T-Bob

I'm running an Ibex on on my tranny and it's great. I run it about around the 18 - 20 psi and work form me. Was looking at the Butcher or a Bronson for the 650b. Any thoughts as an alternative to just popping off another Ibex?

I"m looking for a new front' for my hardtail. Gotta get rid of those god awful Nobby 2's. so Spez' Slaughter is going up the back and was mulling over the Ibex for the front butt that breakout looks niiiiice. On the subject of Mattoc's, I am loving mine. It's only the Comp' version but it's 160mm and has the same Dorado air as the rest of the range just not as much adjustability (thankfully as I want to dial it in once then ride). It's no where near broken in yet but it's just so good. Took a while to get the travel sorted but not it's do it's rides so well, easily as good as my Pike.

I'm pretty sure that ran a demo tour last year but if you have a local dealer near you (like Stoke in CT) they will arrange any of the models for a demo to come down from Jozi for a weekend.

If you see me out on the trail on a bright blue one and you're a M then just ask and You can have a crack. Also Stoke in CT can get the demo one from A-Line if you fancy one for a proper test.

Mini Review from my experience: I never thought I could possible like a 115mm rear travel bike which you have to set @ 35% sag... and a 29'r. It went against everything happening in the industry and a lot of logic. In fact I questioned my sanity when buying mine but then consoled myself with the fact the Banshee Phantom runs even less travel at the back and that takes no prisoners. In an industry busy in a shock-travel arms race, Transition have taken a different direction and make their own bikes, in their own ways, with they eyes firmly on their gravity roots. They don't focus on the numbers, rather eye up really great geo' and making a aggressive, playful (yup on a 29'r) trail bike that can be pushed incredibly hard... and often further than the pilot wants to go. It's a 29'r but it does feel poppy and fun, loves to go down, over and off fast. To say the rear seems bottomless is a cliche but every time you look down that red ring is all but hanging off the shock but I have yet to bottom it out on everything or anything. From Blacks to gully jumps to all day trail ripping it is a great 'all rounder' for SA. Not an all rounder as in 'it's pretty average at everything' but it works IN everything and leaves you with a massive smile, tail wagging and wanting to go again. I've set mine up with a 140 Pike and I run a 125MM dropper. My medium won't take a Lyne 150mm dropper because of the seat tube kink. The only issue Transition face in SA is that trail / enduro people will look at it and see a 115 Semi XC package that they think the'y bottom out every 2 seconds and XC people will look at it and see it's not matching up to XC weights or angles. To be honest, some people will get it and love it, some won't but Transition will keep on making great bikes made just for riding and having fun where ever, whenever... and that will keep me as a customer. Trivia Edit: They called it the Smuggler as an tribute to all lycra wearing, budgie smuggling riders because people keep looking at it and thinking it's an XC bike. If it is an XC bike then it's an XC bike for British Columbia or the North Shore... pedal up big hills then hammer back down as fast as you can.

A good idea to see how your forks are tuned if you could rent it for a week. I'm a set and forget'r but there are nerds who tinker endlessly. I'd just like to know if I'm anywhere near the right settings as I've never done laps adjusting this thing and that thing. I'd rent it for a week, get my settings adjusted and then superglue all the dials.

Yeah I tried that when I bought the Smuggler... then built up the 160mm DeeDar Steel hardtail under the guise 'no honey it's YOUR bike, now we're teaching the little rug rat to ride, you'll need a bike to go around the common with him'. Not sure if the YT can be slipped in as the my sons' step up from the balance bike. Update: The start of a plan...

Weren't Travelstart showing out R4K flights to Portugal? Actually I have to go back to the UK for a month to deal with my Mom's estate in the near future. Hummmm... Any one want to purchase a very awesome, imaccualte Transition Smuggler???

When I was riding in to gardens I'd ether go the mountain or if I was late I'd hammer the path next to the M3 / De Waal Drive. Was nice and hilly on the way out of town. From Newlands you could do the University / Rhodes Mem' path next to the M3, drop down through the Uni / the windmill onto Main Road just by Mowbray lights and cut up to the start of the path in the green belt a block later as it crosses over the N2 zipping round the back of the the Hospital.

Nice looking bike. @ under R30k if you got it in the UK for the 'base' alu model with its Pike, Deluxe and a good bit of GX it's makes a lot of sense and the direct sales model works. @ R46K here it's slightly less attractive but sits in a well populated bracket.

Will be in attendance to pay respects.

#fullhair keep the pelt!

Ohhh.... you'll learn.

Jeez, looks like a bit of 531 tubing there. A lot to love there but you need to sort the level on those levers out roadie! Get them horizontal and stop pointing at them at the sky. You're on the tar now and there are rules and traditions to make sure you don't bring your knobbly ways into the mix! Good couch shot.

That is a little money spinner there for anyone with a 3d printer and some time.

Wonder if that is a seperate thread where rubbers looking to find a spare person or 3 can meet up. hummm.... now that's starting to sound like a weird MTB tinder permit vibe.

Such an awesome set of shots and I can't wait to send them the the boys back home with a big 'yeah fellas, why would you move to Africa!'. Stunning shots of a stunning city. Looks like some great trails that have opened up. Seems like every day we're getting new areas to ride. Congrats to everyone who work hard for the masses to get access and work with stakeholders and TMNP to let us ride.

Looks amazing and those jocky wheels are massive! I'm still surprised that they haven't integrated a riders water / juice / whatever and you still have bottle holders sticking out here and there like an after thought when everything has been thought about for aerodynamics.

Looks pretty decent kit at a good price. Only thing, do the baggies come in different colours and more importantly, do they have belt loops? Hemp is supposed to be darn hard wearing and a very good material on a lot of levels. There is always a long line of people in tie-dye wanting to chew your ear off about how it's a wonder material and will save the free world.

Fark... I thought I'd posted something. Apparently it was just in my mind while out riding and thinking about first impressions. Darn I came up with some scribe quality work in that review. Just never actually wrote it down. Duh. Had a few rides now and actually have some views on the frame, the geo and how it all fits together in terms of what I was planning when I started buying bits and how it ended up.

Good choice. I've been sticking with Spank since picking up some 26'r a few years ago and was utterly impressed with them. Got them on my 26'r, my 29'r and looking to grip some super wides for my 650b when I can find them.

Road helmets with peaks... ouch.

Simple answer the whole bike option is the most expensive way to get a bike here. You're better off getting the frame or most of the parts rather than the whole thing. Doubt CRC / Planet X / most others would send the frame and components in one box and the wheels in a different delivery but that might save. Truthfully though most people I know who have got a bike from the overseas have brought it over themselves or had relo's / friends do it when they are travelling as most airlines allow sporting goods at no extra cost as long as they are within the right size / flagged in advance. Saves costs on a number of levels.

Not sure if it's strictly a purchase...more finished the build of other purchases that makes up the 160mm hardtail jigsaw. I'm excited to get it out tomorrow and see if I can't crash! If you want to see more there are some other images in this fred: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/155830-what-does-bikehub-land-think-of-the-all-mountain-hardtail/page-12

It is.. just showing it in a different angle because it's nuts. Your shot is slightly further down the trail.