deonkretch

We're going to Cape St Francis in December. I've never been in the area and don't have any info about where to ride etc. Would like to use these couple of weeks to get some miles on the legs for the Epic. I'd appreciate it if anyone with some local knowledge is willing to share some routes etc. Would also be great to meet up with anyone in the area for some rides. We'll be there from 16th to early in Jan.

I had a choice between the 29er or my Daughters tricycle... 29er won... could not get the saddle extended far enough on the tricycle Seriously, It's the only bike that I have and I like the idea of sitting in the same position on the same bike that I'll be riding in any race when I'm training.

I'm using a CycleOps Powerbeam Pro on my 29er (Santa Cruz Tallboy) and it works perfectly. I used an old 29er wheel and just put a normal Conti road tyre on - works a dream. You can't go wrong with the CycleOps products - really impressed with the quality and build of the Powerbeam Pro. Have a look at www.bicyclepower.co.za - they are the local agents.

Thinking of buying some stuff from http://www.mydailysupplement.co.za does anyone have any experience purchasing from them? Thx,

Enjoy the Tallboy! Invest in some decent frame protection - the car stuff (Helicopter tape I think it's called) works a dream but I ended up buying a kit from www.Frameskin.com - it's stood the test of time. More than a year later and the frame still looks perfect. Worth every penny.

+1 - Super prices and service from TheV

Rouxtjie - koop solank ys, jy gaan lekker drink B)

Had a set of Ikons front and back when I bought the Tallboy last year, went down Breedts one weekend and nearly lost the front a couple of times with the Ikon, not enough grip in the front in loose conditions for my complete lack of talent and technique. Really good as a back tyre (did Pioneer with it last year). So it's RaRa's front and back for 2012 - fingers crossed

SS Rigid... jou gat gaan stamp (Did it last year on the tallboy and 'my gat het gestamp')

See you at the Pioneer! How is the training going?

Did a bit more research and went to look at all the tires on the shortlist and ended up getting a pair of Geax Saguaro's based on advice from two shops... They did also feel quite durable. Tried fitting them to a pair of ZTR Crests (29ers)... Not in a million years. Eventually gave up and took them to Hotspot to have fitted. Got there this afternoon and same story, if they eventually get them onto the rim it is almost impossible to get them seated (and by now the yellow tape is also totally scrapped due to the force and effort needed to get the tyres onto the rims). If you are ever in a situation where you need to fit a tube it will be IMPOSSIBLE! Which means this is NOT and option for stage or longer races. So, I've fitted a pair of the new Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo Snakeskins, easy to get on the rim, seated with a floorpump without any sealant (although I will add some later) so probably in a way destiny that was telling me to stick to the RaRa's. A big thanks to Johnny at Hotspot Cycles for taking the time and effort to try the Saguaro's and for the effortless exchange to the RaRa's.

Any suggestions on a durable and light(ish) tyre for stage races (i.e. Cape Pioneer and Epic) for a 29er? Currently riding Schwalbe Racing Ralph's (Evo Snakeskin jobbies) front and rear and so far so good. I used used a Rubena Kratos (front) and Maxxis Ikon (Rear) for last year's Cape Pioneer but I'm finding the Schwalbe much lighter on the front wheel - just not sure if it's going to be as durable. Looking for something that is as close to bulletproof without weighing 1 kilo per tyre. I weight around 75kg's and will be running a set of Stan's ZTR Crest's so should also be easy to get onto the rim. Thx,

Hope you heal soon! I've had one for a while and don't leave home without it... too many scary Baragwanath (sp?) stories. I also prefer having something attached to me rather than the bike so that if the bike is trashed or you are out cold the last the the medics are worried about is scratching in your saddle bag. (PS. These bands last!)

Update: Frame still not arrived but a big thanks to the guys at Hotspot for making fire under the distributors - Scott provided a demo bike that he can use until his bike is ready.

Agreed - about 50% discount on the 2012 models

Yip, my thoughts exactly. It especially ticks me off when you follow some of the local distributors of these brands on Twitter and see their comments about other brands and refer to their own superiority but when it comes down to basics it's another story. Scott probably don't have to worry too much about their older customers as they regularly sell out all their new models. I'll happily stick to my Tallboy - no major changes to the model in the last couple of years and not a single issue to date

Pretty much what the Scott rep told me when I started fishing for reasons why it was taking so long. If you miss the "once a month shipment window" you end up waiting until the next month...

