westcoaster

Agreed - exactly what I've been doing on last few bikes. No need to buy "special rim tape"! Combined with DieselnDust's tube pre-load tip above, winna wena chicken dinna!

Nope, not a peep. Need to tjoon the gears, then will post it for sale.

There is at least one line open now. Not sure if it is the same line, distance seems about the same. We had a shuttle day there recently. Keep an eye on Dusty's fb page. There's also a post containing a QR code for a GP gravity WA group, perhaps join that too. Dustin Rudman Invitationals fb page

FOUND!!! Trek road bike, found in Dunkeld West, Jhb this morning. Looks like it was abandoned due to flat tyres. Hoping to get it back to its owner. Identify some details correctly (eg serial, components, distinguishing marks, etc) and it's yours. I'm hardly ever on the forum anymore, so get me at zero 7 two 3 four 2 nine 5 dbl 8

Stolen: Trek not sure 2020 When: 1 July 2020 Where: Randburg, Gauteng FOUND!!! Trek road bike (not 2020 model), found in Dunkeld West, Jhb this morning. Looks like it was abandoned due to flat tyres. Hoping to get it back to its owner. Identify some details correctly (eg serial, components, distinguishing marks, etc) and it's yours. I'm hardly ever on the forum anymore, so get me at zero 7 two 3 four 2 nine 5 dbl 8 Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

Stolen: Cotic ? 2017 When: 30 July 2019 Where: Randburg, Gauteng One of FIVE bikes taken, looks like inside job as a key was used to gain entry. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

Stolen: Trigon ? 2017 When: 30 July 2019 Where: Randburg, Gauteng One of FIVE bikes taken, looks like inside job as a key was used to gain entry. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

Stolen: Pyga Stage 2018 When: 30 July 2019 Where: Randburg, Gauteng One of FIVE bikes taken, looks like inside job as a key was used to gain entry. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

Stolen: Trek Top Fuel 9.9 RSL 2017 When: 30 July 2019 Where: Randburg, Gauteng One of FIVE bikes taken, looks like inside job as a key was used to gain entry. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

Stolen: Pyga Hyrax 2018 When: 30 July 2019 Where: Randburg, Gauteng One of FIVE bikes taken, looks like inside job as a key was used to gain entry to the house. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

We can debate signage, trail layout, what people SHOULD do and such forever. The real issue is that most everyone a) are damn oblivious to what's going on around them (check this out a bit next time on the Spruit - both riders and walkers); b) thinks they're superbly good at almost everything (especially those who DON'T have experience) and c) will resort to blaming (and suing) everyone else if things go wrong. Compounding this is that our legal system seems to entertain this absurd situation. And Darwin can't beat the legal system unfortunately. Perhaps we need riders' licences - PROVE you can ride a bike and pay attention to s.h.i.t. around you, before you're allowed on it. Not that this has worked for car drivers... But maybe this can at least help the skills coaches make a living too.

Update: March 2018 (ja, I know ) Pimped the Tranny a bit with fork and rim decals to link up to the blue bits on the chain guide and shock. Oct 2018 Alas, rides and races at our beloved Haka, DRI, Harties and Lesotho and a trip to Morzine stressed out the rims and the one eventually gave up. So I gots me some 35id Kore Realms to go with her dancing shoes... (Ganesh is my QC guy. He doesn't easily get up from his lazy ass though). And I've dented the rear already...

Got that just in time before the last ones went! Nice!

Not sure where the above ended up, but just received the following form my ward councillor in his regular mailshot: "Launch of Jozi Trails on Wed 14 Mar @ Delta Park Environment Centre I have been part of a group, now called Jozi Trails, for several years. We have been meeting regularly to put into place a pilot project along the Braamfontein Spruit that will regularise and improve the current series of walking and cycling paths as well as improve the mountain biking routes in Delta Park (Emmarentia has now recently been added). The initial trail management plan will be piloted in Delta Park and at Emmarentia, two of Johannesburg’s busiest public open spaces. The management plan aims to reduce risk and increasing safety for all trail users, trail improvements, signage and enhanced security systems.It has taken a long time as we needed to get the blessing of City Parks as well as start the necessary environmental permissions. But with City Parks adopting it as legacy project last year, it is time to introduce the project to the wider community.It will take place on Wed 14 March at 6pm at the Delta Environment Centre (take Road Number 3 from Rustenburg Rd in Victory Park and drive straight into Delta Park, turn left at the T-junction and follow the road until you reach the car park at the Centre).The event will include a presentation of the actual project and news on progress made to date. This will be an information sharing session - all residents associations, interest groups and organisations that have an interest in outdoor lifestyles are invited, especially those living close to the Spruit.To RSVP and for more information, please contact info@jozitrails.co.za."

