BIKE PRICE COMPLAINERS AND BIKE SHOPS

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

Even an entry level 2nd hand game special can be more inspiring to get into MTBing if you got good support than having a high end bike and no support. My bike was bought entry level (R5k if you include my helmet) as a means to get started.

 

After spending a morning with some other hubbers I'm now really starting to enjoy it. You need a shoulder to lean on when your just started out and are not aware of even the basics (like when to lube and what lube to use when).

 

cbrunsdon2009-05-03 14:35:38

[Guest Agteros]

Thing is she does have  a V-braked, rigid fork Raleigh something-or-another (even did the fast one on it a few years ago), but it is turning into an teeth chipping, arm pulverising experience doing anything more exciting than Northern Farm on it...

 

Wanted something decent(ish), hence a Deore'd, hydraulic, front shocked entry level bike.... but the price of the bike is keeping another wannabe avid MTBer out of the sport....

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

My original budget was R2k, then revised to R3k. Went to go buy the bike and then taking some good advice I spent R5k - justified my expense buy using my bike to commute to work. Since we only have 1 car (my wifes) she decided to double the original budget.

 

Saving about R200 in petrol a week and about 1hr a day for my wife (she use to drop me off and pick me up) and 1hr for her is worth R500 in business per day.

 

For me what has also dampened the pain of maxing out my credit cards is how much my health has improved. First time in 3 years I have not seen a doctor - that alone is worth R600 every 2 months.

 

But times are tough and nobody has the right to judge others inability to squeeze a few more rands out than the little they have.

 

[dollar]

Aqteros - seriously kidding about the running

 

My wife got a bee in her bonnet a couple of months ago to start cycling. She was not interested in a road bike - to tall and scary she said. I was not in a position to get her a "real" MTM and bees had come and gone. So I put together a real basic MTB out of what was lying around. Heavy as hell.

 

Anyway she started riding with us in the mornings. Far at the back. Eventually she wasnt so far at the back, but I could see she was getting discouraged.

 

So I bought her a Fuji road bike. Now we are all in a bit of k@K. She flies!

 

My point is, that you can get into cycling in many ways and you are not stuck anywhere. Her 1st bike cost about R400, but it got her started.

 

I dont think that it sad that your friend is on a road bike - she can change anytime she wants to?

 

[Guest Agteros]

Yep, true she can change at any time, but every change cost money, and it might be a good thing to skip a step and get something usable on the long term next.

 

But back to the bike shops... They all seem to be quite knowledgeable and non-pushy when we went round to the local shops. The other thing is most people look at a MTB as just 'a bicycle' and cannot comprehend paying thousands of rondts for that.... the only bicycles most have seen are the chinese R649 knock-offs and the Game/Makro/Deons specials...

 

They are then completely taken aback when they walk into the LBS

 

[Brad@TheRiot]

 

Hehe some really observant and funny comments here...

I think allot of guys are a bit jealous not being able to have all the bling kit and bikes and will always shoot down others with "all the gear but no clue". 

 

I guess this is right' date=' but in the end we mostly cycle for enjoyment so if the person can afford it and he enjoys riding an expensive bike then let him and then when you pass him on your bike you can have a little ego boost  

 

Having an expensive bike does not make a great(or fit) rider and vice versa, but i think it really does help to bring out one's underlying skill and make the most of it.  Normal people need this extra bit of help and it does help make your riding more controlled and comfortable and thus a bit faster and you can keep going for longer at a higher pace.

 

I had a 15kg mtb with vbrakes and useless fork and now with my 10kg carbon gt with xt and disks and a fox fork i am able to keep going for longer at a faster pace as the bike is much lighter and the fork gives me more control and the brakes stop me better etc.

 

The trick here is finding the right point where the equipment is just good enough and not over the top.  If you have XT and an air fork like a fox or a reba with disk brakes and a decent dt/maivc wheel set then I dont think you need much more.  Stuff just gets lighter really. 

 

 

[/quote']

 

Probably the best post in this thread

 

Equipment definitely makes a difference, you cannot argue that! The question is whether you "need" to spend the extra money to go from Deore/SLX to XTR?! For the majority of MTB'ers, it's not value for money. But if they so choose, then get over it!

 

BTW, you cannot compare a cheap Chinese car to a top of the range bicycle. I've driven some cheap Asian SUV and LDV's, they're terrible! Same goes for cheap bicycles. It's easy and cheap to produce low cost bicycles and cars when you're riding off the R&D that the top brands have invested over the years. Take what works from established brands and just copy their basic designs (with cheaper materials) and you have the most "affordable" vehicle. But, it's still a POS!

