Boast about your latest purchases here...

[patches]

Very nice, I shudder to ask the price.......

 

its says R20 

 

Yup, just R20 from The Plaza... 

 

...or NZ$200 (just under R2000) here in Auckland.

 

When the salesman heard I was South African I was worried he'd up the price after the recent All Blacks loss, but he actually gave me discount (was NZ$220).

 

Such a nice salesman that later that day I just happened to stop by that same Suzuki dealership on the way home from work and accidentally purchased one of these

 

Alpinestars Andes v2 Drystar. Definitely not for cycling, but useful for petrol powered commuting in the fickle Auckland weather. Usually NZ$400/ approx R4000. The kind sir did me a deal for NZ$360.

 

It's an intermediate measure while I wrestle with the idea of investing in a Klim Badlands Pro jacket... (NZ$1500... nearly R15 000... for a baadjie   )

 

That chest strap looks really comfy.

 

It's pretty weird to get used to at first. It feels like one is wearing a GoPro Chesty rather than a backpack. But after about 5min one kinda forgets about it.

[Sparky and the Warden]

Yup, just R20 from The Plaza...

 

...or NZ$200 (just under R2000) here in Auckland.

 

When the salesman heard I was South African I was worried he'd up the price after the recent All Blacks loss, but he actually gave me discount (was NZ$220).

 

Such a nice salesman that later that day I just happened to stop by that same Suzuki dealership on the way home from work and accidentally purchased one of these

 

Alpinestars Andes v2 Drystar. Definitely not for cycling, but useful for petrol powered commuting in the fickle Auckland weather. Usually NZ$400/ approx R4000. The kind sir did me a deal for NZ$360.

 

It's an intermediate measure while I wrestle with the idea of investing in a Klim Badlands Pro jacket... (NZ$1500... nearly R15 000... for a baadjie )

 

 

It's pretty weird to get used to at first. It feels like one is wearing a GoPro Chesty rather than a backpack. But after about 5min one kinda forgets about it.

Out of interest do you find kit be it for cycling or motorbike expensive or is it relative to your salaries?

[TyronLab]

*Disclaimer, this is a completely subjective matter so treat it as such. I'll have my flame suit at the ready however just in case*

 

Why is it that 99.9% of cycling glasses and helmets are designed to be as gaudy and dorky as possible? Is there some functional benefit or is it just that having cycling-specific stuff is a way of being identified as a cyclist?

 

I mean, I'm sure those are super comfortable, and I'm not trying to offend you in any way, as a new cyclist its just something I'm struggling to get to grips with.

[Rigardt@Scott]

*Disclaimer, this is a completely subjective matter so treat it as such. I'll have my flame suit at the ready however just in case*

 

Why is it that 99.9% of cycling glasses and helmets are designed to be as gaudy and dorky as possible? Is there some functional benefit or is it just that having cycling-specific stuff is a way of being identified as a cyclist?

 

I mean, I'm sure those are super comfortable, and I'm not trying to offend you in any way, as a new cyclist its just something I'm struggling to get to grips with.

I think most of it stems from protecting the eyes from wind, bugs, and debris while being breathable and that translates to big ass terminator glasses. BUT, I agree - most of the are completely over the top when it comes to colour, mirror finishes, and bling. But... it's a form of marketing, take Oakley and 100%, both unkistakeable for another brand, and both very sought after because of their brand value (and being top quality products). So yeah, I think the dorkiness factor is equal parts marketing and functionality.

[splat]

I think most of it stems from protecting the eyes from wind, bugs, and debris while being breathable and that translates to big ass terminator glasses. BUT, I agree - most of the are completely over the top when it comes to colour, mirror finishes, and bling. But... it's a form of marketing, take Oakley and 100%, both unmistakable for another brand, and both very sought after because of their brand value (and being top quality products). So yeah, I think the dorkiness factor is equal parts marketing and functionality.

 

http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2018/07/09/1/dsc_0425_670.jpg

[Spinnekop]

*Disclaimer, this is a completely subjective matter so treat it as such. I'll have my flame suit at the ready however just in case*

 

Why is it that 99.9% of cycling glasses and helmets are designed to be as gaudy and dorky as possible? Is there some functional benefit or is it just that having cycling-specific stuff is a way of being identified as a cyclist?

 

I mean, I'm sure those are super comfortable, and I'm not trying to offend you in any way, as a new cyclist its just something I'm struggling to get to grips with.

On the glasses.  Function over form.

You want big:

• Keep the eyeballs warm in winter
• Safe from bugs
• Good lens to keep the sun at bay
• Ventilation to keep the sweat at minimum and fogging to a minimum

On the helmet side........

Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation.

Everything else is a side note.

[Gambithunt]

*Disclaimer, this is a completely subjective matter so treat it as such. I'll have my flame suit at the ready however just in case*

 

Why is it that 99.9% of cycling glasses and helmets are designed to be as gaudy and dorky as possible? Is there some functional benefit or is it just that having cycling-specific stuff is a way of being identified as a cyclist?

