Vaultboy

Yeah I only ever pay via the payment link on the Temu app. I never click a link in an SMS. @NC_lurker you can also track the package to double check. You will be required to pay the duties when the parcel is at customs on the export side.

I bought a ZTTO road cassette (not this one) on AliExpress a few years ago that I was happy with.

Did you get the Mini 4 Pro? I've seen the reviews, and that looks awesome. I would love one. Its collision avoidance software is particularly impressive. I'm no drone expert either, but I have seen surveillance control rooms, and I reckon its more than R3 million capital outlay, including the data centre, and solar (because loadshedding). I also reckon those little personal use drone won't do, given how windy conditions typically are on the mountain plus the limited battery. Aside from using bigger commercial drones, I would imagine they need a drone camera that includes a thermal imaging sensor, for wildfire detection (and for detecting criminals hiding in the brush). And nightvision too? So I reckon drones might easily cost 100k each? But I'm just guessing. SANParks would also need licensed drone pilots, who probably earn around R300k per year? So salary and drone cost will add up quickly depending on how many is needed. Plus at least two control room operators as well. Personally, I would want more SEAM and K9s stationed all around the mountain instead. They are our primary anti-poaching and crime defense.

The outlay for those type of operations is not that modest, judging by farming and conservation communities invest. And for Table Mountain it will be particularly tricky, given the amount of trails, and literally infinite amount of access points. At best, SANParks could monitor the most popular areas, which would simply shift the pressure. SANParks have recently doubled their SEAM ranger capacity, but it is not nearly enough. Even with drones, response times would still be an issue. But all of that aside, would you really want drones buzzing overhead every time you go hiking up the mountain? And how would you really know that drone belongs to SANParks/SAPS/CoCT, and not some would-be robber, casing you?

This is an open access mountain with lots of different users, legal and illegal. Not everything is about emnity for rich people.

I like these . Have you considered matching jockey wheels and casette?

If you do it on the side, you would need to glue it onto the shoe or thread it through the uppers. I considered glueing a velcro pad to the shoe and the boa, but I reckon that tension would peel the boa off. @ChrisF This is what it looks like on a kids shoe. works perfectly, despite the size of the boa. @betaboy I hear you. I considered that, then realised that as an adult I only tie laces for weddings and funerals nowadays. Otherwise Its all velcro, no-tie tighteners, loafers, neoprene socks, zips etc. and boas for cycling.

Good to know. Do you pay extra for the courier?

💯. I put Temu boas on all of my kids' takkies and schoolshoes, because I was tired of them not tying their shoelaces properly. None have broken yet. These cheap boas are durable.

I ordered from AliExpress years ago, and they were ok - I bought cassettes, chainrings, pedals, grips, tools. Not clothing. The problem was that shipping was via sea, and locally via SAPO, so I had a few long and nervy shipping experiences. I had hoped that TEMU would make AliExpress up their game and bring prices down, but alas. I reckon AE is obsolete.

I would add that you can simply also do an up, over and around Paarl Mountain for 50km and 750m climbing. The best, closest gravel is Klapmuts all the way to Riebeeck-Wes. Lots of options, mostly gravel. Durbanville has what...Spes, Occultdale and Capaia with lots of tar in between?

Sjoe, I've bought a ton of cycling stuff on Temu. All good quality, so far. Delivered on time. A few best buys below. The best deal has undoubtedly been the 'Boas', for R20, (Lake boa vs non-boa models is over R1000 difference).

I had a 38-36 setup and ran out of gears on road, and kakked on gravel when the climbing got steep, loose and bumpy. 36-36 will be bad at both ends, I reckon. @ALDiRTY, I'd go for this: TITAN RACING Switch Carbon Sport (2025) – Bike Addict. Its R5k cheaper than the alloy Comp you're looking at, so you can use the savings for upgrades. Fork will take a 48, not sure about a 50. Ask @Titan Racing Bikes.

Not a single gravel front tyre to be seen in the leading bunch. The rears all seem to be 44+.