Downtube folding bike
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Mick look here
Hey Mick, if you get a email about a second chance to win a bid, you might want to forward it to ebay and they can tell if it is real or not. I got a message from ebay on my ebay message box and said to be carefully respodning to the letter since it can get your personal information from a fake seller.
Here is the letter:
Recently there has been an increase in the number of eBay members receiving "spoof" emails with fraudulent Second Chance Offers – that is, an invitation to buy an item they'd previously bid on, but didn't win.
To help you keep your account secure and avoid any unsafe transactions, please follow the security guidelines we encourage all eBay members to observe:
* Check My Messages. If you receive any e-mails with a Second Chance Offer for an item you recently bid on, please check your My Messages inbox on the eBay site to make sure the offer is authentic. If it appears in My Messages with the title "eBay Second Chance Offer for Item...", it's authentic. If the Second Chance Offer does not appear in My Messages, or appears with a different title, it is not legitimate and should be ignored.
* Never pay with Western Union or Money Gram. eBay strongly encourages its members to avoid using instant cash wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. It's against eBay's Safe Payments Policy for a seller to request payment via these methods as they've proven to be unsafe when paying someone the buyer doesn't know.
* Forward spoof emails to spoof@ebay.com. If you receive any email that refers to your eBay account and asks you to click on a link, look for the message in your My Messages inbox on the eBay site. If it isn't there, do not click on the link or enter personal information. Forward the email to spoof@ebay.com. This lets us take quick action on the fake website, and we'll respond to you within minutes to tell you if the message really came from eBay.
* Download eBay Toolbar. The eBay Toolbar includes Account Guard which indicates when you are on a legitimate eBay or PayPal site, and alerts you when you are on a known fraudulent site.
Thank you for taking these simple steps to ensure safe trading on eBay.
Sincerely,
Matt Halprin
Vice President, eBay Global Trust & Safety Policy
Here is the letter:
Recently there has been an increase in the number of eBay members receiving "spoof" emails with fraudulent Second Chance Offers – that is, an invitation to buy an item they'd previously bid on, but didn't win.
To help you keep your account secure and avoid any unsafe transactions, please follow the security guidelines we encourage all eBay members to observe:
* Check My Messages. If you receive any e-mails with a Second Chance Offer for an item you recently bid on, please check your My Messages inbox on the eBay site to make sure the offer is authentic. If it appears in My Messages with the title "eBay Second Chance Offer for Item...", it's authentic. If the Second Chance Offer does not appear in My Messages, or appears with a different title, it is not legitimate and should be ignored.
* Never pay with Western Union or Money Gram. eBay strongly encourages its members to avoid using instant cash wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. It's against eBay's Safe Payments Policy for a seller to request payment via these methods as they've proven to be unsafe when paying someone the buyer doesn't know.
* Forward spoof emails to spoof@ebay.com. If you receive any email that refers to your eBay account and asks you to click on a link, look for the message in your My Messages inbox on the eBay site. If it isn't there, do not click on the link or enter personal information. Forward the email to spoof@ebay.com. This lets us take quick action on the fake website, and we'll respond to you within minutes to tell you if the message really came from eBay.
* Download eBay Toolbar. The eBay Toolbar includes Account Guard which indicates when you are on a legitimate eBay or PayPal site, and alerts you when you are on a known fraudulent site.
Thank you for taking these simple steps to ensure safe trading on eBay.
Sincerely,
Matt Halprin
Vice President, eBay Global Trust & Safety Policy
#377
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Originally Posted by mickinuk
Hello to you all.
After searching for a folder suitable for carrying in my taxi (I'm a cab driver and share a cab with a guy 5 miles away), and which I could afford, I bought a Downtube IX on Ebay.
First impressions are that it is a nice bike, gives a comfortable ride and well worth the money.
The bell was from a christmas cracker and went the way of chistmas cracker tat. This is no big deal as I replaced it with a decent one at no great expense.
The bag into which the bag fitted (if you see what I mean) is hopelessly optomistic and after a struggle to fold the carrying bag (which took longer than actually folding the bike), I finally managed to force it in and pull the zip only to watch the thing disintegrate before my eyes. Again this is no big deal and I now use a small duffle bag which was cheap and does the job.
