'Bicycle prices fixed'

[_im_from_earth]

If you have been working with frames long enough, you'll know that drainage holes in the BB used to be the norm. I don't know why they don't do it anynore. However, the reason why it should be done hasn't gone away, there is still a need for it.

 

I doubt anyone will pay me for ideas that are in the public domain.

 

You clearly don't understand how consumer pressure shapes product development.

 

You also don't seem ride in the type of conditions where cable problems bother you. On the J to C race several people developed tendinitis in their their thubs from sticky shifters. Ask them if they'd like easier shifting or not.

 

We are privileged to have a top-class frame company represented here, so lets ask him. Morewoodkid, why don't you build your frames with continuous cable housing routing and holes in the BB for drainage?

 

A few simple answers here:

 

1.) "Dobby" there are plenty of commonly used designs and features that many people deem completely daft. Why do mfg's still use these? How much manufacturing and design time do you think goes into these products/ brands which have pitfalls in their design? You'll answe your own question.

 

2.) Johan: At Morewood we don't drill the BB shell despite the benefits of doing so. I know this sounds contradictory but try explaining to a customer who desn't understand the reason for it why you put a little hole in his "perfect" BB shell. We do however, ream, race and tap our frame prior to paint

 

3.) As far as continious cable routing... some people love it some people hate it. When designing any product you need to appeal and ceter towards your largest market and stick to your beliefs. All of the Morewood frames feature continious cable routing as we believe it reduced maintenence intervals and the routing we have chosen contributes to the neatness and aesthetic of the bike design. I have had customers complain about this though... you can't please them all...

[_im_from_earth]

Lets start a thread: how much money have you spent on CRC in the last 12 months. I'll start: as an "industry" insider I have spent in excess of R50000.00 since July 2009! All purchases have been for personal use and for items which were not available through the local avenues.

[onetrackmind]

Lets start a thread: how much money have you spent on CRC in the last 12 months. I'll start: as an "industry" insider I have spent in excess of R50000.00 since July 2009! All purchases have been for personal use and for items which were not available through the local avenues.

Keep spending like that and you will never get that Porsche!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

So you want your bike shop to survive, but only just. So that you can work hard, earn "honest" money and get your toys at prices you deem fair, to the exclusion of the owner of the shop being able to reward himself with toys?

 

Naa, I dont think anyone is saying that. Nobody objects to a business making profit as long as its within acceptable norms.

 

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the issue revolves around the fact that people can get goods substantially cheaper internationally and will continue to do so until prices locally fall in line - it seems local retailers and distributors want to operate a closed shop business, but the customer today lives in a global world and at the click of a button can source product anywhere he finds the right price.

 

I cant speak for everybody, but if I can find the product locally at say 10% above what I can source internationally, I will usually buy it here, its easier and quicker, the problem I experience is locally is usually 50% more expensive, so they dont get my business.

 

But its not only in the cycle business, an example, I have my Kawasaki serviced at an independant shop, simply because I trust the owner, I like the fact the mechanic is an old guy with 40 years of experience and actually has trade papers from Olifantsfontein proudly displayed on the wall, he is meticulous to the point of been irritating and the job is done right first time every time,but I digress.......the other day he called to say my brake pads were down to about 3000kms left, if he bought a set from Kawasaki it would cost me around R1200.00 - still about 40% less than Kawasakis suggested price but he said go to this site and check the price, in 5 minutes I had ordered the part for $58.00 (about R450.00)- two weeks later I had the pads and he fitted them for me in about 10 minutes and there was no charge.

 

Thats why I go back time and time again, he makes his fair profit on the service / oil etc / labour and I walk out feeling like my wife hasnt been at my credit card.

 

Its not difficult, be competitive (10% above international max)and most people will be happy to support you - but at some of the prices I am quoted - hell Yeah, I am buying overseas.!

[_im_from_earth]

Keep spending like that and you will never get that Porsche!

 

I was actually eying the new Aston Martin 77....

[_im_from_earth]

Its not difficult, be competitive (10% above international max)and most people will be happy to support you - but at some of the prices I am quoted - hell Yeah, I am buying overseas.!

 

Amen!

[onetrackmind]

I was actually eying the new Aston Martin 77....

Not the Bentley Supersport? You can get a bike in the back.

[Lucky Luke.]

he called to say my brake pads were down to about 3000kms left, if he bought a set from Kawasaki it would cost me around R1200.00 - still about 40% less than Kawasakis suggested price but he said go to this site and check the price, in 5 minutes I had ordered the part for $58.00 (about R450.00)

 

I have had the same experience at my LBS (present on this thread) where the 'site' in question is CRC and the mech / owner honestly tells me I can get cheaper there rather than order through him. I respect his honesty and as a result his shop has my long term loyalty.

 

This is why I suggest small locals shops do the ordering on our behalf. We're still getting the best deal and the LBS gets in on the action by mediating the transaction / levying an nominal admin / handling fee.

[LazyTrailRider]

You are missing the point im trying to make.

If you think it is such a good idea-why is it not manufactured that way; and

Why dont you sell your services/ideas to the manufactures.

