Eugene

What online shops are you looking at? Don't be fooled into thinking you will save big going online. Overseas shops look cheap, but once you've added VAT, duties and postage, they are actually more expensive. If the online shop is local, the price difference between them and your average bike shop are minimal. Rather pay the extra few bucks and get your bike from a local shop. At least you know it will be set up properly for you, the size will be right, your first service will be free and you will build a relationship between yourself and the shop. Any warranty claims will be handled properly (you won't have to post your bike back to wherever). PE prices aren't any different to the rest of SA. For R5 000, you should be looking at Axis, Titan and Silverback. All 3 will deliver the best bang for your buck If you want second hand, have you tried Recycle Sports in Charlo? Mark is really helpful and he has quite a range of second hand stuff.

Medium is a medium is a medium...........although, sizes do tend to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. A 29er has bigger wheels, not bigger frames (except to accomodate the larger wheels)

plenty people have bought these frames and I've never heard one complaint .

The Dura Ace crank just spoils the whole "stealth" look. It should have Campag on. At least that will be all black

I won't say it is a bargain. It is pretty much what a carbon bike, with those specs, of that age would cost on the second hand market. If the seller is open to offers, knock R500 off the asking price

R4 500 will be fair, however, those Neuvation wheels have a history of breaking, so you may be in for a new set of wheels too.

When, where...........it hasn't been well advertised. Saw guys talking about it on the Hub, but no dates were given

I would bitch and moan too. They are obliged to replace your frame with something similar. If they cannot do this, they must cover any other costs (such as the new shock). It is not your fault that their product did not last as long as they promised it would. It is also not your fault that they have failed to maintain sufficient stock to honour their promise to you that they will replace your frame if it breaks. The 26inch hardtail that they offered is clearly not the same value as the full suspension that you bought from them. They are scoring on the deal. If they are going to offer you a discount on the 29er, make sure the discount is as much as the value of your full suspension. I don't know why the font is so small and it will not allow me to adjust it.

There is no way that a carbon tube 10cm or so long can have any benefit over an alloy tube of the same length. The only thing that a carbon tube does better than an alloy tube is to look good.

Phil Ligget is a legend and he needs a little more respect. Say what you want, he is highly respected in the cycling world and takes every opportunity to support South Africa and to "punt" South African teams and riders in the events he commentates on. We are lucky to have him here. His commentary indirectly does more to promote our cyclists than anyone else.

She was referring to CATs sale on the Hub. AR10 with 105 parts, new.

What on earth happened?

Don't get too exited with the law on this one. Many cyclists will remember Zona van de Wyver. She was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver at 6am. The driver got off scott free.

I saw the body and the police there this morning. I drove past and said to myself "I hope it's not a cyclist" Is this Clem Morris, the accountant?

Setting up a Campag cassette with Shimano and visa versa is a bitch. As mentioned above, the mechanic must know what he is doing. I tried it myself, I got the shifting to work perfectly on the bike stand, the moment I rode it, it was terrible. I would buy the proper free hub and get it done properly from the word go.

Not sure with the 2013 pricing, but the cheapest Scott Foil in the 2012 range was R29 000. If you shop around, you may pick up a bargain 2012 or 2011 bike. For example, the Sports Basement were selling 2010 Specialized Tarmac Comps for R16 999.

Agreed..........you are going to battle to find something with the Axis price/value for money ratio

SARS doesn't check every parcel coming in, you were one of the lucky ones that got away with it.

The 10% has nothing to do with freight and is not something charged to you. It is known as an upliftment charge and is only added to the value to calculate the VAT. Eg...you import something for R100. SARS will charge you VAT on R110 (R100 plus 10%) and not R100. You won't pay the R10.

No duties, but you will pay VAT equal to the cost of the item plus 10%. Effectively, this means that you will pay 15% VAT

You don't mention the specs of each bike, but generally, you will get more bang for your bike with a Titan. Trek normally carry a bit of a premium for their name.

I would take the carbon Raleigh, but you don't mention it's cost vs the Giant's cost

What sort of budget are you looking at? Axis is a good option. Probably the best value for money MTB on the market. They start at R2 000 or so. www.axis-bikes.com

That Scott Yecora can't be a 2010 model. They stopped making them in 2005.

There have been a couple of new 105's on the Hub for about R4500. USA prices aren't any cheaper than here in SA.