Dirt Tracker

That scout is on sale at great price for BF at the moment. Never ridden one though. Had a Meta and really couldn't find that much fun about it. Was a very vanilla alu frame but alot of people love it. Having has a few steel HT's I'd struggle to go back to Alu. If you're spending coin, get something awesome. I'd angle more towards looking for a Kingdom Vendetta (Ti), Banshee Paradox (alu), Cotic BFE Max, Bird Forge Steel, Hello Dave, Canfield Nimble Nine, Orange Crush, Stanton Swith9er frame set and just build up here. Much easier / cheaper to import and less duty if you go via Aramex Global Shopper. I've brought a frames in few in that way and by far the easiest, simplest, cheapest and pretty fast. Full bikes attract more attention, costs and duty. I've seen a few great ones on Pink Bike going second hand and great deals but you've got to take leap of faith (so far bought 6 frames from Ebay and PB along the way and no issues what so ever) but with PB better to have a UK account to dump the coin into their account to make it less hassle for the seller and with Aramex you have a UK address for them to send to so easier to deal with and arrange courier to collect. People tend to freak out when you say 'I'm from South Africa...'. EBay / PayPal is a bit easier with buyer protection. When it comes to Steely HT's there are alot of good options around but criminally few ever makes it to our shores unless you take a punt and do it yourself. Good luck, BF is almost here for new deals and post your purchase!

I've just bought one and might be returning one depending on what model it is when they get back to me. So no useful info to give but that definitely feels like that's my lane to be honest.

Went with an Aggressor 2.3 for the moment and put in an order for a E*13 SS and the new E*13 Grappler and Optimus via mate courier from the UK. Summit Bikes had the Agg' for R700 so was worth a go to see how it rides and can always look for some thing different like a Purg' or a Ardent Race if its too burly.

One benefit of having to nerd out on tyres for the last few days is I not only have a list of decent rear tyres I want to try but a longer list of new model front rubber that I'm super keen to check out. Keen to look at a Onza Ibex / Porcupine combo (is it's a skinny 2.4 rear), E*13 Grappler or All Mountain as well as a Vittoria Martello and a couple of the newer WTBs and.. and... and... 🤣

Funnily enough I was going to ask about the aggressor. I’ve been narrowing down the options and that was getting higher up the list. Seems a decent option for sure and there seem to be a fair few around online. Might pick up a couple. Shame so many decent models have stopped coming in. e*13 seem to have some great front and rear options and I’m pretty sure none are coming in to sa.

Got a new Vittoria Martello in the shed if you're interested. 2.8 and great tyre.

I do know the East Rand and Stellenbosch has some 650b DH Slaughters in stock if anyone needs.

Thanks for that. Missed that they had some. Appreciate that! I'll check them out. I know it'll be about R700 shipping with Aramex and then fees / customs. So around the R2K mark.

Yeah, I did that about 2 months ago and saw they were on special and was hoping to buy up as many as they had but they don't have stock and it's a system error that means people keep hounding them for the last ones in SA. I actually went and phoned each Spez store in SA just to check. Have found a E*13 SS DH in Germany (spoke to Get Stoked here and they said no SS in SA and they might be able to order in a few months if in stock), but it's looking like R2k+ landed. 😢

I agree, most Spez tyres have been great. The Slaughter was my go to but they've stopped now which has made me sad and slightly grumpy at the big S. The Purg' Control seems to be their idea to fill the Slaughter space (or that's what they told me when I was looking about last week).

Might look around but as the wheels set is essentially a brand new set of spank rims on hopes the idea of cutting out the rim and rebuilding isn't appealing. Am looking for a rear that might be thinner but my inner twitch couldn't live without matchy matchy looking wheels and hubs. Different tyre makes front and back would be a bit freaky but I can live with it. 😄

Yeah, that was why I was keen on the E*13 as the designer said they were designed not to square off on 35 inners and still roll fast. Aggressor could be a worth a look. Cheers.

Cost effective! 🤣 not willing to get rid of a great frame for that. Actually there are lots of options out there to 2.35 (and I've used some of the normal ones), what I was after was some 'love this' and recommendations to find 'the one' in the number of options out there. I know I'm probably not going to get a SS any time soon but there is everything from a DHR to Pirelli to WTB to Vitorria and... and... and... Talking of XC I did run a Ardent Race as a rear in an enduro event and it was a pretty fun ride.

RIP Semi Slicks. So it seems most importers / manufacturers have backed off from the Slaughter / E*13 / Rock Razor type rubber I'm left looking for a new 29'r rear tyre option. Hoping for some suggestions here as those kind of tyres are all I've been running for the past 5+ years. • Clearance in my frame is only big enough for a 2.35 so that is a starting point • Minion SS won't work as the 2.3 version squares off too much on the 35mm internal rims I'm running • Pretty much Tokai / Jonkers / Conties and mostly reasonable dry rocky trail / enduro stuff • Reasonably fast rolling and grippy when lent over would be best combo • Running a Bontrager XR5 up front, looks like it could be fun if it doesn't squirm too much • Not too bothered about matchy match front and back What thoughts?

For a 2017 Smuggler.

Has anyone bought any Transition Smuggler bearing sets recently in SA and how much? Not sure if I can get locally or if I must go overseas to get a set.

Is this about going 12sp, going 29'r, going 780 to 800 bars, the need for 2. over 2.4 rubber, 36mm legs or just the need to go from 150mm to 170mm+ in the WC? 😁

Shame, I quite liked their idea of making in the US, new approach to carbon manufacturing, built in flipper headset and all that. Wonder if they'll have a fire sale?

So, Monday... the day Patrick LF said will bring more clarity on the possible mega merger. Weird time with Rogla on the market, Ineos still flirting with Remco / all of QS / not having many riders signed, JV getting sponsored by amazon then not getting sponsored but rather getting sponsored exposure on amazon and maybe destroying the sport by super merging and a load of riders getting twitchy and worried. Just the beautiful chaos of cycling and it's bonkers funding model.

Too funny. When we were juniors back in Europe we’d regularly pick one of the crew to add a little DH to their shorts in a weekend crit or league race. Never got old watching the chosen one disappear out the back of the pack at pace after talking up his need for us all to support his anticipated break and obvious win. Almost as good as waxing up a buddies board with soap for his birthday surf.

Gotta be the classic. Nothing better to get you going once that is on the chamois.

And Pinots last race. Not that I rate his chances but it anyone is after a fairytale ending then it’s Madiot. Pretty sure he will be out the window and screaming at some point.

I was wondering what the approach for Pogi and Remco will be to the classics in 2024. Pogi back in with both feet looking for a roubaix cobble or cotton wool for Le Tour. Patrick LF pulling back on Remcos huge workload this year for his debut in France or if Sir Jim open the chequebook will Brailsford have him at altitude and writing essays on how he doesn't have to attack on every day with a Y in it?

Might be on clearance by then! 🐓🥝