Mook

You can try Chris Willemse(CWC). I bought an IKON 26x2.35 EXO TR from them 2 weeks before L5 lockdown hit SA in March 2020. Everybody's having a rough one with stocks. Good luck.

Just noticed this morning that Ecobound wants 50% on top of your entry fee simply to do a transfer of your 2020 entry. Your 2021/2022 or 2023 TB will effectively cost you R1.9k in entry fee. While I fully support the transfer initiative in principle, I am of the opinion that Ecobound pushed it a wee bit far this time. R650 on top of your entry fee is very stiff. Admittedly the Covid curve ball was not a result of Ecobound's doings, BUT neither was it anyone of the +-1600 riders' fault whom have already paid their entry fees. If you've entered for the 2020 events, you are now stuck between the proverbial rock .......... and the TB. If you do not pay the R650, you lose your entry fee, yet you do not receive a bedazzled medal to the value of R650 if you transfer and complete the event. Feels like we are being "ridden"

ChrisF, I have been using Stan's for >10yrs without any issues. I have been on Crossmarks and Ikons for as long without any issues either. As far as I know MAXXIS's warrantee statement still mentions STAN's by name as a sealer not to be used in their products. I try to buy when they are on special. Keep the containers sealed/closed properly and it lasts long enough to the next special. I have tried Batseal and Caffe Late, but in my opinion none works as good as Stan's. Good stuff.

This might ruin your paintwork BUT it will solve your sticky problem ............. DOT 4 brake fluid I have seen it work in automotive applications where nuts, bolts, brackets etc. are seized together. Rust or corrosion does not stand a chance against brake fluid ..................... I guess paint neither

This is your problem. Had a tiny dent on a front rim years ago and exactly the same happened. Lift the rear, spin the wheel and apply rear brake very slowly until the pad makes contact with the rim. You will immediately feel the uneven grip on the rim at the point where the brake surface is deformed. Good luck

Modesty ............................... Gravity's a dawg

"They may take away our forum ................... BUT, they will never take away our bicycles"

I kinda like this thread No tech, No politics, No bragging since STRAVA can't track this, AND pets are good for your emotional well-being. Before the savage streak in some of you is allowed some fresh air - I say the above with tongue in cheek Here's my housemates, BUT do not be fooled by the tranquility of the images. At 5 months, the little one lives up to their reputation as being paw X paw terrors. Socks, underwear, shoes, dishwasher drain pipe, electrical cords, garden hoses They tolerate each other remarkably well. The poor cat runs a "gauntlet" each time he makes it to his food station. Maya ....... 12yr old German Nanook ......... 5mth old Siberian

With the global village being the size of a one horse town, you can pick up anything abroad, BUT you might wait a few months or pay your butt off. I had to convert a top pull frame setup to operate a bottom pull FD on a 94 Gary Fisher with STI's. Got a mate to machine a pulley wheel and I made a bracket with basic handtools. My gadget works like a charm. I am of the opinion that your level of sentimental attachment to your old steed will see you through every challenge to make things work with what you have. Keep going I say

Well said BP, AND, this might be his/your only ever Lockdown Baviaans. Bragging rights are up for grabs. I did the LangsBaviaans in 2011 when the TB route got flooded. So glad I did

Guys, This is a scam that has been going around your typical Gumtree type platforms. This petrochemical whatsimmicallit has responded to adds I have placed on gumtree on 2 occasions. Always the same copied and pasted story. Simply ignore him and he'll go away. He NEVER pushes a deal and always employs the exact same modus operandi. He wants you to engage with him outside the online portal, hence he requests you to send him a personal e-mail. He obviously does not want to leave any traces or audit trail of his communications with you via your online provider, ie Gumtree, TheHub, etc. He always makes contact via SMS or from a phantom whatsapp account. He never argues or negotiate the price. As a matter of fact he offers you your price plus shipping via Aramex. He offers to buy stuff for somebody else(cousin) without first checking if it works or is in a condition worth his "money". Run some key words on google and you will find this to be a very old scam. Goes away for a year or so - then resurfaces. The oil rig engineers are notorious for online dating scams as well - ripping desperate ladies off big time with stories you can see coming from a mile away. Keep your peeled !

PhilipJvv, I am no expert on this, BUT BMC used to build frames for the bigger/heavier riders. Not sure what you could pick one up for 2nd hand, but they seemed to be bulletproof. I regularly trained with 2 "prominent" guys on BMC's. One of them had issues with rear wheel spokes though, but the frames were solid. Good luck

Small world Yep, we go back about 15 years. Done mega miles as a team over the years.

Possibly, there were about 100 riders doing the 180km. Met up with 2 loners from Douglas and Welkom. They wanted to ride with me an my mate. Probably saw the small wheels and thought it a bargain in terms of speed. My team mate was on a 29er S-Works dual suss

BMXER, Just finished the 36ONE Half(180km) on this circus bike. Not bad for a clown on a 26" HT with rigid fork hey Keep it real I'd say

Here we go.

