wesley_r

Check these out: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=63322

Of course, they are mates of mine, and I want to support them wherever I can, because they're doing a good thing, so excuse me if I'm a bit passionate . Thanks to them I've managed to set myself up with Deity Dirty30 handlebars, a Dartmoor chain guide and 661 Rage knee guards. All stuff I'd have to import otherwise, instead I've managed to lay my hands on the stuff in a couple of days, all for a good price Rage Knee - R511 on CRC + 38.5% duties = R707.70 excl. shipping. R600 on Dial'd Deity Dirty30 bars - R614 on CRC + 15.4% duties = R708.50 excl. shipping. R685 on Dial'd Dartmoor Simple Chain Guide - not available on CRC, R255 on Dial'd Source for duties: http://www.thehubsa....-cycling-goods/ PS I was wrong about the helmet - according to that link (if you scroll down) it's actually more... unless you get lucky and customs are snoozing. So the 661 Recon from CRC at the moment will cost you R860 + 44.3% = R1 240

At the moment Dial'd's shipping orders over R500 free, so the helmet will ship free. These are guys worth supporting - it's a new business and if as an industry we support them, it'll only be good in the long run. Even if the difference was R180, I'd still buy from them

You got lucky - it must have been on sale. The current price on CRC is R860, plus 25% import duty on helmets that'd be R1 075 + shipping. So R980 doesn't seem that bad now. You can't say Dial'd's price is too high if you're comparing to a CRC sale price. The guys are trying to run a business, they need to eat too - CRC constantly has massive sales, because they're moving massive amounts of stock.

I am a fan of helmets that extend down a bit at the back - trail / AM helmets if you will. I've had 2 Fox Flux helmets, a 2010 model and now a 2012 model (since I crashed with my old one). They are great, but the main reason I bought them was price, and lack of anything else on the local market. The only 3 helmets I could find at the time were the Fox Flux, the Specialized Vice, and the Giro Xar... The Xar was approaching 2k, the Spez was 1.2k, but buycycle.co.za has the Flux almost permanently on sale at sub-R1000, so I went for it (they still do, if you're looking for one). However, if you want another well priced alternative, Dial'd bikes now have the 661 Recon helmet, at R980. I've checked this helmet out in the flesh, and it's the business, had I not already replaced my helmet it would be a strong contender. The graphics also look damn goon in real life. Check it out: http://dialdbikes.co.za/661-recon-wired-helmet.html The purpose of this post? Just to let you know what's out there. Variety is the spice of life, it's nice to know we have more options, and personally I think R980 is a steal for a good trail / AM helmet like this. Happy shopping!

modelling them, they are pretty low profile and a different design from my lizard skins, which had a tendency to snag my shorts at the top... lizard skins on my left leg for comparison in the last shot

Some pics. 661 refer to the protector as a "hard cap protector". It's not rigid plastic like an old school skate pad - it's that hard-yet-flexible CE approved rubbery stuff you find in many pads, wrapped in a stretch kevlar outer. The rest of the pads are perforated, and the bits at the back are softer than the Kyle Straits (apparently) - nice soft neoprene sections where the strap goes over and where the most movement will be. Construction looks solid, attention to detail is great. Hopefully I'll get a ride in this weekend to test them proper. Some pics...

damn these 661's are comfy. haven't ridden in them yet, just wore them around the house - very good looking and well made, and comfy

It's late, I'm tired so I'll keep this brief: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75708 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=63322 For AM use? Yes, no?

I've gone from boobars to Deity Dirty30s (also because of the bulge). 25mm rise, 760mm width, and light. Love em! http://dialdbikes.co.za/deity-dirty30-handlebar.html

Here's a review on VitalMTB: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Knee-Shin-Pads,56/SixSixOne/Rage-Knee-Guard,10294#product-reviews/687

Just bought these at dialdbikes.co.za - will have them on Monday

colour options...

no, he hasn't - he's specced a 160mm fork for the Jabula, which is design around 170mm travel

also https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151033110594130&set=a.423266074129.199664.48708964129&type=1&comment_id=7649110&ref=notif&notif_t=photo_reply&theater

Freeride MTB Shoe — A tacky rubber on the sole of these Five Ten bike shoes lets riders “pull, push and adjust” pedals for control on tough trails and in the air. The Freerider VXi shoes, $120, are made for flat pedals with smooth rubber under the forefoot for grip and an “asymmetrical welt” on the inside arch area for added durability after untold thousands of spins of the cranks. http://gearjunkie.com/outdoor-retailer-summer-2012-preview This looks like the shoe Sam Hill was showing off recently. Thoughts?

I dig those tyres though

or, of course, there's always the Meta SX

yebo they do. i'm just dreaming though, my next bike is still a few years away

Yeah this is a loooong way off, but if I could, I would

dammit

My favourite sneakers ever... need to start hunting for a new pair

Lol... I'm a Vans man all the way (currently for riding too)...

In that case: http://dialdbikes.co.za/five-ten-spitfire-shoe.html

Richard - that's the Freerider... the black and white pairs in my post are the Freerider Pro - same shoe, improved. For example - the sole is now stitched to the shoe and not just glued, and there is some toe and heel protection, plus I seem to remember reading somewhere that stiffness has been improved.