Epic Sports Centurion... WTF???

[Groentrui]

In the last couple of years I had quite a few bad experiences with LBS's in and around Centurion, so I started servicing and working on my own bicycles. Earlier this year I came across Epic Sports in Doringkloof. I saw they had quite good prices on services etc. so I took my set of road and MTB wheels for rebuild. I was surprised with very good workmanship and the work done in a relative short time.

So after a whole year of road racing I dust (mud) off the MTB to spend as most as possible of December on some Groenkloof single track. I had some trouble with my rear derailleur (don't want to stay in second largest gear), and decided to get it checked out by a more skilled and experienced technician, since I could not find the problem.

So Monday 21 December (2009) I drop off the bike at the shop, and kindly ask them to have a look at it at see if they can see any cause for the problem. They inform me of how busy and understaffed they are, but they will get around to it before Monday afternoon, and I will get a call before they work on the bike. I also told them that I would like the bike back before the 25th, before they close for Christmas. "Yeah sure" was enough to convince me.

Monday afternoon I call to get some feedback. Sorry, but they have not had a look yet, but they will let me know ASAP. I don't like to niggle people, so I waited for them to call me. This morning I woke up to birds singing and the sun shining. Quickly went to the shops to get the last few things for a lekker potjiekos and drove to Epic Sports to pick up my worked/unworked on bike. Surprise, surprise.... THEY'RE CLOSED!!!  I don't know till when, or if it is only for today for a year end function. The door is just locked, no print informing when they'll be open again. The only thing I can see through the window is my 5 year old Schwinn Moab, wishing to get some mud on her.

So, again I'm in need of a good LBS.

You can rebuild a wheel, you can regrease a chain. But you can not give me back 9 days of summer to spend on my MTB... (That is 26 Dec to 3 Jan, the 4th is back-to-job)

If anyone know how I can get hold of a owner, manager, technician or janitor of Epic Sports, please let me know.

[Grondpad]

Yesterday I went there for the first time and they were open. Maybe you should try again to see if they are open?

Good Luck!

 

[Tjokkits]

this sucks, all they could have done was to phone you and say they cant get around to your bike so you can go and get it.  get a locksmith bugger

[epoh]

 

 

In the last couple of years I had quite a few bad experiences with LBS's in and around Centurion' date=' so I started servicing and working on my own bicycles. Earlier this year I came across Epic Sports in Doringkloof. I saw they had quite good prices on services etc. so I took my set of road and MTB wheels for rebuild. I was surprised with very good workmanship and the work done in a relative short time.

So after a whole year of road racing I dust (mud) off the MTB to spend as most as possible of December on some Groenkloof single track. I had some trouble with my rear derailleur (don't want to stay in second largest gear), and decided to get it checked out by a more skilled and experienced technician, since I could not find the problem.

So Monday 21 December (2009) I drop off the bike at the shop, and kindly ask them to have a look at it at see if they can see any cause for the problem. They inform me of how busy and understaffed they are, but they will get around to it before Monday afternoon, and I will get a call before they work on the bike. I also told them that I would like the bike back before the 25th, before they close for Christmas. "Yeah sure" was enough to convince me.

Monday afternoon I call to get some feedback. Sorry, but they have not had a look yet, but they will let me know ASAP. I don't like to niggle people, so I waited for them to call me. This morning I woke up to birds singing and the sun shining. Quickly went to the shops to get the last few things for a lekker potjiekos and drove to Epic Sports to pick up my worked/unworked on bike. Surprise, surprise.... THEY'RE CLOSED!!!  I don't know till when, or if it is only for today for a year end function. The door is just locked, no print informing when they'll be open again. The only thing I can see through the window is my 5 year old Schwinn Moab, wishing to get some mud on her.

So, again I'm in need of a good LBS.

You can rebuild a wheel, you can regrease a chain. But you can not give me back 9 days of summer to spend on my MTB... (That is 26 Dec to 3 Jan, the 4th is back-to-job)

If anyone know how I can get hold of a owner, manager, technician or janitor of Epic Sports, please let me know.