 

I mean, I'm sure those are super comfortable, and I'm not trying to offend you in any way, as a new cyclist its just something I'm struggling to get to grips with.

It's all about aerodynamics. Having a large curved frame pushes the air around the face rather than smashing into the two eye sockets and swirling. This creates a backdraft and slows the rider down by a factor of 0.000002. I substantial amount IMO.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Today I got a new paint job - another outstanding job from CBR in Durbanville - my brief was army green and said "hey maybe Cammo" - This is what I got and I'm blown away

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Don't have a great before shot but you get the general idea of the upgrade

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Today I got a new paint job - another outstanding job from CBR in Durbanville - my brief was army green and said "hey maybe Cammo" - This is what I got and I'm blown away

Dude, that is amazing. 

[Zorro5614]

Today I got a new paint job - another outstanding job from CBR in Durbanville - my brief was army green and said "hey maybe Cammo" - This is what I got and I'm blown away

Wow amazing, how much is such a paint job roughly?

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Wow amazing, how much is such a paint job roughly?

I've now had 3 bikes painted by them including an outstanding purple pyga - I think it's great value and the service has been excellent but I'd rather not quote on their behalf - I'm sure Justine 083 357 4368 would be happy to let you know or carbonbicyclerepairs.co.za

[Piston ZA]

Today I got a new paint job - another outstanding job from CBR in Durbanville - my brief was army green and said "hey maybe Cammo" - This is what I got and I'm blown away

Very nice! I'm loving the matte olive green/military look at the moment.

 

Are the orange accents so you can find your bike again when you put it down out on the trails? 

[Reme Le Hane]

Out of interest do you find kit be it for cycling or motorbike expensive or is it relative to your salaries?

 

I would say relative to salary, 2 years ago earning less than half of what I do now it was expensive, now on the other hand I have 2 bikes hanging in my garage, 1 of which costs more than my motorbike.

 

A lot of things surrounding it can still easily be considered pricey regardless of income, but at this point in my life its a lot less painful buying a R1000 shorts or a R2000 helmet, the later obviously being the more nb. lol

 

Think it can also be considered a value aspect, if you really enjoy something you are more willing to spend money on it as regardless of the expense. So it becomes a perception of expense. 

 

When I got my new bike a few months ago I thought nothing of getting a Spark 930 for 38k down from 55k, pretty much everyone in my social circle thought I was off my rocker, for them it is an expense but for me its a way to have more fun on awesome trails and score a great deal on a great bike. By no means saying a 40k bike is cheap, but it was an amount of money I could justify as I knew it would have long standing value.

[patches]

Out of interest do you find kit be it for cycling or motorbike expensive or is it relative to your salaries?

 

I'm guessing you're asking about specifically here in NZ.

 

Well... that's a bit of a tough one.

 

Initially I'd say it's cheaper relative to ones salary based on the following:

• One should be earning more. I know "one shouldn't convert", but the rough guideline I'd say is one should be earning 1.5 - 2x what they earned in SA for a similar job.
• Cycling gear is somewhat globalized in terms of pricing. I often don't even bother with CRC because the local shops here are only a few dollars more on most items.
• More product available and WAY more cycle shops, so prices are pretty competitive.
• When shops have sales, they're ACTUALLY sales. Not the common trick of quickly hiking up the RRP so they can give 10% off.

There are other factors that play into it too. Like Kiwis generally don't care too much about what car they drive. They'll be perfectly happy driving a NZ$6 000 used Japanese import Subaru station wagon, with a NZ$12 000 specced Santa Cruz on the bike rack. Go to any bike park or riding spot and this is a common site.

 

So cheaper car = more expendable income for bicycle stuff.

 

Let's attempt to compare apples with apples.

 

*Disclaimer: Figures based on internet findings, industry experience, rounded figures and an exchange rate of R10 : NZ$1 (for simplification purposes). "net salaries also only account for income tax, and not pension, medical aid etc.

 

One can't compare median salaries between the 2 countries due to unemployment rates, minimum wage, etc. So in stead I will try compare a specific industry and job... the lowly engineering graduate.

 

NZ Engineering grads earn between R500 000 - R550 000 pa. We'll work with the lower figure, which brings us to a net monthly income of approx. R34 000.

 

SA Engineering grads earn around R300 000 pa. Their net monthly income will be approx. R21 000.

 

Instantly one can see that the lower NZ  salary is approximately 65% higher than the SA salary.

 

Now lets compare the bicycles. The pick... a 2018 Giant Anthem 3 29er.

 

 

 

 

 

NZ price is approx. R33 000 from a standard retailer, with no discount applied.

SA price is approx. R32 000 from CWC.

 

So therefore the net monthly income of an engineering grad can purchase the following:

 

• In NZ: 103% of a bicycle
• In SA: 66% of a bicycle

Once again, I know the comparison isn't that straight forward as cost of loving, and all sorts of other things play a part. But hopefully that basic comparison gives you an idea.

Edited September 20, 2018 by patches

[dbotha]

Wow! 

Today I got a new paint job - another outstanding job from CBR in Durbanville - my brief was army green and said "hey maybe Cammo" - This is what I got and I'm blown away