Robbie Stewart

I can confirm this. Although not strictly an enduro rig, my Stumpy EVO (160mm up front and 150mm back) pedals well enough up hills. I'm not sure of the weight, but I suspect its around 16kg as well. What I would think is if anyone wants to take this type of riding more seriously then I would suggest getting the best bike for the descent, not the ascent. The climbs are a necessary evil in enduro riding, and not the reason for it. So long as the bike can pedal uphill I would compromise on that to ensure that the descending can be done at the best level possible given the limitations of the bike.

Sadly there is no safe option. That stretch is a well known high crime area with ineffective policing and frequent muggings and some cases of stabbing and blunt force injuries.

I wish. my fat arse going 9 km/h up Chappies is a dream

Or just buy a mountain bike and slap some dropper bars on

I was riding up the west coast cycle path yesterday and caught up to a bunch of roadies riding at a relaxed pace. As we approached the northern end by Melkbos there were riders coming from the opposite side, so we ended up rolling single file for perhaps the final 400 or so meters. I was behind one chap who had a real obnoxious hub and he just kept on coasting and freewheeling in the bunch, giving it the odd pedal to maintain the momentum. It really was a proper PITA. I immediately thought of this thread while I was trapped behind him. That, and the tosser behind me who kept on thumbing his bell at me to inform me he wanted past, except there was nowhere to go.

what happened?

I use this: https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/product/sportswash-by-fungisolve/?sku=1639905&gad_campaignid=23214484470 As for short finger, not me. But then, I am more likely to ride either jumps or technical trails where the chances of coming off are higher, so I dress for the slide and not for the ride.

Looking at the suspension they're in the same league, so no extra points either way. The difference comes in via the drive train components where the Giant wins. But as for geometry the Titan wins the battle. Why don't you rather consider buying a better second hand bike rather? There are plenty of good bikes being advertised on this site. After your last round of comments, and also reading the comments from Mr Giant himself (a.k.a. @ChrisF) I'd probably swing back to Titan All that proves is that buying a bike is a pretty subjective and emotional thing, and opinions only go so far. It's your money. Do what you feel is the best bet.

Okay, so my new subjective take on this. The suspension is much of a muchness on entry level bikes. You won't tell the difference between the two to be honest. Also, as a beginner, you won't miss the extra 10 mm. And just for your information, suspension is a hindering factor on climbs. Its there for the descents. As for the gearing. Shimano Deore is much better than the other Microshift option. It is more readily available and parts are cheap. Brakes. Tektro as meh. Shimano are slightly less meh. Cranks are cranks. The turn the engine and have a place to screw the pedals in there. Both Giant and Titan are reputable brands, so you would get both serviced with no issues from most any bike shop. Being that both bikes are entry level, you aren't really being torn either way. I was thinking you were going for the top of the range Skyrim which is a whole different kettle of fish which fights above its weight class. My revised opinion, I personally would go Giant now.

also, you don't have to upgrade the tyres at first. You can ride them for a month or so and then upgrade.

You will end up regretting it. Buying a new bike now thinking you can sell it in year's time and make some cash isn't happening unfortunately. The second hand bike market is dead. I strongly advise you to get the bike you want not the one you can best afford if it means maybe a month or three of discomfort. You will realise the wisdom in that a year or so down the line.

I would definitely go for the Titan over the Giant. Don't get blindsided at the current cost issue. In general cycling isn't a cheap hobby, but it is always better to go for the better suspension than group set. It is much cheaper to upgrade the drivetrain components than suspension, so that is a win for the Titan. You can get tubeless tyres on special for well under a grand per tyre, and you don't need the latest and greatest rubber that costs the most for now. And if you do end up going that route you can pretty much negotiate with the bike shop to fit the new rubber for free. They shouldn't argue that point to get the sale.

After the fires at Jonkershoek a good few years back the recovery has been amazing. At the top of Plumber, the hillside used to be sparse with little vegetation, but now, the proteas and other fynbos have bounced back magnificently. This pic was taken the day after boxing day and those proteas are above head high. Sadly, the lower slopes have got new pine plantations growing which will eventually destroy the smaller vegetation growing beneath them now. But then, it remains MTO forestry area, and that is the purpose of that land.

I would suggest going for a test ride on both, even just in the parking lot, so that you get a feel for the bike, whether you are feeling cramped on the medium, or stretched on the large, and decide from there.

I grew up in George. Rain on the Groot Brak side does not imply rain on the Atta side. And that part of the world is currently facing a severe drought so any rain that does fall is welcome. Lastly, this is not rain season for Oudtshoorn side so the likelihood of rain is in the single digits. For once I hope I'm wrong, but you will be good for a dry ride.

Nothing grows under a pine tree. They are better as furniture anyway. And Eucalyptus trees are too Aussie and are better as braai wood. So, what better way to celebrate nature than to have a braai with eucalyptus wood with the dishes all served on the pine table and chairs. And Fynbos smells better.

I'll be following this thread. I'm waking up every morning with a dull pain in the hips and lower back as well. I've had multiple crashes over the years, some worse than others. I'm in my jubilee year and the taxes are coming due it seems.

LOL, that wouldn't even surprise me with the way the Cape has been blown to shreds this summer. It would be safe to bank on a day of insane wind most likely.

I would love to be cycle from home, but that means doing the N1 past Woodstock, so I just drive to the V&A and park there.

Test Ride 100% Took my bike to the LBS to replace the groupset last year. Got it the day before the race, with literal minutes before the shop closed. Did a quick pedal up and down the street at home and everything checked out okay. Next day, "Hoopla" and we're off. As I get on to Nelson Mandela Blvd I hear a loud snapping sound and stop. That's when I notice the chain link was not properly seated and had begun to come undone. I wasted 15 minutes trying to fix it, gave up and started the walk of shame back to the start before one of the motorcycle mechanics came to my assistance. Thanks to him I managed to finish the day. Lesson learnt!

I live just up the road from the Table Bay mall, and I can't begin to explain how often I hear emergency sirens screaming up that road. Today I've heard them twice so far. I don't even really like driving that road.

Insurance is a scam. Reading this thread, and anecdotal evidence really makes one wonder what the point of it all is. Why do we willingly part with our money only to put up with absolute BS when it comes time to claim? This is why I use a broker and don't make use of these "cheap" insurance companies. I have only once had a claim rejected because of red tape and nit picking on the insurers behalf when they changed my comprehensive policy to a third party policy without explicitly informing me but hiding it in the policy wording. A few months later I had an accident with the vehicle and they used their chance to duck out of responsibility. This was Dial Direct. I have changed to Santam since and I refuse to talk to any other insurers since that day in 2011.

I'm firmly of the opinion that cycling North on the R27 from Table Bay Mall is just looking for trouble. Any route apart from that one is better.

Riding into that south easter on a day when it is properly howling feels like an ascent straight up Platteklip Gorge.

I live in Sunningdale and did the N1 run to town only once and never again. It just felt so dodgy and to boot I nearly got stepped on by a container truck. First time I actually feared riding my bicycle. To me it's just not worth it anymore.