Bosman

Thanks! Nice username Perhaps a play on the Green Day album Kerplunk?

What a lekker ride! Followed all the number 1 signage but ended up only doing 32km must have missed a few trail splits which makes up the remaining 10km... Must say, those twisty rocky sections were a good challenge to develop some much need bike control but I think that Rosies Rock & Roll Rollercoaster section is one of new favourites!

Nice! Going to give it a go tomorrow.

Did you manage to do the 42km route? I am keen to have a bit of an adventure and attempt it tomorrow. Either that or "Enduro" laps at Grootfontein.

I must be honest, I have not felt like the bike is heavy. The stock tires (2.6 dhf front and 2.6 forekaster) felt really sticky. I now have a 2.4 ardent front and 2.35 ardent race back which has made a big difference to me. The bike has given me loads of confidence so much so, I have ran out of talent on numerous occasions

Congrats on your new bike! That grey sure looks awesome! I have been on the 2020 Norco FS1 for about the last month and do about 3 to 4 rides a week... I still have super noob status but man... I get more and more excited everytime I ride the bike. It's just so much fun! Happy miles dude. This is my steed.

Ready, set, goooo! That's the way to start off a Monday.

Hot and dusty day out at Wolwespruit

First time out at Grootfontein Bike Park. Great ride! ????

Congrats on the bike! Nothing like the thrill of a new ride!

Yes!!! When I saw that YouTube link I was hoping for something exactly like that. Red Barn indeed... just had to do multiple runs on the flow track because the bike just felt so good going down there.

Smiles for miles... what a bike! I just want to thank everyone for the guidance. Also, the guys at Mellow Velo was awesome! Great service and help. Here's the steed on its maiden voyage... do you guys name your bikes? I am not usually one to name cars etc. but after that ride I think it needs a name.

I can totally relate, nothing like good old 90s and early 00s punk to get the blood flowing... MxPx, NOFX, Bad Religion... On another note, Im happy to report that the guys at Mellow Velo came through with awesome service and an awesome deal - all in my budget. Paid a deposit today to secure the bike and will hopefully be spending the weekend with this beaut... 2020 Norco Fluid FS1! Thank you everyone for all the guidance.

Made a quick update to the sheet to include hubs and rims as well. In terms of the upgrades... to be honest, coming off the 2016 Silverback Sola 4 and my noob status - I probably won't even be able to tell the difference between some of the higher specced components. The new bike in itself is probably going to be a major upgrade to me, with that being said always open to get the best bang for my buck straight out of the gate. Where do one even start to look for good frames at a reasonable price, saw a couple of large frames in the classifieds but these range from +-R15k to R25k... which does not leave much to cover other parts. RobertWhitehead I've seen your DM, I'll reply now. Bike Comparison.xlsx

Thanks again for all the guidance, I reached out to the guys at Mellow Velo and will keep you updated... who knowns maybe I will even be able to share a photo or 2 in the near future...

Bike Comparison.xlsxThrew the Titan Cypher into the ring as well and drew up the attached comparison table... as expected the bikes seem very similar from a geo and spec perspective. The Norco and Silverback seem to have a slightly better spec in terms of drive train and from what I have heard the revelation fork on the Norco is good as well. @Chadvdw67 I might take you up on your offer... leaning towards the Norco just concerned about warranty and post purchase support given its a less popular brand in SA? Is this something to be concerned about or am I just being paranoid...

Really frothing to get out on my own set of wheels thus based on some of the comments around building at a reasonable price taking some time, going full build seems to be a better option. However, definitely something I would want to attempt one day... especially one of those bad ass steel hardtails. So far its a shootout between Giant Trance 3, Norco Fluid FS 1 and Silverback AL 2. In terms of build and fitness, think Im somewhere in the middle not a tank nor a beanstalk 1,82m tall at 80kgs... fitness at the moment average speed around Safari Wolf trail 13kmph and the 22km loop at Red Barn 16kmph. Probably not the right place but thought I'll share anyway... pic from my ride today.

Awesome! I was not expecting all these replies... appreciate you guys taking the time to read my post. After months of lurking on the Hub its cool to be part of a discussion. Must say that Norco FS 1 and Giant Trance (albeit out of budget) is looking pretty nice. Also read good things about the Silverback Stratos. What is warranty and post purchase support like with the Norco being a less popular brand in SA? In terms of technical proficiency managed to change the 3x9 to a 1x9 (with permission of course) and it was a great success... bike is more quiet but my legs are crying more! However, must say this was after countless Youtube videos and internet reading sessions. Would love for my 1st bike to be a fresh of the floor bike but know that might be a bit short sighted...

Hi Hubbers, I am new to MTB and the bug bit me hard... I have been spending the last couple of months on a 2016 Silverback Sola 4 hardtail and have been riding a lot. I have been riding before work, after work, taking leave from work just to ride the bike at trails which is further out... when I am not riding I am either watching Youtube (GMBN, BKXC, Berm Peak etc.) or reading all things and everything MTB. The time has come to dip into my funny money and buy a MTB... I have a budget of R35k (max) and am really looking for a new dual suspension bike which I can grow with and develop my skills. I have seen a lot of threads of a similar nature where the posters noted some of the bikes they were looking at. I thought it be cool to leave this open ended and see what bikes get recommended within the budget and for the area and type of riding I want to do. I am based in Pretoria close to Wolwespruit and Red Barn - these are the trails I have been riding before and after work and will also be the trails that I continue to ride the most. I have also taken the bike out to Rosemary Hill, Buffeldrift, PWC Bike Park and did a single track mission through Johanneburg (think it was in the Craighall area). Not a xc racer, in it for the fun but would proabably as I get fitter want to try different things... maybe a 3 day race or something of that nature but at the moment just loving the trails and the features. That was a bit long winded but just wanted to share some of my stoke... I really appreciate any guidance.