BrentCGP

And you forgot to take the inflation differential between the two economies into account. Why I said the the dire economy of SA as a whole. This fluctuation is priced in. Shipping goods here has become a nightmare as we all know. Taxes. Distribution costs. Insurance. Small market. A myriad of other reasons why things just cost more here. I really think it's only going to get worse. Luckily I earn USD and packing my bags again to leave in March. So I don't feel much for Randelas. One thing for sure is my fenix 5 is still running perfectly and I have no intention to replace it till it's Dead. My phone cost me R3500 in Bahrain 2 years ago, same phone on takealot today is R8000. Electronics in SA have been a joke for a long time already. I'm not one to get dragged into the latest greatest.

MSRP of Fenix 5 when it came out, 599 USD, latest 7, 799 USD. Don't blame Garmin for South Africas useless economic situation and a failing state with a rand dollar that's only going to get worse. The fenix 8 will be R25k, the Fenix 9 will be R30k. Get used it. A cellphone is already at the R40k mark. It's not corporate greed. Is 3rd world economies that are falling behind.

Here I sit, having owned an Edge 500, 25, 510, now a 130+, a FR910XT, FR 230, we had 2 FR235, FR 730 Fenix 5S, Fenix 5 and Mrs now has the fenix 6s... Never had a days problem with them... Go figure. Wish they would offer me a fenix 7 at 50% off to replace my aged Fenix 5. I can't justify because it's still flawless. Battery not as good as it was 3 years ago but that is expected. Coud be worse, you could be trying to deal with Apple in SA with a R50k laptop that's been in for repairs for longer than its worked. My 2c, Garmin is going out there way to help you.

Touched a nerve? 1. You know what they say about assumptions? They are also probably not coming back from H&A. 2. It's not hard to tell if you have been out on the trails or just strolling along, everyday the same people. And it's not hard to spot people in Hermanus with more money than common sense. Each to their own. Be lekker.

This is exactly what I did in Durbanville when I lived there. Made perfect sense. I also had a Spez Camber so I enjoyed best of both. Also see this old, old Toppie riding with his younger mates on his e-bike and he can keep up. Always puts a smile on my face. They do have a place imo. But as always there are always the others too.

Saw a lady doing hill repeats in Pretoria this morning on an infamous hill called WTF on her e-bike. Absolutely flying past us, full power for sure, and will probably claim her top 10 QOM on Strava too. I've owned one, don't have it anymore. Will I get another one? No ways.. maybe when I'm 85 years old. They have a place, I think, but not for what majority of people use them for. I frequent hermanus too, and the amount of guys I see riding up and down Main road on their Dual Sus Turbo Levos makes me burst out laughing everytime.

Also a different route? Apples and Pears gentlemen. Ramses record was 1070km. These guys are riding 1152km ???? 82km further this year than the 'record'. All these assumptions and comparisons in this thread are doing my head in.

LM is special, but maybe a little disingenuous to compare Benkys charity Everest 'record' over 240km (on a Curve Belgie probably) to LMs attempt over 145km to climb (probably on a Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod) the same elevation. LM is probably half the size of Benky too ???? I wouldn't read too much into a 7 hour difference.

Benky and Hansie, 600km in 26 hours.. I literally need to say that to myself a few times before it sinks in. Remarkable. Inspiring. Mal.

Ah South Africans across the globe never disappoint... BikeHub members up there with the best (sic) worst of them. I am rather enjoying this one...

My life is now complete...

We all on different journeys. Let it be. 16 years between Carbon HTs and multiple Carbon and Alloy Duals. I am on a gravel bike now and prefer it... I join my local for mtb out rides, hit 150+ plus rides often over brutal corregations and thick sand.... I still smile, I'm just not the fastest through there. You carbon duallys riders (don't even take your bikes to 90% of its abilities anyway) haven't realised your comfort comes from your tyres and tyre pressure not souch the shocks...

Just realised this new Dura Ace di2 groupset weighs more than the current generation 105 Disc groupset... Don't get where this is all headed really. Just know the prices are sky rocketing ????

New New New. Yet they cant even deliver a single Sram Rival 1 Groupset. If anyone know where to find a set of Rival 1 HRD brakes please give me a shout. ???? Until then I have my eyes on the Germans to deliver a set in Dubai when one eventually becomes available. Not looking good tho. Anyway, heres to hoping its not 18 months before I can finish my bike.

I have one with an Eagle groupset on, with flat bars currently. Love the frame, smashed a number of 100kms and a 165km on it a few months ago. I have an Enve fork on, so don't know much about the fork that comes with the frame, but the bike is here to stay ???? . Now just to find a set of Sram HRD brakes and I will be a happy man!

And there is a Big Kev in the pipeline I see that takes 29 2.1s.. I'm holding on, sourcing an F-Eagle setup for my steel frame now and when time and money allows........ Been riding carbon dualies and hardtails for 16 odd years and don't miss them one bit since getting a 'gravel bike'... But everyone is on a different journey too, I couldn't be bothered with technical trails anymore. Was doing it long before there where 1000 others to share the trail with.. that said I ride a bike park with mates at least once a week, but just do it a lot slower ???? I don't think a do-it-all bike exists.. but there is the perfect bike that will suit 99% of what YOU enjoy doing.

You for sure have not worked for Transnet or Eskom in the past ???? Pocket change for our 'connect' folk.

Did Route 1 yesterday which is the 42km and bailed out around 30km just because the family was there for breakfast. Some decent technical sections especially beginning of route 1. Be prepared for a very long day in the saddle if you do the 42, Its not a nice fast gravel route. Its not a place you blaze through at 20km/h (I am sure guys do but they must be chasing Strava Top 10s) Try route 1 and interchange between 2 and 3 is often what I do. Nice thing about BRB is if you gatvol you can just hop on a route back to the Red Barn.

Thanks JBR. No need to be a smart ass. Got help and it's reported. I often tell people if you have nothing good to day don't say it. Perhaps something you still need to learn? Cheers.

Always had my Omega Speedmaster on, Limited. Moon to Mars #3700... Then I got a Garmin Fenix... Garmin FTW.

Such k*k news. been cycling Zwavel for 13 years, long before it was cool... Just got back to SA in PTA east and thought I'd google a few rides. Looks like I best join a club for weekend rides out East :-(

Quick background. I was out of South Africa for a number of years and have rarely been on hubsa for much... Recently returned and logged in after seeing a lekker gravel bike I'm interested in. Messaged the seller... Not the problem I have messages sent from MY inbox in 2020 offering people a Specialized Turbo Levo XL (which I don't own and never have owned although I did own a M Turbo Levo and a M Camber before I left SA 3 years ago.) There where messages sent from my inbox from me to 3 people offering a bike. So my account must have been hacked??? I changed my password etc now but can admin or someone please help me? I have screen shotted these messages.. Man what a welcome back to the hubsa for me. Could we trace the IP log in address by any chance? Change your passwords good people...

Ive built up two bikes and they both cost A LOT more than the store bought bikes. Just to echo what has been said. If you buy second hand goods, to do a build, well that could work out less. if you shop smart. But then you need time too.. my 2c

I have not been back to Tokai since that dreaded day... This is kind of in the air, but thanks to all who helped rebuild. It's appreciated, and I hope I can give back too, somehow, someway. Just hope to never have to do it in Tokai again, in this life. Kudos to all

Ay... Heal up soon. The rest of you all stay safe too out on the roads too.