RatX

I had a Rook Scout from new for a couple of weeks before it was nicked. Not a fixie, so can't comment on that specific aspect, but overall found it to be a good product and stunning value. Overall weight was lower than I expected, and the steel frame felt very rigid - it felt like it would last a long time. The perceived quality of the frame seemed to make it worth investing in better components over time. In terms of the whole package, shifts were OK - not always 100%. It felt like they could be improved with adjustment but didn't have it for long enough to find out. A weak point was the brakes - I think more braking power would be achieved by exhaling heavily. Not relevant for a fixie, but maybe worth noting for anybody else who might be considering one.

I klapped it onto my existing OUTsurance policy, pretty straightforward - I did have to call in and specifically request a "manual" letter which the agent had to have the supervisor create specifying the model, S/N and other exact details (over and above simply adding it to my policy).

Considered a Suzuki Swift? It is obviously on the small side, but it's fun to drive, cheap to run, unblowupable and with the seats down you can get a bike or two in the back (with front wheels off and a bit of Tetris). I had the previous gen for a few years and now the new one, no ragrets. Take one for a spin and you'll see - the grin factor is huge. Or if you're set on something a little bigger they also have the Ertiga, been Ubered in those a few times and they seem to have similar merits.

UPDATE - looked more closely at specs, the 4kW figure is peak, so it might not be as useful as I thought. UPDATE 2 - nominal 3.6kW should still offer headroom over cheapy 3kW units. If you read the manual on the the product page, it looks like the included batteries are Synsynk branded so should be a safe bet: https://www.sunsynk.org/lifelynk Yo did you find any info on that unit? It looks very promising. I'm on a tight budget and been shopping and shopping. 4kW is a great capacity for a smallish home, to enable mostly normal operation during loadshedding (gadgets and lighter appliances). I'm looking for something to slot in to address immediate need but that I can add solar to as budget permits, in order to offset Eskom spend and make this a less catastrophically bad investment. The closest I've been able to price out thus far is a LuxPower 5kW + a dubious "Fox ESS" 2.56kWh lithium battery for about R27k excl installation hardware and labour. The LuxPower seems to be a good unit according to feedback received elsewhere, certainly a step up from the endless Voltronic clones, but not Sunsynk grade and I don't know about that battery. If the batteries aren't fooyongpingpongs I would say your linked product looks like a very solid option. It is a slight concern they don't list the make of the battery - if it was good I feel they would say. MPPT is apparently the better solar charging option, which is included. I just can't find out what the bypass wattage is, my understanding is that this is relevant if you want to run as normal when utility power is available (e.g. heavy load appliances on plugs circuit). The capacity it can take from solar charging is also important, but I don't have a deep understanding of the numbers there yet. Just seems some of the cheaper 3kW/24V clone units are a bit rinky dink in this respect. Please don't make any buying decisions on my input, though - I'm a total amateur also trying to make sense of all of this BS and find an affordable solution.

There is a ramp at Century City station which crosses over to Kensington side. Thus far seems to be one of the best ways of getting over the railway from north to south and vice versa without putting yourself at risk.

Do you have a LuxPower? How you finding it? I've gone back and forth a million times looking at all models from the endless variations Mecer/Axperts through to Sunsynk/Deye. I just can't stomach spending R25k+ for a 5kW inverter to address what is ultimately an inconvenience. LuxPower seems to strike a good balance of features and price, whereby you can put together a more affordable but not junk system for immediate need and add solar later to have it actually yield you some savings.

Thanks again @Hamstring and @odon for your suggestions - combined them on my way home from work today from Obs to Milnerton area. Went Mowbray, Pinelands, Mutual Station over the tracks, Kensington, Century City station over the tracks and made it home in one piece. Much nicer ride than battling with Albert Road in the afternoon, great success.

Gotcha, tnx, will try the "inside line" next time - I scoped it on Google Maps today and see it. Definitely wouldn't recommend going against the traffic in the road along that stretch - very narrow and from a driver's perspective there is too much going on at that point to have to worry about kamikaze cyclists as well.

