Dunkeld Cycles to the rescue

[NeoOne]

So after extensive searching, I find a gravel frame on Bikehub for the Race to the Sun 17/5/2025. I arrange a courier (also on BH) to collect in CT on Friday 9/5/2025 morning and deliver to me here in JHB the following Monday. The courier is late and the Seller calls me, shouts at me for wasting his whole morning. I told him “ it’s out of my hands” and I most certainly did not ask them to be late. He starts talking about me NOT managing the process to make it smooth and more importantly the message I heard was that I’m not even “grateful” he’s selling the frame to me!
 

Said frame was on Hub for two months before I made an offer of R15 for the R18k frame. Seller then offers to throw in wheels, headset, seatpost. We agreed and that was it. When courier guy tried to arrange a later pickup the Seller gets difficult and only offers a window of 3-4pm. He’s so rude to the courier, that the courier asks if I used Bikehub Pay and that I should cancel! But I’m in a spot- I paid Seller guy and paid Courier guy and all I have is my new 40mm Spez Pro tyres and GRX comps.

 

So after being shouted at while my kids are in the car, I have little choice but to cancel the sale… but now I’m screwed. The race is here and I have components, tyres. No frame. No wheels. Seller agrees and pays me back. I Now I’m stuck with comps and narrow tyres that I don’t need. While having coffee to drown my sorrows at Fournos I see Dunkeld Cycles and chat with a young guy, William, about tyre choices and how will GRX comps fit on my old Giant XTC Advanced as a monstercross bike. He was so professional and helpful I a told him about the failed deal and asked if I could do a monstercross with GRX components. Because I bought tyres for a  Cannondale Super X, I was forced to buy 40mm and the William advises me to go back to Spez store and get wider 45/50mm for the Giant as I figured that’s be the cheapest way out to save my race.

Dunno why, but I ask him if he has any gravel frames. He says he has a one year old trade-in, but he has promised it to someone already. I ask to see the frame and he obliges. See the frame he produces(essentially a complete bike! below) I asked him what he would need to get for the bike and whe made a number if they built it. Not to be denied again, I asked what price if I took it as is and built it my self. A walk-out-the-door-now price. He calls the other buyer and arranges another bike for her/him and we agree on a price( which was a few bob more than the original frame) such a fabulous deal that I happily paid him and rush out the door to get wider tyres at Specialized… and fetch my soon at school an hour late 🤣

Now I’ve assembled it and am so glad I walked into this store and spoke to this guy! Thank you @Dunkeld Cycles Thank you William!

[NeoOne]

[ChrisF]

That is one good looking bike !

 

ENJOY

[robbybzgo]

Well done Bud. As they say: " One door slams shut and another one opens...

You just had to find it...and you did!

Well done, enjoy the bike to its maximum. A great result.

[betaboy]

Damage control 101. 🤓