 

I do agree that some brands are over priced, but they're not all like that. When looking for a new bike, make sure you go to a good bike shop that will advise you accordingly. But at the end of the day, good bikes are expensive. I have noticed how people in SA constantly complain about the price of bike parts, but many of these riders are fun riders and insist on riding carbon full sussers  with XT/XTR... go figure!

 

I have a R5k hard tail that I ride to work and back, and do the odd trail ride on the weekend. It's lasted well since August last year, but (not surprisingly) the cheap fork has now given in. It lasted longer than I expected! If I had more cash, then I would have purchased something more around the R10k with a decent fork.

 

One more thing to mention about local prices. We're on the arse end of the world, further from the East than EU and the US.... so shipping costs are higher than to anywhere else. Anyone ever think of that?

 

[Cassie]

The one fact we mostly agree on' date=' is to buy proper parts and not the chain store crap. How we each define the starting point of what constitutes a good part is dependent on our needs.

As I commute to work to save money on petrol (ha ha ha ha, who said cycling was cheap) my entry level bike is sufficient. Not even my new ibis (soon to be when I win all the Tread Mag goodies ) will make a my commute much less technical - OK, I lie, it will make Irene Av damn side easier.

Where I really see the difference is in kit and small upgrades. For 8 weeks I was cycling uphill with sandels and standard pedals. I then fitted toe clips (R30) and what a difference - night and day. Might not be R2K cleats and R4K shoes but R30 randt made my commute much much easier and more enjoyable.

Same goes with pants / shorts. Just got 2 from my neighbour tonight for mahala and I guarantee yo my checks are going to be so much happier now. Currently I cannot go more than 8km continous before my anus is broken (my commute is < 7km one way).
[/quote']

 

So, Chris, seems my "free" advice paid off!!  Remember I told you to spend R30 on toe clips before you plunge into buying expensive clips and shoes?

 

I'm glad my advice worked...it (toe clips)  is a great start BUT cleats are even better...but only when your budget allows for it...

Happy cycling & i will catch up with you Sw guys for a ride soon...keep the Hub posted on the next happening!!

[PhilipV]

One day when I grow up and make a lot of money I will buy myself the bike that I am lusting after now.

If I have the disposable income to buy myself a 50k full suspension, I will. I wont start a loan to afford it though.

I might be able to beat a lot of people on fancy bikes now, but they probably work really hard to earn it,and they probably don't have the time that I have to tran. so let them enjoy it. To each his own...

 

[vanniri]

Brazil bike prices and parts are so horrible I buy stuff in RSA when I get to visit. The other day I wanted Sram links for a Shimano chain - LBS wanted the equivalent of ZAR 6,50 for one - yes, only one side and you need two! I made such a fuzz, they told me I can have it for ZAR 4.00. Later on I heard the going rate is closer to ZAR 7.00 - my wife told me I have to go an apologise for my behavior... 

 

For 2009 their prices also increased +20%. A guy told me today the Merida 96 team is more than 40% more expensive than in Portugal!

 

I visit Germany/Swiss/etc. regularly. Their parts are not much cheaper than RSA, the bikes are cheaper (especially the top-of-range one?s)

 

Since the devaluation of the GBP the UK is a very viable option.

 

Have never been to US but the locals (in Brazil) says it is dirt cheap.

[Johan Bornman]

Brazil bike prices and parts are so horrible I buy stuff in RSA when I get to visit. The other day I wanted Sram links for a Shimano chain - LBS wanted the equivalent of ZAR 6' date='50 for one - yes, only one side and you need two! I made such a fuzz, they told me I can have it for ZAR 4.00. Later on I heard the going rate is closer to ZAR 7.00 - my wife told me I have to go an apologise for my behavior... 

 

 

Cut cut cut cut

 

 [/quote']

 

I think you need to go and kiss him and pay in a bit more. The going rate here is about R35-00 retail. I got them once for R25 (a set, not half a set) but those days seem to be gone.

 

Maybe you can start moonlighting by exporting links to ZA.

 

 

 

[Wallee]

This is why you shouldn't buy bikes from the china man:

http://www.toxicjunction.com/get.asp?i=V4562

[gremlin]

I had a entry level Silverback Reno to get started off with, had this for 1,5 years. Very good bikes, still have original Deraluers ect on it, gave it to a friend. Now got a Specialized bike for R17500. One can feel the difference in riding comfort. Was worth the change.

[EZRider]

 

One day when I grow up and make a lot of money I will buy myself the bike that I am lusting after now.

