Bos

this works pretty well?

Judging from Robbie's comments on twitter after it came out that George doped, I very much doubt he will ever be seen near DG..

Theres no mention of fox rear shocks for 2013 yet, all the catalogues I've seen is still twinlock. I think the US might see it, or EU countries, will run limited market evaluation runs. THe links posted are for bike rumour, remember they are rumours I am not 100% sure of my facts here but I doubt that fox electric mcgafter will come on many bikes especially not before we see this tested on pro's bikes(not just Kabush). In fact It will prob be on the "RC LTD" bikes which will be used by the yuppy, and not even by the pro's. They dont want gadget, they want proven reliability and no extra weight. Im sure Probike wil bring 1 or 2 of these in and the rest of us wil buy the lower specced models and have to make do with DT

I have used these on a stage race and bent the barend on one very soft dismount.. and yes they are skinny compared to anything out there.

Here is some food for thought.. “We have yet to finalise our Cape Epic plans, but Brandon and I have started every single edition of the race and obviously, being the 10thanniversary, it’s a big year for the race and for us each personally in 2013. I’ll be on the start line for sure and riding my heart out as usual. It’s a race I’d love to win still, but I do have my eye on a Marathon World Champs medal too; and with the 2014 Marathon World’s in South Africa, that will be a big focus for me,” said Evans . -Treadmag

Ya, from the bit I know him I do know that he is a shy dude who doesn’t like the limelight that much (off the bike) He is a man of few words and what struck me in conversations was how open and honest he was. Easy to like him. Of course he's prob full of mistakes like all of us. Im just saying. The way he reacted at first and the pics he tweeted the days following the "news" were full of emotion..and must have been a outlet for what he was feeling, since he wasn’t allowed to talk to the outside world. Chin up dude. Looking forward to joining him for a ride over the hols and having a few good laughs.. Not sure I'll bring up the topic though..its quite personal and deep.

I think the top Euro guys had a wake up call last year and expect the likes of Naef, the bulls etc to be stronger next year. As for Kev's partner.. someone said Imagine Kev rides with Nino.. Well damn that will be exciting, If Kev can be at his best form Im sure they will have a chance. Besides I think Nino has a BIG mental factor on Burry etc. However I strongly doubt he will risk the effect this might have on his XC season..And who knows If he can ride further than 60 km anyway

Now that would be a double wammy... But BS owning the team.. Ish..

Well there you have it. Wonder what the chances are of Kev riding Epic with a international rider. No offence but Brandon Steward was nowhere this last season, If anyone Max Knox was riding strong.. I cant see Brandon jumping to where he needs to be in 3months time.

I Spoke to Kev after the last Epic and he told me the fact that they were on the best bikes (lightweight carbon 29er dual sus) mad a big difference. and guys on ht's were simply to fatigued after 3 hours to be really competitive. I doubt he will go through all the effort of even riding such an event If he doesnt have the right equipment. Kev has had longstanding friends at Probike which are now scott SA.

No I saw that ... Really helps to say something has finally been said, but you guys cannot know what it is!! sweaty palms.. I have faith in you buddy @KE

Kevin McCallum ‏@KevinMcCallum .@kevinevansracin has release a statement on the #DavidGeorge affair. Anyone Know where this can be found?

I think that whole circle (China - Europe - SA )you pay a lot in freight and about 3 people needs to take a cut before you pay the guy at the LBS. Being a product designer myself but of course you all know that the manufacturer makes by far the least money per product. Which is also why they will try find shortcuts to make a few more cents. He might mark his product up 100%, the big brand puts on 100% the distributor puts on another 100% and the poor bikeshop in SA gets to put on 30-50% mark up before you end up paying. My pont here is that the factory selling frames can put a much bigger chunk of cash on top of those raw frames. But that is still bargains so we buy them! However I have had plenty of products made in the east and am all to aware that those chinese buggers do take chances wherever they can find them! So Its a risk you take. As we all know there are different grades of carbon and some require different layup. Im sure they cut corners and make a bit more cash by putting different grades of Carbon in there. (not always visibly for the naked eye) Having said that, would our sport be where it is today without the companies charging a premium because built into that price is advertising, sponsoring factory teams etc etc. If you could live with that, then why not!? But this is going way deep.. and like Azonic said, he is got one, he's happy, it works!

Buycycle kicks CWC's ass on prices of these products..

this guy whos bike is in the pic, rode 2.3's with it. I ride 2.1 in spez fasttracks (which by the way I guess I wont get anymore..mm) Keen to try it. I might actually take my hope hubs and simply build it onto different rims.

