CycleOps unveils the Hammer

 Are you a Tacx distributor? or do you work for them?

No. I do neither. But I can't see how US$1,199 turns into R25,000 when distributed by the official distributor who would get a distributors margin from the manufacturer.  Coolheat are the distributor for Tacx. I do trade with them as I do with about 17 other distributors.

I am a Tacx Fortius user. But it's time to upgrade so I'm very interested in the new range of direct drive trainers, with and without flywheels.

Interesting, no post in thread. Maybe discretion proved to be the better part of valour.

No. I do neither. But I can't see how US$1,199 turns into R25,000 when distributed by the official distributor who would get a distributors margin from the manufacturer.  Coolheat are the distributor for Tacx. I do trade with them as I do with about 17 other distributors.

 

I am a Tacx Fortius user. But it's time to upgrade so I'm very interested in the new range of direct drive trainers, with and without flywheels.

Yip, it's a shed-load of moola to spend on a trainer.

I used a Tacx Flow with Imagic upgrade, which I loved, until it was fried by lighting in December.

I decided to replace it with the Wahoo Kikr SNAP, which at that time (just before Nenegate) came in at 12K (think its still about the same price, but I could be wrong on that). Anyway, its brilliant, and I am really happy with it.   I am convinced that it does the same job as the direct drive machines. Ok, so it can't handle a 25% gradient - but heck, neither can I.

Another thing to remember, about the direct drive units:  If you have both Campagnolo and Shimano equipped bikes (I do), you would need to make a choice as to which you train with. The on-wheel units give you the freedom to alternate differently equipped bicycle at will.

Quite a range variance R5,000 on R20,000. US1,199 at today's rate would be R18,086 plus 14% VAT of R2,532 gives R20,618. So at R25,000 local buyers would be getting a very raw deal.

as the hammer is only expected to arrive in sept and given our exchange rate situation fluctuating a R2 500 variance is possible by the time stock arrives hence i have said between 20 - 25k if we look on the positive side you all would be smilling at 20k would you not ?? !! 

holy crap, that's a lot of money to pedal and go nowhere

Looks like a solid unit with ZERO rear tyre slip and compatible with the latest wireless tech!

I like...I hear several units have been sold locally already!

Looks like a solid unit with ZERO rear tyre slip and compatible with the latest wireless tech!

I like...I hear several units have been sold locally already!

Wonder what we looking at price point wise...

Nevermind...see its 20-25k. Look its a lot of moola but I can honestly say it will be the best return on investment (performance wise) you will ever get. That is if you put in the hours of course.

It is a bucket load of money.  But looking at the price of power meters on a bike I see it this way:

With having such long winters in Europe I would rather invest in something like this that could help me train during those winter months than spending money on a power meter on my bike.

Ok so priceing wise Bicyclepower is notout the ball park in foact they're probably right in it.

($1200 + 14% ZAR VAT + $100 shipping per unit) X 15 = R22020.

okes always forget about the VAT fact.

US is not a VAT country and GST only applies to certain goods in some states.

SA is a VAT country and jy akaenbetaal

so lets hope that the USD weakens toward presidential elections time and maybe that 15 becomes a 10...

Ok so priceing wise Bicyclepower is notout the ball park in foact they're probably right in it.

 

($1200 + 14% ZAR VAT + $100 shipping per unit) X 15 = R22020.

 

okes always forget about the VAT fact.

 

US is not a VAT country and GST only applies to certain goods in some states.

 

SA is a VAT country and jy akaenbetaal

 

 

so lets hope that the USD weakens toward presidential elections time and maybe that 15 becomes a 10...

Honestly, with the backup service and support Bicycle Power offers I would never purchase any other brand. It's worth knowing when you invest in something like this.

Ok so priceing wise Bicyclepower is notout the ball park in foact they're probably right in it.

 

($1200 + 14% ZAR VAT + $100 shipping per unit) X 15 = R22020.

 

okes always forget about the VAT fact.

 

US is not a VAT country and GST only applies to certain goods in some states.

 

SA is a VAT country and jy akaenbetaal

 

 

so lets hope that the USD weakens toward presidential elections time and maybe that 15 becomes a 10...

Why add $100 for shipping? They are shipped to US too. Distributor and retailer margin should cover getting it to the store from the factory.

I priced a Tacx Neo yesterday at CRC. R18k delivered to RSA plus VAT locally, That is not much more than the local distributor price.

Not sure Savage is going to be pleased about this....

We have been on the phone with lawyers for ages. There is also a sports nutrition range that is also on thin Ice. 

We will look the other way if we get sent a few of these bad boys

Why add $100 for shipping? They are shipped to US too. Distributor and retailer margin should cover getting it to the store from the factory.

 

I priced a Tacx Neo yesterday at CRC. R18k delivered to RSA plus VAT locally, That is not much more than the local distributor price.

