JRN89

David, thank you for the response - what you consider as decent, or not? The possible forks coming with those options would be: - Manitou Machete Comp - Manitou Markhor Comp - Rockshox Sid SL Select - Rockshox Judy Silver - Rockshox Judy Gold - Marzocchi Bomber Z2 - Fox Rhythm 32 Float 2 Are there any that really stand out as superior / inferior to anyone reading?

117, thank you for the response ???? Some valid points there, and I'd be more than happy to relook the budget in favour of some other gear, I'd set aside a separate budget for that but I'm always up for a haggle, especially when that card you speak of certainly does have a limit! Will post a request in the 'comments on classifieds thread' and see what comes of it. Any reason for your preferences towards Merida & Norco?

117, thank you for the response ???? Some valid points there, and I'd be more than happy to relook the budget in favour of some other gear, I'd set aside a separate budget for that but I'm always up for a haggle, especially when that card you speak of certainly does have a limit! Will post a request in the 'comments on classifieds thread' and see what comes of it. Any reason for your preferences towards Merida & Norco?

Afternoon guys & girls, I'm sure there have been countless similar threads, so in advance I appreciate any advice you're able to offer me here. The more criticism the better, as I'm somewhat lost with all the options available and trying my best to make an informed purchase. I guess to start off, a few 'fun' facts that might help guide some of your views, and probably a bunch of unnecessary waffling: I'm 32, 1.86m, 90kg, optimal weight probably 85kg, so always going to be a bit on the heavy end. Based in Fourways, Jhb. So a fair amount of my 'weekly training' would likely be Cradle/Northern Farms I assume. I travel often around the country for work and other hobbies, so I'd get to explore a few more scenic and technical trails too I'm sure. I'm looking for a bike to keep fit, enjoy the outdoors and social aspect, and ultimately challenge myself with a few longer 100km rides here and there. I'm not looking for some crazy downhill racing bike, but more along the lines of XC and open gravel road cycling, although some technical challenges would be good fun. Budget, at this stage I'm unsure, but I don't really want to be looking at potentially outriding my bike, so I'm happy to spend more on the initial purchase in the hope of ultimately keeping this one for a good number of years, but let's say circa 25k. So, this is where I'm lost, with all the potential options available. 1. I don't think the budget allows, but I was hoping to start off with a carbon frame, and then slowly work on the components to bring the weight of the bike down over the years. Perhaps the new alloy frames are light enough for this not to be an issue. 2. I understand look and feel is not important, but I quite liked the look of the Titan Drones, and colour scheme of the dash. So if they look good, and ride well, I may have reached a biased conclusion but I don't want to get caught up in that, only to find out there were better specced bikes at similar prices, or with better after market service etc, which I why I'm here asking for pointers. Bike Options that I'm aware of, could be missing a few: Titan Drone Dash, Elite, Comp, Pro Merida Big 9 XT Scott Scale 965 Norco Charger 1 Trek Roscoe Trek X-Caliber Silverback Superspeed I'd be more than open to secondhand bikes, but thought I'd ask for some pointers here before looking what is on the hub. Over to you ????

''Give back what?'' - amazing!