MintSauce Posted February 17, 2009 Share I just thought I should give a shout out to Bicycling Magazine and everyone else involved with this event. We attended the event at Delvera on Sunday as my GF has been considering a new bike. She hasn't even been riding for a year and as a result had no idea what to look for. No matter how much advice myself and our other riding buddies can give her, there's nothing that beats actually riding the different bikes available and getting a feel for each one. I really would encourage everyone to support these events in the future. It makes the whole decision making process of buying a bike so much easier. At the end of the day after riding the various bikes available she had no doubt in her mind as to which one she wanted and we're currently in the process of ordering it. Thanks also to the bike makers in attendance Giant Trek GT Schwinn Mongoose Merida Gary Fisher Commencal All were very helpful in terms of setup and information on the bikes. First prize goes to Trek/Fisher who went a few steps further by adjusting suspension and then giving us a breakdown of the bike's unique features. I'm sure if we'd asked, the other manufacturers would have made the same adjustments, Trek just seemed more thorough. And it seems kind of silly to not 'sell' your bike to a potential customer and point out the features on it before he rides it...? There was one incident that left us a bit disappointed. One particular gentleman was very helpful until he heard my GF currently rides a R 3000 Silverback. He proceeded to put her on his cheapest bike that was 2 sizes too big even though we'd enquired about something else. Both of us felt that his entire tone changed and he became completely disinterested in helping us. He might've just lost a sale right there as she rode a friend's bike a few weeks ago(one of said brand) and liked it very much but completely lost interest after this incident. All things considered, it was well worth attending the event and thanks again to Bicycling for organising it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bored girl Posted February 17, 2009 Share I really wanted to go to the one here but didn't manage it. I felt a bit guilty as I would have loved to try a few out but am not in a position to buy what I want. And shame on whoever the sales person was. Usually they try and sell you everything under the stars....I wonder what he would have offered me if he knew I still ride my banged up Merida that I bought 2 yrs back for R3300 bored girl2009-02-17 02:30:07 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted February 17, 2009 Share BG - It's OK you can have a go on my FLX team ........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bored girl Posted February 17, 2009 Share BG - It's OK you can have a go on my FLX team ........ Yay Wouldn't it be bit big for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted February 17, 2009 Share BG - It's OK you can have a go on my FLX team ........ Does it have granny gear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted February 17, 2009 Share BG - It's OK you can have a go on my FLX team ........ Does it have granny gear Yes but no chainwheel protector thingy-ma-bob sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallee Posted February 17, 2009 Share This is definitely a great idea. Good for us the riders to choose the right bike, and good for the agents to show us what they have. When are they having one in KZN? Please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonW Posted February 17, 2009 Share Nice report. I also went and it was an absolute blast! I agree that the Trek / GF bunch were the most organised and I almost convinced myself that 29ers are the way to go! What did really interest me is how much bike preferrence depends on perception as what I regarded as the better ride was different from what my friends thought. Would have been nice to have had Specialised, Scott and some of the smaller brands (eg Titus and Santa Cruz) there as well. Also surprised that Raleigh didn't bother given that they are supposedly an SA brand! Biggest mistake of the event was that none of the organisers used tubeless ... in Stellenbosch! I think they must have replaced about 10 000 tubes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wernervdmerwe Posted February 17, 2009 Share This is definitely a great idea. Good for us the riders to choose the right bike' date=' and good for the agents to show us what they have. ? When are they having one in KZN? ? ? Please! [/quote'] If you talk about the ride-before-you-buy, they are coming. Next stop Knysna (May I think), then Dbn (November?) Keep watching the Bicycling mag for updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minjin Posted February 17, 2009 Share how often do these ride b4 you buy events happen and any idea of one happening in Jhb anytime soon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bored girl Posted February 17, 2009 Share how often do these ride b4 you buy events happen and any idea of one happening in Jhb anytime soon? They had one last year.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wernervdmerwe Posted February 17, 2009 Share how often do these ride b4 you buy events happen and any idea of one happening in Jhb anytime soon? To my knowledge they are gonna try for once a year. Jhb was the first one, then Cpt - Knysna - Dbn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Online Ed: BIC Posted February 18, 2009 Share Thanks for the feedback guys! And glad you enjoyed it. There are definitely more planned throughout the year. Keep an eye on bicycling.co.za for the details. Please can I ask those that attended to give some comments/feedback on the bicycling site http://www.bicycling.co.za/articles/blog/22//4004/ Would appreciate it... Kirsten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thug Posted February 18, 2009 Share One of the reasons that not all bike brands were represented is that many representatives did not feel like paying the exorbitant costs that Bicycling were charging to display/test ride the bikes. And you all thought that Bicycling organised it out of the goodness of their hearts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted February 18, 2009 Share One of the reasons that not all bike brands were represented is that many representatives did not feel like paying the exorbitant costs that Bicycling were charging to display/test ride the bikes.And you all thought that Bicycling organised it out of the goodness of their hearts... i display myself every day on the hub. maybe i'll start offering test rides (to hubbettes only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Agteros Posted February 18, 2009 Share One of the reasons that not all bike brands were represented is that many representatives did not feel like paying the exorbitant costs that Bicycling were charging to display/test ride the bikes.And you all thought that Bicycling organised it out of the goodness of their hearts... i display myself every day on the hub. maybe i'll start offering test rides (to hubbettes only) And HR mimes in his cubicle "I should be so lucky, lucky lucky lucky!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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