Sorry guys, Image would not load. Will try again. Cheers

Rashaaad, Just did the 36ONE Half on this bad boy. My body felt remarkably well afterwards and I must add, apart from the corrugated sections, the 26" wheels kept up with the 29ers pretty well. I have to agree with the other opinions - when all is said and done, the choice is personal. Cheers

Guys, This is bad for everybody involved. Please forgive me if I am stepping on sensitive pink feet and/or toes here, BUT we as cyclists could perhaps do more to be safe. Without generalizing, we have to think on behalf of the drunken or distracted sod behind the wheel of an approaching missile in most cases. I ride the Bottelary road 4 times a week - mornings or afternoons and see perhaps 50-60 riders in groups or solo in a week. What I have noticed way too often are groups riding 3 abreast with number 3 on the right side of the yellow line and the entire group chirping like finches - totally oblivious to the hazard they are creating. This while taxi's and trucks are passing riders without as much as fresh air between vehicle and bicycle. My heart bleeds for everybody whose lives have been ripped to shreds by this and other similar incidents, but please remember that, on a bicycle, you will never win a battle with a motor vehicle. I knew dr Koos Roux who was killed on the Bottelary road a few years ago, where a drunken $*@$* took both him and his son out from behind between the Soneike intersection and Othello retirement village. There is no ways that authorities can stop this phenomenon where people regard themselves fit to drive a vehicle after killing off 99% of their brain matter in one night. Authorities and public transport providers in SA have very little regard or compassion for anybody on a self-driven "two-wheel contraption." We do not pay license fees or road taxes as non-cyclists would fondly argue. Look after yourselves!

Hi all, Interesting topic AND many opinions - all of 'em with some value. I reckon the trick to chain longevity could be the treatment after washing. Any moisture could stay trapped inside the rollers and links for a very long time. What makes this especially bad is engine cleaner etc used to get the old lube off. I soak my chains in paraffin every 4th wash - works out to once every 6 weeks. You'd think your chain is 90-100% clean since it looks clean, but drop that very same chain into paraffin and let it soak for 30min. Shake the container(used salad dressing pot) every 5min or so. The stuff that comes out is black and metallic. This is the gunk trapped inside your chain. The trick is COMPRESSED AIR. Yes, we do not all have access to compressors, but it's Black Friday in 3 week's time. At R2k for a small unit, given the price of drive-train components, you will make a good investment. Plus, you could use the compressor for many other jobs at home. Some solvents remain trapped inside the chain, and these simply destroy any lube you apply after cleaning. Compressed air gets rid of the trapped stuff inside your chain. Give your chain a decent "blow job" to get the paraffin or water out, lube, and you are good to go. Your chains will last long. Yes, there will be those "Friday afternoon" chains that simply wont last. I have been doing the above for about 25 years and it works. DO NOT attempt to blow water off any other part of your steed near bearings or pivots. You WILL destroy your bearings etc in double quick time. My 2 cents' worth

Hi all, Interesting topic this. I was brought up to say "yes, thank you" or "no, thank you", This is a platform for cyclists, by cyclists - hence I reckon we, the cyclists, owe each other a wee bit of respect. Take your entitlement to the kindergarten or the braai fire. Let us show respect and common decency amongst ourselves. Nothing wrong with the question of availability, BUT for crying in a bath tub - have the decency to send the seller a note that you are not interested any longer. Some "buyers" would venture into drawn-out discussions over specs and compatibility - just to disappear into thin air. A slight twist to this topic is the silence you receive when trying to contact sellers via the PM or e-mail portals on TheHub. The Ad is active, but the seller does'nt respond at all and his/her phone number does not show, even when logged in. My 2 cents' worth. Cheers guys

Guys, Thought I'd report back on the broken chainstay issue. Got a brand new carbon replacement chainstay from Spez. They could not find an aluminum component for a 2012 Epic 29er. Longer dropout pivot bolts were required due to the carbon being bulkier than the alloy. Cost me R4.5k ..... for crying in a bucket At least the carbon unit should last longer than the aluminum under normal conditions...........I guess? Seatstays are alloy, with carbon chainstay. What is your opinions on this? Cheers Mook

Thanx for your time and inputs guys. I appreciate your views and opinions. Regards Mook

Hi Hubbers, Thought I'd share this with you. Perhaps somebody can provide help/guidance/advise, OR tell me to shut up and go away.... Bought a 2012 alu Specialized Epic Comp 29er in 2013. Before paying I pointed out, what appeared as paint cracks on the chainstay near the main pivot. Owner took bike to LBS in Southern suburbs(CPT) where he purchased the bike on 08/11/2011. Manufacturer was supposedly called in to check frame to approve warrantee replacement of rear triangle between 09/10/2013 and 28/10/2013. News back was that it's "ONLY A PAINT CRACK". Issue was on record for future come backs. Took the bike, paid AND.....................23/09/2017, the chainstay snaps right where the "PAINT CRACKS" were. So, back to the original owner I go, he takes it back to the same dealer. A weeks later, I am told that 1) No record whatsoever exist of the 2013 "PAINT CRACK" investigation by either LBS and/or manufacturer; 2) the Limited Lifetime Warrantee(5 years) has expired on the suspension parts. I am getting screwed by somebody, but without an invoice or job card for the 2013 investigation of the "paint crack", I am theoretically on my own...RIGHT? Thanx all Mook

Been using Crossmarks for 4 years now - first 26", now 29". They are bulletproof on any terrain, BUT tyre pressure is key. Riders generally tend to run tyres too hard, especially 29". Let 'em down and watch 'em grip.