BIKE PRICE COMPLAINERS AND BIKE SHOPS

[leet22]

Yes some bike prices are stupid and so are some spares.

Sometimes its the bike shop inflating prices but then you also have the price of the raw materials, the price on the R&D that went into it to be recoverd and then we have inport tax which also inflats the price and then exchange rate.

I go to a local shop that sells english sweets , all imported. A pack of midget gems RRP is 99p but it costs me R20 for a pack.

 

 

[ChopMan]

Yeah I do understand but that's also because u are probably the only one that buys those sweets here in SA.  Low volume = High price.

 

But if we are all honest we would agree that here in SA we pay more than most other countries for bike's and spares, in some cases ALOT more.

 

I guess that we just have to be clever with our cash and know what things are worth, that way we can keep the prices in check and not allow retailers to rip us off. It is harder if ur new to the sport like me and not really too familar with all the prices.

[TNT1]

 

I dare you to buy one and ride it for one month' date=' putting in just 400 kms in that month. If it is still safe and intact after a month, I'll refund you your R650.

 

There are three conditions to this offer.

 

1) The bike must remain safe (if indeed it is safe upon delivery) with all its original equipment. The brakes must work and there must be no other dangerous defect after a month, including tyre wear and tear to a dangerous level. I'm not worried about minor defects.

 

2) You must put in 400 kms of which 60% must be off tar.

 

3) I'll nominate someone to ride those 400 kms with you at your pace. He/she will merely chaperone and guard against cheating.

 

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

I'm up for that deal. I will go past the one in Edenvale this week and check out if its possible.

 

Does the deal include me doing what I want to the bike in terms of service/maintenace, before the month starts? As long as I change no parts and spend money on nothing other than soap and lube? I mean, surely you expect me to treat the chaepie the same as my more expensive bike?

 

[linnega]

Cyclingplus ran something similar a month or so ago.  For a 100 quid various journo's and editing staff, got given the challenge of putting together the best they could for less than a GBP100.  Can't remember who won (I know Paul Vincent go a sweet retro second hand bike), but the biggest loser was the supermarket bike.  A Tesco special that could not even last the three short coffee runs that made up their challenge.

 

That said, a supermarket bike can last pretty well, but it does boil down to convenience, aesthetics and of course pride.

 

[Hog_]

I say we put these bikes to the test. I'll buy one, and we can see how it holds out. Maybe we can do a nice morning at Groenkloof with a braai & beer afterwards. Who's keen?

 

 

 

[Wyatt Earp]

iraqr

 

 

 

You start of your post with this:

 

"There?s a China man ................"

 

 

 

I would prefer, that you say "there is a Chinese man......."

 

Other than this you make en extremely convincing argument.

[intern]

If you've seen The Big Lebowski...Walter Sobchak points out why Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. It's as bad as calling a Japanese person a Jap...

[Wyatt Earp]

If you've seen The Big Lebowski...Walter Sobchak points out why Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. It's as bad as calling a Japanese person a Jap...

 

 

Exaggery, or maybe I am just being anal because the original post hold a lot of water and presents a super good argument.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I know the shop being referred to here in Somerset West and the bikes are good value for budget tighter than a ducks butt. They are of the same standard to Game and other chain-store bikes that costs double (R1300-R1700).

 

When shopping for my new bike 2 months ago I was looking into these as I believed I could get an awesome set of wheels for less than R1500 - never owned anything better in my life.

 

Now getting to the challenge: My last GAME special lasted me about 200km, that was until the custom bolt on the pedal arm stripped ... not to mention the rims going out of true or the derailer being upgraded to automatic - that was always so much fun when approaching uphills, never knew what gear I would be in next.

 

I use to cycle from Strand to Somerset West for 3 mths on this piece of junk (it is a nice smooth tar road). Was soooo happpyyyy the day they stole it

 

Leason learn't: It don't matter how much you pay for junk, its still junk.

 

(Footnote: Friend of mine bought her son the dual shock Mr Price special. 50km later, in 12mths from riding around in the gated community, the bikes a mess)

 

[Sean1]

Bicycle prices are over the top! 

 

The engineering in a BMW GS motorcycle and a top end carbon MTB or road bike is not the same.  Yet the prices are comparable.  Over a R100k comparable.

 

Why do we pay?  We have no alternatives that's why (other than importing ourselves) and sometimes we pay for the prestige of owning the said bike.

 

Better model = more price.  Same marketing hype as for computers.  They dumb down the engineering and create different models within the brand.  Not sure if it costs more to engineer an XTR v XT derailer.

 

Probably not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standoff2009-05-03 10:47:57

[Christopher Brunsdon]

BTW: I settled for an entry level commuter MTB bike - Giant Rock for R4400. 350km and still cycles as good as the day I bought it. Only maintenance has been to lube the chain last week with all out rain.

 

Leason learnt: Buy cheap but good as it will outlast junk by any measurement.

 

[Capri Wheeler]

for people who ask this question, i put on racing wheels (R30000) onto my trek 1500 (R11000) for my first licenced race and I came out with one phrase "whoever says that equipment doesn't matter is speaking the BIGGEST load of S&%#!!!!!!! I would NEVER have held onto that pack if it weren';t for the wheels.

[Sean1]

for people who ask this question' date=' i put on racing wheels (R30000) onto my trek 1500 (R11000) for my first licenced race and I came out with one phrase "whoever says that equipment doesn't matter is speaking the BIGGEST load of S&%#!!!!!!! I would NEVER have held onto that pack if it weren';t for the wheels. [/quote']

 

Did you come first or second?

[Trubie]

for people who ask this question' date=' i put on racing wheels (R30000) onto my trek 1500 (R11000) for my first licenced race and I came out with one phrase "whoever says that equipment doesn't matter is speaking the BIGGEST load of S&%#!!!!!!! I would NEVER have held onto that pack if it weren';t for the wheels. [/quote']

 

Capri - I dont think the wheels did it for you, maybe it was the Trek.

I dont buy the argument, does the wheels make you stick? It was you who pedalled the , and with cheaper wheels the result would have been the same

[Capri Wheeler]

My argument is that equipment DOES make a difference!!!!!!!

 

I train on my trek with cheap wheels and then I race WIth My Raleigh LTD (Carbon Frame, Full Dura-ace. 7.2kg). On my Trek I try sprint and I get frustrated with the acceleration (none). Then I get on my babay (Raleigh With my nice wheels, Easton tempest II Tubbies) ANd I barely touch and it FLIES!!!!!

perfect for attachs in a licenced bunch...

 

EQUIPMENT DOES MATTER!!!

 

[Overlord]

Then tell me why am I so slow?