GHOST FACE

Giant South Africa managed to secure some frames of the last Alu model and have them build up with a mid range kit. Might be a good option or at least a jumping off point for a custom build" https://www.dragons.co.za/giant/mtb-performance-bikes/giaan29cust-anthem-29er-custom

That isn't the original dropout on there.

I've been here for a couple of work events. Top notch place. Great trails around there.

Get your local to contact Dragons and order this: MY-213-MW. Only 4 left.

https://velomedia.io/bad-medicine-trek-closes-italian-subsidiary

There's the Power Halo but it only fit's Sram cranks. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/power-halo-power-meter-2022

Right here. Get your local to order it for you. https://www.dragons.co.za/giant/gear/dr27-h-1280gs834609b1380000017-giant-dropout-kit-142x12-thru-axle

Don't forget to look at Giant.

Not likely

Giant stopped making Alloy Anthems 3 yrs ago. 2021 was the last year model. Giant SA has some custom built version that stores can order. Spec isn't great but it's a good platform for upgrading on a budget. https://www.dragons.co.za/giant/mtb-performance-bikes/giaan29cust-anthem-29er-custom

And they'll be one at Mello Velo later today.

You can go see it at Olympic Claremont tomorrow.

Basically what they did was package the wheels in this box and the frame/groupset etc in that box and shipped them together in the same container and claimed "we aren't importing bikes" hoping to dodge the 15% duty. Most times they're even marked "Box A" and "Box B". There's no expert needed here. They tried and got busted. Simple really.

When a new bike is bought from a dealer the 1st owner is effectively paying a portion towards the warrantee. Numerous people get paid from the sale of a brand new bike. You can track that all the way back to the person in the factory cleaning the floor. When someone sells a 2nd hand bike to Joe Public no one else gets a cut of that, only the seller. No brand gets anything from the sale of 2nd hand bikes, besides warrantee claims. So why should Joe Public, buying at a heavy reduced price, get the benefit of having a warrantee and expect some sort of remedy/replacement from the bicycle brand if/when something goes wrong on said discounted, used bike when he's not paying for it? When thinking, "should I buy new or 2nd hand?" the first "con" of buying 2nd hand is always the warrantee, no matter what you're buying (besides cars for some reason).

I'm using a 26in Avalanche Luna-e. Retails around R24k and zero problems. easy cruise along at 32kph and around 25kph into that early morning South Easter from Table View. Super maneuverable and does the job. Can even go for a proper MTB session if you want. Laughs all the way past traffic.