PhilipV

With my experience, it was both.

OEM Wheels are usually the first big ticket item to be replaced. Especially if you are riding enduro, big, progressing, jumping, a Neanderthal, like rocky trails or basically riding anything other than gravel roads. move replaced wheels on my XTC, Merida, Trance and current Genius. It’s par for the course really. But I like that they offer a robust alloy version. I like Roval wheels, and the one I haven’t broken is performing beautifully on the front of my SS. (It’s rear counterpart has died a horrible death on Helderberg.) jeez Robbie you’ve been toying with that idea for ages, or mumbling about a Rapide. I hope that 2024 is the Year of the Bike for you.

Happy days! I have a Winelands South membership. This gives access to the trails between Somerset West and Stellies up to Mont Marie. This could keep you busy until next year with the occasional day permit if needed for Jonkershoek, Oak Valley or Banhoek.

Bear in mind that you will need to get a a Winelands permit to do any exploring around the Helderberg area. A Winelands South permit will get you access to the farms betwixt S-West and Stellenbosch that allows bikes. No that is more of a setup issue. A Clutch derailleur and the correct length chain will mostly avoid that. Chain guide is just added insurance that will help in the extreme cases. But it's not a "must -have."

Do: Find your tyre pressure and check it before every ride. Fit tubeless. Learn to use your front brake, and use it predominantly. Learn to slide your wheels. You won't die. Have fun. Do stupid things. Take chances. Wash your bike after muddy rides. Don't : Get oil or lube near your brakes. Ride without sealant. Over wash your bike. Disregard suspension services.

Slap a number plate in it to keep the Blue-Jackets happy and you are A for Away. Well done!

You should look at the Camelbak Chase bike vest. MTB robustness with trail running stability. Or the USWE backpacks. 👌

As someone who uses all three options you mentioned, I’ll take my trail running vest. I like my hip pack, but for really long ride I take a backpack. And I haven’t touched my backpack ever since I started riding with my trail running vest. So much more comfortable. For your scenario I’ll load the bike with as much water as possible, and then add soft flasks or a bladder in the bag to make up the rest.

Franschoek Pass Maybe? According to Google maps it still looks closed.

Analysis Paralysis. An affliction affecting many. I'm curious, how big is the difference?

Listen to DJR. Learn from other's mistakes. I'm throwing rugs over most of my parquet floors. Was supposed to be sanded and refinished before we moved in, Didn't have the cash then, don't have it now, and don't want to move out of my house either to do it all in one go. So sctratched up floors are where we are at. And now with all the moisture in the air, it has started popping up in places. Ek is so effens mismoedig. But that pales into insignificance when I think about my friends who just finished remodeling their house, only to have it flood last week. 800k damage and they need to move out for a couple of months. Never buy a house to live in kids. rather invest it in crypto. less heartache.

I like you. We must be related.

Dankie vir die uitklaar. Ek wonder of erosie nie 'n rol gespeel het in die verskil in toestand in die laaste jaar nie. En ek hoor jou oor die organiseerders wat 'n plan moet maak, maar organiseerders wat gaan en moeite doen (veral nie op twee spoor of wye paaie waar instandhouding iemand anders se mandaat is noe ) is nie so algemeen soos wat ons dink nie. Indien daar nie 'n alternatiewe klim is nie, gaan hulle nie sommer klippe uit die pad rol nie. Maar ek kan jou frustrasie verstaan, om 'n jaar lank voor te berei, net om gefnuik te word deur 'n pad wat vererger het, in nie lekker nie, Sani2C is 'n uitsondering en 'n sukses storie van sy eie. Farmer Glen het gegaan en vir families langs die trail gemotiveer, op gelei en toegerus om verantwoordelikheid te vat vir 'n stuk trail se onderhoud. En hulle is bleddie trots op hulle stuk trail, soveel so dat hulle dit met besems vee. dit werk. Maar gaan nie orals toegepas kan word nie.

This debate and these type of threads has been going on here since 2006. It’s nothing new.

You don’t have to demo the exact bike. Demo a bike in the range. They will handle similarly. When I bought my Trance, I borrowed a mate’s Trance for the weekend. Spec was different, but for the price of a bottle of wine and a kuier around the braai I was able to ascertain wether I want to live with it for a couple of years. Chances are that you know someone who has a bike similarly to what you want to buy

I don't understand, do you expect the organizers to remove all the rocks? Or choose climbs that are more rideable for rookies? You did it last year as well, has the routes changed to be more technical? Technical riding has always been a part of the sport, as is hiking your bike to get to some trails. And comparing rocky terrain to Sani is a misnomer. Sidenote, I won't go ride Sani again as the route is just so boring, it's only the scenery and the Gees that makes it worthwhile. The expectation that trails and climbs need to be smooth (and therefore safe) is a modern (about the last 7years) phenomenon that came about when trail building and riding centres became commercially viable and risk had to be mitigated.

But sometimes having a Hilux is just better for everyday life than a pseudo racecar. I'd also take a 130mm trail bike over a race bike with slightly longer shocks. But then again, I make bike buying decisions on how they ride and handle and not based on their spec sheets.

Of you want to ride Trails at a Darling race, then do the Living Colour race.

Doping his whole life, probably not. But he has just had the most successful season of his life, coming to the fore to win big. A bit different to an aging, I'll or injured athlete trying to regain previous form.

He wouldn't have apologized if he didn't get caught. And claiming to only start doping after a break out season and winning lots of prize money is BS. He is dishonest. No amount of apologies will change that.

Een man se lelik is 'n ander man se vrou. There are some real gems that didn't feature, but that suits me, as I don't share that well.

Except for the second bike?

My wife’s uncle lives a stone's throw from. The beach in Witsand. Even stainless rusts there. He has an old fridge that he puts his tools in. True story.

One click (quarter turn ) at a time while pedaling through the gears.

Is the derailleur hanger straight?