440MTB

But the fact that it's two years older, definitely has an impact on resale value/appeal to potential buyers, regardless whether the specs are the same. More wear on everything... two years extra on a bike is the difference between mint, and heavily worn out (especially if ridden often and not maintained well).

@dasilvarsa In my opinion the year the bike was manufactured/released, is the year model... I feel it would be fair for the seller to state "2021 model, but first sold in 2022" or whatever... but don't call a 2021 model a 2023 model, that's just wrong. @Rudii - I agree with what @Barry said - year models are depicted (99% of the time), by the frame design/geometry & more importantly, the colour schemes... this is exactly how I figured out my "2019" Spark 910, was actually a 2017, as I couldn't find any images of 2019 models in the same colours, only on 2017 models. Also, whether you put a 2023 Golf GTI engine & drivetrain in a 1998 Mk1 Golf, it's still a 1998 Mk1 Golf. 😁 Granted the selling price would be adjusted (which is fine), but it's still a 1998 Mk1 after all...

@MORNE - Thanks for all the flattery... I'll have to buy you a beer next time we go ride if you keep this up. 😝🤣 @Robbie Stewart - Aaah yes! You were just behind Josh, and I remember you stopped coz you got mud in your eye! Actually have a video of you on my YouTube channel as well, doing the step up at Banhoek. 😎 This one (Check at 05:58), Mr. @MORNE also standing there. 😉 So as an update on this thread... I'll see in the next month or two, but we did Jonkershoek (Armageddon, DH & Red Phoenix) this past weekend, and I didn't really feel "under biked"... especially now that I've increased my front travel to 140mm at the last service. So for now, I'll most likely just get a decent wheelset with a 30mm I.D. and work on skills and technique, then hopefully next year this time I'll get something new.

Bit late on a Friday... but thought I'd start up a typical "get your panties in a bunch Friday thread", so here goes... 😁🙃 I'm not sure how you guys feel... but I personally get EXTREMELY annoyed when sellers put bikes up as a year model which it definitely isn't... I personally experienced this with a Scott Spark 910 that was sold to me as a 2019 (granted, I was ignorant/over eager, and didn't do enough research, so can't blame anyone other than myself for buying it...), and later when I tried selling it again, I realized it's actually a 2017 model, which bit me in the rear-end, and Iost a fair bit more than I thought I would've, because I had to now try sell a bike that was 2 years older than I initially thought... 😖🫣 I recently noticed a few bikes being sold as newer models than what they actually are... to you sirs, and or madams doing this... BE LEKKER please, don't be crooks, it's really not too difficult doing a bit of googling to make sure you've got the year model listed. 💩🫵 So with that said... have at thee! ☠️💋 ...and have a GREAT weekend! 🤙😎 Cheers!

Hahaha, thanks @MORNE ! Maybe a good start would be a wheelset (thankfully the current bike is boost), so I can keep them for the next bike. The bike already feels a bit more plush with the 130 to 140mm fork, as I've dropped the pressure a little to keep the sag at around 28% or so, and the float-link suspension in the rear feels like a bit more than 120mm, due to the way it works. @dasilvarsa - I hear you man, I used to do 120km a week, with 50km and around 1000m of climbing as my average weekend rides, a lot faster too. But these days I don't do long rides. Albeit, I did a 48km and 900m ride 2 weeks back, and still enjoyed it, the OneTwenty is definitely capable, well at least on stuff we have here, as well as longer rides and heavy climbs. What I do to mitigate the fitness deficit, is by trying (emphasis on TRY) to hit my indoor exercise bike at least twice a week for some HIT sessions for an hour and try and keep my wattage at 160W+ for the duration of the ride (with 5minute intervals at around 250W+ every 20mins). Ideally I'd like a nice light XC bike too, but time for multiple rides is not on the cards as I am a family man with a wife and kid that also require my time, and attention. 😝 Then also, forking out for a 2nd bike which needs maintenance, etc, is bit of a pipe dream at this stage to be honest. Cheers!

