Grand Opening of the Specialized Stellenbosch Store

[Patensie]

Took my wife and children to the caveman cafe a couple of weeks ago. Kids played lekker, wife liked the coffee and I had a look at the shop. Alu enduro with gx and pike caught my eye as fair value for money. Told one of the guys in the shop i might just ride a spaz one day...

 

The wife really enjoyed the women's range, esp a 6fatty women's camber and the helmet hannah barnes has.

 

And they spend money on trails in Jonkershoek.

[Fisan]

Not a Spez fan, but that looks like a nicely designed and laid out shop.

 

But isn't it the same kinda corporate game as say Woolworths Apple, image and perceived value has a lot to do with getting those customers to part with their cash? 

 

Fixed it for ya.

 

I'm no Spez fanboy. I like to associate myself with the brand and people of the other S brand. I don't own a single piece of Specialized equipment....BUT they really do impress me. Their marketing is by far the best in SA (for a cycling brand). I've never really heard of anyone complaining of choosing Spez. This shop just looks effin' awesome. And then there's the SONGO programme.

[lerouc]

Helderberg cycle world is going to take a knock, if i will ever ride a spez i will rather go buy it in this shop!

['Dale]

Looks cool hey

Awesome Caveman space too

Will pop in for some caffeine doping

[Shebeen]

Been a huge Conrad Stoltz fan, since like forever....while i don't really identify with the bells and whistles spit and hype marketing the big S splashes out, I trust the Caveman will make sure they keep their feet on the ground.

 

would be interested to see what the kiddies play track looks like

[rock]

their shops looks good, must admit it.

 

some general stores need to play catch up as to design and layout.

[Monark]

In a depressed economy like the one we are enduring at the moment, rather than being negative and speaking disparagingly about a new venture, why not go and buy a small item there (a muffin/coffee/chocolate) and help it find its feet. The only way we are going to get our economy back to its feet is if we all try and help out.

 

I am not a Specialised "fan boy" and I don't ride one of their bikes. But when I see this much effort go into something I appreciate it. Especially with all the economic doom and gloom out there, things like this are a little bit of sunshine in all the rain.

 

Good luck to the proprietors.

[CharlesZ]

Spez fan or not, been to this shop 3 times now. They have absolutely every product in the Spez catologue in stock, all sizes and colours.  I love the fact I can view every model bike in the range in the flesh and test ride them before making a decission. Love this shop.

That's the truth!!!! You are almost certain to always get what you looking for from the products they stock. That's why the Spez brand is so successful in SA. The suppliers and the likes of Kevin Bekenstein is always involved in the stores. I do travel a lot and found Kevin busy in the stores ( concept stores, Tailwind in Klerksdorp, Bloem store in Noordstad, etc) that stocks Spez products and even helping clients and making sure that the different stores that stocks their brand is up to their standards.

 

By the professional service by all parties involved they almost convinced me to move over from a Cervelo to a Spez but then I got on my Cervelo and the Spez idea vanished. But do have a Spez Epic that's awesome.

[Jaco-fiets]

In my opinion the future of trading bicycles will either be through a concept store or what canyon is doing which is selling directly to public online. I heard Trek is going the same route in US this year

 

With the current recommended retail on bikes this is the only way the manufacturer can make a decent cut while still pushing out volume

Edited March 4, 2016 by Jaco-fiets

[karma]

Snore. So tired of every cycling store you go into only having Spaz. Life is about choice!!!

 

So you walk into a Specialized Concept store, and only see Specialized. 

Must be a huge shock and disappointment. 

[3wings]

In my opinion the future of trading bicycles will either be through a concept store or what canyon is doing which is selling directly to public online. I heard Trek is going the same route in US this year

 

 

I agree that the concept store is one way to go - but new stores need to do their homework and target existing brand users (always the best advocates of the product) to help spread the word. I live 10kms away from this  new Stellenbosch store, have been riding exclusively S-Works for the past 5 years and only found out about it on this thread last night - too late now I guess - dropped another R7k with Pietie and the guys in Somerset West yesterday - hopefully I'm now done for this season.

Online, direct selling is definitely THE WAY to go, especially in countries with a safe and efficient courier/delivery/logistics network. When Amazon made the move from selling books into just about anything in the US and UK they left a sad trail of retail stores in their wake.

When my buddy took over the running of: http://www.intensecycles.com in California a few years ago that was his vision - you go on line, choose your frame, select your components, colour match - marvel as the graphics build your new bike onscreen - go to checkout and a week later the man from Fedex arrives with your personally custom-spec'd beauty on your doorstep. He's not quite there yet - but give hime time - he will be.

No middlemen, no retail stores - a high-quality personalised bike from factory direct to consumer - you'll be able to do it all from the comfort of your favourite armchair !

Now if SA had a business that actually manufactured things rather than just imported from Taiwan and assembled - wouldn't that be something ?

Edited March 5, 2016 by 3wings

['Dale]

In my opinion the future of trading bicycles will either be through a concept store or what canyon is doing which is selling directly to public online. I heard Trek is going the same route in US this year

 

With the current recommended retail on bikes this is the only way the manufacturer can make a decent cut while still pushing out volume

Giant is too trading directly

USA I think

[3wings]

Still in its infancy I know but these guys are on the right track:

 

http://www.wrenchscience.com/

 

The road and MTB scene is (or should be) gearing up for the online shopper - not just components - but custom designed racing thoroughbreds.

 

It's not for everyone, I still love the atmosphere at my friendly LBS - but they can only afford to carry so much stock - and isn't it always the case that the one item you really, really want is already sold out

Edited March 5, 2016 by 3wings

[passage1]

All this negativity towards Spec is in my humble opinion just jealousy I bought a Stumpy a few years ago and to say the least its an awesome bike but i feel when we spend these huge sums of money at least we feel proud of a brand that really puts something back into mtb. To say its not a good brand is totally wrong as i dont think that the likes of Sauser,Kulhavy and the late legend Stander would ride a inferior bike. So lets just all enjoy our bikes and worry about other more serious issues at hand.

[kosmonooit]

If there bikes are only retailed via their dedicated branded stores, that means they control the margins right? But they are aiming at the high end of the market, where people like to spend lots of money on bikes, are not price-concious and don't shop around.

 

As for the bikes, a bike's a bike right?  ...., as Sean Kelly says the best bike is the one you are bring paid to ride.  Sussie won his first big titles on a Cannondale, with the Lefty in its infant days, and the revolutionary no-pivot rear end.

 

Certainly what they have got right is the sponsorship and management of their athletes, its a big happy family (or is it?) I think their women's mtb team is their strongest right now.

Edited March 6, 2016 by kosmonooit

[kosmonooit]

Fixed it for ya.

 

I'm no Spez fanboy. I like to associate myself with the brand and people of the other S brand. I don't own a single piece of Specialized equipment....BUT they really do impress me. Their marketing is by far the best in SA (for a cycling brand). I've never really heard of anyone complaining of choosing Spez. This shop just looks effin' awesome. And then there's the SONGO programme.

 

Woolies does a fine job of brand building as well, customers select their products / purchases without looking at the price (try find a price there) but yes Apple is up there on the top, another very successful example of  brand building, customers come to love their products and stay loyal, and fork out their loola without hestitation..

 

But it is was it is, love it or leave it,

 

Or fall in the long line with the plebs at Pick n Pay. scour ebay / the hub / Gumtree for titbits and bargains and BYOB if you are really a cheapskate like me.