Dirt Tracker

I am very happy. I've been look at almost all steel offerings and almost click the big 'buy' button on a 2020 Norco Torrent steel frame that Evans were selling but that was pretty much a DH Hardtail. I know the BFE isn't exactly a day tripper of a frame but from the reviews it seems much more useable than the geometry first suggests. I was really taken with the Ribble 725 as it was a full Reynolds build but the prices were not as good after you factor everything in and it seemed very much like a lot of the other choices out there. The Cotic seems to have that little extra something that sets it (like my Following) apart from other frames. Plus having listened to quite a few podcasts from Turner he just seems like an honest guy building great frames because he loves them. Luckily the delay now means I can agonise over the classifieds and sales to get a build going.

2020 Cotic BFE Max. Actually 50% of the Cotic BFE Max as it's a deposit / preorder and now I have to forget about it until December. Seems they are getting a lot of love with the new Solaris Max sold out as well in a couple of weeks. Might even sell the Evil and have this as my one and only.

Ha, ha, ha. They have made a proper business of it now, which I don't object to. The only thing that does annoy, and why I won't buy from them, is that come in hard with the low price offer and 'must delete the ad immediately' but get very shirty if you try to negotiate on one of their bikes for sale.

Just got my cards down at Tokai. As always it was efficient and easy. A lot of disinfecting going on and were in and out quick, quick. No questions asked, as per the 'group' and to be honest it's not a stipulation.

Too much sense in that post for most to deal with. Chapeau.

Spez Status review. https://www.bikeperfect.com/reviews/specialized-status-review Looks like a ton of fun. 63 degree head angle and 160mm is pretty crazy for a bike that is pitched at general partying in the woods rather than chasing seconds at the enduro events. Seems a great move from the red S. Wonder what it will cost here.

So what is in the box?

Please feedback how it goes I saw that offer as well. Looks a great option for riding and you can get them online from other places from about R250 still so could be a great option.

I've been looking for a bit but no luck hence the thread. If they don't know it's happening then I'd be surprised as last time I got a group we all pitched up and there was a brit, a guy from holland, a jewish guy compete with yamaka and a black french man (sure there is a joke in that). No one asked if we were family and the names / ids / passports etc bared no relation to each other. I looked through the multi user permit Q&As and there nothing about it being soloed for family or related people. Just that it was a multi user scheme and they talk about 'members' only, no other specifics. But I guess you're right. Maybe an advert would work better as you can delete.

Have PM'd

Think I have 2 others from another conversation. I'll ping them and where they are and if they are in.

Update: Cards got, application finished ------------------------- - Am looking for a new permit / need 3 people - Bergvliet based Happy to coordinate the application as I live just down the road from the Manor House / Office. -------------------------

I've never actually worked out if it's actually a minimum / max of 4 but everyone I've ever teamed up with has done it with 4 people. Currently applications are only be processed at Tokai Office and no Day passes are being sold from the Tokai car park office. Edit: Multi Users / Groups re 4 people per application.

Link through to the Activity Card page on the SANParks Site: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/access-cards-permits.php Link to Activity Card Application form: https://www.sanparks.org/docs/parks_table_mountain/myactivity_permit_form.pdf Costs: The TMNP My Activity Permit is required by individuals who make use of the Park to undertake a specific/variety of activities. Level 1 – Dog-walking (R305) Level 1 - Multi User Level 1 card additional member (R115.00)Level 2 – Hang-gliding and paragliding, sport climbing (R455) Level 3 – Horse-riding, cycling, line fishing and transport (R625) Level 3 - Additional member (R270.00)

Thought it might be a useful thread to start to get people together who want to purchase group permits / Activity Cards Level 3 for TMNP. Post if you're looking and please update if you've got / not interested any longer. For logistics sake it might be an idea to give a rough area where you stay and if you have another people who are looking or how many people you are looking for to complete an application.

Isn't that what Namola does on some level? Panic, messaging, tracking, locate, assistance, medical and armed response, communication all on a stand alone device-pod-keyring thing. https://www.namola.com/namola-plus Obviously it's more angled to the personal use rather than a item to drop down a seat post or hide under a saddle. Issue I see in having the personal alarm / personal tracking and a device that is so small as to be able to be hidden and not found on a bike is that they're 2 different purposes. Really one would be as small and tiny as possible and not be found and just track the other is a personal device. If as a joint unit it's so small it can't be found on a bike then I am going to lose it for sure before walking out the door when looking to use it in it's personal alarm guise and any buttons would need a needle to operate. Also I'm not sure that I'd be pulling up my dropper to pop a tracker down my seat post before every ride and then trying to get it out after. Rather I'd love 2 options bundled in one system. 1 like the Namola type device to have with me and can be passed about around the family and nanny etc and then a track tag that can stay in / on my bikes 24/7 and be activated via an app or is constantly running (though my wife might realise how much time I spend at the cafe post ride) and they all work off the same service.

