thebob

Bet the fork was buttery smooth after that

Shock pumps are high pressure, low volume. Foot pumps, compressors etc are low pressure, high volume. The two applications are not compatible.

Need to balance what the OEMs want and what the dealers and groups need to have sustainable businesses. Anyone moving metal for zero profit is not sustainable, especially with the changes coming to the motor industry

Stock shortages on new vehicles with people giving away scarce, highly sought after models at zero profit. Customers and resellers (don't get me started on these pirates) are taking advantage and dealers are seemingly unable to react. Seems to be a problem in most sales environments, from cars to bikes and everything in between.

Noticed a bit of corrosion on the upper headset bearing on the Spark I briefly owned. Cleaned it up with a scotch pad and some WD40. I then packed the area with Bel Ray grease reinstalled the bearing and covered it with more of the grease. And yes, the cable integration is a pain in the rear.

Where was that pic taken?

That is the one. Shipping is via DHL to SA and then via SAPO. I've not had any issues with this method and actually had Post Office vans arrive at my doorstep with the parts. Only pain is not having cash on hand an either having to run to an ATM or getting them to leave it at my nearest PO

bike24 has stock if droo cannot get locally

New fork fitted. Thanks to Matt and the team at Trailwolf for prepping the fork and getting me a crown race.

A 34 at 150mm is going to be quite the noodle, though if all the bike is seeing is Big Red Barn then it shouldn't matter

New legs for the Trek

Trek dealers have Top Fuel and Supercaliber. Speak to @BaGearA he works at a Trek dealer and could probably sort you out. Sparks are available at Scott dealers, there are even brand new ones in the BikeHub classifieds. For Specialized, check their website and find the bike you want and use "find near me" function. Honestly the Top Fuel would be my pick (yes I have one and I've also had a new Spark, so I have some perspective). The Top Fuel is just so versatile. I took it on the big jump line at Wolwespruit this morning with no issues and still set a climbing PR on a section. If you want something a bit more XC biased or that you can race in future, the Epic Evo or Spark is your pick

If you haven't, try get a kit from a local dealer. If there is stock you'll have it in your hands much faster and probably for the same price as overseas plus courier plus duties

Scott Spark RC, Scott Spark 900 series, Specialized Epic, Specialized Epic Evo, Trek Supercaliber and Trek Top Fuel. Take your pick of those as there appears to be some stock available locally and that is in the correct size for you! Schlepping a bike back from the States seems like a pain, unless you have someone there who can secure a bike for you.

Knee and elbow pads should be fine for easy trails. But wear what makes you feel comfortable. Also know, that no matter how many pads you wear, it still hurts when you meet mother earth

Well done Bobby & team. But still, that chain.....

Please please please, give your chain a clean!

Was the barbed wire there on the first run down?

You can give SAPO a call to get the local tracking number (be prepared for at least a 30 minute wait listening to their terrible on hold music). Take that to your local Post Office and they should be able to tell you where it is. They will also have the customs sheet and will ask your for the money before releasing the package. For all the crap SAPO gets, I've never lost a package that they have had to deliver to me. Once they did not send out my parcel slip, but as I had the local and international tracking numbers my Post Office tracked the parcel and had it there for me. A bit of patience is usually all that is required.

Seems he's had to have a back op. Journalist over there spoke with specialists who said the procedure being done is to ensure his quality of life going forward. Hope he recovers well and will be back on the bike soon

I have Bontrager 35mm carbon bar on my Trek and a Renthal 35mm alloy bar on my Pyga. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference between the two. If I was you I'd look at tweaking my tyre pressures and look at my fork (settings, service and making sure bushings are properly sized) before splashing out for a new set of bars.

Rekon race has much, much smaller and shorter knobs than the regular Rekon. The race model is a proper XC race tyre

Dissector up front and a Rekon out back. Best "downcountry" tyre combo out there! You could also swap the DHR up front to a DHF, which rolls a lot faster and go with the Rekon out back

Got me a Yoann Barelli “Into the Gnar” top cap

That stuff has been on there before. It's the dregs that remain.