 

"Clever ideas ussually get a lot of publicty" /*If you need some friends*/

They must have good reasons why they do things the way they do it.

 

PS. If you dont like a product or its design dont buy it and then complain about it!

 

Dobby, my mother would have summed it up as follows:

 

"So my seun, as jou sogenaamde vriende by die afgrond af spring, sal jy saam met hulle spring?"

 

(So my son, if your so-called friends jumped off a cliff, you'd jump with them?)

 

You're placing a lot of trust in others who might not have *your* best interests at heart, but rather the best interests of Joe X, who's an statistically deduced individual representing 450,000 varying consumers. He's a strange character this Joe...

 

So you're saying that you'd never re-tile your kitchen, because the original architect must've put the vinyl floor there for a good reason? Or fit an extra gutter to the side of your house when water pools up and leaks into your bedroom? It would be best to not have bought the house in the first place, even though it fit your needs and budget as a whole, besides for the one or two simple modifications you could easily make?

 

Any builders here willing to pay me for the extra gutter idea? Offers?

[splat]

I doubt they will discuss it... especially seeing that one of the presenters is on the list...

 

Well, blow me down!

They did discuss it. Very quickly...

[Sharkie 2]

Hubbers at the end of the day LBS's are a business and in business your idea is to make a profit, heck the bike industry has some of the lowest mark ups in the retail industry, the food industry has alot higher mark up go check by how much food prices go up each year. All the other industries also have to be checked in my opinion

[Johan Bornman]

2.) Johan: At Morewood we don't drill the BB shell despite the benefits of doing so. I know this sounds contradictory but try explaining to a customer who desn't understand the reason for it why you put a little hole in his "perfect" BB shell. We do however, ream, race and tap our frame prior to paint

 

3.) As far as continious cable routing... some people love it some people hate it. When designing any product you need to appeal and ceter towards your largest market and stick to your beliefs. All of the Morewood frames feature continious cable routing as we believe it reduced maintenence intervals and the routing we have chosen contributes to the neatness and aesthetic of the bike design. I have had customers complain about this though... you can't please them all...

 

Continuous cable routing on your bikes? Impressive. I mean it.

 

My next bike will be a Morewood...but only if you pre-drill the BB for me so that I don't void the factory gaurantee.

 

Seriously now, do customers really even see the hole? I honestly don't think so. What research did you do?

[Johan Bornman]

2.) Johan: At Morewood we don't drill the BB shell despite the benefits of doing so. I know this sounds contradictory but try explaining to a customer who desn't understand the reason for it why you put a little hole in his "perfect" BB shell. We do however, ream, race and tap our frame prior to paint

 

3.) As far as continious cable routing... some people love it some people hate it. When designing any product you need to appeal and ceter towards your largest market and stick to your beliefs. All of the Morewood frames feature continious cable routing as we believe it reduced maintenence intervals and the routing we have chosen contributes to the neatness and aesthetic of the bike design. I have had customers complain about this though... you can't please them all...

 

Continuous cable routing on your bikes? Impressive. I mean it.

 

My next bike will be a Morewood...but only if you pre-drill the BB for me so that I don't void the factory gaurantee.

 

Seriously now, do customers really even see the hole? I honestly don't think so. What research did you do?

[gummibear]

Keep spending like that and you will never get that Porsche!

 

Speaking of cars...if you think you are getting shafted on bikes wait till you see what is happening with cars.

 

My wife just bought a new car from VW.The car here cost R58-000 less than in SA...but the car aslo came full house.Where in SA you need to add another R60-000 for all the extras so in total car is R118k cheaper.

I see another investigation for Carte Blanche.

[Wazza]

So you want your bike shop to survive, but only just. So that you can work hard, earn "honest" money and get your toys at prices you deem fair, to the exclusion of the owner of the shop being able to reward himself with toys?

 

If you want to spend 35% more for products and support other peoples lavish lifestyles, then go ahead. I would rather support the guy trying to make living than than the guy trying to get rich out of my money. Don't you bitch and moan everytime you see the politicians spending your tax money (that's if you pay tax?). They are, afterall, just trying to "reward themselves with toys!!!".

[Swart Skaap]

You don't think that the volume moved is a result of the prices and not as you have put it. Look at Campy, prices are inflated way above international parity with the S' and subsequently there is little on the road?

 

 

Yes you are right. And Campy and Shimano are both over priced in SA. I cant comment on them though. I havent seen any proof that they are making large margins, but i know SRAM doesnt. Also keep in mind that SRAM grew by about 600% world wide, and that we see more stock bikes specled with SRAM than ever before. You can compare reccommended retail on parts in SA to other contries (not the online shops) and you will see SA is quite compettitive (ie SCOTT). The thing is, its not only SA whos got a CRC etc problem. A few contries have realised the problem, and saw how bad it is for local trade and economy. Some countries have introduced very high import duties on online shops like CRC (up to 80%). Companies like SRAM gets bronze, silver or gold ratings from SRAM international. This gives them incentives to get better pricing AND support to sponsor local teams etc.