More serious, despite being a minor fault, was the flat tyre on my first outing. I did a road side repair quick enough, but when I went to check the location of the puncture so I could feel round inside the tyre to remove any remaining sharp object, I was surprised to see that the tube was punctured on the inside edge. By the time I got home the tyre was flat again which I assumed to be my botched repair. When I removed the tyre and tube however, I saw the cause of the problem. The rim tape had been twisted in its manufacture and the burred edges of several spoke holes were exposed. A quick run round the rim with my dremel removed the burrs and a new tape and tube solved the problem.
In my experience stuff manufactured in China is outstanding value due to their ridiculously low labour costs of course, but quality control can often be a problem. So thorough checking is recommended.
No matter how much research and development, chemistry and technology goes into developing materials that perform well and resist puncturing, you are at the mercy of some muppet at the bottom of the food chain who can't, or can't be bothered to notice something which screams "THIS IS WRONG".
All that apart the bike is excellent and represents terrific value.
The auction.
Oh dear. Despite the protestations of Yan's loyal fans, there was something 'not quite right' about the auction. I am no IT wizard but I am an Ebay addict and a cab driver of many (too many) years and I can smell hanky-panky a mile off.
After reading posts on this forum I bid up to my limit only to be outbid by a private bidder. No great shock. After the auction, surprise, surprise I was offered the bike on a 'second chance' offer (winning bidder did not complete the purchase) the price being my last bid. I ignored this and bid for another identical bike iin a new auction, but kept my max bid low. I was out-bid of course and this time did not receive the second chance offer. So I bid again in a new auction. This time I pitched my max about halfway between the previous two attempts. Sure enough I was outbid by Mr. Private and duly received the 'second chance' offer, which I accepted.
The irony is that I actually got the bike for less than I was prepared to pay for it.
If I had not read the testimonials on this forum I would not have gone ahead with my purchase. Ebay is awash with dodgy stuff which is being pedalled (excuse the pun) by "private" sellers and being bought by "private" buyers. I was originally looking for a second hand Brompton, but most of the sellers were so obviously selling stolen stuff I decided against it.
To my mind, "private" on Ebay means 'stolen', 'illegal', 'socially unacceptable' or 'underhand' and the puzzle is why someone selling a product which stands on its own merits wants to risk his reputation by using quesitonable selling techniques.
Over to you Yan.
Mick
P.S. forgot to mention I am in London UK
After searching for a folder suitable for carrying in my taxi (I'm a cab driver and share a cab with a guy 5 miles away), and which I could afford, I bought a Downtube IX on Ebay.
First impressions are that it is a nice bike, gives a comfortable ride and well worth the money.
The bell was from a christmas cracker and went the way of chistmas cracker tat. This is no big deal as I replaced it with a decent one at no great expense.
The bag into which the bag fitted (if you see what I mean) is hopelessly optomistic and after a struggle to fold the carrying bag (which took longer than actually folding the bike), I finally managed to force it in and pull the zip only to watch the thing disintegrate before my eyes. Again this is no big deal and I now use a small duffle bag which was cheap and does the job.
More serious, despite being a minor fault, was the flat tyre on my first outing. I did a road side repair quick enough, but when I went to check the location of the puncture so I could feel round inside the tyre to remove any remaining sharp object, I was surprised to see that the tube was punctured on the inside edge. By the time I got home the tyre was flat again which I assumed to be my botched repair. When I removed the tyre and tube however, I saw the cause of the problem. The rim tape had been twisted in its manufacture and the burred edges of several spoke holes were exposed. A quick run round the rim with my dremel removed the burrs and a new tape and tube solved the problem.
In my experience stuff manufactured in China is outstanding value due to their ridiculously low labour costs of course, but quality control can often be a problem. So thorough checking is recommended.
No matter how much research and development, chemistry and technology goes into developing materials that perform well and resist puncturing, you are at the mercy of some muppet at the bottom of the food chain who can't, or can't be bothered to notice something which screams "THIS IS WRONG".
All that apart the bike is excellent and represents terrific value.
The auction.
Oh dear. Despite the protestations of Yan's loyal fans, there was something 'not quite right' about the auction. I am no IT wizard but I am an Ebay addict and a cab driver of many (too many) years and I can smell hanky-panky a mile off.
After reading posts on this forum I bid up to my limit only to be outbid by a private bidder. No great shock. After the auction, surprise, surprise I was offered the bike on a 'second chance' offer (winning bidder did not complete the purchase) the price being my last bid. I ignored this and bid for another identical bike iin a new auction, but kept my max bid low. I was out-bid of course and this time did not receive the second chance offer. So I bid again in a new auction. This time I pitched my max about halfway between the previous two attempts. Sure enough I was outbid by Mr. Private and duly received the 'second chance' offer, which I accepted.
