Get one of these http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOSSLTD29/on_one_inbred_29er_single_speed_ltd_edition
Pretty sweet and its steel with sliding dropouts.
Nice carbon fork http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCAR/on_one_carbon_fork
I'm sure you can source the other stuff in the classifieds section - well priced brakes are a bit scarce though.
I've been doing some research myself...
Ah yes the 90's, the golden age of cycling! Sure, everyone was high on EPO, but it was definitely more exiting to watch than the current batch of guys.
As far as I know only some of the Maxxis (Crossmark, Ardent) and some Spez (The Captian and Fast Trak) have UST versions. The rest are all tubeless ready like the Conti's.
I preferred the twinloc on the Scott to the Brain Shock on the Spez (having owned both). That being said you have to take into account the DT swiss rear shock will most probably fail as some stage (don't know if the solved this problem yet). I would go for the Scott and upgrade the wheels to AM or ZTR. The Scott will probably be about 1kg lighter (if not more) with better wheels for the same price.
I see your point, and raise you a 'it's not a mountain bike if you can buy it at Pick n Pay'. Nor are the folk that ride them mountain bikers. In the UK they call them BSOs, for Bicycle Shaped Objects. I challenge you to smash even a Tokai XC trail on one at a semi decent pace without either making some or other component (most likely the fork, if it's a 'suspension' fork) disintegrate, or being kicked into the bushes.
I'd say Giant, Silverback, Merida and Scott.
(Not being a brand snob - those bikes have their place, but it's firmly in the all terrain commuter category, not in the MTB category.)
We spend our days riding "xc" on those types of bikes in the early 90's. we could only dream of Bridgestones and Gary Fishers. I reckon you if you're light enough you'll be able to do any of the trails at Tokai, excluding jumps and drops on a PnP bike. Would actually be a cool challenge and level the playing field!
Raleigh
Dunlop
Totum
Nishiki
I reckon this is fairly accurate. It may be hard to believe, but the typical Sani2C field probably doesn't represent SA's population and it buying power. If it did we'd rival Sweden in terms of GDP... and be a country of middle aged white men.
Rather join a spinning class or buy a decent bike light and ride at night. I have literally used my IDT twice since I bought it. It is mind numbingly boring and big mess with little rubber fragments and sweat everywhere!
Aargh, just told someone last week that the tide is turning and there hasn't been an incident for a while.
@Grumps, where exactly did they hide? I always feel uneasy going up there on my own, especially that first turn with the gate going towards Rhodes Memorial (i think).
My long lost twin... I'm also 1.95 and 83kg's. Have the same challenges.
I'm 1.94 and about 85kg's. Word of advice - find a good a tailor. I have everything tailored from cycling shirts to hoodies. As long as there aren't any graphics down the side it works great.
Oh and Diesel makes jeans in 32 waist and 36 length - if you're prepared to pay.
You rent the hikers cabin (more like a house) at the top of Bergplaas with a fireplace and hot water.
It's more or less halfway and pretty cheap (cant remember exactly how much).
Congrats to the winners and runners up and everyone that finished.Damn the winning time was quick!!we were team nr 212 and we finished in position 212 at 15:33.what a great event.My highlight was riding the original route for the first time and the beauty of the whole route and my low was .....their was none.who finished in 23:30?
A man and woman came in at 9:30 on Sunday morning while we were packing up. They got quite an applause from everyone there!
I love Scott bikes and have a 2011 spark 40. Unfortunately the dt Swiss shock is a piece of s$@t. Was informed this afternoon that the shock has a 50/50 chance of not making it through the Transbaviaans! Needs to be sent to JHB for repairs.
Luckily Steve from Cyclelab CT offered me a demo bike for the race - set up to match my own bike with my saddle.
Great service!!
Stay away from Giro Monaco gloves. They look and fit great, but as soon as they get wet all the dye on the inside leather transfers to your hands. It also stains everything it touches (other cycling gear), so a bit of a mess.
I wrote Giro a strongly worded mail about it on Sunday afternoon (still with black hands after trying everything to remove the stains!), but they haven't bothered to reply yet.
Don't let the profile fool you, the down hill sections might be slightly longer than the uphill sections, but there is still quite a bit of work to do.
As far as fun rides go this is my favourite - fantastic vibe at the beginning and end and some great scenery along the way.
Also more of a sense of achievement at the end because of the point to point format, yet it is achievable for the most people owning a mtb (just depends how long you're prepared to sit on a saddle).
Just buy a machine on Gumtree - there's loads available at a fraction of the price. Espresso machines are one of those items that people buy and end up never using.
That being said, Lavazza coffee is pretty good, but factor the pod prices into your purchase price decision.
The kit that you get, are you buying on size or do is it custom made?
I bought on size and it fits perfectly. About the same size as Capestorm/First Accent.
I've got RECM Ftech kit. It is by far the best fitting shirt I own - no elastics on the sleeves and nice grippy elastics at the bottom so it doesnt ride up. I'm tall and skinny and this is the only shirt that fits properly.
I've got the "6 hour +" bib and the chamois pretty well shaped and comfortable. I havent done a 6 hour ride in it though - I prefer my Indola Enduro bibs because the padding is more substantial - personal preference.
Its definitely the best corporate kit I've used, but I'm getting some Vermark kit this weekend, so will let you know how they compare.
Thanks, looks very similar. Quite heavy though, the 26 FS is 1800g, so I assume a 29er 21" will be over 2kg
@Azonic, where can you buy those unpainted frames, and how much are they?
I like the naked carbon look, maybe just put a protective layer on.
I'm on my second pair of Giro Monaco full finger gloves. Best fitting gloves I've ever had with the right amount of padding. Quality and price is debatable though...
Fox Reflex full finger gloves - where to find them
in Buyer’s Advice
Posted
Thanks. I've used giro gloves, but they are the exact opposite - expensive and crap quality!