[/quote']

 

  Yeah right! How many bike shops actually phone their customers back when they say they will?? It has never happened to me, I always have to phone them.

 

Stuff them, buy from CRC and find reputable independent mechanics. From now on that is what I will do.

 

epoh2009-12-24 07:57:14

[rawoke]

GroenTrui yes, THEY don't call you back ! had somewhat hte same experience, took a wheel in, promise me work will be done by 4pm and they will call me. Called them at 4pm, no not done, called them at 5pm no not done, called them again at 5:45 oo yes it's done since 5:15 !!!!

 

 

 

BEST BEST ONE in CENTURION IS "GRANT'S CYCLES"

 

 

 

rawoke2009-12-24 08:07:43

[L.T.G]

 

Hey Groentrui....this (your predicament) would throw me off the edge!!! my riding time is so precious to me (as I'm assuming yours is) TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!! There MUST be a number for the landlord at least??!!

 

my LBS WestRand Cycles would NEVER do this!

I realize Krugersdorp's not around the corner...however if you want to REALLY looked after, Eben or  Shaun'll take care of you!

 

 

L.T.G2009-12-24 14:47:15

[milky4130]

This seems to be the "in thing" with LBS, same issues down in the Cape, now I need to find a reputable serivce mechanic any takers?  

[Overlord]

 

This seems to be the "in thing" with LBS' date=' same issues down in the Cape, now I need to find a reputable serivce mechanic any takers?  [/quote']

 

You can PM me.

 

[Brian Fantana]

I feel your pain, never good to have the time but no rig to spend it on.

 

I am from PE and don't deal with pta bike shops often.  At the moment I am visiting family in pta for Christmas and festive season.

 

Wednesday at Groenkloof I blew a seal on my Reba, and it went completely flat. I looked on my phone for the closest bike shops by using IFind.

 

I took the shock to Epic Sports at Doringkloof mall (I think it's the place discussed here, I don't know if they have other branches in pta).  The guys were very helpful and they serviced the shock and replaced all the seals.  The shock was ready the next morning(Thursday).  I collected the shock at 11:30, apparently they closed at 12:00.

 

In my book this was awesome service.

 

From what I could gather they will be open on 27 December as well so you  will be able to pick up your beloved moab on sunday morning and get some riding done before 3 January.

 

You vaalies should enjoy groenkloof, it's a great place, went there three times this week, and worked the fountains xc track through as well, gonna try Rietvlei tommorow.

Stephan2009-12-25 12:44:00

[jagwil]

The experience Stephan had with Epic (yes it is the same LBS) is more in keeping with experiences I have had with them in the past. I have always found them to be extremely efficient, helpful and friendly. Speak to Andre on Sunday. 

[leet22]

This seems to be the "in thing" with LBS' date=' same issues down in the Cape, now I need to find a reputable serivce mechanic any takers?  [/quote']

You can PM me.

I have a MTB u can service

[Overlord]

 

This seems to be the "in thing" with LBS' date=' same issues down in the Cape, now I need to find a reputable serivce mechanic any takers?  [/quote']

 

You can PM me.

I have a MTB u can service

 

No problem. Just let me know when you want it done.

 

[Tumbleweed]

 

You vaalies should enjoy groenkloof' date=' it's a great place, went there three times this week, and worked the fountains xc track through as well, gonna try Rietvlei tommorow.

[/quote']

 

 

 

slightly ot, i know, but we do! it's one of my regular haunts! going there in an hour or two.

 

 

 

rietvlei's great too. tell us what you think. enjoy wendell's revenge.holy roller2009-12-25 22:13:53

[Growler]

If anyone has Groentrui's telephone number, please ask him to phone Andre at Epic Sports about his bike...

012 667 6473

Thanks

 

[jagwil]

Interesting.

I sent Groentrui a PM on Friday with the number for Andre

He still does not appear to have used it to enquire about his bike.

So much for his concern about it.

[Free]

Cheese?