The irony is that I actually got the bike for less than I was prepared to pay for it.
If I had not read the testimonials on this forum I would not have gone ahead with my purchase. Ebay is awash with dodgy stuff which is being pedalled (excuse the pun) by "private" sellers and being bought by "private" buyers. I was originally looking for a second hand Brompton, but most of the sellers were so obviously selling stolen stuff I decided against it.
To my mind, "private" on Ebay means 'stolen', 'illegal', 'socially unacceptable' or 'underhand' and the puzzle is why someone selling a product which stands on its own merits wants to risk his reputation by using quesitonable selling techniques.
Over to you Yan.
Mick
P.S. forgot to mention I am in London UK
I too have questioned the use of private bidding but cannot go so far as to say Yan is using 'questionable selling techniques'. After all, the private bidding feature is an Ebay option for all sellers.
However, I will say that I have had some of the same feelings about the use of private bidding...I do not like the practice. I also reviewed a number of completed auctions, albeit unscientifically, and did not feel comfortable with some of the bidding patterns and price jumps I observed. PERCEPTIONS can be wrong however, mine included. Nevertheless I felt uneasy enough to not bid on a Downtube bike....even if it is a good deal and good value.
I understand Yan's irritability and feel that some of us have been too quick to draw conclusions. However, Yan can easily put all these suspicions to rest if he so chooses. He has chosen to participate in this forum, but he is not JUST another participant....he is a producer of bikes, and we are his customer base. In business as in politics, perceptions often count more than realities. That's just the way it is.
#378
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Originally Posted by invisiblehand
Hi Yan (or anyone else who happens to know),
I have been looking for the FS bikes on EBay (US). Are you out of stock? Or have I simply missed them?
Do you have a page that discusses how the bike can be packed into an airline legal travel case?
A few months ago, I asked you about the possibility of adding a front derailer to the bike. You (correctly) stated that adding a derailer--I am following S. Brown's mantra on its spelling--poses problems due to the short length from the BB to rear hub.
However, people are able to add a front derailer to a Brompton, Bike Friday, Birdy, and so on and overcome these issues. Is the BB to rear hub length shorter on the Downtube than on these other bikes? (I don't expect you to know other's products at this level of detail; but it could not hurt to ask)
Suppose I am a stubborn mule and want to test out the idea. What is the size of the seat tube-->that is, does it correspond to a standard clamp?
Thanks for your help.
I have been looking for the FS bikes on EBay (US). Are you out of stock? Or have I simply missed them?
Do you have a page that discusses how the bike can be packed into an airline legal travel case?
A few months ago, I asked you about the possibility of adding a front derailer to the bike. You (correctly) stated that adding a derailer--I am following S. Brown's mantra on its spelling--poses problems due to the short length from the BB to rear hub.
However, people are able to add a front derailer to a Brompton, Bike Friday, Birdy, and so on and overcome these issues. Is the BB to rear hub length shorter on the Downtube than on these other bikes? (I don't expect you to know other's products at this level of detail; but it could not hurt to ask)
Suppose I am a stubborn mule and want to test out the idea. What is the size of the seat tube-->that is, does it correspond to a standard clamp?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks,
Yan
#380
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Thanks for the laugh, Speedo! And what's not to like about Yan?! Great bicycles, great prices, great service, great guy!
When a seller is selling multiple items, it is standard practice to sell to the next highest bidder at the price the item sold for as a "Second Chance" - I have received a number of them: it saves you having to waste the time waiting and bidding on another listing of the same item and means that the seller does not lose a potentially frustrated buyer. And yes, if Yan truly wanted to maximize his prices he would not do this, but people with new businesses often use eBay to gain access to a large market to get their product out there and known - that's one of the points, I think! I don't understand all the assumptions of hocus pocus and underhandedness that have no place here. If someone has eBay questions, s/he should speak to eBay - this is a bike forum! And for that matter, Yan answered the question about private auctions a long time ago. I don't understand why this topic has not been stopped. Yan's calm reserve in the face of these blind accusations is highly commendable, but there is no question that all of them can be easily and legitimately explained, and have been in the posts above, if they were not otherwise already obvious. It also seems that some have never put their highest bid on an item and then walked away or they might well have ended up paying close to that price. I have done extensive business on eBay, and understand that making false accusations is not permitted and can result in the offending individual's being barred from eBay use. I think that Yan should look into it, but probably doesn't have the time, as he's busily processing just arriving VIIIHs that includes one pre-booked for me!
