Cajees cycles any good?

[TheV]

If you just want a good price on old stock, then go for it. Just don't let them work on the bike, just take it as is and get someone else to set it up for you.

[Eugene]

If you just want a good price on old stock, then go for it. Just don't let them work on the bike, just take it as is and get someone else to set it up for you.

I know a guy that bought a 2005 Trek 1200 from them. They told him it was a 2012 model and charged him R13 000 for it. The 1200 Treks sold for R5500 in 2005.

[Runbikeswim]

I get that for a newby cajees is a dangerous place. They will over change you and most probably sell you a titan as that seems to be their "inhouse " brand where they make the most cash.

 

However if you know your size and know what bike you want and know the specs, it really is difficult to beat the price.

 

Its hard enough to pay 20 or 40 k for a bike, so if i am gona spend that cash i want the most out if it.

 

Lets look at a top seller in sa and the hub, the giant anthem x1 29er,

 

 

Cajees will give you a 2011(the nice chromo look one) for 19500, a 2014 for 23500 and 2015 for 24500. You can even get a free bottle cage and might even squeeze a extra 500 off. If they don't have a bike they will get one from another branch and if they don't have they will order granted there is stock. With a giant you get the giant life long guarantee, so you wont have issues. That 5k saving will cover your next upgrade.

 

Now why would i go to another shop and pay 30?

 

 

Walk in to cajees as a noob and you will walk out with whatever they had and wanted to get rid of at a premium. Oh and a nice alternative is westdene cycles, they will generally match cajees.

 

And again, never ever let them touch the bike afterwards, dont do it!

[DominionZA]

I get that for a newby cajees is a dangerous place. They will over change you and most probably sell you a titan as that seems to be their "inhouse " brand where they make the most cash. Snip...

Is there something wrong with the Titan? I just purchased one, and from Cajees. But not because they did a sales pitch, but because my wife specifically requested one based on her research (best quality for her budget - she wanted to upgrade my Makro special as a surprise).

She went in to check pricing, they said R13,600 and she said no and started walking out. Before she got to the door, they had discounted it by R3,500.

 

I dig this bike, but you're making me wonder if we made a mistake?

[Runbikeswim]

Is there something wrong with the Titan? I just purchased one, and from Cajees. But not because they did a sales pitch, but because my wife specifically requested one based on her research (best quality for her budget - she wanted to upgrade my Makro special as a surprise).

She went in to check pricing, they said R13,600 and she said no and started walking out. Before she got to the door, they had discounted it by R3,500.

 

I dig this bike, but you're making me wonder if we made a mistake?

No not at all, just if you don't know what you want 9/10 cajees will recommend a titan. And again if you don't know you can get brand x with groupset y.

To me resale is a issue as i generally like to buy a new bike once a year, so again looking at demand a scott and giant will always sell.

 

I have never ridden a titan, i prefer giant and scott. So cant really comment on the frame...

[PoiZoNouZ]

Just a heads up, they have a 2014 Trance 29er, medium, complete with dropper post etc for 26000 in centurion.

[Paulo29]

I'd highly recommend Solomons in wood mead. Excellent service and prices.

[floatfox]

Like most of the other guys say...make sure of your size etc before you buy. Bought a set of mavic 29er crossmax st wheels from them, they said it had no rider weight limit. They know nothing about bikes, just how to lie and make money from you!

[floatfox]

I would rather support a shop that knows what they are doing, and that can measure you properly and provide proper technical support.

[scotty]

When I walk into Cajees i make sure i know what the price is at other shops. Item marked R100 they will give you discount of R10, cool you think, only later you see the same item marked R80 at other shops.

 

Do your homework then go to them 

[Uni]

Walked into cajees at bedfordview once. A guy was looking at a bike on the floor but I think he was stuffing them around, it was a Titan and he was talking about changing the groupset, the gearing etc.. Their response - yeah whatever you want we can do it ...that always raises concerns.

 

Not knowing enough I don't shop there. Using my voucher there I paid R20 more for barends. My pet peeve is having to negotiate a price - put the price on the item and let me decide if I want to pay that - rather than the whisper, whisper... Then okay we can give it to you at X....

[floatfox]

When I walk into Cajees i make sure i know what the price is at other shops. Item marked R100 they will give you discount of R10, cool you think, only later you see the same item marked R80 at other shops.

 

Do your homework then go to them

 

100% correct statement!! Get a nice discount and still pay more than you would at any other bike shop.

[Runbikeswim]

100% correct statement!! Get a nice discount and still pay more than you would at any other bike shop.

Again only true if you don't do homework...and don't new.

[L.T.G]

I would rather support a shop that knows what they are doing, and that can measure you properly and provide proper technical support.

I ditto this.

Not suggesting the OP should not take the bike from Cajees and have someone else do all services etc from then on afterwards, but I believe in , as I've done, building a relationship with bike shop.

It doesn't have to mean forking out loads more.

You might not get the exact same deal but long term that "saving" will probably land up costing you more.

Plus, when supporting a good bs whether it's local to you or not ,they more than likely will look after you, although there are exceptions to this theory.

[Rocket-Boy]

I'd highly recommend Solomons in wood mead. Excellent service and prices.

1 post and recommending a shop?

smells a little funny to me.

[Runbikeswim]

" You might not get the exact same deal but long term that "saving" will probably land up costing you more. "

 

How so?

 

I had this with a LBS in “Randburg area” bought my 1st 3 bikes there and my wife’s bike. Also took my bikes promptly for services as they instructed. Then I went there with a  3 week old bike I bought elsewhere to just do the new service , set gears again, tighten cables etc. Phone call at around 10, you need a new BB. Explain to them it’s a new bike and response was oh sorry wrong bike see you later.

The next new bike I had , exact same story ! went there with a  3 week old bike I bought elsewhere to just do the new service , set gears again, tighten cables etc. and like clockwork phone call oh you need a new BB.

Again told them its new bike and once again oh sorry wrong bike. This is one of the very highly rated LBS.

 

Since then I started doing my own services, my gears work better, bike lasts longer an I know exactly what is happening on my bike.

When there is a new scratch I know as I wish my bike.  Now I have no LBS.

 

Another example of another LBS, ordered a pair of 650 tires from a LBS as I could not find stock at the other shop, that was a Thursday, guy says tires also not in stock will be there Tuesday. Tuesday phone em up,. Sorry tires not here.  That Wednesday went to the Solomon’s got the tires 150per tire cheaper, only 2 days later ( 4 late) the LBS got the stock. And yes I know stock sometimes takes a while but in this case it would have been more than I week I could not ride and I specifically told the guy I need those tires now but will give you those 5 days.

 

I buy my bikes where I save the most. I do proper research beforehand, see what the sell for new, what they sell for pre owed. See what is the spec what is the colours etc. When I walk into a shop and I am looking for a Trance, I know what the new and the previous 2 models look like ( so I don’t think I’m getting a deal and buy a 3 year old bike) Once I have a quote , I play that quote with at least 3 shops to get the best deal.

 

Like I said before that 5K I save covers my bike maintenance, upgrades etc.

 

Again, I don't like Cajees. I treat them like a Spar or pick n pay