Going to keep this short and sweet. My riding partner rides a Scott Spark 35, 2010 model. Bike went in for a warranty claim on the 6th of July due to a cracked frame. Two months later and he was told that it would take another week before they have a frame for him. Is it reasonable to wait more than two months to have warranty issues sorted out? If you don't have a spare bike does that mean you have to settle for your stationery trainer in the time the bike companies sort out the issues? My biggest peeve after talking to a rep was that they only bring in parts 'once a month' so if you miss the window for the shipment you have to wait another month... Because it is not 'cost effective' to to use courier etc... So much for customer service... And for supporting local - have had faster service from international companies!

Agreed - take DHL!! Placed an order a couple of weeks ago, went for the "Free shipping" - 4 to 8 days, three weeks later still nothing. Mailed Chainreaction and they shipped another parcel (at their cost - awesome service) via DHL - three days later had it in my hands. The other parcel is still nowhere to be found and don't even try talking to the idiots at the Post Office... 'Eish, We need trêkin namba, otherwise we can't find eet..."

Ceres, done a couple of conversions using bombs as V mentioned and never had issues with the Stans 'freezing'. Keep in mind that the Stans is more of a milky liquid (latex) compared to the green slimey stuff that you use in tubes (usually sold at Sportsmans Warehouse) Looking at the comments on the DT-Swiss rear shock - just look at the two poster boys for Scott - Kevin Evans and David George, both changed to Fox Rp23's with the Kashima coating for the Epic, set to really stiff... That should be enough proof that the DT's are not up to scratch. As for the new 2013 bikes, just had a look at them this afternoon.... Nice!

Guys, the stuff used at the mines is made by a company called Dust-A-Side based in Pta with offices all over the country. Not sure if it's a bitumen or whatever goes into the concoction, but if it's good enough for the mines it should work for a track. Find them online at http://www.dustaside.com Good luck! Deon

I completed the Cape Pioneer last week. Yes, it's tough... as in really tough! I can't comment on the Epic (yet... anyone want to hand over an entry) but I can join in with the rest of the comments about the race village, atmosphere, organization and route - all spectacular. Yes, Katot threw in a couple of tough days/sections but at least it's not all Jeep track! Yes, the Epic is on my bucket-list but looking at the calculation at the top of this thread it really does get a lot more expensive than the Pioneer. A few of the guys that I chatted to at the Pioneer who had completed the Epic had the same thoughts, Pioneer is very tough, maybe tougher than the Epic but with a much nicer atmosphere. Another mention for the costs - the Pioneer moves the race village every night, compared to the three moves that the Epic makes. So from a logistical perspective definitely a bit more work that goes into this? (Although the numbers at the Epic are much higher) Bottom line, if you ride for the sticker - go for the Epic. If you ride for the experience then go for the Pioneer. If you can afford both then what are you waiting for?

Just a quick update. Decided to go for the Santa Cruz Tallboy and after a couple of weeks on the bike I can say that I'm very happy with the decision. Awesome bike! Climbs like a mountain goat and the descends are pure bliss. Now to go and '*** some rotse' as Covie mentioned in his post!

First option would have been to replace the chainrings, but unfortunately the 40-28 uses a different crank arm to the 38-26 or the 3x10 crank. So to go smaller up front will mean a complete new crank - that's the reason I'm thinking about 2x10 or the 3x10 option. I've made peace with the fact that I should be going for smaller up front!

Hi, Just built up a Santa Cruz Tallboy and moved my 2x10 Xtr cranks from my old 26er. The gearing that I'm running is the 40-28 up front and a 11-36 at the back. I've specifically gone for the Tallboy to ride the Cape Pioneer in October and I'm slightly worried that the 40-28 cranks is a bit too 'brave' for what lies ahead? Having looked at some other sites it seems that the trend is towards a 38-26 or even smaller in some cases. I'm slightly undecided about going back to a 3x10 up front or to go for the smaller gearing option and stick to the 2x10 which means less shifting which is what I prefer... The only worry is that I run out of gears on the seriously tough climbs... The bike is a medium, I weigh around 75kg's and I'm by no means the strongest rider out there. I'd prefer to stick to a Shimano crankset up front but can be convinced to look at other options if there is a good reason to do so... I take it that most 10speed cranks are interchangeble? Any advice, based on experience or other, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Deon