MuddyMike

Go Max. We need a Saffer on the top step again. Leo is a monster and with your experience I have no doubt you will be right at the sharpest end of the field. Good Luck!!

This is great news. Epic 2017 is shaping up to be a cracker....

The pros get tested regularly out of competition. Ask any of the Pro's how often they get woken up at ungodly hours to pee in bottle by a SAIDS "official"

I think we are all on the same side here. My point is that the posts below portray the opinion that Max has something to hide and there is a skeleton about to fall out of a closet somewhere. You are also right in terms of what 3 or 4 hubbers think about Max makes zero difference to potential sponsors. Any sponsor worth their salt will protect their brand with some serious anti doping clauses. It must be hell trying to be a clean rider trying make their way through a drug riddled sport. You don't know who is really clean or doping. You choose the wrong partner and you are labelled with them. Its a small group in SA and I am sure most of the guys are mates at some level but they make their own personal decisions behind closed doors. 100% correct, its the dopers who make life hard for clean riders to get sponsored and make a living. I guess, if Max had to go on and win a major international race the hub would be bursting with pride, claiming him as a Saffer and a great rider. I guess I believe in the inherent good in people 1st, that's why I support Max in his endeavours. He is the best SA has BUT if he was ever found to be doping I would be seriously pissed off because he has great talent.

I wonder how many of the keyboard warriors criticizing / accusing Max have spoken to him or even know him? Geez, your assumptions are a bit over the top. Yes, he has been let down by partners before and I am pretty sure he is really pissed about it. Have you ever thought that could be a reason why he races for himself and teams up with various different riders so he can take part in selected multiday races. Max is most probably one of the most tested MTB riders in SA considering his dominance of the Ashburton National series and winning the SA champs. As far as I know Max has never returned an adverse result. I know Max has always stated he rides clean and is 100% committed to racing and winning clean. Until otherwise proven, Max has my support as the best Marathon rider in SA and I am hoping 2017 will be even bigger than 2016.

In SA we are obsessed with owning and riding the bikes that are labelled "the fastest" out there (hence so many Spez Epics, Giant Anthems, Scott Sparks etc out there.) These are often not the most suited bikes for ave Joe (who thinks he is a world champ). SA riders are missing out on a whole bunch of awesomeness by not riding bikes like this Anthem SX, Giant Trance / Reign, Spez Cambers, PYGA oneten, Scott Genius, Cannondale Trigger, Trek Fuel / Rumblefish etc etc etc..... My 2c worth....

Hi, I have a pile of 26er tyres if you want them. Some are brand new.

and its worth every cent......

Its less than 10kg of some of the most awesomeness you could ride on a trail....Specialised Epic S-Works........ Let me know if you don't come right, I live close to where the fair is happening....

Considering the OP's penchant for red and black bikes and we all know that once the bug bites its over I see this in his future.... http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/images/models/Specialized/2014/s-works-camber-carbon/Main.jpg

Hey Blade, to get you going I will set you up with some starter kit I have lying in the cupboard. I have a helmet, gloves, bottles, cages and a pair of size 9 shoes and some other bits and pieces for you.....used but still perfectly functional. Let me know if your keen. Spend your full R5k on a bike out of the classifieds.

Actually the reasons given so far are not the truth as to the reason why you should not buy the Raleigh. The real reason is the guys don't want you to be laughed at when you are riding that thing on any trail frequented by guys and gals on proper bikes......they were just protecting your feelings.......

You will get a far superior bike for your R5,000 here in the hub classifieds. There are lots of guys here to help guide you in the right direction. The wrong bike and it could put you off riding forever. The right bike will make you ride forever.

http://i2.wp.com/alivecampus.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/dont-do-it.png?zoom=1.5&resize=257%2C300

Grey: real product through unofficial channels Fake: fake