Bikes shops have certainly changed over the years. Gone are the days of visiting grimy, pokey dens rammed with dikwiels and tyre bins, after a drive to an obscure suburb. Ushering in the modern era of bike retail, one such shop has opened where people actually ride bikes – TrailWolf.
Photo credit: Hendrik Steytler
This is exactly what founders Shaun Oosthuizen and Andre Bezuidenhout had in mind. “We started this business wanting to offer a full service to customers – a cool test track was first and foremost, but also good advice, coaching facilities, a skills clinic, showers and of course the best workshop around,” says Oosthuizen.
Photo credit: Hendrik Steytler
Situated inside the Wolwespruit MTB & Trail Park, visitors to TrailWolf will see some exciting brands on display – with the likes of Yeti, Pyga and SwiftCarbon gracing the industrial-style 600sqm space. SwiftCarbon South Africa’s general manager Charles Keey says, “This is a really cool place for customers to see and touch the bikes, and for us it works well with our direct to consumer business model – we’re setting up technical and demo centres around the country and with Shaun’s passion and knowledge of the bike industry, TrailWolf is the perfect partner.” Like a shop-in-shop concept, a brand can show off a full range, and when a customer takes the plunge, a brand new bike arrives, set up and ready to go within two days.
Photo credit: Hendrik Steytler
TrailWolf offers demo rides to those wanting to test the wares on offer. Keey says, “It’s something that’s been sorely lacking in the industry – like with cars, if someone’s spending a small fortune on a bike, it’s good to try it out first to see if it suits their kind of riding.” With Wolwespruit’s network of trails, including some flowing singletrack, climbing, a pump track and even a jump line, there’s plenty of terrain to put a bike through its paces. With road bikes, customers are able to take a model away for a couple of days and try it out on their favourite (Strava) route.
Photo credit: Hendrik Steytler
Like many success stories, it all began in a garage. Speaking at their Bikes & Brews event last Friday, Oosthuizen reflected, “Five years ago, it started with a bunch of guys servicing bikes – Tool Up Cycles. I joined a couple of years ago, and now we have this incredible, new kind of retail space in a bike’s natural habitat! We’ve used wood and steel, with glass – a nice and open feel for customers to experience the environment. It’s a cool moment for us.”
Photo credit: Hendrik Steytler
Visit TrailWolf at www.trailwolf.co.za or in real life at 501 Jochemus St, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, Monday to Sunday. 012 942 9509.
It really is a lekke place and very accessible. Location also ideal, with a jump and pump and MTB trail.