First impression - Cyclelab Fourways

[Jaco Steyn]

Before I get to my point, just some background. We went on holiday to Mount Amanzi near Hartbeespoort dam for the September schooll holidays. I took my bike along to do some LSD's, but nearly had a terrible accident. When I came down on one of the long downhill's my front brake block came loose, wedged in between the fork and tyre, cut the tyre and eventually got out and got lost in the long grass. I could noy find a decent bicyle shop in that region, so I decided to stop at Cyclelab on my way back to Sasolburg. This would then be my firt experience with Cyclelab. Maybe I did not look as if I had money in my pocket, because I was still dressed as if on holiday (khaki pants, shirt and sandals), but it took a long while before someone attended to me. I tried to get new brake block for my Campy Veloce brakes. In that whole shop they only had a few Shimano Dura-Ace pads, a few V-brake bads for MTB's. The migthy Cyclelab could not help me with a simple item such as brake pads! After a while the young lad whom tried to assist me came back with a packet of replacemet pads which he found after rummaging somewhere at the back. I did tell him I lost the whole brake block that screws on to the caliper, so I do not know how he thought I could have made use of only the pads! He did not even offer to try and source it for me. I am glad that Cyclelab is not the bike shop closest to me, because if it had been so, I sense that I would have had a lot of frustrated montents in that shop! I did however see Andrew McLean in the shop, and had I known it was his birthday, I would have walked up to him to congratulate him on his birthday, but also informed him that he is running quite low on stock of basic parts.  Happy Birthday for yesterday Andrew.  Bottom line, I am still looking for brake block for my Veloce brakes!

steynja2008-10-08 12:08:25

[Piernas Flacas]

I agree with you, steynja. When it comes to spare parts and bike service they suck big time. Here are some of my experiences:

- They didn't have the tool to remove the freewheel, therefore they wouldn't be able to service my bike. They turned me away.

- They didn't stock bearings, they refered me to Cajees

 

It is really a very overrated and overpriced shop.

 

[David #7]

 

It is really a very overrated and overpriced shop.

 

Well then go buy your stuff somewhere else!

[Thornman]

Look like all the Cyclelab's are the same.... At least I got a cheap tubby from them

[cling]

They've always delivered for me. I want to single out a guy by the name of Richard who works there. Excellent advice, friendly service. So Fourways Cyclelab gets a Well Done from me!

[David #7]

They've always delivered for me. I want to single out a guy by the name of Richard who works there. Excellent advice' date=' friendly service. So Fourways Cyclelab gets a Well Done from me![/quote']

That Richard youngster treats every body that he deals with exeptionaly well.

[turtlek]

Pm Me i will post you a set of blocks

[turtlek]

They've always delivered for me. I want to single out a guy by the name of Richard who works there. Excellent advice' date=' friendly service. So Fourways Cyclelab gets a Well Done from me![/quote']

 

That Richard youngster treats every body that he deals with exeptionaly well.

 

 

 

richard is my best friend his nickname on the hub is dobbyson he is the only person anybody should speak to at the lab!!!!!

[Sean Badenhorst]

If it was such major issue, why didn't you walk up to Andrew and voice your concern there and then? If I have a problem with a restaurant, I tell the manager/owner while I have the problem. I don't wait till I get home and then complain on a website forum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swsup97]

richard is my best friend his nickname on the hub is dobbyson he is the only person anybody should speak to at the lab!!!!!

 

 

thanx for the tip Turtlek, my dealings with cyclelab 4ways has been a 50/50 - i reckon it depends who u deal with coz one time i called them to make a bike service booking and i was told to call back in 10 mins coz it's lunchtime

Other times service has been good. So next time i'll try Richard.

 

cheers

 

[turtlek]

not a problem dude seriously richard is the only person i would trust to work on my bike other than me he knows his stuff and really loves cycling nobody i know is as passionate or as down to earth as him you wont regret dealing with him

[KDEE]

 

If it was such major issue' date=' why didn't you walk up to Andrew and voice your concern there and then? If I have a problem with a restaurant, I tell the manager/owner while I have the problem. I don't wait till I get home and then complain on a website forum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

If I had 10 bucks for everytime someone complained to my staff, but never to me in my NCR shop..

 

If Andrew was told, hell he was there, then this posting would have 100% justified as reviews like this are interesting to others..

 

But, from the following postings, CycleLab has a big problem if you have to speak to one specific person ( Richard ) to get service! Hell, that is an indictment of note!!

 

[bruce]

I'm sure Andrew would have preferred that you told him that you hadn't received the service (and that you would post this on a forum) you expected than to be wished happy birthday.

[turtlek]

KDEE i can agree with you about cycle lab having a problem and yes they are not the best stocked shop not by far i find going to a smaller LBS has more practical items in the shop than cycle labs bling alternatives

 

 

 

about going to one person is that not a full on compliment to Richard if you are good enough to recieve a good review from people you dont know is that not what every person should strive for???? is it not a good thing that people are looking for a person because he is trustworthy reliable honest and will not try t sell you something you do not need??? yes everybody needs to make a living but as far as i am concerned when a 16 year old little dude that thinks he owns cycle lab walks up to you and you ask him a simple question in regards to a brake block For example and you get an answer of oh i dont think we have it or he comes back with a brake pad i think there is definitely a good reason to only go to one person

 

 

[KDEE]

turtletek, I agree with you 150%.. very nice compliment to Richard. But if you read my post carefully you will see that I said that its a sad indictment on CycleLab that you have to go one person to get decent service...

[Ox_Wagon]

The problem isn't the shop it is the availability of Campy in ZA. 

 

You will have a hard time getting any type of Campy brake block in most shops and if they are available they are really expensive.  You do however find BBB campy replacement pads in most shops.

Ox_Wagon2008-10-04 04:19:01