true. Competition is a wonderful thing.

I own a shop. Trust me...its difficult. There is a fine balance. Early on I adopted this practice, point out every scratch as the bike is checked in...send photo's of the bike stripped via whatsapp so that the customer can see you have really stripped the bike. Inform the customer as best you can during the service. If something needs replacing, call first...never assume. Always call as soon as the bike is ready. These bikes cost an arm and a leg these days, and we need to look after your prized possession as best we can. Hence why I have camera's over the check in area, waiting area, washbay and workshop stands. Ultra high definition so if the bike is scratched...we can see it. Its a necessary evil. However...nobody is perfect, and shops can make mistakes. I had an issue where a customer had his bike serviced by me, then came storming in and blamed me for almost killing him on the trails that morning. He had collected the bike just 2 days before and when he was riding he noticed the gears were bad but it was due to the fact I (the shop) had not tightened his rear skewer. I took his bike into the workshop and apologised and immediately started checking his gears. They were perfect. He then says, "but when I rode my KICKR last night the indexing was out"...at which point I calmly pointed out that I was infact not the last guy to fasten the rear skewer as he had removed and replaced the rear wheel to ride the KICKR. But on the trails, and to his mates, I am the bad guy. I never saw him again after that, and he never accepted that I had made a valid point. I have had to develop a thick skin and have had to develop devious tactics. Invisible ink pens and black lights. As soon as the bike is 100% and I am happy it is ready to collect, I mark the settings/bolts with invisible ink. If the bike returns with the normal complaint, "the gears are out since you serviced it" Then out comes the black light amd we check the settings. 99 out of 100 times its been adjusted after collection. STRAVA...its my biggest friend. Every customer is saved to STRAVA. So when they say "I have only ridden twice since you serviced it 4 weeks ago" Out comes STRAVA to prove it. The saddest thing is that this is what it has come to. If I service your bike and you are unhappy, just come and tell me. I will gladly fix it at no charge, because not only have I worked on it, and I am therefore responsible, but I want you happy and to come back. Mutual respect. I sometimes feel the perception is that the shops are just there to screw you over. No. We are not. With all due respect, us cyclists are a difficult bunch. Try dealing with a difficult person from the other side of the counter. Its not easy. I am not saying all shops are good. Nor are all shops bad. But its about relationships. The work from home mechanic has such appeal, because you are getting that personalized service. I respect that. But it doesnt always mean they are better and the shop is worse. Chances are the work from home guy is getting his spares from the shop you choose not to go to. I have seen it all. Believe me, we are not evil. We love cycling as much as you do. We also know its expensive. Your treasured Scalpel gets the love and attention you would lavish it with...as does the 30 year old Pick n Pay special thats miraculously still going. Without going any further and lamenting any more, I would say this...choose a shop, and stick with that shop. The mechanics learn your bike and if there is an issue, go back and tell them. We are all human. But if you come in and you are sh!!+y to me, I will be sh!!+y back. Sorry to say. I am no doormat. A calm discussion and a smile goes a lot further than walking in and screaming. Let us all enjoy riding together, we have the greatest sporting hobby on earth!!

I'm with Loose Cog...looks alot like a Carlton

This is my pride and joy. Thanks to EvanB, sourced frame/fork, bar and stem as well as the Delta calipers. Ok...its not entirely retro...but it deserves to be on the road! The ride is amazing! Thoughts?

Ours could best be described as a deeply dysfunctional relationship. Your insight and humour were always welcomed. You were also a giant Spazz (personal joke) RIP buddy...say howdy to Ryan & Burry for me.

Not previously activated on a national basis? Maybe I am a nay-sayer, but in the 80's and 90's there was a criterium/kermesse every weekend. There was the Sanlam Kermesse series...the Coca Cola kermesse series...Top-Star, SunnyPark, Benoni Mall, Jet-Park, Randburg Il Campione, Zoo Lake, Westville Pavillion and so many more...? The article makes it sound like an all new concept here in SA. I think crit racing is the best form of racing on road, & helps develop riders. Better speed, handling and tactical ability.

Does anyone have any Campy Delta brake calipers? (Within a reasonable price range...and yes, I know they are worth a Bazillion Rand) I have a box of old brake levers (Dia-Compe) a Zues rear hub, and a few other odds and ends if anyone needs.

That Bianchi is definately 80's. Most likely 88/89

I'm guilty of many things, adultery, assualt...a lot worse things. But drugs aint one of them

I never had to give one!

Cyclists have the best excuses when it comes to doping. Its an insult to the rest of us to expect us to believe such rubbish. I bet they could write a best seller with all the excuses that have been given over the years. Contaminated steaks Spiked water bottles Flu med Negligent pharmacists An absorbed twin Looking forward to the Lance movie out next week...