Our Team

John O'Connor

John has been a competitive cyclist for more than 30 years, and is a two time member of the national squad. He has completed two Rapport tours. John has been involved in cycling retail for the more than 25 years,  and opened John O’Connor Premium Cycling Store in October 2009.

Willie Coetzee

Willie has been in the cycling industry since 2001, and is passionate about his work and customers. He has transitioned into sales, after working for several years as a bicycle technician. Willie loves to build and sell custom-build bikes to customers, who are enthusiastic about their cycling. Staying up to date with the latest bicycle technology is crucial in his industry, and as such, Willie regularly reads and participates in workshops,  to continuously improve his knowledge and skills of new products on the market.

Brendon Bantom

With 15 years of hands-on experience, Brendon is a skilled bicycle technician who genuinely loves being around bikes and the sport itself. From fine-tuning gears to full rebuilds, he keeps things rolling smoothly—ideally without any cables routed through headset bearings (don’t get him started).

He grew up in the legendary trails of Jonkershoek, so it’s no surprise cycling became second nature. These days he rides a minimalist single-speed road bike and lives for post-race beers. One of his favourite memories? Helping fellow riders make it through the Cape Town Cycle Tour. When he’s not in the workshop, you’ll find Brendan outdoors—running, hiking, or finding new ways to push his limits.

Peter van Zyl

With 26 years of wrench-turning experience, Peter is the workshop wizard who keeps bikes rolling and customers smiling. Whether it’s a simple tune-up or a full rebuild, he’s your guy for all things repair-related. He currently rides a Giant Defy but has probably worked on more bikes than he’s had hot meals.

Peter got into cycling by commuting to work every day—turns out, riding to beat traffic is a gateway drug to a lifetime of bike grease. His most memorable ride was the 947 Cycle Challenge, fuelled by Coke, pasta, and sheer determination. When he’s not drooling over the latest gear from SRAM and Shimano, you might catch him shaking up a mean cocktail—thanks to a former life behind the bar.

Gavin Salt

With over 25 years in the cycling industry, Gavin has pretty much seen it all—and sold most of it. Specialising in bike fitting and road bike sales, he’s the go-to guy if you’re after the perfect fit or a serious upgrade. Gavin rides a Bianchi Sprint on the road and a Giant Anthem on the trails, though he’s just as passionate about new cycling tech as he is about the bikes themselves.

Gavin got into cycling by commuting to school and somehow turned that into a lifelong obsession—which took him all the way to the Duathlon World Champs in France and Spain. These days, his riding is powered mostly by Spur chicken schnitzels and post-ride beers. Oh, and he once met the legendary bike designer Mike Burrows

Yamani

Yamani, or “Yamza” as he’s known around the shop, is the guy who makes your bike look brand new—sometimes even better than new. With 6 months on the team, he’s quickly earned a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail, especially when working on limited edition bikes.

While he doesn’t have his own bike just yet, he’s been roped into the cycling world by friends (as it usually goes) and loves watching the big races. A fan of the latest Shimano groupsets and a keen swimmer outside the shop, Yamza is all about precision, pride in presentation, and making sure your bike turns heads—even at the coffee stop.

John O'Connor Premium Cycling Store

John O’Connor Premium Cycling Store is an owner-managed, exclusive cycling shop located along the scenic Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town. Founded in 2009 by John O’Connor—a former national team cyclist and seasoned retail expert—the store caters to all levels of cycling enthusiasts. The shop stocks premium road and mountain bikes, components, accessories, and nutritional products. It also offers a full-service workshop with personalised support from experienced technicians who are passionate cyclists themselves. The store is known for its personal touch, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to customer care.

Why choose John O’Connor Premium Cycling Store?

Expert Technicians

Our workshop is staffed by qualified, experienced bike technicians who are also riders. Whether your bike needs a basic tune-up or a custom build, our team offers personalised service, attention to detail, and technical support based on years of hands-on experience. You can consult directly with our team to get tailored advice, book repairs, or optimize your bike setup.

Central Location

Our store is ideally situated along the Atlantic Seaboard, one of the most iconic cycling routes in South Africa. We are easily accessible from Cape Town, with safe and convenient parking available. Whether you’re heading out for a training ride or visiting from out of town, we’re perfectly located for a pre-ride check or post-ride browse.

Personalised Service

We build relationships with our customers and believe in tailored service. From sizing bikes to recommending the best nutritional supplements or clothing, we take time to understand your unique cycling goals. Our staff provide expert one-on-one support for all technical and product-related questions, ensuring your needs are fully met.

Experience

Our entire team consists of dedicated cyclists who ride regularly—both competitively and recreationally. With decades of combined experience, we offer knowledgeable, relevant advice to all cyclists, whether you’re buying your first bike or tuning your race machine for optimal performance.

JOC Branded Goods

We’ve channeled our passion for cycling into a custom-designed JOC-branded cycling kit and lifestyle clothing range. Our gear reflects the same high standards as our bikes and services—stylish, technical, and built for performance. It’s ideal for riders who want to represent a premium brand on and off the bike.