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I am comparing brake pads and rotors - like for like. There is a massive discrepancy in prices. 6 bolt RT66 for Centerline 6 bolt. 600 vs 900. The brake set reference is to brakes that offer the same or better stopping power - you don't need XTR to get potent brakes, you buy Deore for R3k. However, you do need to pony up R10k to get decent stopping power with SRAM as their lower level offerings are terrible. My now ex Guide R's needed an expensive lever repair. The paint is peeling off thanks to fluid seepage at the master cylinder on both levers. My much older SLX brakes still offer better stopping power. My wife's ancient Formula R1's haven't needed to be touched and the paint doesn't peel off. As you know, and with your help, I just fitted some well used XT785's to my enduro bike. What a revelation. I barely notice them which is the way it should be. I do like the GX cassettes and the derailleur I have but if I could rid myself of the shifter I'd be happy. Will an 11s Shimano work with a SRAM derailleur? Mmmm.

That may be true, but doesn't explain why SRAM parts are more expensive than Shimano - the brake pads I mentioned elsewhere. Brake rotors are another. The near identical 200/203mm rotor is around R200 more if its SRAM - Sorry, just checked - its R300 more and I got an old stock Shimano item for R400 less than the R895 the SRAM item costs. R10k for a set of decent, enduro/dh capable brakes i.e comparable to Shimano brakes that cost half to 2/3 of the price and are often on special? Someone is taking the piss.

Race Report Lots of "family" attended to assist and watch and some lekker pics will become available later today. Check out the WC Downhill Insta for some pics and video. This was as a slick event with a turnout of over 150 from all over the country. I have never ridden the Paarl DH track before. Its fast and short but quite physically demanding if you want to try and go fast. The organizers changed the track quite a bit the day before practice, mainly by taping it differently. This made it a bit more even for out of town riders and it was good fun. More loose corners near the finish meant a good few dust baths for those overcooking it. The shuttle is swift and on smooth tar and the vehicles must have driven that hill to death especially on Saturday. I did 10 runs on Saturday which left me quite tired. On Sunday I managed one practice and then a seeding run which went okay but was slower than I wanted. My legs felt stuffed after this run and I think I needed a warm up. Nerves also got to me in the start gate. After a several hour wait which I spent walking the track and watching the elites ride some of the sections I was having problems with, I rested up a bit. My race run was clean and I used the confidence from my track walk to go for a jump I'd been avoiding and managed to go 5 secs faster than my previous run. I ended up with a bronze in in my age category and could have got silver if I'd managed to find another 6 secs, which sounds like a lot but when you are a novice there is always more time to be made up by perfecting a line or just staying off the brakes a bit more. I was chuffed with how well my race run went and the way I progressed as the weekend went on. My bike performed flawlessly. I tweaked the fork by adding 5 clicks of compression, and adding 5 psi and about 3 clicks of rebound. Out back I took off all the high speed compression and ran about 5 clicks of slow speed and two clicks of rebound, so quite fast at both ends. Traction was good and needed because of the hundreds of braking bumps. There was one particular section - a steep, deep rut with bumps and a good berm at the bottom. The bike felt super composed in that section which was confidence inspiring. A few riders overcooked the berm and ended up in the bushes. The youth, junior and Elite category were fun to watch and the racing was close. The top ten were within about 5-10 secs and the race was won by Theo by 1/100 of a second from Pottie. There were only two serious injuries the whole weekend and both were walking and talking with their arms in slings at the finish yesterday. I suspect there are usually far more and more serious injuries on a marathon or fun ride event than a DH event. DH is a very different kind of racing. The tracks are not always that tech, (the much maligned dumbed down DH 1 at Tokai has more tricky drop offs than Paarl, by a long shot) but there is always a puzzle and a fear factor to overcome to go as fast as you can. I encourage anyone who has an enduro or 150mm trail bike to enter a DH just for the experience. There is another WC provincial in two weeks also at Paarl.

You won't find any info on this event on Bikehub sadly. Is anyone else going? I managed to get in and it seems like there will be about 150 riders. Looks like lots of people have been practicing the track but it will be a new experience for me. Its super short and any mistakes will be the end of your run especially for the top contenders.