Thanks for the feedback @Jewbacca , and @thebob I'll definitely do a lot of research and test rides this time round. For me it's at the point where I'm starting to pick up my speed now, but as you say, it comes with higher consequences if you up the speed even more, should something go wrong. For now, I'm comfortable with the speed I'm going, and there is still room for more, but working on technique and understanding how to ride certain features is more important than speed at present... upskill, then "upspeed". 😄 I actually saw the specials on TREK, and it certainly got the CUD (compulsive upgrade disorder) going! 🤣 I'll have to check with a friend's 30mm I/D rims perhaps then, as I'm currently running an Ardent 2.4 in the rear without issue, but my current rims are 22.5mm I/D, but clearance seems fine to be honest.

Hey there all, So around 6 months ago, I transitioned from more XC style trail riding, to hitting more light Enduro stuff (currently quite fond of Black Rhino 2 at Contermanskloof - WC), and I've been absolutely loving the challenge and progression aspect of this style of riding... learning new techniques and lines through and over gnarly rock gardens, doing drop-offs, jumps, hitting berms at more speed, etc... I had a 2017 Scott Spark 910 (Carbon frame, 120mm travel, etc), and sold that for a cheaper aluminium short travel trail bike (2019 Merida OneTwenty), with fairly decent geometry etc. (130mm front [which I recently uppded to 140mm with the last service]), 120mm rear [the float link makes it feel like more], 67.3° Head Angle, 75.5° Seat Tube Angle, etc. I am considering getting a better wheelset (something like the Lyne AMP30) as the stock wheelset is holding up, but only has a 22.5mm I/D, and use Shimano Cup-and-cone bearings (which SUCK to service, as I've done this myself when I just got the bike, and took it to Knipe Racing to do end of last month). So on to "the haunting" aspect that I'm facing... I don't really feel like the bike is holding me back, considering my skill level is still on the rise, but I constantly find myself looking for bikes with more travel (e.g. 135+mm rear, 140+mm front travel bikes, etc.)... would a bike with more travel front and rear, maybe a bit of a higher BB height and slacker geometry help my progress, or should I rather get the wheelset for my Merida, and keep pushing until I feel that the bike is the problem, rather than my skillset? That said, I also don't have a massive budget for a new bike, I'd have to sell the Merida, and then probably look at something in the R50k-R55k (MAX) range. You can check out my IG to get an idea of some of the stuff we ride: https://www.instagram.com/440biking/ Shot in advance!

Hi all, Reading up on a few of these horror threads, I thought I'd just do my part and share my thoughts on the account @Chintu10 . The person hit me up via Direct Message regarding my Scott Spark 910 I had for sale at the time, and asked me for my WhatsApp number... I then got a message from +260 767647906 (Zambia), the profile shows as BS Bicycle Service Center (in Lusaka, Zambia) - FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/BS-BIKE-Service-Center/100071561471605/ The person said they'll take the bike and will EFT the following day... I had to follow up numerous times, and they kept on promising they'll pay, but eventually they just ghosted me. What was very suspicious, was the fact that they also said they need to have the bike shipped to144 Kerk Street Johannesburg (Hillbrow), but again, I never received any further messages, and they just went dead quiet. Just wanted to put this out there, I'm not saying the person is a scammer, but rather be cautious when this person contacts you. As a rule of thumb: NEVER, EVER, NEVER! let any item go/get collected without the funds reflecting IN YOUR ACCOUNT. Cheers!

This S-works looks like the one they stole off the back of a Mercedes SUV on video a while back.

Getting a proper torque wrench is imperative. Take care of your suspension - Regular services, and properly clean and oil them with a suspension stanchion oil. Don't shift under full load (there are exceptions to this rule depending on your groupset). Learn to bunny hop (preferably with flat pedals to learn the proper technique). HAVE FUN! Ride as often as you can!

I actually saw this "hot waxing" technique on Evans MTB Saga last week, was wondering how well it works.

Hey there Hubbers! Trust you're doing well on this here Monday afternoon! Some of you kind folks have been of great help with your input on some of my past posts/queries/etc. and I've thoroughly been enjoying my MTB journey over the past year and 4 months. I do most of my own maintenance (stuff I can do myself), and upgrades, so some bike mechanic/maintenance stuff on there as well, and then I'll also start taking my action cam and chest rig along on some rides to provide some reels/videos for entertainment as I progress and go exploring some more trails in the area, so if that sounds like something you'd like to see, please let me know! I would like to get more involved in the community, and possibly organize some charity events/rides at a later stage, so feel free to check out my Instagram account and pass me a follow if you feel so inclined. https://www.instagram.com/440biking/ Also, if you do start following me, pass me a comment on any of my posts that you like and say "Username from BikeHub here" or something of the sort so I know who you are! That being said, may you have a BLESSED evening, and all the best for the rest of the week ahead! Happy riding!

