wesley_r

the guy's now willing to take 6.5k!!!! some pics - first one of the ding in the frame, and some other misc paint chips very tempted

couple of other dings, nothing major amazed at how many layers of paint commencal put on these frames!

here's a pic. thinking it really is pretty minor, and the owner's willing to drop his price. I can get this for R6.5k

This is not the exact bike (just a pic of a meta 5.5 I pulled off the interwebs), but the ding is more or less where I've marked it. So, as if the suspension linkage has knocked up against the frame

I started another thread where I asked for opinions on the Commencal Meta 5.5 that I am considering buying (an '07 model with the triangular swingarm). The response was that it's a good bike for what I'm after - I narrowly missed some of the ones for sale on the hub and I'm pretty convinced that a Meta will serve my needs. After starting the thread I went back and took another look at the bike - it was then I discovered a small ding in the vertical tube (the seat tube) - it's about the size of a 10c coin in diameter and a mill or 2 deep. It's not big enough that it's bent the frame or anything, and it's right by the suspension linkage so the assumption is the shock was taken out for servicing and the bike "compressed" OR perhaps it had one massive bottom out. Is this a sign to steer clear, or something I should worry about, or if the price is right should I ignore it as minor and purchase anyway?

Thinking of slapping a 140mm travel fork onto it, which should slacken the head angle a bit... Regardless of whether it's truly all mountain or not though, it is one hell of a trail bike as you say. The parts spec alone is impressive.

The plot thickens - 2010 Trance X2 on the market with stellar specs. Now the question - is 120mm enough??? Still thinking about the commie, but that ding bothers me and the Trance is 3 years younger...

killer photos, i suddenly have an urge to learn to fly

I did check it out - no stock!

Following from this thread: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/103469-what-can-you-tell-me-about-the-commencal-meta-55-edit-or-the-specialized-enduro-comp-sl/ My needs: I'm thinking of getting myself a full-sus rig for trail / "all-mountain" use... something in the 140-160mm travel range for blasting through Contermanskloof, Jonkershoek, etc. I'm a fairly large dude - 6" and 108kg I don't really have a massive budget, and was hoping to come in at the 10 / 11k mark max It has come to my attention that OBike has the '08 Khyber Elite for R11 350. What can you tell me about this bike? Specs and geo: http://www.mongoose.com/usa/eng/mtn/ProductDetails?id=2635 I am normally a L but the M looks like it might work (it's all they have left) and 1 reviewer also noted that the bike is rather long... any owners that can tell me more about this bike?

They are. I can't jump to save my life - you can manual, pump or jump depending on your mood... It really is lekker. We should really organise a group and pull through sometime

Dirtopia, Delvera outside Stellenbosch. It's essentially a 4x / pump type track. Jumps, lots of different lines, big berms. We should definitely head down sometime as a group.

right so the spaz got sold, some info on the commie: the dude wants R8k for it, it's currentl got a RS Tora on. I really don't dig the Tora, and it's a 130mm travel fork anyway so I'm going to change that if I buy it - a Rock Shox Sektor is going to cost me roughly R3.5k, and I'll need to convert the front hub of my existing wheelset (which I'll put on instead of the current wheels) to through-axle (well, don't HAVE to, WANT to) which will set me back another few hundred. What do you guys think? Worth it? My one concern is the frame is a little banged up - couple of usual cable rubs and nicks in the paint, and some bad chain rub on the rear triangle (right through the paint), but also a small ding on the seat tube by the linkage. Not sure if it's reason for concern... O-bike also has the 2008 Khyber Elite for R11 500 (just need to see if a M will fit me)... OR I must just do what I've been saying the last year and build up an on-one (although I'd rather buy a complete bike - the Mrs wants to start riding and I'll need my bike to trade for a bike for her)

any thoughts on the price?

so this noob is looking to get a new rig: - 2nd hand commencal meta 5.5 - new (old stock) mongoose khyber - on-one summer season frame build up - or just a better fork on my mongoose tyax hardtail

An open letter to all bike mag editors - A new trend in mountain bikes I'd like to bring to everyone's attention a new trend in mountain bikes: 26 inch wheels! These unusual looking bikes might not climb or roll over obstacles as well as their more common 29" counterparts, but they are generally more sprightly and nimble over technical terrain, and often cheaper! Their smaller wheel sizes also make it easier for manufacturers to build stronger rims and forks. You are likely to see these ultra-rare rigs in niche areas such as what is know as "down hill" mountain biking, or on the 3rd step of the podium at premier mountain biking events such as the Cape Epic. Unfortunately not much information is available at present - reviews and features on these bizarre 26" bikes are scarce! But, since they are not nearly as popular as their 29" cousins, the 2nd hand market is flooded with them, so go ahead and snatch one up now while they are niche and can still be had at bargain prices, before they become mainstream! Yours sincerely 26" mountain bike rider

most likely neither this weekend - promised someone else a trail ride, let me see what happens though, otherwise next weekend perhaps?

yeah dude the track's there permanently... this weekend is a little tight, but i'm lank keen!!

Ok the dude wants R8k for the Commencal. I really don't dig the Tora, and it's a 130mm travel fork anyway so I'm going to change that if I buy it - a Rock Shox Sektor is going to cost me roughly R3.5-R4k, and I'll need to convert the front hub of my existing wheelset (which I'll put on instead of the current wheels) to through-axle (well, don't HAVE to, WANT to) which will set me back another few hundred. What do you guys think? Worth it? My one concern is the frame is a little banged up - couple of usual cable rubs and nicks in the paint, and some bad chain rub on the rear triangle (right through the paint), but also a small ding on the seat tube by the linkage. Not sure if it's reason for concern...

I call it my "berm face"

Ok well the Specialized is sold so that settles that

correction, it's an 07 model. same model as the one in this pic, just not as clean and a different spec ...

Let's revive this topic shall we... As part of my 31-year-old-noob program, I decided it would be prudent to head down to Dirtopia and race in the "dual" event (like 4x, but with 2 riders). Once I got over the fact that all the laaities half my age had twice my speed, I settled into a nice rythm and started having a ball...

It's this Specialized: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39200 Only difference is the bike in question has 2 chain rings + bash guard, and SLX cranks. The fork on this bike and the X9 / X7 combo appeals to me... The Commencal is an '06 (white with black rear triangle, not the "boomerang") with Tora front fork, Monarch rear shock, X7 deraillers and shifters, and older Avid Juicy 3 brakes, DT Swiss wheels. It's also a little beat up - I've seen it in person. Only seen a pic of the Specialized but it looks to be in good nick I can get a Marzocchi All-Mountain 2 fork from a fellow hubber for it, but I've heard the local zocchi agents have been awol for a while so not sure about spares and backup :/ 1 thing I've been wondering as well - is it worth the risk to buy a bike like this 2nd hand, privately, as opposed to from a dealer with some sort of warranty?

my "all mountain bike" might go from being myth to reality. I am considering buying a new bike, budget will be in the "just over 10" mark. I've found 2 bikes: a specialized enduro (09) but I'm haggling on price with the guy as his asking price is outside my budget - maybe i can stretch, but depends on where he's willing to settle. Also found a Commencal Meta 5.5 going for a good price, but with a rock shox tora on the front, which I am not keen on. By the time I've changed the fork (and the hub to through axle) it'll have cost me a lot more... what to do, what to do