Old and Slow

I'm grateful for that info! Will it still be on RBTV though? I'll just remember to turn the VPN for that...

I watched it live on Red Bull TV. No VPN used.

I didn't find it to be a very viewer friendly track, it was enjoyable enough though. Great seeing Greg putting down a really nice run again. Two weeks to World Champs!

Good luck breaking the steel frame... I would take the offer, even if you were to just sell it on. Personally I would make the effort to build it up and ride it though. Would you need to pay in to get it?

I can guarantee you that the frame is not repairable. Aluminium must be heat treated after welding and this requires straightening using jigs in its softened state before being by hardened back to T6 hardness. No disrespect to any welders out there, but unless you are skilled at welding bicycle frames in particular and have the necessary equipment for heat treating, this is simply not repairable. In fact, I'm certain that a frame manufacturer wouldn't even attempt the repair either.

If that's your budget, you would definitely be able to find a nice used 650 full sus trail bike. They come up fairly often in that range.

I second the dropper suggestion. Converting your Rush to a 650b won't be worth the cost, IMO you're better off saving money on an upgrade and rather put that towards a new bike at some point.

It's difficult to tell from a picture on a screen but my gut says that's a crack, especially if you're also hearing a creak. That's a tell-tale sign in an Alu frame. Check the join between the head and down tubes underneath as it's quite possible there is a crack there as well if this is indeed a crack.

I'm super happy with mine. For the price, it does a great job of keeping mud away from fork seals. As long as you're not expecting full protection you can't really go wrong with one of those.

I got my Barista when they were also still 10k but around December they had a 25% off special. The next year it was 20% off. Considering it has a really decent grinder built in, I think it's a steal, even at full price. Thanks man, I'd be super keen if you find the time at some point.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that tamper! If you have the resources to make a custom tamper I would also be very interested... I've had a Barista Express for 3 years and couldn't be happier. It's simple to use, easy to clean and maintain and the coffee quality is consistently excellent. I am often left disappointed with the coffee from local boutique coffee shops, but this has never disappointed me. It also has a fantastic steam wand for the amateur barista which is capable of superb micro-foam. They seem to be on special fairly often too which makes it a no-brainer IMO.

What an insightful explanation of the South African consumer! This completely makes sense to me. I remember a friend saying a similar thing about VW. Proportionately, of total Golfs sold in the country, South Africa sells more Golf GTI's than in any other market. Heck, the Malawian tiler who did my kitchen this week arrived in a red GTI!

Cyclists are a strange bunch. They'll spend tens of thousands of ZAR saving a kg of bike weight, then add 1-1,5Kg of water bottle weight. Carry that weight on your back however, and it gets lost among the other 80kg+ you're already carrying there...

I usually try keep my banana protected while riding.

Quite honestly, as long as you are buying a reputable brand, it's almost impossible to buy a bike that you will be unhappy with. Anything with 130mm travel or less will be amazing, hardtails included! Mountain biking is fun, period. I'm not sure why people are so set on making it sound miserable to ride a bike that is not perfectly suited to the given terrain at any one moment. Go ride a few bikes and let your body decide what feels right, then ride away into the sunset with a smile on your face. Also, your wife may prefer a Scott, and you the Trek, matching bikes are not a necessity, as cool as it might be.

It does exist. If you can define the range "everything" and are willing to live with compromises within that range. I used to do downhill at Cascades on a hardtail with 5" travel up front and I remember early in the 2000's, for kicks and giggles, a local Pro entered a marathon event on his mom's old trash bike and made the podium. Speed is determined by rider skill and fitness, but the right tool for the job allows us mere mortals to discover our best with greater comfort and safety. Regarding OP's original question, have you demo'ed any bikes yet? I thought I was a fan of short travel racing machines until I rode a good trail bike. I'm in no hurry and I don't ride in groups so I don't need to keep up with anyone. Also, depending on your budget, you might be happier getting a used hardtail for boring, training type rides, and a trail bike for when you want to have have some fun.

I've always been very happy using Courier Guy. Whoever you use though, make sure that the seller packages well and with more protection than necessary.

This has become an incredibly useful thread. I've been considering a OneUp because I'm short and have a tall seat tube but thanks to the advice given, I will look elsewhere. Some great insight into the other options mentioned as well.

Now that we have reached a consensus that droppers are great, how about we share the best/worst droppers we have used to help guide those who may still need to join the club?

Honestly, the bike I still long for the most is an old dirt jump hardtail that I built up as a trail bike back around 2008. It had 120mm of coil spring suspension and weighed a ton. Don't think I've ever come close to enjoying riding as much as I did with that bike.

That Commencal is one seriously sweet looking ride!

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/667489917982773/?referral_code=bsg_newsfeed&_rdr Saw this and thought of this thread

If you are willing to go with a 650b, there are some great deals to be found. I recently picked up a carbon 130mm trail bike in your budget. It had been advertised on the Hub for over a week when I contacted the seller.

I think current events have clearly shown that integrity is severely lacking in our society in general... When selling items I don't ever commit to keeping an item for someone, unless they inform me that they are literally on their way to me. If they have phoned, shown sincere interest and their online presence indicates that they are legitimate, then I will sometimes hold an item until that evening. The crucial aspect being (as has already been noted in this thread) that I am 100% open about the terms under which I operate. I don't like wasting anyone's time, least of all mine. On the other side, I have also suffered the same frustration as the OP recently in attempting to purchase a used vehicle. On three occasions I have committed to a sale (So long as the inspection shows the vehicle to be in the condition advertised) and the seller has reneged on the deal the day before I was coming to purchase. Frustrating, yes, but unless there is loss of time or money on my part, it is water under a bridge.

My son is exactly the same age and also moving from a balance bike to pedal bike. If he's a median height then the 16" bike is a little tricky, but you can help by getting him the lightest bike possible. I think the frog is an aluminium frame, and if it is then that would be my pick. The Spez is steel and no lighter than an Avalanche Bolt that you could pick up much cheaper.