mxjunke

Organisation was good, only gripe is after sending emails asking about e-bikes in the Trilogy and being refused an entry with an e-bike there were at least 4 e-bikes in AG group and that caused some issues as they couldn't keep up on the tar but on the gravel came powering past only to hold us up on the single track. There were individuals with BG and CG numbers on start line in the AG group as well. There was no "policing" of the start groups. If e-bikes are going to be allowed to ride the Trilogy in future then their own start group is necessary near the back. It is very irritating "yo-yoing" with e-bikers with no riding etiquette.

Fair enough, but the weight difference between a FOX 32SC and the FOX 34SC is only 56 grams, the FOX 34 (120mm) is 200 grams heavier than the FOX 34SC. The new 2022 FOX 34SC is 130 grams lighter than the older version as well. The 2022 Reba is 1602 grams compared to the FOX 34SC at 1496 grams and the FOX34 (120mm) is 1698 grams. The improvement in stiffness and improved time on downhill technical terrain on the 34 is worth more than a loss of 56 grams of weight. If you going to convert your Reba to 120mm then there will should be an increase in weight there anyways. The new Reba 120mm weighs 1693 grams with a 32mm stanchion.

I have a 2019 Epic and had a Reba 100mm on it. I then put a relatively new (2019) Reba 120mm on and have since upgraded to the 2022 FOX 34 Factory 120mm fork and it is night and day difference. Not only the extra travel making the ride so much more enjoyable but the stiffness of the FOX over the Reba is a big upgrade. the small bump compliance on the FOX is so much better and rides a lot more plush than the Reba. I know its difficult to compare a R8000 Rockshox to a R24000 FOX but it was a very worthwhile upgrade and has changed my riding for the better. I was advised away from the Step-cast because of the stiffness issue.

HI guys. I have a 2019 Specialized Epic, xl frame size. I am looking for a new fork and really prefer the Fox suspension over the Rockshox. I am able to get a Fox 34 float factory fit 4 fork, 130mm travel. My biggest concern is the offset is 51mm, unfortunately no 44mm offset available. I am keen to "convert" my Epic towards an Epic Evo spec as my riding has changed slightly recently and I ride marathon distances often but prefer the longer travel and more supple ride of the longer suspension. My question is, will the 130mm work on the Specialized Epic geometry and secondly, will the 51mm offset work? I don't want to make the bike handle like a dog or upset the geometry too much. The current Rockshox I have on is 120mm travel and 51mm offset on loan, before that I had a Rochshox 100mm travel with 41mm offset. The longer travel I feel makes a big difference and the increased stanchion diameter would help with the stiffness as I am around the 100kg mark. Any advice would be appreciated

Reviving an old thread.... I am in the market for a new set of tyres and the options are either the Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.20 skin wall or the Vittoria Barzo 29 x 2.25 tan wall. I like the tread pattern and have had good mileage out of the Vittoria Mezcal that I currently have but when feeling the side wall thickness of the Barzo tan wall compared to the Ikon side wall, the Ikon seems to have a much thicker and robust side wall compared to the Barzo, as far as I know the Barzo tan wall tyres don't have the compund as their normal Graphene 2.0 or Cape Cobra tyres.. I am quite heavy on my wheels and tyres and don't want to get something where I will end up tearing the side wall and have to replace with plenty tread still available on it. The wider tyre (Barzo) would suit me better as they will be mounted on 30mm Internal width rims. So my questions is... does anybody have any experience specifically with the Vittoria Barzo tan wall 29 x 2.20 tyre? and How did it hold up compared to other tyres you have used?

Cool, Thanks. Gate open at 8am? I'm keen to go tomorrow but don't want to get in the middle of any protesters.

What's the day fee to ride at Jonkershoek at the moment?

I don't see how you can state that you will not get fit from an e-bike. I have seen people getting fitter and healthier from riding on their e-bikes. I have tested people who have been riding e-bikes and they have all improved their fitness.

Services on the Levo are same as a normal pedalled bike. The motor can be serviced by Specialized and costs approximately the same as a Brain service from Specialized. Everything else is serviced as normal. With the Levo not having a Brain at the rear, the servicing will generally be no more than an Epic with a Brain at the back... this is from my experience

100% correct. If I look at the heart rate data from an e-bike ride or a normal pedal bike ride. I can easily climb on he e-bike at 80-90% of max hear rate. Just as I would if I was on my normal pedal bike. Only difference is the speed at which I would climb at. People having the though that using an e-bike is "cheating" or you won't get fit is a very bad misconception. People who would never ride because they are too unfit and its too difficult can now ride more and improve their fitness to be able to ride a normal pedalled bike better and with more enjoyment.

I have a normal pedal bike and my father who is not even 60 years yet has a Levo. He is a weekend warrior at best, Only really riding in good weather when he feels like it, that was until he got the Levo. He now rides with me and my group of friends on his Levo while we ride on our normal pedal bikes. He is riding at least 3 times a week and it enjoying his riding much more than before ( he also has a mx background as do I). His fitness is improving at a rapid rate and he is enjoying the riding because he feels he can ride for longer and up to places he never could previously. He also has a normal pedal bike for events and to ride when he has to. My feeling is if you are waning to get into riding for the enjoyment and and having fun on the downhills the Levo will work for you. You will still get fit. It all depends on how much assistance you want from the bike. The geometry of the Levo is well suited to throwing it around the trails at Meerendal. More and more events are including e-bike categories.. I would ride the Levo in the mountains. You will be able ride more, more often. I also ride my normal pedal bike with 12 speed eagle and it is still hard work up he climbs ( ok, I am 90 kg, so it will probably always be hard work). Just my 2 cents of info having access to the Levo and riding a 12 speed groupset on a normal pedalled bike.

Another issue I came across is make sure the chain line is correct otherwise you will also encounter shifting problems. As said before the Eagle is very sensitive and everything must be aligned correctly for it to work 100%

Apparently 2 years

I just had a Specialized power saddle warrantied as the rails were coming loose in the saddle shell and there was a creaking noise coming from the saddle. New saddle was delivered in less than a week of taking he problem one in. A saddle sustaining that amount of damage due to failure from just siting on it is very strange. I can understand them not wanting o warranty it.

I am also looking for the Northwave XC shoes. I sent a mail to Northwave who directed my mail to Hullabaloo and they have said they no longer distribute Northwave in South Africa. They also mentioned my best bet would be to get from Chainreaction cycles. See mail response below " Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately we can't assist with any NW products as we stop distributing in SA. Your best alternative would be Chainreaction cycles. Apologies for the inconvenience. Kind Regards"