I almost died yesterday at Contermans kloof, a mate of mine (with a lot more skill and bike [Pyga Hyrax]) took me down some black trails, the first section was fine, but then on "The kloof" rock garden, the sun was kind of behind the trees (late afternoon) so it cast shadows on the rock garden... it was super bouncy and steep, so my feet bounced off the pedals at one stage, but thankfully I managed to stop without going OTB or shredding my shins (just a bit of a whack on the shin, little bit of blood and a big old bump). Only after I went flying down there, he told me: "I told you to watch me go down first, and then follow after me", I never heard him and just followed him down. Hahahaha. He also explained to me exactly what you said w.r.t. dropping the front heel and back foot toe, instead of the neutral stance I'm used to being clipped in. So definitely some bad habits to get rid of, and new habits/skills to focus on. I also need to focus on my jumping a bit more, my feet come off the pedals a bit too, but only on "poppy" jumps, when I bunny hop curbs, etc, it seems to be fine, so probably just lost practice and technique adjustments required. Thanks for the compliment! 😃 Loving the shoes and pedals thus far, but the right pedal has its first battle scars now after the above mentioned near death experience. Hahaha Hahahaha! I am thoroughly enjoying the OneTwenty man, and I don't feel so scared to thrash it a bit as I did with the carbon frame on my Spark 910, was always worried about smacking rocks or crashing with that bike. It also has carbon cranks, so another thing to worry about (albeit I did install crank boots when I got the bike). I also made some changes with the tyres... I replaced the 2.35 Forekaster that was on the rear with the 2.4 Ardent that was on the front, and installed a used 2.4 Minion DHR II (gifted by my mate) on the front.

Gents, firstly, many thanks for all the awesome replies, really appreciate it! So I've taken the plunge, got myself some Raceface Chesters and a VERY nice set of Five Ten Freerider Pros (2nd hand here on BH). The pedals arrived first this morning, I fitted them and took a quick cruise around the block with my DC Crisis 2s (Skating shoes with decent grip), it felt okay and I scratched up my calf and drew my first bit of blood. Hahahaha. The Five Tens arrived later the afternoon, and MAN OH MAN! What a difference in stiffness and grip on the pins, makes a huge difference compared to the softer rubber of the DCs. I went for a 25km ride to Bloemendal, blasted down Lombards, rode up again, then down Flow, did some of the table tops right at the bottom in the pit of doom, and I was thoroughly impressed with the grip, confidence, and overall feeling of the flats and shoes! I still pushed quite hard on the ride home (was getting dark) and didn't really notice much difference in power, albeit, I did sometimes lift my foot on the upstroke (used to pull a bit on climbs with my SPD clipless setup - Scott Boa Comps and Shimano SPD pedals), definitely a bit of an efficiency loss, but overall, didn't bother me much. 😅 Overall, I feel really good about the flats and shoes, I'm going to Contermanskloof on Sunday to try some of the trails there again and see how it goes. I was actually impressed how quickly I got used to bunnyhopping with the flats, as I've not ridden flats ever, but I did learn to bunnyhop as a kid on a BMX/cheap hardtail, so it feels quite natural, but it is quite a difference not being able to pull the bike up every time like when clipped in, but it was day one, I'll practice and get used to it, but overall, really happy! 😍

I was at Meerendal a while ago, on a Sunday I think, and it was Park Run... They amount of people on the farm was ludicrous... Thankfully I was there early enough to get past the PR starting point (after squeezing past 4 trillion people standing on the gravel section, and vineyard section above the event tents, and asking them to please move - They stand like goats, just staring at you as you try and get past, not understanding there is no other way for us to get onto the trails), then thankfully one of the PR marshals loudly said: "GET OFF THE VINEYARD, THAT'S FOR MTB RIDERS!" hahahaha. Thankfully I didn't encounter any walkers/runners again after passing them. One thing that's always an issue though is the Dorstberg climb... there are a lot of hikers, and it's already a pain in the saddle hugging appendage to get up there as is, so dodging hikers whilst suffering up that climb isn't really fun either. 🤣 @Robbie Stewart - No ways! Irish at Jonkers is already a narrow trail to climb up, can't imagine having to dodge hikers there either.

