Click-click, ding-dong!
These days our local prices are so low that there is no need to go shopping offshore for your bicycle kit (unless you need something obscure not available locally). But for the majority of items you don’t need to frequent Chain Reaction Cycles, Evan’s cycles, Merlin cycles, Wiggle UK, Pro Bike Kit, Bike24 etc anymore. Local is lekker. And now long waiting periods for your goods to arrive or nasty surcharges or surprizes from customs…
These are the most prominent local online bicycle retailers, with a few words on each. I’ve bought and sold (where applicable) on many if not most of these before, so can share my thoughts on each. Did you know of all of these? And which is your favourite?
Bike Addict
Good to see the Malmesbury crowd’s new website. Their prices are great, and the range is wide. The quote rather than immediate or direct checkout sometimes causes a delay though. And they are also big on bike trade-ins. I’ve bought many components from them before. Shop on bike-addict.co.za
Cyclelab
Now the largest online cycling retailer in the country, Cyclelab also has a few megastores (Lynnwood, Fourways, Boksburg, DBN and most recently in N1 City in CPT). Together with Morecorp they also run a highly successful loyalty scheme (that encompasses CWC online below) and this is one of the reasons I keep coming back to shop on their site. It works. And that chatbot feature is very handy, because it allows you to speak to a real human. Visit cyclelab.com
Chris Willemse
CWC online is probably the one that started it all. Chris senior looked into the future and went with the online discount many iso a traditional bike shop and many others later followed in his footsteps. And a leader by example, he will also be the one that you saw on the frontline at the Argus expo for all those years. CWC is now part of the Cyclelab group, and still have the physical store below Tygervalley. This being the leader, it comes as no surprise that I’ve bought more items from CWC than any other online bike shop listed here. Click to cwcycles.co.za
EVO bikes
A tiny physical store towards the back of Durbanville but a huge online presence on the Evobikes website. They are synonymous with Wolftooth products that allow you to add a wider range cassette on your existing groupset and do other clever things as well. And for my money they probably have the most organized index of items of any shop on this page. Be sure to check out evobikes.co.za
Buycycle
Oh yes, I’ve bought a couple of Wahoo’s from them before and was very happy with both the price and the quick delivery, all the way from PTA. And free shipping on all orders over just R500! Brands include, but are not limited to, Wahoo, Schwalbe, Kask, Shokz, Oakley, First Ascent, Assos, K-Edge, Leatt, Shimano & SRAM. Visit buycycle.co.za
OBS
No, not Old Brown Sherry. It’s OBS for Online Bike Shop. Off course. They operate right here from Kenilworth in the Cape and we’ve used them for boxing of bicycles we ship. The Team here at the Online Bicycle Shop are aiming at providing an alternate option for your Online Bicycle and accessories purchasing. Now you can head over to their shopify store at online-bicycle-shop.co.za
Olympic cycles
From way back into the digital age. Olympic Cycles, est. in 1936 and based in Cape Town, is more than a cycle shop. Catering for cyclists, triathletes and runner’s from touring to racing, kids to adults, road to dirt; we have the equipment to help you get the most out of your activity. See olympiccycles.co.za
Bicycle garage
Think Leatt and Giant. Operating right next door from Paarl (well, relatively speaking, as we are in Stellenbosch). They say ‘We don’t believe in offering a wide range of average products. Our founding principle is that if we don’t want it, we won’t sell it. We strive to make you look good, feel good but more important, our purpose is to allow you to reach your personal maximum effort.’ Check out bicyclegarage.co.za
Solomons cycles
Ah, Solomons cycles in Woodmead was a go-to physical store when we stayed in Sandton. They were also quick to adapt and start selling online and for that reason remain on this list, albeit with a sometimes-dated looking site – it works and the range is there. With a few bargains in-between. Click over to solomonscycles.co.za
Bikemarket
Bikemarket is an online marketplace for preloved bicycles (and now also certain components, new and used), that have been bought and serviced and checked by the company and are for sale o the public. You have the peace of mind that the bikes have been through the hands of a shop and to some that is much better than buying something directly from another individual. Is this the ‘webuycars’ of the bicycle world then? Check out the range on bikemarket.co.za
Easybike
So many items. From components, to wheels and tyres and workshop and electronics and sunglasses and transport and luggage. A wide range of products from their offices in KZN. ‘We are a South African online Sporting, Outdoor & Cycling store, focusing on high-quality products’. At easybike.co.za
Bikehub
Bikehub started as a form and now Matt has a very successful online marketplace for new and preloved bicycles and components. Most of the bicycles we transport come from Bikehub or Facebook marketplace transactions and long may it continue. I have bought and sold many preloved items on the hub, and can spend ages just browsing, for fun, through the listings on bikehub.co.za
OBike
Aesthetically pleasing and seems to be part of Omnico, they stock brands such as Blackburn, Fabrioc, GT, Mongoose, Schwinn, and Stages. What is OBike? OBike is an online Bicycle Shop devoted to supplying the market with Clearance Bicycles. Not a massive range, but worth checking out at obike.co.za
Rapide
Think fast. Their own brand and their own products and their own online bike shop. Excellent quality cycling products at affordable prices. ‘We bring high quality, high performance bike…’ and so on and so forth. Based in Johannesburg South Africa, we ship worldwide | Johannesburg, South Africa. Join the fun and see the range at rapide.co.za
Cyclosport
When looking for a replacement front thru axle or Maxle for a 2015 EPIC comp with a non-boost wheelset (obviously, because of the year model) and Rockshox Reba, I ended up with results from Cyclosport. The customers service was spot on and they even called me back with more alternatives a day later. I was very impressed with cyclosport.co.za
Dragons’ sports
Giant! Dragons isn’t a retailer but a handy spot for checking what items are available for brands like Giant, Enve, Liv, Mavic, Avalanche, SR Suntour, Cadex and more. And it is complete with RRP prces so you know what you are in for, before contacting your local bike shop for any of the above. See what’s available on dragons.co.za
Takealot
Yes, times are changing, and these days you can find many cycling items for sale on Takealot. It makes a lot of sense, because you have most likely already experienced their streamlined online shopping and delivery service, and now you can buy a chain or tires and more with that same peace of mind. You know the drill. Head over to takealot.com/sport/cyclingstore
And I’m hoping to see amazon South Africa being added to this list very soon…
Oh, cock!
In the famous words of Jeremy Clarkson, these three entries are still ranked in google but fail to open:
- dialdbikes.co.za is no more (online)
- cyclesonline.co.za times out
- bicicletta.co.za gives the Windows server blue screen
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PS, need to ship a bicycle? We are happy to oblige. Book with #bicyclecouriers!