What learnt about the ass-gai was rolling resistance is a really, real thing and that tbing for a mere mortal is a handbreak with weight. No, I’m not chasing koms, yes I value traction over max speed but even though I don’t need to feel like I have to pedal down hill especially when there are good tyres that weigh less, stick well and roll faster. If I was going full gnar in epic dh conditions they yes,yes, yes. But I don’t I live and ride in the western cape who is no where near as roff as the places the mags test & review this gear.

Oli does seem like a decent oke and I enjoyed those trail pinned videos he did but he has been spruiking all kinds of things from one end of the spectrum to the other. There was the thing with the finance company, the signal bikes(?), the the Santa Cruz bikes, the bike parts vendor guys, the feral bogan gravel period, the Red Bull bits, the first ascent campaigns and so on. I know it’s hard to make and living and survive in the industry but the impression is growing he’s a voice for hire rather than someone who actually backs the products.

How much do you think? Have a friend who is looking for a reasonable pair for a new build.

I've had both (E4's, single pot Curas and now 2 pot curas) and they are actually two very different kind of brakes. The Hopes have modulation for days and while they do stop you when you first get them they take a bit of time to get used to. First ride I had on them I thought that were broken and were not going to stop me going down Jonkers. Once you get used to them and understand the joys of modulation then they are really, really good. They are not the biggest 'stoppers' in the world and are a way off even the single pot curas (which were run and won on the UCI DH circuit by a few top tier teams). Hopes are a 'want' thing. They look trick on a bike and the ability to get all the parts is attractive. They also seem to last a long time but I guess people also keep them longer than as set of Curas and people tend to move them from bike to bike. So they are keepers. Just found myself a couple of times at unexpected moments hauling on the Hopes and not slowing as fast as I liked for those 'oh ***, give me all you got now as I need it' situations. They don't crop up very often but still. My experiences of Curas have been been very good. They are the undercover brake. They are the brakes that a lot of guys who work in bike shops seem to run. In fact I first saw them on MarcHD's bike when he was at Conties, at The Hanger etc and got great review from him when I asked about them. The originals ones had great stopping power and I really got on with the way they bit and the lever. Those are just personal things and may not be what you're looking for. I honestly wondered what the 2 pot brakes would bring and if even more power was going to be too much. I took a chance on a great deal and ditched my Red hopes for some gold big boy curas and I can say I'm sold. Again it's a personal thing but they deal with a lot of available power very well (unlike the Maguras) and it's never a case of just jamming a ton of stopping into your wheels when you pull the lever. There is modulation and it's good but it tis very different to the huge amount of modulation that Hope give. They are adjustable but the Hopes are very adjustable. Maybe too much. The one thing I really love is that they have a special device that means you can take off the hoses from the callipers without losing any fluid, letting air in or having to bleed. clip off, clip back on. Perfect if you build across to a new bike, good for travelling and stuff. You may not use it much but it's nice to have as I hate bleeding brakes. Maintenance wise they have all been very low. I had the single pot Curas on for +/- 1 year and never did anything to them other than to change pads. Hopes for about a year. Same, same. New Curas 6 months in and again just keep going on. I did get the LBS to look at my Hopes when I first got them as I thought they needed bleeding but that was because I wasn't used to the feel. Cost wise the Curas will always win by a lot. See if a friend has some hopes and give them a go then take up the demo on the Curas and make a decision. They are both top end brakes and you can't really go wrong.

In latest Cotic news: they sold out of 6 months supply of BFEmax frames in 2 weeks & new stock was is only due in December. They will be launching the new Solaris Max in the next 10 days and the will open pre- orders for the next round of BFEmax after that. Decisions!

Doesn’t seem it’s too hard if if you’re selling a Hope HB160 for R55k which was listed last night about 10pm. Either the seller reconsidered or it was listed, sold and removed in record time. I was scratching around to make sure I could get the money and then it was gone. Only just got over that.

What is the feedback on the Momsen? It’s a great price and steel but sits with a 69 degree head angle. Personally I think 67odd is the sweet spot for trail bikes (obviously when looked at the bike as a whole). I’ve had my eye on that Honzo for ages at trail tech but they aren’t budging on that price even when it was Black Friday. I think that the Slade is a good package for R17k, offer R16k and it’s even better! It’s a really nicely spec’d build with the money spent in good areas and the rev’ fork is really good and often gets looked over as people clamber for the pike and the lyrik. So many good frames about but you have to look. A lot of overseas ones won’t come here which is always a shame. Personally I’m looking at the Ribble 725, Cotic Solaris or new BFE Max, the Stanton 29r, Bird and Chromag Rootdown. For me a trail / am frame should be steel, they just ride so much better. Overall my money would be on that Momsen if you’re looking for a frame that is more trail / miles that focusing on the downs. Price is crazy good and those whole have them seem to be fanatically loyal to them.