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ChrisF

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Everything posted by ChrisF

  1. Back in 2019 the prices jumped from around R6k to R8k then up to R14k for these bikes, dependening the specification. we ended up buying the cheaper unit, and a full 1x11 box of kit. Went home and converted the bike before even showing it to Maritz. Now I have a bike where the parts are worth more than the bike .... jip, was supid enough to use the original 1x9 to help out a buddy.
  2. The breeze made sure I got proper training for the World Champs .... The views .... even some vineyards in full autumn ...
  3. Bikes are emotional purchases for most of us. Very few are capable of feeling the difference 1 degree of any of these geometries makes .... Right size frame !!! Right tyre pressures. Get somebody to help tweak the suspension. That is more than most do ... sadly. As for riding the bikes .... this is where the emotional bit comes in ... despite the numbers and specs some bikes just stir your emotions, sounds like the Stance already does that.
  4. I currently have two Giants in my stable. I LOVE the "TRANCE" ... was shocked to see how seriously the Stance is downgraded in comparison, it is truly their entry level bike .... the QR being one of the more visual items ... My money, between these two bikes .... Titan Racing YES, ride both ... find which one speaks to YOU.
  5. Having gone through this the last few years .... TWO dimensions to check : 1. Can he stand over the frame ? (basic safety when riding trails ... not nice seeing kids hurting on trails when the top tube is just too high ....) 2. REACH ... more specifically, let him sit on the bike (while you hold it upright by the seat), now let him turn the bars left and right ..... you quickly see if he is capable of handling the frame length .... THIS is/was the magic of the 24-9r ... 26" wheel on an XS frame. Maybe @Titan Racing Bikes can comment on the reach of the 24-9r vs the "Titan Drone 26" jnr"
  6. The 96km road route ? Leave Durbanville, then head straight out to Klipheuwel - skip the Phisantekraal section unless you have a backup vehicle (with a bull bar and the will to use it). We have cycled past there a few times in the last months, but with a backup-up vehicle ... one of those spots which is fine until the opportunists decide it is time to re-distribute your goods ... Fine all the way to Malmesbury and back via Old Malmesbury road. First half of Addelarley road, from Philladelphia side, is in a BAD STATE !!!! Vehicles needs to zigg zagg to miss massive lumps in the road !!! It is 3 or 4 very short bits .. just be alerrt of the conditions and traffic in these areas. THIS may be a serious risk to the fast bunches on race day !!! MASSIVE lumps of upstanding tar in the middle of the road .... (as of the first week of January ... lets hope they get repairs done very quickly) Having skipped the Phisantekraal bit ... turn off on the return leg and go enjoy coffee in Philladelphia.
  7. Because of the movement, or because of the impact ? even a few hundred meters of running and my knees are done .... but I can walk, even did a sub-3 half marathon. Loving 10 to 15km trail walks. .
  8. Real question - where do we find these shops ? Even the fancier store in Edwards street only punts the limited options on their shelves ....
  9. Uhmm .... uhmmmm .... e-bike is not a magic bullet .... sadly not. Weak knees - YES, an e-bike helps. But you are still cycling, you are still using the same group of muscles .. same group(s) that compensate .... HOW you use the e-bike becomes the decider ..... ride in zone 2 and zone 3 for a few hours, and it is just a lighter version of what ou normally did, and the same muscle groups are going to speaking to you. Short rides, using maximum boost, sitting in zone 1 .... now your muscles are having less of a workout. The nice part of an ebike .... on good days you can turn down the assist and get a decent workout. On the not so good days, use more assist and keep the mobility going.
  10. Ouch bud .... it sucks ..... these things can be a nightmare to diagnose .... . Physical ... tears and damage to joint surfaces is one set of issues. Some more treatable than others. (Doc would not operate on my torn meniscus .... avoid impacts and improve supporting muscles) . Muscular ... in theory easy to exercise and strengthen .... in practice it can be an easter egg hunt, as the pain often is often elsewhere as a result of the body compensating to protect a weak point. (Lower leg issues related to trailrunning resulted in my QL pulling in a knot, pulling my hips 15mm out of allignment ... no issues while trail running, but shear hell trying to cycle!! Irma diagnosed the hip miss-allignment, physio resolved the QL, then off to the bio to address the route cause) But you already mention the pgysio and bio .... Sorry, hope you manage to get to the root of this ....
