Bike Addict & Cape Cycle Systems

[Shandef007]

Hey hubbers,

 

Around 7 months ago (December 2019) I purchased my Lyrik Ultimate from Bike Addict, I ordered the fork with 51mm offset and 180mm of travel, pretty standard RS options right? Apparently not in South Africa... according to Wayne from Bike Addict, CCS (Cape Cycle Systems) "doesn't import the 180mm version"... I was told that they could "order in the 180mm conversion kit" for my 170mm fork, and, that this would be done and fitted by Jan/Feb 2020, well, that didn't happen. Then it was changed to Feb/March and then March/April... but then COVID happened, soo that didn't happen either, understandably.

 

During the height of the pandemic I would occasionally e-mail Wayne from Bike Addict just to remind him and make sure that things were on track, so that once business opened up again somewhat the process could run smoothly and I could finally have the 180mm kit fitted. Well, I e-mailed Wayne again asking about the 180mm conversion kit a week or 2 ago, only to be informed that I needed to pay an extra R1000 for the kit which was supposed to be fitted 7 months ago at no charge... this fee was dropped after I decided it was enough and threw my first couple of toys out the cot, only to be told a day later that "it wasn't ordered again, but will be here at the end of July"  , like wait, you just asked for R1000, and now, a day later, it suddenly hasn't arrived... I won't be holding my breath for that expected delivery!

 

And did I mention that when I registered my fork (after fitment), the RS app informed me that the fork was in actual fact, a 42mm offset and not the 51mm offset I had specifically ordered, an error CCS didn't even know as they maintained they sold a 51mm offset fork... However, being a decent human prevailed and I shrugged off the error in offset because I didn't think too much difference would be present... to my deficit unfortunately.

 

I was incredibly impressed with the initial service I received from Wayne and Bike Addict, and the fork is awesome... however since these issues have prevailed between Bike Addict and CCS, I won't be supporting either company in the future!

[Red Bird]

Also had a glitch with them last year. A small detail that was missed in my order. How he got it wrong, I don’t know as I sent him a link to the exact fork I wanted - Fox 32 SC Factory - but in black, not orange. What arrived was a completely black fork - the Performance version - which is quite a bit cheaper. Shew, I blew off some steam at him and he was initially not keen to hear how he sent the wrong fork. He then span some story about the website’s prices that have not been updated recently and subsequently updated the prices. He offered a full refund or a little extra discount on my next order. It was still cheaper than what other shops were charging, and a major upgrade from my 80mm fork, so I decided to keep the fork. Nonetheless, I have not dealt with them again.

Edited July 11, 2020 by Foxy_Roxy

[DieselnDust]

Hey hubbers,

 

Around 7 months ago (December 2019) I purchased my Lyrik Ultimate from Bike Addict, I ordered the fork with 51mm offset and 180mm of travel, pretty standard RS options right? Apparently not in South Africa... according to Wayne from Bike Addict, CCS (Cape Cycle Systems) "doesn't import the 180mm version"... I was told that they could "order in the 180mm conversion kit" for my 170mm fork, and, that this would be done and fitted by Jan/Feb 2020, well, that didn't happen. Then it was changed to Feb/March and then March/April... but then COVID happened, soo that didn't happen either, understandably. Yes that happens because 1) SA is not considered to be 180mm Lyrik territory when the brand managers do their product forecasting, 2) when they do order they have not guarantee that the special order will be available as there is always a backorder on airspring kits and forks, even dampers.

 

During the height of the pandemic I would occasionally e-mail Wayne from Bike Addict just to remind him and make sure that things were on track, so that once business opened up again somewhat the process could run smoothly and I could finally have the 180mm kit fitted. Well, I e-mailed Wayne again asking about the 180mm conversion kit a week or 2 ago, only to be informed that I needed to pay an extra R1000 for the kit which was supposed to be fitted 7 months ago at no charge... this fee was dropped after I decided it was enough and threw my first couple of toys out the cot, only to be told a day later that "it wasn't ordered again, but will be here at the end of July"  , like wait, you just asked for R1000, and now, a day later, it suddenly hasn't arrived... I won't be holding my breath for that expected delivery! Ok may be I missed something if you bought a 170mm and wanted a 180 and then there was an extra part needed that the distributor would have to place a special order for, isn't it reasonable to expect there to be a charge, unless your LBS decided to offer the part under "goodwill"? The distributor certainly wouldn't offer the parts gratis. What am we missing here?

