Cycle Lab Fourways

[FrankieKnuckles]

You may have a fair point about cycle lab. I don't know. Not my LBS so nothing to say one way or another but since this is may get ugly I will chip in with some advice that you are free to ignore, argue with or whatever.

 

The Hub is a very odd place. Lots of long time users and there is of course a history. But it's not Hello Peter dot com so guys get annoyed when someone joins just to use the Hub as a platform against a supplier. It has happened countless times. That's what you have walked into here.

 

If you decide to stick around a few other things you will notice. If you bring up a service issue someone, at least one, will tell you to heavily invest in time, money and skills and to service yourslf. That has already happened. Don't worry it's normal here.

 

If you ask about supplements someone, at least one, will tell you to rather eat real food.

 

If you ask bout road routes at least 20 people will tell you mtb is the only cycling that counts. Actually this happens with most road cycling related questions.

 

If you report poor or aggressive driving and even get run over by an irate motorist who hunted you down then drove away you will be asked if you were riding in single file and did you have reflective gear, were you wearing a helmet and were you on a freeway. You might also be told to start MTBing and to get off the road. Yes it's weird for a cycling forum but so it goes.

 

Please don't ever ask about chain lube, trust me on this. It's just not worth it.

 

Oh and welcome to the Hub

 

POST OF THE YEAR, SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!

GIVE THIS MAN SOME CHAIN LUBE!!!!

          

[CleatsnCleavage]

What i really enjoy about Cyclelab in Fourways is that there are lots of attentive staff to help me out. Havent sent my bike in yet but have bought spares there and enjoy using the store. Sorry OP, I agree 5 months is completely out of line for you to report "shoddy work". 

[FrankieKnuckles]

Hi Bigjmeister, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

 

Please would you kindly message your contact info and we will be in touch to understand the precise nature of this incident.

 

We have indeed received complaints for bad service in the past and will of course be ready and willing to assist our fellow cyclists who are our customers in improving constantly and learning how we can best meet their needs as understood by reasonable expectation.

We would welcome a sit down with you at Cycle Lab Fourways, should you wish to get some closure.

We look forward to hearing from you directly and understandably hope you will afford us, again if you like, the opportunity to rectify this situation.

Yours, Cycle Lab

Classy, Cycle Lab!

Nicely done!

Wasn't a huge fan before, but I am now.

See you guys Saturday - I need some stuff...

  

[Plentipotential]

I refuse to go to that shop! Simple. Someone else takes the money out of my pocket.

[rvdm1]

You may have a fair point about cycle lab. I don't know. Not my LBS so nothing to say one way or another but since this is may get ugly I will chip in with some advice that you are free to ignore, argue with or whatever.

 

The Hub is a very odd place. Lots of long time users and there is of course a history. But it's not Hello Peter dot com so guys get annoyed when someone joins just to use the Hub as a platform against a supplier. It has happened countless times. That's what you have walked into here.

 

If you decide to stick around a few other things you will notice. If you bring up a service issue someone, at least one, will tell you to heavily invest in time, money and skills and to service yourslf. That has already happened. Don't worry it's normal here.

 

If you ask about supplements someone, at least one, will tell you to rather eat real food.

 

If you ask bout road routes at least 20 people will tell you mtb is the only cycling that counts. Actually this happens with most road cycling related questions.

 

If you report poor or aggressive driving and even get run over by an irate motorist who hunted you down then drove away you will be asked if you were riding in single file and did you have reflective gear, were you wearing a helmet and were you on a freeway. You might also be told to start MTBing and to get off the road. Yes it's weird for a cycling forum but so it goes.

 

Please don't ever ask about chain lube, trust me on this. It's just not worth it.

 

Oh and welcome to the Hub

 

I think this should be the standard welcome message upon joining the Hub.

[Beast Tech]

My Cycle lab experience.... 

 

Asked the salesman if they stock single speed kits for an MTB (rear tensioner and spacers). He had no clue what it was....

 

I then thought maybe the technicians will know, went and asked the same thing, he mistook my request for a tubeless wheel conversion kit? 

 

I said good day and left.

[Cargyrl]

My Cycle lab experience.... 

 

Asked the salesman if they stock single speed kits for an MTB (rear tensioner and spacers). He had no clue what it was....

 

I then thought maybe the technicians will know, went and asked the same thing, he mistook my request for a tubeless wheel conversion kit? 

 

I said good day and left.

I had a very similar experience. Decided against shopping there for this reason. Although they did try and sell me a Simple Sam, however I prefer to build my own. 

[Skinnyone]

Another JRA story where I had my bike serviced "recently" (read 5 months plus) and now its broken again...

 

I recommend servicing as often as every 6 months, regardless of kms done as you can go and ride, wash your bike afterwards and leave it wet and not ride again for 3 months...The wet causes corrosion believe it or not and this is what your LBS saw was normal wear and tear.

 

I had a client (when I worked in a workshop) that rode his bike along the coast (in the sea water) for a week or so, then was shocked and horrified that pretty much everything had turned to scrap metal shortly after...Guys this is not rocket surgery, it is a simple machine that needs constant attention.

 

The thing is as well, if you make every thing "sealed" from the rigors of the environment and that would last more than the stated 700km, then your bike would be so heavy and unrideable.

