Breaking News: Cycle Lab Acquires Chris Willemse Cycles

[Dirkitech]

Interesting to see the level of hate for a store in this thread.   

 

Also, well done to CWC for selling out in this market, especially in the retail sector at the moment (admittedly a lot of their business was online).

 

Never really dealt with CL, but lets see.  If they can retain the CWC business model, perhaps step up own brand, keep grey import channels open, and work on rolling out the best of each business into the other, I think there is a good chance of growth.

 

But that said, EVO bikes, Buy Cycle, Easy Bike etc.... this is your time.  Literally today you need to jump onto that road and push your stores.  Perhaps consider working together on importing certain things to get scale, and all of you will flourish.

 

Deep down, I fear that already cycling, between the hype pricing premium, Rand / exchange rate, and what appears to be a few really greedy middlemen is only going to get more expensive is that one kid doesn't keep pushing to keep the others honest.

 

Either way, it's business, so as a capitalist pig (as I was referred to yesterday) I support it.  

 

But lastly, there are even pricing anomalies on the CL website.

 

ON SALE!   Wahoo Kickr 4.0   is R17,999.00    but then browse over to the Indoor Trainer section and the SAME product is R1,000.00 off at R16,999.00.    Most bizarre - same product, same shop, same website.

evobikes, buycycle, easybike, the few others, in theory they should also be pushing advertisements and sales right now, like you're saying, to capitalize on the marketing awareness created by the buyout from CL.

 

It is in the sourcing expertise and business relationships with sellers abroad. Not as simple as sending an e-mail to Shimano.

 

Andrew Steer earlier spoke about the channel that CW had established. Therein is the value and if I am right, it won't be the first time a dominant player has bought out a business with a disruptive model only to shut it down.

Do you have any knowledge or experience with the process? Does it involve numerous overseas visits and meetings, requests, proof of profitable partnership, etc? Asking because I'm very curious how it works! The whole chinese bike shows come to mind.

[CWC Online]

CHRIS WILLEMSE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CYCLE LAB PARTNERSHIP

 

Chris Willemse and Chris Willemse Junior give some insight into what CWC customers can expect following the Cycle Lab acquisition. And the name Chris Willemse Cycles? Here to stay!

Cape Town would not be the same without it.

The BIG Sale kicks off tomorrow (Fri 24 Aug). Check out the deals here: https://cyclelab.com/august-sale-2018. Everyone is invited to shop with us at Cycle Lab or Chris Willemse Cycles!

To celebrate with us, SMS "LUV CWC" to 49020 before midnight on Sunday 26th August, and we will SMS you a mystery discount code ranging from R100 to R1000 that is redeemable when you shop at Chris Willemse Cycles or at any Cycle Lab, but only during our BIG Sale from 24 August-2 September. Sorry, not redeemable online at cyclelab.com or cwcycles.co.za. Hurry now!

 

SMS must be received by Sunday night! 
T&Cs 

 

 

 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE 

 

 

[Dirkitech]

 

To celebrate with us, SMS "LUV CWC" to 49020 before midnight on Sunday 26th August, and we will SMS you a mystery discount code ranging from R100 to R1000 that is redeemable when you shop at Chris Willemse Cycles or at any Cycle Lab, but only during our BIG Sale from 24 August-2 September. Sorry, not redeemable online at cyclelab.com or cwcycles.co.za. Hurry now!

 

You peaked my curiosity and I bit!

 

Happy to see the participation and links from CWC side, in spite of anything said.

[LeoKnight]

For those of us not having FB, what is the short summary of what they said?

 

You peaked my curiosity and I bit!

Happy to see the participation and links from CWC side, in spite of anything said.

[Simon Kolin]

 

CHRIS WILLEMSE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CYCLE LAB PARTNERSHIP

 

Chris Willemse and Chris Willemse Junior give some insight into what CWC customers can expect following the Cycle Lab acquisition. And the name Chris Willemse Cycles? Here to stay!

Cape Town would not be the same without it.

The BIG Sale kicks off tomorrow (Fri 24 Aug). Check out the deals here: https://cyclelab.com/august-sale-2018. Everyone is invited to shop with us at Cycle Lab or Chris Willemse Cycles!

To celebrate with us, SMS "LUV CWC" to 49020 before midnight on Sunday 26th August, and we will SMS you a mystery discount code ranging from R100 to R1000 that is redeemable when you shop at Chris Willemse Cycles or at any Cycle Lab, but only during our BIG Sale from 24 August-2 September. Sorry, not redeemable online at cyclelab.com or cwcycles.co.za. Hurry now!

 

SMS must be received by Sunday night! 

