BigDL Posted February 18, 2015 Share So, a month or two ago, after a fairly hectic fall on my hardtail that resulted in having to buy a new front wheel, I decided to start looking for a new bike. After some of the experiences shared on the hub, I was pretty nervous about it, but started visiting shops. Here, for what its worth, is my experience. I started at Lynnwood Cyclery and had a look at the specialized Camper Comp, on the advice of the guys there. Service was outstanding and they offered to let me come on a group ride and ride the bike. I never did, as the next day I had business in Melrose Arch, so popped in to the Concept store there, where the guys kindly offered to lend me a bike for the weekend. So, I arrived on the Friday, whereupon David spent an hour setting up the bike for me and talking through all of the features. I took the bike for the weekend, rode it well and loved it. However, based on my normal impulsive purchases, I wanted to ride more bikes before I made a decision. Next stop was Cycle Lab Centurion and Fourways. Nice guys in both stores, but really only interested in the sale. When I asked if I could ride a bike, I was told that I didnt need to test them as the factory tested them already. In fact, I was shown a video on a laptop featuring a factory test. I gave up and left. Tool Up Cycles are always my favorite LBS. I chatted to the guys there and Frikkie arranged for me to borrow a Rocky Mountain Element 950 for the weekend. When I told him that I was riding the USN 50k that weekend, so perhaps another weekend would be better, he insisted that I use the bike for the race. His last words, after setting me up were "As you're testing it, make sure you ride it hard". I liked the bike but it did not feel comfortable for me (I am long in the body and short in the legs, like a baboon). When I returned the bike and gave the feedback, Frikkie immediately suggested that I try another Rocky Mountain, The Instinct, and began to scour the country looking for a demo bike. In the meantime, after chatting to the trek store in Rivonia (seemed to be doing them a favour by calling them. Short conversation) and Anton at Summit Cycles (unfortunately didn't have stock of the bike he recommended, but was a pleasure to deal with), I happened to be driving past Bruce Reynecke in Pretoria and stopped in to look at the Giant Anthem, as I had been advised to do on the Hub. Hylton bent over backwards for me, arranging a brand new bike to be built as a demo bike and lending it to me for the weekend. I took the bike out and rode BRB and Rosemary Hill. I managed to crash the bike during a moment when my skill did not match my ambition (becoming a bit of a norm). However, I absolutely loved the bike. It felt good and really suited me. When I returned it on the Monday, I pointed out the scratch from the accident and offered to cover any damage. Hylton would not hear of it. Frikkie, in the meantime, had arranged an Instinct for me to demo and I collected it. It was truly love at first sight (probably the most beautiful bike I had ever laid eyes on), but I could not get used to it, despite riding over 100k's on it over the weekend. I reluctantly returned it and walked away with a little tear in my eye, similar I suppose to the feeling you have when you fall in love with a girl and slowly realise that she is wrong for you. I desperately wanted to support tool up, but the bike just wasn't right for me. So, I went back and bought the Anthem. Hylton gave me an awesome deal on a 2014 model and within 24 hours had it converted to tubeless and had fitted the tyres that I wanted. I drove off with my brand new bike and have not looked back. In my shopping period, I had interaction with probably 30 bike stores in Joburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. I came to realise that most of them employ great guys who genuinely want to help. There are some knobs, but they seemed to be few and far between. I also realised that buying a bike without riding it is a dumb thing to do. My last bike was bought unridden and I had 5 years of frustration as a result. All in all, I think that the bike shops in the areas that I visited were, in the majority, great places and have largely restored my faith in the SA cycle sector. HowellingWulf, Edge540, Marius and 14 others 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonG Posted February 18, 2015 Share great post, thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest notmyname Posted February 18, 2015 Share ''When I asked if I could ride a bike, I was told that I didnt need to test them as the factory tested them already.'' This infuriates me. It's the second time someone has mentioned these words used by said outlets staff. Gawd! How short sighted of these corporate retards. Edited February 18, 2015 by Soapbox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTBeer Posted February 18, 2015 Share Nice one Wahoo. Didn't know it was that easy to get demo bikes to ride. Hope that applies to Ct shops as well. Eddy Gordo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rock Posted February 18, 2015 Share never test ridden a bike before I bought one before, hell, these days I buy off a picture on the interweb. Captain Fastbastard Mayhem and deanbean 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rock Posted February 18, 2015 Share so anyway, you're meant to post a pic of the bike you got. nonky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Mike Posted February 18, 2015 Share Awesome post! I am not yet in the market for a new bike, but after your post I will definitely shop around more when I do decide to get a new bike. May you have many happy miles on the new wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amberdrake Posted February 18, 2015 Share pictures or it didn't happen?If i rode the Banshee spitfire before i got my bike....... Lets just say money would have been very tight. On other hand I love my Tallboy just as much. In future i would like to add a Spitfire to the stable however..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cav' Posted February 18, 2015 Share I can only imagine what will happen when you need a new car...50 LBS's might turn into 500 dealerships Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtypot Posted February 18, 2015 Share So you can go to different bike shops all the time and have a new bike to test every weekend? Hmmm.... Ride before you buy is always a good idea. Although I bought my BMC without riding it first, and it's awesome. Do as I say, not as I do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOOK695 Posted February 18, 2015 Share So you can actually demo bikes? Would love to be able to that, but here in the rural areas that is wishful thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddj Posted February 19, 2015 Share Nice post. I too have been looking for a bike over the past two or so months, and had a rather different experience to yourself. My immediate though was you must be a real good looking women, as I was definitely not given this type of attention. I shadowed you in terms of stores, primarily in the Pretoria East as I too was interested in a Spark, Anthem or Camper Comp (all slightly above my price range) visiting Bruces, Lynwood Cyclery, Solomons, Hatfied and one bike-shop in 4ways. While all the sales people were nice and helpful, and i was quoted prices and followed up with calls, no one offered me a test bike! And commented to everyone on how difficult it is to part with 40k without having tested a bike. At the end of the day I opted for a second hand Hub Anthem X 1 where the seller was more accommodating than any of the bike shops around. I had tested ridden the Anthem at the ACF and it was my favorite so knew what i was getting. And i saved myself 12K on a 6 months old bike in immaculate condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeFconOK Posted February 19, 2015 Share Next time the cycle lab guys show somebody a video, please dirrect them to the browser, then this... cyclelab.com/the-difference.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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