Anna
When a seller is selling multiple items, it is standard practice to sell to the next highest bidder at the price the item sold for as a "Second Chance" - I have received a number of them: it saves you having to waste the time waiting and bidding on another listing of the same item and means that the seller does not lose a potentially frustrated buyer. And yes, if Yan truly wanted to maximize his prices he would not do this, but people with new businesses often use eBay to gain access to a large market to get their product out there and known - that's one of the points, I think! I don't understand all the assumptions of hocus pocus and underhandedness that have no place here. If someone has eBay questions, s/he should speak to eBay - this is a bike forum! And for that matter, Yan answered the question about private auctions a long time ago. I don't understand why this topic has not been stopped. Yan's calm reserve in the face of these blind accusations is highly commendable, but there is no question that all of them can be easily and legitimately explained, and have been in the posts above, if they were not otherwise already obvious. It also seems that some have never put their highest bid on an item and then walked away or they might well have ended up paying close to that price. I have done extensive business on eBay, and understand that making false accusations is not permitted and can result in the offending individual's being barred from eBay use. I think that Yan should look into it, but probably doesn't have the time, as he's busily processing just arriving VIIIHs that includes one pre-booked for me!
Anna
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It does not matter if it is private or public, people do jack up the price of the items that is listed on ebay. I was bidding for a camera and notice the price jump high on the public bidding and the person was out bid the other user very aggressively like they was on a race to the final closing time. Look at the Xbox on a public bidding for example, I seen price out max the retail price of $399.00 and the person bid the item for $400.00 to $700.00. Oh I guess you guys don't know that there are softwares out there that design to snipe on ebay to increase the chances of winning the bid. So I think you guys and gals need to check on facts before pointing the finger at someone.
Yan, when will the Downtube bike will be back on Ebay for the USA? I only see listing for the UK. My friend want to bid for a Downtube bike after seeing my Downtube bike.
Yan, when will the Downtube bike will be back on Ebay for the USA? I only see listing for the UK. My friend want to bid for a Downtube bike after seeing my Downtube bike.
Last edited by Trunks; 06-26-06 at 12:34 PM.
#382
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by downtube
BB to rear hub is 46cm on the FS model, this is longer than many road bikes. The "old" 2006 models accepted a 35.0mm clamp the "new" 2006 1/2 bikes have an oversized seat tube, hence no front derailleur will fit.
Thanks,
Yan
Thanks,
Yan
Thanks for the quick reply.
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Originally Posted by invisiblehand
Hmmmmm, should I assume that there is no chance that DT will return to the 34.9mm size?
Thanks for the quick reply.
Thanks for the quick reply.
Thanks,
Yan
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Originally Posted by Trunks
Yan, when will the Downtube bike will be back on Ebay for the USA? I only see listing for the UK. My friend want to bid for a Downtube bike after seeing my Downtube bike.
I will probably add US shipping for future UK auctions....since we have the bikes in the US as well. However, I doubt there will be much of a discount. UK auctions consistently end higher than US auctions.
We will be begin shipping bikes to Korea and Japan next week.
Thanks,
Yan
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Originally Posted by bookishboy
In the interest of moving this thread back to *bikes*, rather than business practices, I have a question:
The new internal hub DT's, do they have a hole to add oil to them? If not, do they require disassembly in order to grease/oil? How often should this be done?
The new internal hub DT's, do they have a hole to add oil to them? If not, do they require disassembly in order to grease/oil? How often should this be done?
Thanks,
Yan
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Originally Posted by jasong
Hi Yan,
You have a way we could buy a fixed fork for a VIII (2005)? I don't need mine so much. Or if you have a trade-in plan for the old fork that would be cool!
You have a way we could buy a fixed fork for a VIII (2005)? I don't need mine so much. Or if you have a trade-in plan for the old fork that would be cool!
Thanks,
Yan
#387
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Originally Posted by mickinuk
...
After reading posts on this forum I bid up to my limit only to be outbid by a private bidder. No great shock. After the auction, surprise, surprise I was offered the bike on a 'second chance' offer (winning bidder did not complete the purchase) the price being my last bid. I ignored this and bid for another identical bike iin a new auction, but kept my max bid low. I was out-bid of course and this time did not receive the second chance offer. So I bid again in a new auction. This time I pitched my max about halfway between the previous two attempts. Sure enough I was outbid by Mr. Private and duly received the 'second chance' offer, which I accepted.
