GenghisGandhi

Thanks for the reply all! Think I will stick with Ikon EXO tires. Looking forward to riding in South Africa!

I will be riding Cape Pioneer Trek this year. Have ridden Lesotho Sky and wondering how the climbing and technical sections compare. Also wondering about tire selection. I usually run Ikon EXO 29x2.35 with XC cushcore in the rear. Have some issues with flatting with this setup. Usually rock punctures even at 25 psi. I have a set of Ikon DD tires which would add a total of 300g to the bike. Tempted to run these. Sound like the last two stages will be a bit harder on tires this year. Will lose a bit of time on the climbs but possibly less time than I would with a flat. What experience have people had with tires at Cape Pioneer Trek?

What frame size, model, and year did you have issues with rubbing the shock?

My understanding is BST production was stopped by COVID restrictions so they are behind on the Mobu. Frame strength is one of the main reasons I want a Mobu. Carbon can be really strong depending on how it is laid and with the background BST has the Mobu should have one of the best strength to weight ratios. We have some locations with a lot of rocks here so I'm concerned with rock strikes on a carbon frame. Currently I'm riding an aluminum Specialized Chisel. Didn't trust carbon. It has a big dent in the down tube from racing in Lesotho but still going strong. I tend to like XC oriented bikes with technology developed down from enduro/DH minded companies. The bike is just stronger. The Mobu and Stage have that progress. The Epic EVO looks to be developed more from the Epic than from the Stumpjumper, but I could be wrong. One other criteria I have for a frame is it needs to fit a 38T chainring. Very few frames do. Usually I can get away with mounting a 1x 38T on a 2x spider. Messes up the chainline a bit but works. The Pyga Stage fits a 38T and I think the Epic EVO does as well but have not confirmed that with Specialized.

Great discussion here! I'm moving from a HT looking for a trail bike that will work for XC racing and dabble in a little simple enduro. While I'm in the US I've raced Lesotho Sky 3 times. Lived in Lesotho 82'-86' and raced BMX in SA back then. Mostly do 6 hour MTB races now and hope to make it back for Lesotho Sky once COVID is over. I've been look for a 120mm raceable, strong, trail bike. My first choice is the Pyga Mobu, second is 2021 Specialized Epic EVO. For me the one factor pushing Pyga over the Epic EVO is the Pyga pros actually race the Mobu and have raced the Stage. Specialized pros always race the 100mm Epic. Hopefully the Mobu will be available for pre-order to the US in a few months. I think it will be a stronger frame and again, its race proven unlike the Epic EVO. If I decided I want more of a trail bike in the future, I could swap out the shock and fork and go to 130mm of travel. With the Mobu currently unavailable, and the Epic EVO really hard to find (even in the US!) I've been taking a serious look at the Pyga Stage. My plan is to build wheels around DT 240 hubs, they can easily convert between 142mm and 148mm. Then there is the price (for frames). The advantage of the Stage not being cutting edge is the price. The Stage would save a lot of money that would go for a really nice wheelset. Has anyone here ridden both the Pyga Stage (120mm) and Stage Max (130mm)? How does the climbing and agility compare between the two? Skips, if you have the chance test ride the bikes you are considering, especially if you are buying a complete bike. All the bikes you listed are great with little differences test rides should bring out.