Spinning his wheels

In August last year I bought a new exercise bike. Having already used Taiwanese bikes, and having seen each of them rust out after two years, I decided to go upmarket and buy a more expensive German model by Kettler.

After only four months use, there was no sign of rust but the friction band which simulates uphill pedaling disintegrated.

As the bike was still under guarantee, I went back to Gramedia (Pondok Indah Mall) where I purchased it. They said they would send a technician out to replace the band. To cut a long story short, nobody ever turned up from Gramedia, and in the ensuing two months the many calls made to their "Customer Service" department finally confirmed my suspicion that they do not have any spare parts.

JOHN HALE

Jakarta