If I have the disposable income to buy myself a 50k full suspension' date=' I will. I wont start a loan to afford it though.

I might be able to beat a lot of people on fancy bikes now, but they probably work really hard to earn it,and they probably don't have the time that I have to tran. so let them enjoy it. To each his own...

 

[/quote']

 

I agree completely. It is a question of lust.

Some folk like their toys, be it computers, sound systems or cars which can cost upwards of 1 mil.

Same with bikes. They will have a product to make you happy no matter which price bracket you are in.

Will that 50 k full sus bike make you faster? Probably not by much. But you want it never the less.

It is a good system. There is a price point for everyone. From R 650 to 50 k plus. Buy what you want and what you can afford. That guy on the custom carbon full suspension may be slower than you but he sure is loving his bike.

That said, I am very happy with my bike. Full sus is definitely kinder on my aging bones, makes the ride more fun, and going too cheap on a full suspension makes things heavy.

 

[Slave]

Dude, you make one good point and one good point only. I agree on that point.

 

Bike and bike accessoty prices are OTT. But to say that you can (and will) rather buy a cheap Chinese bikes is crazy. I don't know how anyone can justify the price of bike tyres but that's another rant.

 

The "quality" of these Chinese bikes you speak of is non existant. No matter how cheap, they are nasty and I would never consider putting my health at risk by even riding one for a short distance. To be frank, you could not pay me enough to ride one for an extended perion of time either.

 

Have you seen the video of the Chinese made 4X4 that they put into a front end crash test. (the vehicle in question is considered to be the most dangerous vehicle in the world.)

 

I don't give a rat's bum how cheap a Chinese bike is. I will never ride one.

 

Quite a while ago, my teenage step-son got a "Raleigh" MTB from Game for his birthday. First time he tried to "pop a wheelie", the gear cog on the rear wheel bent and the back wheel buckled. I would guess that the "Raleigh" in question was actually a cheap Chinese knock-off, based on the very inferior component and build quality.

 

Thanks for sharing your ideas but I would rather pay more and get the quality although a huge PLUS would be not getting "ripped"  on the name brand quality stuff.

[madmarc]

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 think you gonna lose some money here!!!

 

I live in Edenvale and have been to this Chinese bike shop. (And before anyone starts bashing me here, these bikes in no way compare with anyhting at the LBS)

 

However in their defence, here is a true story.

 

The company in charge of delivering Newspapers surveyed a range of bikes for their delivery boys (Obv all the cheaper Hyperama specials) as the delivery guys had to pay them off over 12 months. their criteria was....

 

The Bikes had to be cheap.

The bike had to be robust.

They had to be repairable.

Spares had to be available / as well as cheap ( as the delivery guys would be responsible for the payment of repairs)

The shop had to provide repair / workshop facilities.

 

The Chinese shop qualified in all respects, and the inital order was for 30 bikes. The delivery guys are all still riding these bikes after 5 years.

 

Each bike went through an inspection on delivery to check assembly and functionality of gears and brakes - not one failed!!!!

 

Whilst many have been seen the repair shop since delivery - the repairs mostly were for minor things. With a few major repairs. -  But no cracked frames!!!!! ( which is more that can be said about bigger brands based on posts on the HUB with regard to cracked frames)

 

Okay so they not riding off road and racing the bikes ... But they are constantly on and off pavements and stop /start riding. so for the application, the bike is a winner.

 

Our garden boy purchased one as well (a full susser i may ad) He saves R 480.00 a month in taxi fares, and is always at work on time and is looking a lot slimmer. He constantly warns me that he will take me on anytime at Sizwe Veld.... i'm to scared to take up the challenge

 

So before us rich kids on our 40K bikes start hammering the Chinese and their crap bikes, think about the huge market in this country of the poorer guys who cannot afford cars and fancy bikes. these bikes satisfy this need and they have been clever enough to capture this market, which is more that what can be said for the LBS owners who are only interested in the dumbass rich cyclists who constantly support and moan about their prices.

 

If i was a LBS, my business brain talls me that this would certainly be a big market that i would tap into.

 

Any guy who rides MTB 600km / month would be a serious cyclist with a serious bike, so i think your challenge is over the top. But Ride 40 k rides on Sat & Sun @ Northerns, Spruit Groenkllof. mmmmmm judging by the full susser jap crap our garden boy rides me thinks you gonna lose your money.

 

BTW - they do Hard tail; full sussers as well as road bikes.

[Wallee]

 

I don't give a rat's bum how cheap a Chinese bike is. I will never ride one.

 

 

Just be careful how you put it because your bike is almost definitely "made in China"