 

I have no association to Cycle Lab, but I don't believe that they have anything to defend or even offer you.

[eddy]

My Cycle lab experience.... 

 

Asked the salesman if they stock single speed kits for an MTB (rear tensioner and spacers). He had no clue what it was....

 

I then thought maybe the technicians will know, went and asked the same thing, he mistook my request for a tubeless wheel conversion kit? 

 

I said good day and left.

 

You would not go to Nando's if you want a confit duck leg with a truffle dressing, nor would you go to the Test Kitchen if you want a takeaway 1/4 Chicken and chips for R40. You pick your poison based on your needs and wallet.

 

So if you want a warehouse of bikes and the large chain experience, you go to Cyclelab. If you want specialist Single Speed stuff you go to a specialist,  someone like Sprocket and Jack for example.

 

In a differentiated market like restaurants and now cycleshops, no business can be all things to all men. Half the fun is finding the one that focusses on your heart's desires but don't blame the shop if their business model does not meet you needs. 

[Cargyrl]

All bike shops should at least stock "some" single speed chains or at worst a couple of bmx chains, minimum, what about all the commuters. 

If CL sells SS bikes, which they do because they stock Simple Sam's then they should keep SS chains too, in my not so humble opinion

[CleatsnCleavage]

You would not go to Nando's if you want a confit duck leg with a truffle dressing, nor would you go to the Test Kitchen if you want a takeaway 1/4 Chicken and chips for R40. You pick your poison based on your needs and wallet.

 

So if you want a warehouse of bikes and the large chain experience, you go to Cyclelab. If you want specialist Single Speed stuff you go to a specialist,  someone like Sprocket and Jack for example.

 

In a differentiated market like restaurants and now cycleshops, no business can be all things to all men. Half the fun is finding the one that focusses on your heart's desires but don't blame the shop if their business model does not meet you needs. 

Please take me cycling and then for dinner...you clearly know your stuff 

[Mojoman]

Bike shops - What I have learnt over the last 5 years is that one man's meat can simply be another man's poison!

[rouxtjie]

All bike shops should at least stock "some" single speed chains or at worst a couple of bmx chains, minimum, what about all the commuters. 

If CL sells SS bikes, which they do because they stock Simple Sam's then they should keep SS chains too, in my not so humble opinion

I feel you, I am in the same boat, but then again also the reason why I probably not frequent the lab that often either...They are a well oiled retail machine since the moregolf group took them over...Its by no accident that: 

 

1.Bikes are right at the back(Forces you to walk through lots of merchandise before scoping out the latest italian carbon beauty)

2.Consumables are to the left near the workshop so that you can pickup that extra bottle of lube or tyre whilst waiting for your bike

3.Accesories are spread...forces you 

4.The way the gondolas are stocked and packed ito levels

5.Promotions at the gondola ends

6.Impulse buys at the checkout counter.

 

Now with that being said...singlespeed "stuff"(cogs, chainrings, chains, tensioners etc) take up space, space that could be occupied by stock that moves faster and carry a bigger markup....from their business model point of view I get it...and that is why shop like sprocket and jack fill that gap...niche market if you will

 

I have no doubt the clever guys at moregroup segment their profits per area of shop, even gondola...do basket analysis(what do people tend to buy together...chains and cassettes...sealant and tyres and valves..etc). From a profit point of view it doesnt make sense to carry this stock

 

Is what it is

[FrankieKnuckles]

You would not go to Nando's if you want a confit duck leg with a truffle dressing, nor would you go to the Test Kitchen if you want a takeaway 1/4 Chicken and chips for R40. You pick your poison based on your needs and wallet.

 

So if you want a warehouse of bikes and the large chain experience, you go to Cyclelab. If you want specialist Single Speed stuff you go to a specialist,  someone like Sprocket and Jack for example.

 

In a differentiated market like restaurants and now cycleshops, no business can be all things to all men. Half the fun is finding the one that focusses on your heart's desires but don't blame the shop if their business model does not meet you needs. 

Truffle dressing with DUCK CONFIT????!!!!!!

PHILISTINE!!!!

[Beast Tech]

You would not go to Nando's if you want a confit duck leg with a truffle dressing, nor would you go to the Test Kitchen if you want a takeaway 1/4 Chicken and chips for R40. You pick your poison based on your needs and wallet.

 

So if you want a warehouse of bikes and the large chain experience, you go to Cyclelab. If you want specialist Single Speed stuff you go to a specialist,  someone like Sprocket and Jack for example.

 

In a differentiated market like restaurants and now cycleshops, no business can be all things to all men. Half the fun is finding the one that focusses on your heart's desires but don't blame the shop if their business model does not meet you needs. 

 

I think you missed my point completely...

 

I don't mind that they don't stock it, I do mind that a technician at a cycling shop doesn't even know what it is...

[Skinnyone]

Which then leads to the question, why must he know? no-one can know EVERYTHING about all thing cycling related...again its the double edged sword, you don't walk onto a BMW sales floor and ask about a Nissan do you? The sales person will look at you blankly and say I don't know Nissan because I don't sell it....same deal Cycle Lab don't stock SS parts etc so why must the salesman do research into it?