See my mail to the VA Sunninghill manager and his reply. Perhaps if we all brand together we can get this problem sorted. Hi Craig I appreciate your timeous response. My issues are as such... The first and probably biggest, is that they simply are too small. I'm 6'3" and when setting up the bike, there is an inherent flaw in the design. When I get out the saddle, my knees are constantly bashing the handle bars. This is because the new bikes are designed in such a way that when lifting the bars, they are angled toward the rider (as opposed to the old bikes that were angled away) thereby decreasing the space between the rider and the bars. This makes it nearly impossible to ride out the saddle. The second is the ability of the bikes to operate when the user is out the saddle. They cannot sustain the rider's weight sufficiently and give the "falling away" feeling. This takes away half of the class structure if you cannot climb successfully. I do understand the belt versus chain drive for maintenance purposes, but the apparent simulation of cycling is greatly ruined by this new machine. As a regular to the morning spin class, one can see the sheer drop in regulars who attend those classes (not taking into account the 94.7 riders) and that can only be attributed to the machines. More and more regulars are looking to other gyms who still stock the older style machines eg Lonehill etc as alternate options. I had a discussion with a chap just this morning who is going to try that approach from tomorrow. Like I said earlier, I understand that this is not your doing, but hopefully if enough of us raise out concerns, we will be able to rectify th situation. Thanks again. Cheers Brad Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you! ________________________________________ From: craig.taylor@virginactive.co.za Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:12:08 +0200 To: <bradley.wentzel@gmail.com> Cc: <WebAdmin@virginactive.co.za> Subject: Re: Virgin Active - Contact Club Manager Hi Brad, Thanks for your email. I understand your frustration around the bikes and have had this discussion with a number of members already. They are definitely a topic of discussion at the moment. The bikes are without a doubt different. If I may, what is your concern with the new bike and maybe I could share some technical info? Thanks, Kind Regards, Craig Taylor Club General Manager Virgin Active South Africa / Sunninghill 011-807-5517 (tel) 086-581-0481 (fax) craig.taylor@virginactive.co.za www.virginactive.co.za "Live Happily Ever Active" -----bradley.wentzel@gmail.com wrote: ----- To: craig.taylor@virginactive.co.za From: bradley.wentzel@gmail.com Date: 11/29/2011 09:05AM cc: WebAdmin@virginactive.co.za Subject: Virgin Active - Contact Club Manager Virgin Active - Contact your club manager Ticket Number 225837 Club Sunninghill Club Manager Craig Taylor Club Telephone (011) 807 5517 Club Fax (011) 807 6617 Name Bradley Wentzel Contact no 0722406178 Email address bradley.wentzel@gmail.com Message Hi Craig First off, I'm not assigning blame to yourself as this is clearly a head office decision and roll out, but those new spin bikes in your studios have to go. As an avid cyclist, I use the VA spin studio as a method of safely training and intended to use the studio to perform 50% of my Cape Epic training for 2012. With the machinery in the studios at the moment, that task is simply made ten times more difficult. The clear fact that your best instructor, Garry Young, who had a "sold out" class on Wednesday morning, is now refusing to instruct and the numbers for his (and all classes) are dwindling. I urge you to voice the problems that are being experienced by your patrons with these machines and look to alternate options. Else several of us may be forced to look at other gym establishments to get a proper work out. Thanks Brad Created November 29, 2011, 8:31 am