That is one item, try bring in a container full? yes to a certain degree I'm sure the costs are absorbed in what you pay in the store, but also don't forget that shipping a few units around the States is the same as me sending something via Postnet to Cape Town...relatively cheap. 

I'm sure Bicycle Power's freight forwarding/customs clearance people don't operate for free either so there has to be a cost involved in getting a fair number of these units in either by air or sea...

Why add $100 for shipping? They are shipped to US too. Distributor and retailer margin should cover getting it to the store from the factory.

 

I priced a Tacx Neo yesterday at CRC. R18k delivered to RSA plus VAT locally, That is not much more than the local distributor price.

R18655.99 +14% VAT = R21266-70

1% handling fee through customs = R21479.37 at the very least at present exchange rate.

This is with a advertised 28% mark down.

Comparing against an indicative price from Bicyclepower without a discount is a bit unfair.

Locally NEO retails For R24999-00 before any discount. So around R22500 or thereabouts

RRP in the uk is GBP1200 incl 20% VAT

That is one item, try bring in a container full? yes to a certain degree I'm sure the costs are absorbed in what you pay in the store, but also don't forget that shipping a few units around the States is the same as me sending something via Postnet to Cape Town...relatively cheap. 

 

I'm sure Bicycle Power's freight forwarding/customs clearance people don't operate for free either so there has to be a cost involved in getting a fair number of these units in either by air or sea...

The point is that every country needs to get the stuff to market from the factory, in the example quoted $100 was added for freight. Over and above RRP of $1,199.

We accept it and make excuses that enables importers to charge what they want. But I have no idea what distributor margin these products have.

Comparing against an indicative price from Bicyclepower without a discount is a bit unfair.

 

Not comparing to the Hammer. Stating facts on the Neo. I'm sure CRC will offer a similar discount % on the Hammer when it launches in summer.

South Africa being a small market, often gets a lower volume discount and additional freight charges due to distance from primary markets. Yes the stuff all comes out of China but sending a ship to SA costs more than sending a Ship to Europe or the US typical because they are smaller freighters will less volume per paying customer.

You try and import a Hammer on your own and my $100 shipping will likely be conservative.

Shipping a Canyon frame to SA is Euro 400- and I assume the Hammers box is going to be slightly smaller than a bike frame's box.

Not comparing to the Hammer. Stating facts on the Neo. I'm sure CRC will offer a similar discount % on the Hammer when it launches in summer.

but similarly we should compare localRRP NEO price against local RRP Hammer price.

we just have less discounting power as SA consumers so CRC is always attractive and a benchmark for fair pricing (to me anyway - flame suit on)

South Africa being a small market, often gets a lower volume discount and additional freight charges due to distance from primary markets. Yes the stuff all comes out of China but sending a ship to SA costs more than sending a Ship to Europe or the US typical because they are smaller freighters will less volume per paying customer.

 

You try and import a Hammer on your own and my $100 shipping will likely be conservative.

Shipping a Canyon frame to SA is Euro 400- and I assume the Hammers box is going to be slightly smaller than a bike frame's box.

I pay $4 a kg on my airfreight from Europe. So $100 is spot on for this unit at 25kg. Excluding the R300 handle by the local courier company for logging my delivery on SARS customs system.

I pay $4 a kg on my airfreight from Europe. So $100 is spot on for this unit at 25kg. Excluding the R300 handle by the local courier company for logging my delivery on SARS customs system.

It's fairly seldom that shipping a product like this would be based on actual weight and not volumetric weight which is likely to be greater. Not quite sure what you are debating though as it could just as easily be R20k as R25k (the extremes of the range given) - are you also arguing that R20k would be a great price? 

The ZAR could very easily go to R20 to the USD so I think it's quite fair for them to give a broad range if they haven't secured a forex rate yet for the units.

So this unit will only be arriving AFTER winter and price unknown?

So this unit will only be arriving AFTER winter and price unknown?

Same as Tacx Neo. No stock until July.

It's fairly seldom that shipping a product like this would be based on actual weight and not volumetric weight which is likely to be greater. Not quite sure what you are debating though as it could just as easily be R20k as R25k (the extremes of the range given) - are you also arguing that R20k would be a great price? 

 

The ZAR could very easily go to R20 to the USD so I think it's quite fair for them to give a broad range if they haven't secured a forex rate yet for the units.

And they would be crazy to secure forex now as the ZARbis projected to gain against a predicted weaker USD by end Q3

And they would be crazy to secure forex now as the ZARbis projected to gain against a predicted weaker USD by end Q3

Exactly! so if they secure forex now at lets say 15:1 then the rand strengthens and drops to 13/14:1 in September...the pricing will be waaaay out..

So this unit will only be arriving AFTER winter and price unknown?

Yes, but remember they have done this - like mentioned in the DC Rainmaker review - to accommodate the US and Northern Hemisphere, they release the trainer now in their summer and get all the bugs/production runs sorted before their winter...so yes it won't be available for the southerners winters....