12.99 I think, apparently went up during my application process...

Another update - this morning I was running a little late, so thought I would try the recommended route Milnerton to Southern Suburbs side against the traffic along Marine Drive (from the market parking lot) - had an absolute blast! Traffic in that direction is minimal (town to Milnerton) - I had to go into the roadway in the wrong direction once or twice where trucks blocked the path, but had ample opportunity to do so safely. Minimal foot traffic to dodge. Spot of gravel and sand on the path, you couldn't do this route on a roadie, but MTB or even gravel bike should handle it without a sweat. On the Woodstock bridge/flyover, do you guys just go up the side and lug your bikes over the railing? I went around the bottom on the harbour side and passed right by 3 little makeshift homes. No sense of danger but that little section is also quite secluded so might just hop the railing next time.

OK thanks for the input, I'll check - that's good news. When I quickly read through the contract I thought I saw a statement to the contrary, but I was in a hurry.

I had a happy excuse to make a trip from Mowbray back home in Milnerton area on Saturday, when I was collecting my new ride. I seized the opportunity to try check out my plan to cross over at Ysterplaat Station next to Paarden Eiland, but it's a no go. Fun riding (MTB mandatory - unpaved + sandy stretches) and industrial scenery which I like, but very isolated and I wouldn't go near it early or late in the day. Seriously, the Woodstock bike path feels safer by comparison... Also the station is either dilapidated and/or undergoing construction and you can't get to the ramp from the Maitland side without lugging your bike part of the way. Not even sure if you can get all the way over once you do. That part of Voortrekker Road also sucks for cycling (junkyard mile) - I had a speeding taxi zip by extremely close, and agree with the other comments about trucks. Pushed on through Maitland/Kensington and had a good time - felt safe and did the Century City railway crossing for the first time. It was great and opens up a whole bunch of new routes from Milnerton side to Southern Suburbs and back - bit of a detour for me but looking forward to exploring. Will try the reverse route to work, but through Pinelands instead of desolation alley.

Ended up pulling the trigger with Yonda and Friday afternoon and collected my shiny Trek Powerfly 4 Saturday morning. Excellent service from Yonda and Gear Change in Mowbray, both recommended. Just know what you're getting into if you go the finance route (mainly that there is no apparent benefit to early settlement). Bike is fantastic, I'll maybe do a write-up once I've got some more k's on.

This is a good insight - I suck at maths, even more so any of the financial variety - that does make sense. What put me off is they don't give a clear view as to the total cost to you, especially in terms of deposit excluded from summary of spend (I don't know if this is standard practice). But to get an actual view of what it's going to cost you you've got to work it out manually.

I appreciate the input and I have indeed gone back and forth on this one many times - I hear exactly where you're coming from. I have been watching the used market, and did miss out on one which was exactly what I was looking for and a great bargain, but it sold whilst I was getting the money together. I'm also on a campaign to cut costs elsewhere, in order to hopefully put more into savings instead of burning through every cent earned every month. Going new does get you the benefit of guarantee and dealer support, which I learnt is important on such bikes. With regards to this particular purchase (it is indeed exactly the R50k Trek), I've looked at it from a number of angles and am leaning towards getting it, but it is hard to tell how much of that is the practical vs the excitement of a new shiny + the perceived pressure of missing out on a special. If it's of interest, I'm looking at it from these perspectives: I do want to use it every day for commuting - an ebike makes that easy and fun (esp here in the windy Cape). I've kitted out my current bike to make it better for commuting (slicks, better grips, comfy saddle), which increased my commuting usage, but it's still a bit of a struggle and after two days in a row I'm pap. Daily bike commuting + running errands by bike will save fuel and vehicle depreciation costs + get me additional exercise/outdoor time which I need. I'd like something with a decent groupset, my previous ebike and current hardtail have Deore or better and it's very hard to find a vaguely affordable ebike that is decently equipped in this respect and the smooth + efficient operation does really make a difference to your enjoyment of the product. My last ebike I also bought on special and I was able to sell it for what I got it for, as I kept it in good nick, although that was also very much right time and place luck. Lastly, I still miss my last one - I did indeed use it almost every day. So yah, motivation is split 50% savings from less vehicle use, 50% more exercise, 50% the fun factor and 75% new shiny.