SRAM pricing is as usual insane. Basic brake pads are R150 more than Shimano... the list goes on. I know one shop owner who is gatvol. You can still get the stuff in from overseas if you are clever. That's what I would do.

Precisely - if you donate R100k to trail repairs you can come schralp for a day. No guarantees you wont get arrested.

You're probably right. On a long travel bike however, with lots of squish at the back, a shorter crank may help a little. I almost never get pedal strikes on my 175 cranks on my HT but get a few on my enduro bike - poor technique is part of it, but the risk is increased on a 170 rear travel bike.

240k and you could get a decent adventure bike and a performance street bike with low km.

Ah that's much better, sign me up for one of each. (Place the order please, just need to sell my house first so payment may be delayed a bit)

This thread reminds me of the Princess and The Pea. You can feel the difference in 2.5mm?!?!?!

Agreed, but it is quite possible to take your own beer with you and suip a cold one in a cost effective fashion.

The secret is to never do 106km rides like me. I do battle at times, especially with the higher roof racks on my SUV.

I love my roof mount bike racks. Over the weekend we had hassles with the 2 bike Thule version and one bike was a 26er...

Dude you need to watch this Especially the part about coffee and beer

MTB is big business now - and the SA version is still more about a long slog than fun trails. Happily there are more and more events that are changing that. Like the Bo-Piketberg U event, but that's pricey. For around 1k you can do the Eselfontein 3 day race in October. Free camping, race village and awesome trails. I'm doing a privately organized event in the Tankwa Trek area and that's costing me R2.5k including accommodation and some food and booze.

I once picked up a very ITB like issue with my right knee. I think it was caused by a bent pedal axle on that side. It took a new axle and lots of stretching to get rid of. I don't think the importance of stretching is emphasized enough, especially for cycling. Or perhaps it is but people, me included are too lazy to.

The lack of serviceability is disappointing but that said, I have a set of 2013 SLX brakes that still work pretty well most of the time...

I think you're right M L. Even the Shimano range below Deore, although not as cool looking in the lever department offer great stopping power. You can get a complete set for less than R2k if there is stock. Anyone who says a jump to a 200/3 rotor doesn't make a difference has never tried it. (I've done it on various bikes and its a very noticeable upgrade from 180). I'm trying a 200/200 set up on my enduro bike for the first time and so far it seems to be great. I have no doubt that the level Ts are fairly weak brakes if you are heavy and like to go fast - they're entry levelish XC brakes. That said, a jump in rotor size will make a noticeable difference and is far cheaper than a whole brake set. Top SRAM brakes now approach R10k for a set but there is always the cheap and cheerful Shimano Deore option which will make a massive difference.

BTW, trail associations exist world wide, from BC to the US to the EU. They build trails on land that belongs to cities, governments, private entities and individuals. Without such organizations MTB would not be where it is. Volunteers give up hours of their time to negotiate, manage and maintain these trails. Most riders contribute and support. Others shout and spread fake news from the sidelines...

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The reason is because the SANP do not supply money to build proper MTB trails at Tokai full stop. Thats the same answer thats always been given and the one you know. So of you know that why do you keep on sprouting the same tired ***?

Nope Im calling it quits on this now. You didnt like being challenged or called out on something so you labelled me as defensive and aggressive and refused to respond in substance. Merely carried on spreading the same ***. *** that has been responded to and answered here ad nauseam over several years. You dont want the truth or to even make the effort to find out by going to source. If you could get SANP to plow a few hundred K PA into Tokai we could just about cancel our exclusive club. :-) Can't wait.

I prefer logical and to the point. The "oke" has a history of making unfounded statements. When challeneged he gaslights the other party and carries on. Bit like you've just done.

And there you throw in another delusional statement - "...Sanparks are already doing..." You guys who use and abuse trails will be happy to fork out thousands on some bike gizmo but won't join the community who does get involved and support. I guess it takes all types ... PS Still waiting for your offer of assistance to get to the bottom of the SANP mtb funding conspiracy.

You too dude. Sorry if you're offended by my bluntness.