After reading posts on this forum I bid up to my limit only to be outbid by a private bidder. No great shock. After the auction, surprise, surprise I was offered the bike on a 'second chance' offer (winning bidder did not complete the purchase) the price being my last bid. I ignored this and bid for another identical bike iin a new auction, but kept my max bid low. I was out-bid of course and this time did not receive the second chance offer. So I bid again in a new auction. This time I pitched my max about halfway between the previous two attempts. Sure enough I was outbid by Mr. Private and duly received the 'second chance' offer, which I accepted.
(Then again, I suppose if the whole auction were a fake, it wouldn't matter anyway.)
#388
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Thanks Yan for so clearly stating your position on proxy bids.
Ches,
Ches,
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rider and weight and height
Thanks for the response Donkey man. Do you mind sharing how tall you are. I noticed that the saddled to handlebar distance on the DT appears to adequate for my 36.5" inseam barefooted. Anyone else got long legs? Is the seatpost at full extension rigid enough?
Ches
Ches
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NS with steel fork
Are ther any plans to release the VIIINS with a steel fork rather than aluminum? And how about in the taller frame size??
Thanks,
Ches
Thanks,
Ches
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Originally Posted by downtube
Mick,
Did you ever think that I have about 1000 bikes in the UK that I have to move and I was offering a second chance to move product that was above my minimal acceptable price?
Please email me the auction you are reffering to. I will politely ask the winner of the auction to email you his winning paypal payment invoice. Afterwards I will insist on a public apology!!!
Yan
Did you ever think that I have about 1000 bikes in the UK that I have to move and I was offering a second chance to move product that was above my minimal acceptable price?
Please email me the auction you are reffering to. I will politely ask the winner of the auction to email you his winning paypal payment invoice. Afterwards I will insist on a public apology!!!
Yan
I am your customer and I have described what took place in an auction and how that made me feel as a customer. My suggestion is that by conducting the auction in this way, rightly or wrongly,you are laying yourself open to the suggestion of dubious marketing. It's no use telling me it's all above board - I've already bought a bike and I'm perfectly happy with it, but I assume you want to sell more, so you should be grateful I am being straight with you and alerting you to what I perceive to be a bad strategy on your part.
It's my opinion the Downtube will sell itself on it's own merits, especially if forums such as this are full of glowing testimonials(which they will be, I'm sure), rather than questions of marketing ethics. The way to ensure this happens is not to insist everyone keeps their opinions to themselves, but by selling your product in such a way that questions of ethics simply don't arise.
I am truly impressed by your accessibility and hands-on approach to your business. It's a breath of fresh air and I sincerely wish you well in your endeavour. I will follow the progress of Downtube with great interest, but I will not desist in expressing my opinion.
I'm a cab driver, after all. Haven't you ever sat in the back of a cab?
Mick
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This is good news, and although it'll increase either the workload or staff that you have to employ, will also be great for brand-building.
I really, really hope that the DT line sticks with its current design philosophy of "standard components, upgrade at your leisure", but I think that a lot of people would love the idea of being able to purchase different stems, forks, rear racks, fenders, etc etc directly from DT.com. The main benefit is that the range being offered are already known to fit onto DT models, rather than trying to figure out from a catalog what will fit.
I really, really hope that the DT line sticks with its current design philosophy of "standard components, upgrade at your leisure", but I think that a lot of people would love the idea of being able to purchase different stems, forks, rear racks, fenders, etc etc directly from DT.com. The main benefit is that the range being offered are already known to fit onto DT models, rather than trying to figure out from a catalog what will fit.
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Hi Yan,
You replied,
>Sorry for not responding sooner....got caught up with the other crazy posts. There is no hole to add grease. This hub is claimed to be maintence free by Sun Race/Sturmey Archer and should never need to be rebuilt according to their US`rep.
Thanks,
Yan<
Internal gear hubs can get bone dry out in the arid SW. I have seen properly lubed internal gear hubs and hub brakes that had no apparent leaks be dry in a couple of years. The lube literally vaporizes and either leaves a dry hub in the case of oils or a gunky residue that is not good lube.
I never saw this problem when I owned shops on the East coast. Is SR using hermetic seals or some other method to keep ambient air out??
Thanks,
Ches
You replied,
>Sorry for not responding sooner....got caught up with the other crazy posts. There is no hole to add grease. This hub is claimed to be maintence free by Sun Race/Sturmey Archer and should never need to be rebuilt according to their US`rep.