Hehe.. I see It does.. Maybe I dont need a new bike after all I dont however however beleve this doesnt make a difference to how the bike rides ? (besides bigger wheels) I'd like to know.. By the way which fox forks work? or are all 32Fox 26'' lowers from the same mould?

Wonder If my Zula will take bigger wheels..

Agreed! Wiggo must have a heart beneath it all. I was starting to think Froom played it to hard in the tour this year and Wiggo would be to arrogant to give someone else a chance. Im 100% sure it was not his call though..but would have also liked the likes of Contador going up agains them all at the same time..TT and climbs

Dassie, I was looking at the weights of the bikes on test in the last issue. A BH carbon 29 hard tail@ 14.5kg? a Momsen alu 29HT @10.5kg, a Titus carbon 29 HT also around 14kg. Im not trying to point out every mistake here but It looked a bit suspect, If so you prob know about it, but Im still wondering everytime I drool over it If there were no expensive bikes what would we drool over, or post on threads ?

What do you guys think, is this route more difficult or easier than the old course? (for those who rode the old route) It seems to be quite similar times wise but I cant remember ever being so broken after a race in my life!

Amazing route, die nuwe roete is nog beter as die oue! Ek het vergeet hoe styl daai deadman walking is.. eina!.. that hurt!

JJJJJJJJJJIS mar eks amped vir die race..Bliksem.. This has to be every proper mtbikers one race they do not miss. I have ridden it about 5 times 3 of those the long route and 2 the 36km..The first two years when I did the shorter route I stood in awe of the guys doing the long route as the climbs comming at the end of the 36km come when its normally already hot and as Boeggoe mentions above, dont be fooled by the first 25km of singletrack, there are no major climbs but it will take it out of you if you push to hard. I have a reverent respect for that 60km route and It is not to be toyed with, It is worth every ounce of blood and sweat though as its not just 80% singletrack but I'd say the downhills after the long climb on the 35km and the long downhill after the big climb on the 65km is some of the best sections I have ever ridden. Not to mention the forrest part... I think this race will be a lot easier in the cold. It is normally already 30 C by the time we hit the big climbs and that makes it hurt even more. I cant wait for the new singletrack!!!!!

What time? I need a ride but have to do groceryshopping for wife. I would dig this! but 26km on tablemountain is 1:30 of riding..thats a hell of a time trial

The 29er has breathed life back into a dead segment in Mtbiking. However I think take the aspirational and financial aspect out of it and 95% of people will be on FS bikes.However this is life, and those 2 points are probably the largest deciding facturs. A HT will never be a FS, not even If it has 29inch wheels. Yes swing a leg over a HT and it will always feel slightly more responsive and faster, Yes a 29er rolls smoother than a 26er and If you have no point of reference your opinion is just that. An opinion. I did the Karoo to coast back to back, one year on a 5" 12kg bike, and the next year on a 9.5kg HT, I was faster on the FS. but obviously.. this is just me 4:10 is far from the top 10, but the K2C is a hardtail race right? I had a long chat to someone in one of the top 2 teams after the epic this year and asked how the top 2 teams were so much faster than the rest of thefield..he said, "its because our bike sponsors have a lightweight 29er FS bike to offer"... With my whole heart I wanted to beleve it was because they were stronger, better.. but that was what he said. He said the otherguys only lasted 3- 3:30 hours.. before the fatigue set in. Of course even his opinion could be taken with a pinch of salt. Especially since he trades FS for HT on some races..and that he only raced HT a few years ago. But the fact is perhaps if the question is outright, which is best, surely someone with no aspiration other than winning, and no financial implication would tell the truth? I agree with Dangle that these threads turn out in a shouting match of personal preferences, Joe Dirt sais, "I finished the epic on a 29er HT and I was fine blah blah", of course its possible, and since you were not able to race yourself on a FS, no one would ever know If you could have been faster on a FS. HT.. Do-able, YES! FUN sometimes FS? Im biased

I would like to know how much resistance the anti doping agency and "clean teams" are getting from teams that are not 100% sure their riders are clean and from the riders themself. How are the riders who speak out against doping treated in the peleton and if they are seen as "sh*t stirrers" and experiance resistance for going against the flow. I would like to know If cycling could be cleaner If everyone was on the same side, if you understand what Im saying.. Like the gouvernment, the show is run by powerfull players below the surface and If doping is not a problem to them, it wont be taken serious. And how he thinks this could be overcome ?