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Whats happened to Bowmans???

Most mags, especially SA ones are full of BS and just regurgitate the same nonsense training tips and so on time and again. Nothing bar xc and marathon racing seems to exist in their world. The reviews are also poor and read more like advertorials. Online sites have just about rendered them obsolete. Try Vital MTB, Bike Mag.com and Pinkbike - the list goes on.

For sure - I was also at the Enduro's they did. Great promo for the bike. That said, none of the courses we rode were that hectic and no jumps. A hardtail did well at the first enduro. A good rider can always get over the bikes limitations, but once you start riding drops and jumps, 120 mm starts looking a little slim IMO. * The Pyga 120 won the Dirtopia weekend dh course last year - not the most technical or hectic course either I believe, though.

Both are expensive - a Pyga 120650 with XX1 and decent wheels will be R50k - that was 2013. I'd say Pyga if thats your price range, but get the Pascoe - you'll run out of travel quickly on the 120 mm version depending on your riding style and trails.. Local DH/Enduro guy Myles Kelsey has the Pascoe - check Vital MTB for a bike check. It looks good.

Did anyone watch the men'sXC eliminator world cup last year? The second place overall finisher and winner of the final race was on a 26er. Enduro world series won on 26" etc. Doesn't prove anything, just that the wheel size matters not a jot - the rider does...

I am sure it could work - the Tiffindel to Rhodes thing. Am seeing a mate of mine later today - he knows the area well and bikes in Lesotho every year. That's a drop of 1200 m so there will probably be a lot of pedaling, but its probably the closest thing we have in SA to a venue... Good fly fishing there too and a legendary pub at the old hotel in Rhodes. Superb part of the world.

Same as my set up - initially found it tough but now get up just about anything. Good traction at the back helps make it up super steep stuff slowly. Just keep riding and you'll get used to it.

Guys, read a few books and learn how to service your own bikes - it does not need a computer interface or hydraulic lift. 99% of what the shops charge your for is dead easy routine stuff and does not take very long. You'll also impress people with your trail side maintenance skills. Soon you'll only be shopping for new tools and replacement parts and fluids rather than chucking money at the workshop.

That video assumes that people ride like sacks of potatoes and is designed as a marketing tool. IMO decent geometry and suspension outweigh the wheel size in performance terms. Pyga swear by 29ers - (faster everywhere, they say) others disagree. A friend who is a good rider loved his niner (Spaz stumpy) but it had its limitations on technical terrain and switchbacks and he would have bought a 27.5 if they had been available when he was shopping. Confused? We all are :-)

Good one! A short stem and wide bars can do more for bike handling than just about anything else!

What bike and riding style?

Getting back to the fun side of things - it sure is fun to look at, like a super model, and it sure is light, just like a super model, but it looks like high maintenance just like ...., and when the going gets rough and steep and jumpy, I recon it will run out of legs. When I get sponsored to ride the Epic I will insist on one of these bikes to race on. However.. Until then I will keep having fun on my big bike. :-)

Lol, would love to organize the next big avalanche. i'll get hold of my buddies Fab and Jay to help out

what about somewhere above Rhodes?

Time for a Mega in SA hey guys? How about something mad like this in the Drak somewhere. We can manage about a 1500 m drop in -places... Omega dude - how about it?

And on opening my 2013 150 mm Talas a month ago, I found almost no lube oil in the left leg - feels much slipperier with some 15wt washing around in there.

Ya, you could find a sweet old MX5 sports car for that money... Bikes are crazy expensive these days...

Spot on - by adding float fluid - the thick blue oil Fox re-brand and is really some super heavy gear oil, you reduce the air volume in the air spring. This makes the fork spring far more progressive and i you add too much, will result in the spring preventing the fork reaching full travel. It is however a useful tuning aid because Fox don't make volume reducers for their forks like some manufacturers. I am interested - was your fork new ie did it come ex factory with so much oil in the spring?

And it sounds as if Meerendal is getting some more hardcore trails built as we speak. I will definitely be making the trip out to the North a bit more often now... I avoided the widowmaker - had my baby boy on my back, but, its the only feature that makes little sense to me on a track that has a bit for everyone. Its not a drop off, its a stair case, and a bit dangerous IMO, especially if it gets a bit blown out ahead of the logs...

Anyone who wants a short but hugely entertaining ride with some AM stuff thrown in should give this place a try. Most of it is easy fun, but the newish and well signposted DH route is a total blast. Whoever built it got it spot on. It manages to be jumpy, rocky, flowy and bendy all in one and goes on far longer than you'd think considering the moderate hill its on. Many features per m and a gap/double thing I safely caught more air on than anything I've ridden anywhere else. The climb back to the top is painful but the gradient is perfect. Lekker TMBC, Well done. PS - pay the trail fee of R30. There is an honesty box for non TMBC members.

I am in, family arrangements permitting. Let the venue guessing begin...

And no fun at all, just like a super model?

This thread is worthless without pictures.

Whats the big deal?

And you'll have change left for a dropper post.