T&Cs 

 

 

 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE 

 

 

39987935_10156629098446060_5567834369462108160_n.jpg

 

Just want to confirm. Are you discounting against the already discounted prices advertised?

Are you also going to increase the range of items for discount or will it just stay the CL overstock items?

[Patchelicious]

If you are a true fan of Oom Chris and CWC then rather show your support, thank them for the years of service and wish them luck. Instead of these selfish tantrums about not liking their CL acquisition.

 

I promise you, the Oom handing over his life’s work is a lot harder on him than it is on you. Jeezuz, can we not just be happy for somebody without thinking how we are being victimised?

[Kranswurm]

If you are a true fan of Oom Chris and CWC then rather show your support, thank them for the years of service and wish them luck. Instead of these selfish tantrums about not liking their CL acquisition.

 

I promise you, the Oom handing over his life’s work is a lot harder on him than it is on you. Jeezuz, can we not just be happy for somebody without thinking how we are being victimised?

Well said

My thoughts precisely

[Dirkitech]

For those of us not having FB, what is the short summary of what they said?

Chris and Chris Jnr are staying in the business with the only planned changes being that they'll be changing prices "for the best" and will stock wider ranges of products/lineups.

[ABrooks]

I have never dealt with CL, but there seems to be a lot of negativity towards them, for all we know they acquired CWC to make use of their parallel imports. This might just be a change for the better, especially with Chris and Chris Jnr staying in the business as Dirki mentioned. We will just have to wait and see, and if service and prices indeed go to hell as many fear then I am sure another store will jump at the opportunity to replace what CWC provided.

[LeoKnight]

Chris and Chris Jnr are staying in the business with the only planned changes being that they'll be changing prices "for the best" and will stock wider ranges of products/lineups.

 

SO does it mean this thread will not have a big Friday HOOORAAA??

[shaper]

Oh look... another day and the sky hasn't fallen down!!

[Hacc]

I had only excellent service from CWC. Like so many other people I don't like CL.

 

CL should have a representative on the BikeHub. There are so many knowledgeable posts and feedback on the Bikehub. They can gain so much insight on what they can change/improve on (obviously if they are willing to change). Use BikeHub for research. 

 

The other smaller online stores should seriously up their game now. This is a golden opportunity to grow their businesses.

[hboli4]

So dont know if this information has been posted yet but I spoke to a source at CL and he told me that CL cannot compete agains CWC in thie shimano market. The "merger" if you want to call it that will be for back office only to share buying channels thus making CL pay less for Shimano components and potentially bring it to market cheaper by sourcing it through CWC's channels.

 

CWC will then again be able to leverage the CL channels that they have locally to source alternative producs to expand their product offering.

 

From what was said CWC and CL will in essence remain the same with their own pricing models and pricing values. This is purely to expand contract part sourcing and making it more affordable.

 

NOW... If all of this is true or will happen that way is yet to be seen but thats what I was told when I asked the questions. Considering I was just at CL and used CWC pricematch to lower 2 prices. So far nothing has changed and we will wait to see how this unfolds without throwing stones in the air randomly... they might just come down and hit you yourself. 

 

This sounds about right to me and seems to make the most sense from a business point of view.

 

I have used CWC a couple of times over the years and have always had a good experience, cannot comment on Cycle Lab as I've never used them. I use my LBS for most things and have built a solid relationship with them but will buy something online if the price is good and my LBS doesn't stock it.

[karma]

Any specials on full XT pedals please Oom Chris?

[T-Bob]

The CL 'big sale' started today. Hand up if you found anything good. 

 

Look, I'm pleased for the Snr and Jnr. They have built up a brilliant and successful business and could probably sold on a fair few times over. They have always given members on the hub a great deal, the tygerberg discount and supported events etc. That said they are all good business decisions that ultimately benefit the brand as well as the customer. I've always been treated very well and had great service consistently. A lot of other shops would like to do so well. 

 

They have worked hard, I hope they are going to carry on as CWC always have and I hope they benefit from putting in the hard yards. Building and keeping any business in SA is never an easy thing and bike shops come and go with a lot of blaming of the industry, margins and more. 

The flip side of the coin is my experience with CL in Cape Town and surrounds was never good. I've known franchise operators up country and they were less then complimentary but it was a long time ago I actually walked into a CL store. Maybe it's different now. The marketplace certainly is and there are a lot more options to the customer online and on the ground than when they were last here. 

[T-Bob]

Okay... been through the 'big sale' and it' ain't that big. Also you're a bike shop at least have a section in your menu labeled 'wheels' or 'rims'. you do a search and there is 1 set if R18k syncros wheels but they have spokes Jeez I hope Jnr and Snr can guide them in the right direction or at least keep on keeping on.