goatman

Aramex recalculated the customs duties after I emailed the relevant person with the correct customs code.

Thanks Warick, good point! I've forwarded the bicycle lights code: 8512.10 Bicycle lights customs code.pdf

Aramex just calculated 45% customs duties on 3 bicycle lights I imported via China. They incorrectly labelled them as "car lights" which may be the reason for the excessive duties? The commercial invoice clearly shows that these are bicycle lights, so they should attract around 15% customs duties (more or less) I have imported the same lights before and customs was either zero (amount under R500) or around 15% of total invoice amount. Anyone had a similar experience? I've raised the issue with Aramex customer service. Using the Aramex Global Shopper service can be an intensely frustrating experience, these lights were initially declared as "unacceptable/prohibited items" in Hong Kong even though they are not on the Aramex prohibited items list! No batteries included either. After raising this issue with a customer service consultant they were suddenly shipped, no explanation given. I'm over Aramex Global Shopper.

Found an Osprey hydration pack magnet just below the concrete section of the mast jeep track, Tokai today.

I've ridden the trails around Kromrivier, well worth it! Some sweet singletrack sections...

I have some spares - pm'ed you

Hi Eddy! From the horse's mouth: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/access-cards-permits.php Hope this helps!

SA customs finally released my light on 25 June with no duties/handling fee payable!

Does anyone have the exact customs code for LED bike lights? I have only paid VAT + 1% and a handling fee to SAPO in the past. I am currently dealing with an LED light worth R513 that is being detained at customs in JHB - had to provide proof of purchase and payment etc. It only took a few days to get from China to JHB via Aramex Global Shopper and then came to a halt at JHB international customs. I did provide the correct invoice initially To Aramex but JHB international customs detained my shipment. An Aramex representative e-mailed me on 19 June with a reminder that I had 48h to submit the required documentation (after waiting since 08 June) Buyer beware

Thanks for the great pics and write-up Ewald! Rode there last week for the first time and was just blown away by what Rob and his team have created. Go ride these trails!!!

Hi Bibi, What a beast! How much clearance is there between the rear tyre and the chainstays? Go ride!

Good lookin' build!!! How much clearance at the rear between the stays and the WTB Vigilante 2.3's? Enjoy!!!

In South Africa, the cause of human tick bite fever is either Rickettsia conorii, or Rickettsia africae. This is a bacteria, not a parasite. Babesiosis occurs mostly in dogs and cats in South Africa. Both are NOT to be taken lightly! I had some high concentration DEET "Bushman" repellant from Aussie but that stuff could also strip paint from your walls!

Check the plastic couplings 7, 9 and also washer 10 on the pdf exploded view. Check inside the clamp handle assembly to see if that thread is tapped all the way through. Hope this helps.

The metal tube(8) measures 245mm

I just measured the distance from the outer edge(i.e the edge furthest away from the clamp) of the tapered plastic sleeve (7) to the end of the rod (where the threads end) and it is 229mm. Before you grind away go and measure your rod...(no comments on that statement please......)

Agree, geez you must have legs of steel to have ridden 48-38-28! I reckon if there was a reasonably high end(SLX/XT/X9 equivalent) 8 speed groupset from Scram/Scheemano there would be a market for it. ..but then NEW IMPROVED must always be better right?...right? I bow to superior marketing......

If your 8 speed works fine then no need to change. Ask any (older) bike mechanic about 8 speed and I guarantee you they will say the same thing: far less hassle than 9 or 10 speed. Greater tolerances on the old 8 speed. ..remember this is just my opinion I'm sure the new 10 speed stuff will work just fine (except maybe in the mud!)

Jacques I would strongly recommend wider tyres, especially ones with more volume (the Australians call them "big bag" tyres) The confusing thing is that manufacturer's don't measure their tyres the same way so one company's 2.2 may be smaller in profile and have less volume than another's 2.1! At your weight you would certainly benefit from the additional volume in wider tyres. Also depends on whether you just ride trails for fun or whether you race XC seriously? or both? Almost every mtb'er will have a different opinion when it comes to tyres and of course I am the only one who knows "best"

Maxxis Aspen LUST (tubeless) version if you can find them in SA as a front tyre would work well Schwalbe Nobby Nic tubeless version but they are just stupidly expensive. From my own experience the Kenda Nevegal aka "Nevergo" is not an ideal XC racing tyre...

My riding buddy wants to get his old Schwinn hardtail re-sprayed in a colour his daughter would like. Anyone doing this kind of work in the Cape Town area? Preferably an inexpensive option, its a very old bike. Thanks!

Crack if you can find some old LX 6 bolt hubs for a good price go for those.

Yes, that does seem inevitable seeing as the "Split Pivot" is a Dave Weagle licensed design.... I guess they'll have to fork out extra $$$ for every bike using it.... Just like Horst Link bikes in the good ol' USA have to pay Specialized for the privilege........

I don't know whether all their single pivot bikes will still be available after the introduction of the prototype. Maybe it will just fill a "gap" in their line up? I should direct that question to Patrick Morewood rather... Re-tooling for their whole range of bikes would be very expensive. Wish them great success with their new models!

Good link here The rear tyre clearance under the curved seatstay brace of the protoype looks a bit marginal(and this may be deceiving as its just one photo angle) with those Fat Alberts (2.25's?) Mud will clog that gap up quick time. It may seem like nitpicking but it can literally ruin your ride if it gets wet/muddy. Bikes that do well in the UK(mud island) all seem to have very generous rear tyre clearance....