Craig Foot

Thanks for all the opinions, chirps, suggestions, criticisms etc. to be clear, I am not bashing the bikes or making quality comparisons etc, but having gone to Trek SA for help and they in turn put me onto a dealer who won’t allow me to test a bike IMO is extremely poor. I told the Trek dealer, Pyga dealer and Spez dealer that I am wanting to test a bike from each of their brands - it’s important to be honest as I feel a relationship with the dealer of the brand you choose is important. Spez has arranged an Epic evo demo bike for me for this weekend. I acknowledge the store owner knows me but the Pyga guys did not know me and set that demo bike up for me like it was a custom fit, really made an effort. so again, this is about a brand (direct or via its agents) that had an opportunity to impress a customer and surely the fact that I tried more than one dealer and reached out to Trek SA indicates I am a serious buyer? i get that there are costs etc but the big brands have Megga marketing budgets and should support their agents in some way. Insurance can cover any damages, I would have even paid a deposit to give the agent peace of mind. The first Trek dealer I mentioned has been in contact with me again and I let the guy know I would recommend him purely for his effort (and don’t forget I mentioned he himself tried to get help from Trek). Thanks Dewald Happy and safe riding all, no matter what brand of bike you have ‍♂‍♂

I really don’t like to brand bash, but this post deserves a little vent and also serves as a warning to potential buyers: don’t buy if you can’t try! Trek: How do you sell a R89k bike by not allowing a buyer to test ride it?? Dealer 1: great effort but no, I can’t ride a Large frame when I need a XL frame, thanks for trying though guys. Dealer 2: Tells me “you can ride the owners bike but only on the roads, you not allowed into the mountains as it has carbon rims that will get damaged”. Thanks for calling back to tell me I cannot rode the bike, great attitude too by the way. Well, I’m trying to buy a MOUNTAIN BIKE that’s supposed to have been designed to ride in mountains, hence it’s a MTB. If it comes with carbon rims but you scared they get damaged on a test ride around Meerendal, then what on earth you trying to sell? Shocking Trek. You guys can certainly learn a lesson from the Pyga team whom I told I was riding a few bikes to compare, yet they went out of their way to put me on the two bikes I was interested in, and one is the top contender now for my cash. I’m sure the Specialized guys too will make an effort. I was super stoked after meeting Dealer 1, but Eish....you have done nothing to instill even a little bit of confidence in your brand and after sales support. Ride before you buy Ride before you buy Ride before you buy

Budget I guess around R70-R80k.

Thanks all for the constructive feedback. I’m leaning to a Trek upgrade, however for the long distance rides that single bottle cage has me wondering if it’s worth it, my Camber is also single bottle and I do prefer to ride without a camelback where possible. Most longer events nowadays have enough water stations to be able to ride with 2 bottles over a 60+km ride. I enjoy the dropper post option for some of the exciting bits on a trail so a bottle cage on the seat post ain’t an option. Lifetime warranty on Trek frame and rims also got me interested, I just hope their after sales service can top my local Spez dealer......currently I’m not overly impressed. Next question: in Cape Town, who are the most specialised (note the correct spelling ) and friendliest Trek dealers? I’m based in Edgemead, so West Coast/North probably easier. Great forum, thanks for all the feedback Cheers

This is not a brand bash, but I currently have own a Spez Camber and now doing longer rides (Dr Evil, Tankwa, J2C etc) and have been wondering if it is the right bike for the type of riding I enjoy. It also seems quite expensive to maintain via a Spez dealer. I have been exploring options and Trek seem to have the Fuel range if I understand correctly that is suited to my needs, but I have no other knowledge of Trek. Has anyone moved from Spez to Trek, or what bike do you suggest that is not top end budget. Components are components I guess (Shimano, Sram etc), so I’m guessing it’s frame design and warranties, after sales service (costs and just being looked after as a customer). I look forward to your suggestions/advice Thanks

Thanks Cappi Will check this out as it is a 13 to 7 pin - will got to an auto electrician, no ways can I figure out wiring stuff

Good question Ouzo, I will have to ask and will check this out

Thanks Ouzo Haven’t had anything else plugged in, will do so. Thanks for the reply!

Hi, I hope I can get a good answer here: I have a Tiguan with the special towbar plug adaptor, and have had it working with a Thule bike rack. I now get a right light fault and even with a new Thule unit, I still get the same error message on my dash. The bike rack right light, indicator etc don’t work but the brake light does. Left hand all perfect. VW say it is the bike rack and when I called Thule, they seemed unsure but kindly offered to have a look. Has anybody had a similar experience and what was the problem/solution. Thanks a mil in advance Craig