Yup, the 2018s are SBG with the forks & stems as part of the package. I don't really see myself as qualified for reviews, as I haven't tried enough bikes. All I know is, I tried the Patrol (and a few others) at AfriSki recently and it just "felt right". So save up, speak to the DM guys when the Smugglers get here, go ride it and be prepared for parting with those savings!

Nuffy, you can chat to Johan at Hakahana trails - he's put together a few events which have had a dedicated fan base and have now grown into a CSA-sanctioned race series. Typical runs there are 1.3-1.9km, avg drop around 1:10 to 1:9, trails are left quite natural (ie rocky ) with only a few built jumps etc, as mentioned by others here - which is the way us locals like it! Nigel has also hosted a Lesotho event this year witrh runs of 5-9km each, completely natural trails. Awesome event that was. Hard work though! That reiterates what was said - assess who your customer base is (or might develop into). These two guys mentioned here have stuck to their guns, driven by passion - and they've effectively developed riders into enjoying more technical stuff.

Slightly different from the typical Spez on here, this is mine: 2016 Stumpie - 150mm travel, geometry based on the 2015 Enduro. This bike got me into enduro riding...and then some! Sad to let it go soon, as the lure of a tranny got too much...

Came from XC, got bored, got into enduro riding a bit - on my 29" XC bike initially. Moved over to a Spez Stumpie last year and found I wanted more bike... So... late in my life, I've finally ventured into trying a Tranny Dirt Merchant relieved me from some hard-earned cash and I took a tranny home 2018 Patrol. So chuffed, this bike is the beezneez!!

So I went for the enduro event (my 3rd in 3 years and my 1st in 2years)... Thursday went up the lift and onto the closest down trail, which was supposed to be an enduro trail. 30m in, the 1st drop-off stopped me dead in my tracks. Climbed down, stood at the top of the landing. Launch was about half a foot above my head. I'm 6'1. WTF!!?? This is enduro, Lesotho style!!?? Turns out it was a DH track, the drop featuring one of the pics on the CrankChaos website :-) Aside from the initial lack of info on which tracks were which (we did ask a number of people organising and got vague responses all over), it was a great event. Great vibe and man, the riding was insane for pretty much everyone in our group, which included a few early enduro-ers, up to "world famous in Gauteng" riders (and maybe wider than that). 200m drop in 1.2km. It's not the Spruit (thank Fk for that). Plus the altitude. Enduro rides were hard work, so were the DH tracks, regardless of skipping the bigger drops. Going again next year? Hell yes.

NYEAH!!! Shot to all involved, organisers & staff, sponsors(?) AND the riders - really enjoyed it, so much that I'm going to be swapping out my XC bike for something more appropriate!

Recently had somewhat of a bad luck disaster, on the Spruit of all places - ended with a destroyed rear wheel/drivetrain. Just a note of kudos to Linden and specifically Edu, who had made a number of plans to keep me mobile, as I had two races in the time it was going to take to sort things out. They've also communicated well to make sure I was informed and offered good advice on options. Linden is location wise my 3rd most convenient, but they have earned top spot in order of preference.

Branch code provided on the website incorrect. Book, then check inbox for confirmation email and use the details off that. I was successful. Branch code = Hartebeespoort Branch: 104905 Can't wait!

Not a fan of crowds and especially not the "I can grind it out on the flats at 45km/hr for ten hours straight" crowd (perhaps I'm just to weak/lazy/old), so the Spruit has brought me a fair amount of frustration, but you know what? It's damn handy for a quick cobweb-clearing midweek ride after work and there ARE a few fun sections to take advantage of, even on a 29er XC bike... (like busting wheels and breaking helmets off a little table top ) It's all about what you make of it for yourself without worrying about everyone else. And it's REALLY quiet when the thunderstorms kick in! So, big up to the Spruit fairy/fairies for tweaking and adding those interesting bits!

agreed - there were far more interesting sections that would have made for great pics - pity, there were 3 pro photogs that I know of, who were riding...

Huge thanks to Johan and helpers for an awesome day out! Also to fellow riders who helped me through stages of arriving unprepared, to bush fixes... - Albert for handing over brake pads (XTR, nogal ), when on taking the bike out the car, I discovered the previous weekend's tri training mud derby (see pic) removed every last bit of brake material from my pads. - George, Brett, Aubrey and some of the youngsters, for helping with tools, tube, chain links, pump, etc after SP2 took its toll on my rear rim and chain - everyone else for a great vibe - none of that XC/roadie ego crap! Great success not to have broken anything else, especially considering using a big-ass (21") 29-er XC bike and seeing that it CAN go downhill too - and the climbs were just a bit of a tri training warm-up . This was only my 2nd enduro after Mankele and after having so much fun and with the good vibe, I think I'll need to look around for a trail-ey bike now...