Thanks,
Yan<
Internal gear hubs can get bone dry out in the arid SW. I have seen properly lubed internal gear hubs and hub brakes that had no apparent leaks be dry in a couple of years. The lube literally vaporizes and either leaves a dry hub in the case of oils or a gunky residue that is not good lube.
I never saw this problem when I owned shops on the East coast. Is SR using hermetic seals or some other method to keep ambient air out??
Thanks,
Ches
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Much as the old hubs are described as being a bit leaky, I worry that the new gameplan for SA is "never maintain the hub", and then you'll have to throw it away in a few years (and buy a new one) when it seizes up.
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Bikes: Custom Electric 36V, Mercian, Klein, Performance, Iron Horse, and many others including home built
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When SR bought S/A they transported all the tooling and technology, some of it very proprietary to Asia. It is a fact that hardly any manufacturer could fabricate hardened gears, carriers and casings as durable as S/A. And they developed the "Parkerizing" process.
Several plant supervisors and experts from England traveled to Asia and helped get the processes going there. Today with a spirit of inovation the new S/A products are every bit as good as the old ones but I think not having a fitting for lubrication is a bad decision. That is all.
You can read about the very sad demise of the Nottingham bicycle industries here:
https://www.bikebiz.co.uk/infozone/sturmey_list.php
It was an inside job.
Ches
Several plant supervisors and experts from England traveled to Asia and helped get the processes going there. Today with a spirit of inovation the new S/A products are every bit as good as the old ones but I think not having a fitting for lubrication is a bad decision. That is all.
You can read about the very sad demise of the Nottingham bicycle industries here:
https://www.bikebiz.co.uk/infozone/sturmey_list.php
It was an inside job.
Ches
#397
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
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Originally Posted by bookishboy
Much as the old hubs are described as being a bit leaky, I worry that the new gameplan for SA is "never maintain the hub", and then you'll have to throw it away in a few years (and buy a new one) when it seizes up.
FYI The H bikes have arrived and will be shipping tommorow. Intro price has been extended until July 1st.
Thanks,
Yan
Last edited by downtube; 06-29-06 at 12:25 PM.
#398
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Just took delivery of DownTube IX in beautiful shiny black. Within 5 minutes of opening box I was riding around the garden. Highly pleased.
Purchased via e-bay here in UK and I was one of those given a Second Chance offer (or whatever they call it) and at the time I was a bit curious about the process - and that was before I found this thread. Even to the extent that I sent Yan a private e-mail saying it felt 'funny', though I hasten to add that I wasn't the one who followed up with abusive e-mails. Now that I've worked out what is going on I would like to apologise to Yan, if my message gave any offence I am sorry. Clearly Yan has a figure in mind that he will accept in payment and anyone who offers above that amount gets a chance to buy at the price they offered, some people I guess strike lucky and win the auction at a lesser price. But at the price I paid this bike is a bargain in any terms, so if DT were 'fiddling' the system they are doing a pretty bad job of it! :-)
I don't think you'll find me here comparing the pros and cons of different gear systems or whatever, that serious a cyclist I am not. But it will get put in the car for our vacation in France this year..so you never know!
Thanks Yan for a good bike at a great price.
Purchased via e-bay here in UK and I was one of those given a Second Chance offer (or whatever they call it) and at the time I was a bit curious about the process - and that was before I found this thread. Even to the extent that I sent Yan a private e-mail saying it felt 'funny', though I hasten to add that I wasn't the one who followed up with abusive e-mails. Now that I've worked out what is going on I would like to apologise to Yan, if my message gave any offence I am sorry. Clearly Yan has a figure in mind that he will accept in payment and anyone who offers above that amount gets a chance to buy at the price they offered, some people I guess strike lucky and win the auction at a lesser price. But at the price I paid this bike is a bargain in any terms, so if DT were 'fiddling' the system they are doing a pretty bad job of it! :-)
I don't think you'll find me here comparing the pros and cons of different gear systems or whatever, that serious a cyclist I am not. But it will get put in the car for our vacation in France this year..so you never know!
Thanks Yan for a good bike at a great price.
#399
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I just saw the new forums up and running on the DT website. Nice move, Yan. The web presence is getting better and better. Also, with an easier-to-use forum, hopefully you won't have to answer quite as many questions multiple times.
#400
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
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Originally Posted by bookishboy
I just saw the new forums up and running on the DT website. Nice move, Yan. The web presence is getting better and better. Also, with an easier-to-use forum, hopefully you won't have to answer quite as many questions multiple times.
Thanks again,
Yan