28 replies to this topic Post Order

[slabs]

Any suggestions who can be approached as a mechanic for our team on the Epic?

[kosmonooit]

Olympic Cycles are offering a package on their web site

[crankbrother]

Slabs. There is more than enough mechanics at the race to help with any problems. Its not worth the money to get an mechanic. Your bike gets washed for free and you can just lube it afterwards yourself, and if you see any problems ask a mechanic to help. Way cheaper. That's how we did it.

[G-Unit]

slabs, on 07 February 2012 - 08:30 , said:

Any suggestions who can be approached as a mechanic for our team on the Epic?

I got talked out of going with a mechanic by several 'senior statesmen' of The Hub. If you do decide to go for it anyway, I got the best price from Epic Cycles (R 2250.00)

[Firemeister]

G-Unit, on 07 February 2012 - 10:29 , said:

I got talked out of going with a mechanic by several 'senior statesmen' of The Hub. If you do decide to go for it anyway, I got the best price from Epic Cycles (R 2250.00)

thanks G-Unit.

Do you perhaps know their number/ location?

[G-Unit]

Firemeister, on 07 February 2012 - 10:55 , said:

thanks G-Unit.

Do you perhaps know their number/ location?

They're in Centurion. email racesupport@epicsports.co.za

[Firemeister]

G-Unit, on 07 February 2012 - 11:27 , said:

They're in Centurion. email racesupport@epicsports.co.za

fanx a mil

[slabs]

Thanks for the responses. It does seem to be a hot debate if one should use one or not - we had one on Joberg2C and it made a huge difference, but I am also not sure which is best. Going to start with as many new components as possible and my gut feeling is that if things go wrong it will be in the latter part of the race. Question is then can one just approach one of the mechanics and will they not be to busy.

I definitely do not want to use anyone that handles too many bikes and then they do not really give your bike the attention needed.

Last question: how does the bike wash service work?

[kandui]

When you finish the stage there are guys and gals who take your bike off you for a wash. Once washed, the bike is put into the bike park where you can collect it. If you have a mechanic's package, the mechs usually collect it for you and take it to their spot in the Supporters Village.

Revolution Cycles in Bree Street will also have 2 mechanics at the Epic and are taking 8 bikes maximum.

[Sharkie 2]

I say it is well worth the moola

[awesme]

Contact Johan Borman

He has a team that does race support: Sure they will be involved at Cape Epic for someone.



www.yellowsaddle.co.za


Tel: 0823086847
johan@yellowsaddle.co.za

G

[kandui]

As a novice to these long stage races, I took a mechanic package for the 2010 Pioneer. At around R 1600 I didn't give it much thought from a cost perspective and thought the safety blanket of my own mechanic would take some pressure off and give me peace of mind. At the end of it I had a bill of R 45 for one shifter cable which needed replacing.
2011 Epic I took the mech package at R3000 ( a lot more thought now), again for peace of mind. My bike had a bit of dirt caught in the freewheel hub which made a noise, but was of no further concern, other than making a noise when freewheeling. Mechanics said they would sort it out, but 1km into the next day's stage the noise was back.They didn't fix it but decided to fit new brake pads instead (which I didn't need). Not happy, but more pissed because my partner had major problems with his bike which were not attended to properly by said mechanics and cost us a lot of time.On stage 3 my partner had to go back to the mech from the start line and I had to wait for half an hour before we could geet going.
Other than that, no problems with my own bike so the R3000 decision was put into question, especially since our chosen mechanic did not do the work properly , because they had too many bikes already and were still accepting walk-ins.
No mechanic at 2011 Pioneer which was a good move. Checked bolts, cleaned and lubed bike myself. No issues.

Get your bike serviced properly before Epic and put on a set of brand new brake pads and you will be fine. Make sure tyres are new or newish. A well maintained bike with all parts new or newish (not years old) will get through the Epic. If major stuff happens, go to a mechanic and pay. None of them turn away walk-ins which makes a mockery of the fact that you pay thousands upfront for exclusive service.

Edited by kandui, 07 February 2012 - 01:21 .

[G-Unit]

kandui, on 07 February 2012 - 01:14 , said:

As a novice to these long stage races, I took a mechanic package for the 2010 Pioneer. At around R 1600 I didn't give it much thought from a cost perspective and thought the safety blanket of my own mechanic would take some pressure off and give me peace of mind. At the end of it I had a bill of R 45 for one shifter cable which needed replacing.
2011 Epic I took the mech package at R3000 ( a lot more thought now), again for peace of mind. My bike had a bit of dirt caught in the freewheel hub which made a noise, but was of no further concern, other than making a noise when freewheeling. Mechanics said they would sort it out, but 1km into the next day's stage the noise was back.They didn't fix it but decided to fit new brake pads instead (which I didn't need). Not happy, but more pissed because my partner had major problems with his bike which were not attended to properly by said mechanics and cost us a lot of time.On stage 3 my partner had to go back to the mech from the start line and I had to wait for half an hour before we could geet going.
Other than that, no problems with my own bike so the R3000 decision was put into question, especially since our chosen mechanic did not do the work properly , because they had too many bikes already and were still accepting walk-ins.
No mechanic at 2011 Pioneer which was a good move. Checked bolts, cleaned and lubed bike myself. No issues.

Get your bike serviced properly before Epic and put on a set of brand new brake pads and you will be fine. Make sure tyres are new or newish. A well maintained bike with all parts new or newish (not years old) will get through the Epic. If major stuff happens, go to a mechanic and pay. None of them turn away walk-ins which makes a mockery of the fact that you pay thousands upfront for exclusive service.

Kandui, you obviously have a good deal of first-hand experience in the matter, so thanks for the info.

Just a rather pointed question, which may set my mind at ease - do you know of someone who had a major mechanical (eg. smashed wheel, broken rear derailleur or the like) during the day, and how did they manage to get it fixed? I have heard that mechanics are reticent/unable to help people who are not 'booked' with them.

[knersis]

No outside interference, you have to sort yourself out during the race or use the mechanics the Epic provide if any.

[G-Unit]

knersis, on 07 February 2012 - 04:10 , said:

No outside interference, you have to sort yourself out during the race or use the mechanics the Epic provide if any.

Sorry, I didn't phrase my question quite correctly - what I meant to ask was how did they go about sorting out the mechanical issue AFTER completing the day?

Fair enough about the outside interference not being allowed during the race (except the tech zones.)

[Top Fuel]

G-Unit, on 07 February 2012 - 01:47 , said:

Kandui, you obviously have a good deal of first-hand experience in the matter, so thanks for the info.

Just a rather pointed question, which may set my mind at ease - do you know of someone who had a major mechanical (eg. smashed wheel, broken rear derailleur or the like) during the day, and how did they manage to get it fixed? I have heard that mechanics are reticent/unable to help people who are not 'booked' with them.

2010 a friend brooke a wheel. Ran to the end. Got if fixed at some shop. Nothing he could do. They finished. There are lots of guys there. If you are unsure go for the high cost. It might make you sleep better. I very rarely see these guys do anything but strip, clean and re-assemble bikes. Most of them don't even do it properly and end up making a mistake which is normally very costly to the rider. Get it serviced before you start. It is just a 800km ride. How often do you normally get your bike serviced?

Edited by Top Fuel, 08 February 2012 - 11:50 .