Arries87

Finally got me some protection... tired of leaving skin on the trails! Sure I will be testing their efficacy soon!

Same here, except I got it for me! Heluvva lot of bike for very little money. I eventually took off the supplied tyres, not very grippy over damp rock/roots. But I absolutely love my Skyrim!

I think you took the right turn...

Loving this thread! Keep it up!

The way his face was dragging on the tar...

How did he ever think he was going to clear that?!

Bliks@m... that had the desired effect...

Did a lot of riding there over December, the trails are in good shape. A lot of effort is going into these trails for no financial gain, Mike and the guys maintaining the trail don't get a profit out of it. Check on strava, they are opening alot of extra segments. Best starting place is from the brewery... or is it the best ending place?

Jup, not the best though. The soles are made of little flat topped knobs, some of them have started to rip out after some jumps where my foot lifted off the peddle (due to my poor form) and slammed back onto it when the wheels hit the ground again. Still lots of grip though. I am impressed about how good they hold up after repeated rides in heavy mud/water. I just spray them off with the hose and scrub them with my bike brushes. The glue and stitching of the shoes are still in perfect shape. That said, I will be getting a pair of 510s once these die. I tried my brother's 510s, they have much more grip.

Had this debate today on our long and slow ride today (70km), I have only been back on the bike for 4 months, but I love my technical terrain doing drops, downhills (enduro type riding) etc. often above my skill level (read going off the bike OFTEN). My friends are strict XC riders, all out racing snakes with the lycra, cleats, Cannondale lefty's, the works. Their biggest peeve is when I pitch to ride with them in baggies over my cycling shorts, t-shirt, flats, trail frame not to mention the 2.4" tires! However, for my fitness levels I keep up with them, yes I have to work harder, but I am loving my riding. I get constantly ribbed, but their turn will come when I get them to do some of the Central Drakensberg trails around my hometown. I have got a set of OneUp Composite pedals along with a pair of FLR shoes (not the best, but ok for the price). Honestly the confidence I get from riding flats makes it a no brainer for me. Ride what makes YOU happy. The plan is to get a clipless setup when we do stage races later in the year, who knows, maybe I will stay on the clipless, but for now, I am doing what I want to do, not what the rest says. Just get a decent flat pedal setup. It is going to cost the same as a decent clipless setup BTW.

Nice photos WW!

Thanx for the reply! Been browsing the sites you mentioned, HUGE difference in prices. I usually refrain from foreign purchases due to the cost, but at these low prices, it makes it worth it. I am heavy into fishing, everytime I wanted to import some equipment the local shops could source it and get it here for the same price almost, so was never worthwile importing. But it seems like the cycling world is different as the mark ups seems to be ridiculous?!

Very glad I saw this post, was planning on getting equipment in, but after reading the horror stories here I will rather not. The LBS around me are not helping, not getting stock in and no feedback when asked. Are there other worthwile online platforms that people here use?