 

And did I mention that when I registered my fork (after fitment), the RS app informed me that the fork was in actual fact, a 42mm offset and not the 51mm offset I had specifically ordered, an error CCS didn't even know as they maintained they sold a 51mm offset fork... However, being a decent human prevailed and I shrugged off the error in offset because I didn't think too much difference would be present... to my deficit unfortunately. The forks box has a SRAM/RockShox bar code on it with a description. Check what that says. If it says 51mm offset then there was a mix up at the factory where the fork was packed. CCS would scan that code and it woud link into their inventory system as a 51mm offset fork. Only other opportunity for mix up would be if two forks were unpacked at CCS, one 51mm offset and one 42mm offset and both went back into the others packaging. Unlikely but mix ups happen. There should a number stamped under the crown of the fork. 042 is 42mm, 051 is 51mm. check that. If nothing then you'll have to measure it. can discuss how to do this later.

 

I was incredibly impressed with the initial service I received from Wayne and Bike Addict, and the fork is awesome... however since these issues have prevailed between Bike Addict and CCS, I won't be supporting either company in the future!

 

 

Seems the issue is mostly likely miscommunication between the LBS and dsitributor and the LBS and you....

One common entity in the chain

Not saying CCS isn't to blame, just that its highly unlikely the got your fork offset wrong based on what I know about how the SRAM supply chain works. The system is designed to be able to isolate issues at either end of the chain.

I'm sure you will end up with what you requested in the end

[Shandef007]

Seems the issue is mostly likely miscommunication between the LBS and dsitributor and the LBS and you....

One common entity in the chain

Not saying CCS isn't to blame, just that its highly unlikely the got your fork offset wrong based on what I know about how the SRAM supply chain works. The system is designed to be able to isolate issues at either end of the chain.

I'm sure you will end up with what you requested in the end

Hey DieselnDust,

 

Yeah, it seems as though there must have been a breakdown between the LBS and the local supplier... all the points you made were made clear to me by the LBS. That's why I ordered the 180mm conversion kit when I bought my fork, with the stated delivery time of the kit being a couple of months after I ordered, which I was totally fine with, as I say, this was discussed with me so I knew what to expect, the only "extra" cost stated to me was potentially the fitment of the kit.

 

The offset is another issue, it's not what I ordered, but because the fork had been cut and fitted to my bike I didn't have many options, on top of which the information fed to me was that CCS had it as a 51mm offset. But, because I didn't want to make anyone else's life difficult, I settled for the 42mm... all I wanted was my 180mm kit.

 

Matt from CCS has contacted me though, so I'm sure the issue will be resolved!

[Grease_Monkey]

Bike Addict... ja. Advertise things, then you request a quote (why??? Advertise what you have in stock, and let me click on buy now), then when the quote comes it is always more expensive than advertised and never in stock.

 

Eg: few months ago requested a quote on a 1x gravel groupset advertised for just over 10k on their website, quote came in at R14,500. Also got some excuse about Rand/Dollar exchange rate, but the product page was never updated after our interaction.

 

They are just an online catalogue. Not for me.

 

OP, I know there is a shipment of RS stuff landing middle August. Hopefully your airshaft is in that shipment.

Edited July 12, 2020 by Grease_Monkey

[DieselnDust]

Hey DieselnDust,

 

Yeah, it seems as though there must have been a breakdown between the LBS and the local supplier... all the points you made were made clear to me by the LBS. That's why I ordered the 180mm conversion kit when I bought my fork, with the stated delivery time of the kit being a couple of months after I ordered, which I was totally fine with, as I say, this was discussed with me so I knew what to expect, the only "extra" cost stated to me was potentially the fitment of the kit.

 

The offset is another issue, it's not what I ordered, but because the fork had been cut and fitted to my bike I didn't have many options, on top of which the information fed to me was that CCS had it as a 51mm offset. But, because I didn't want to make anyone else's life difficult, I settled for the 42mm... all I wanted was my 180mm kit.

 

Matt from CCS has contacted me though, so I'm sure the issue will be resolved!

 

 

 

Did you check for a stamped number under the crown?

[keithbe]

There are a number of online bike related stores that have gone this route. They even make you pay and get back to you after a few days, after following up with them, that they don't have stock of items ordered and will refund in full. Annoying as hell!!!!!!!

 

Grease_Monkey

 

Bike Addict... ja. Advertise things, then you request a quote (why??? Advertise what you have in stock, and let me click on buy now),

Edited July 13, 2020 by keithbe

[TNOSE_E]

Have had many failures trying to order from the Addict and now recently the Sharp.

Put things on special but can't guarantee stock. 

Onedayonly models rely on good suppliers, else they are doomed!

[Trevz]

This is why i still like walking into a brick and mortar shop...the online stores i use for reference and get pricing. I know there are good online stores out there but I still like to go feel what I'm buying...But online is the way forward, lets hope online experiences start improving so that we only leave our homes to go cycle. 

[Shandef007]

Did you check for a stamped number under the crown?

 

Yeah I did, It's an 044 number, which should mean it's a 44mm offset right? But the app says it's a 42 under the serial number... so I dunno, but CCS has been in touch, so I'm sure it'll all be sorted!