  11. @Zebra I was about to make a joke about finding a "young person wanting to work" .... Did a quick search ... - about 656 000 people finished matric in 2025 (well that is the number for the 88% that passed) - barely 200 000 will get access to a university, then a colleges etc .... About 300 000 are left to play computer games .... IF their parents can support this life style ..... Brutal reality .... youngsters will need to make their own way in this world. And we are old enough to have seen MANY "youngsters" (late teens to early 30's) make a business where others just laughed at their ideas ....
  12. Thank you. This is the type of info I am needing ... The concept of the spinning front end I knew existed .... but thats about it. I have no idea about "mid school" a "headset", etc, thus hoping for some more info to not jump down the wrong rabbit hole when searching ....
  13. Helping a friend to give this BMX a second life ... My first time with this type of steerer - The rest of the bearings are in need of TLC, BB bearings to be replaced. Thus I want to service the steerer as well. Any tips or videos will be appreciated.
  14. Make sure this goes on record .... Good luck to them when you refer this to the ombudsman !! They clearly hope they are dealing with the type of rider that takes the bike to the authorised dealer, sorry ... concept store, to have a valve CORE replaced 😵 yes, they live amongst us ....
  15. Bear with me .... have you ever attended a "basic skills" session ? Heck, with all the Parktool and GCN training videos it is easy enough to claim basic training Local Spez shop often present these ... It would mess with their agenda if you can point out any such training ..... (not that any training should be needed to fit a wheel)
  16. Spice it up .... Cycle to the venue ... Trail run .... Cycle back ....
  17. Jip, light breeze ahead .... 20260109_194853.mp4
  18. I have a couple of other products from HoldFast. Was the only brand where I could buy spares to make custom racks. Spares can be ordered from any bike store, no locking into a price controlled dealership ... Products are holding up good. I am a Thule fan .... but with my next purchase I may well consider HoldFast.
  19. Most races require a "CSA day license" .... if you do 3 races per year, just buy a CSA annual license. Last year the 40km started just too early for the front runners to do two laps .... If I recall correctly it was a bit before 9:00 when the 40km groups started. Heck, it might have been just after 9:00 .... just recall a few interesting "options" for those wanting to slip in and do their two laps ..... Guess this is a moving goal post as each year's entries differ ....
  20. 2025 was my first full year of trail running (rather speed walking), so no expectations, just gradually working away at improving my times. Still many sessions with the biokineticist and steadily working on rebuilding what was lost in 16 years of inactivity ..... TOP TIP - DONT be inactive for extended periods .... Back to "goals" ... I managed to do all the trail run events of our club last year (except one that clashed with a cycling event) Got nudged into doing my first half marathon - Rhodes, aka Safari. Promptly entered and did the Gun Run half marathon as well. Trail run progress .... January 2025 to January 2026 ... shaved 25 seconds of my pace, and fresher at the end Very modest compared to the serious runners, but a good year for somebody that did a first 5km in 2024.
  21. The local bike shops, Norhtern suburbs, all pointed me to Carbon Bicycle Repair Durbanville. VERY HAPPY with their work. PS - I have heard good feedback about Jared as well - after CBR did our project. PPS - another project later this year, will also go to CBR..... first need to find a specialist aluminium welder (once my budget recovers from the current cycling expenses) ....
  22. Dragon Sports are the Giant agents. Here are a few names to contact - Gert Stander Technical/R&D manager gert@dragons.co.za (this is an older email address, maybe check by calling the landline) Mike Barth mike.barth@dragons.co.za Tel: +27 (0) 21 461-6252 Ext 35 IF these items do not relate to the accident, as per the "insurars specialist" .... Warranty Registry Giant South Africa https://giant-bicycles.co.za › warranty LIFETIME WARRANTY: The bicycle frame, except on models intended for downhill purposes. 10 YEAR WARRANTY: Rigid forks. 3 YEAR WARRANTY: Frames on models Let them fight it out .....
  23. Following - I had two off ebikes on my Thule this weekend .... OUCH !!! The unit was NOT happy ... Two off ebikes is a LOT heavier than three off adult size full suspension bikes !!! Thankfully a once off .... certainly do not want to be doing this regularly on the "old" rack.
  24. The downside of a hardtail is the gearing. You spin out around 40km/h. Gravel or road bikes allows a much higher top speed, when conditions allow this. Thus my comment of the ring size. But these are all cost items .... easy to let the budget run away ...
  25. And with the wide range of gravel tyres it is possible to get some good options. Next would be the optimal ring gear size ....
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