Very helpful reply @MORNE , much appreciated man. So upper Conties and Jonkers Red (Armageddon & Phoenix is all I've done), is exactly the reason why I'm considering making the change. Hahahaha. Also, like you said, some of the gnarly technical/super steep climbs, when you lose momentum, it's an akward/annoying feeling when clipped in, and to get going again is near impossible in some instances, so I basically end up pushing the remaining section. I grew up riding MTBs and the odd BMX, so bunnyhopping/jumping with flats should be okay, albeit, I feel much more confident jumping in clips. But yeah, still not 100% sure what I want to do. 🤣 🙄

@Theunissa Thanks for the insight, but I reckon I'll get some proper flats if I do go that route, the boots sound interesting, glad it works for you man, and makes sense (coming from a motorcycle background - I used to wear my Alpinestars SMX6 boots even when just going to the nearest shops. Rather safe, and all that... ). As for the pedals, I'll definitely get proper flats as I only mentioned the basic stuff and my DCs as I have them laying around, and it would be a good test to see if I can live without my clipless pedals and shoes.

Thanks for the comments thus far... I forgot to mention something... I've got some of those basic metal MTB flats which came on my Merida OneTwenty when I bought it, I'll put them on and go for a ride with my DC Crisis 2's (basic flat skating type shoes), and see how it feels. @chris f Haven't attended any skills training yet, but that said (maybe due to having ridden motorcycles as a youngster, as well as the odd dirt bike session here and there), being able to easily have your foot out if you start sliding, vs. being clipped in is a somewhat mental block/scary though, so I reckon you're spot on with the "wisdom" coming from skills sessions, but heck, these days I can buy pedals and flats, and keep my clipless stuff for the price of 1 session. Hahaha. Worth it I guess, but I'll first see how far down this rabbit hole I want to go. Lol

Hey there all, I trust you're well! So I've recently started transitioning away from traditional XC styled gear, over to some more trail type gear, as I feel I'm enjoying challenge of the berms and more gnarly terrain these days, and may try the longer travel bike route at some point, but currently I have my Scott Spark 910 (carbon) up for sale, as I've transitioned over to a cheaper short travel trail bike (Aluminium), which I don't feel sorry for/worried about when taking a slam (which I took a fairly hard one around 3 weeks back at Jonkershoek on my 2nd ride on the trail bike). That said I do still like doing longer rides (I like riding from home, hitting a few trails, and riding back [anything from 30 to 70+km), but the bike I have is more than comfortable enough for said longer rides (albeit not as fast as my Spark). So, I've got a few questions pertaining to clipless vs flats for you guys in the know: 1. Flats (Pedals) I've not ridden flats, basically, ever... I've been riding clipless since I got back into MTB'ing in Feb 2022 (Done around 3700km to date). Would it be detrimental to change over to flats for longer rides (as I only see the benefits of flats when hitting more trail/enduro type terrain such as Jonkershoek, etc, here in CPT)? 2. Clipless Flats (Shoes): Would one be able to ride a set of clipless flats without clips installed on flats with a decent amount of grip, without damaging the shoes (where the clips install)? I was thinking of perhaps having a friend 3D print covers in a rubber material for me to cover the clipless slots/hole in the sole when running flats only. I'd then just install my SPD pedals on my bike, and install the clips on the shoes when I do intend on doing longer rides. 3. Flats Only (Shoes): Would they do the job on longer rides as well, or are clipless pedals simply the way to go for longer rides? I'm not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but I do feel like I'm enjoying the learning curve/challenge/allure of more gravity type riding. That said, I feel sometimes I get held back by the idea of sliding around when clipped in (had a big rear end slide earlier today at Meerendal, thankfully I made it home in one piece 🙂 ). Basically feel free to chuck in your 2 cents, or any advice as I'm quite confused with what route to take here... two sets of shoes is the very last resort (and something I don't really want to do). Thanks in advance!

Howdy, phone D'ville Cyclery, they are a Scott dealer and can possibly assist to source the part.

Many thanks for all the replies! Will definitely check what I can do, we're heading to Franskraal next Friday so hopefully I can work in a ride or two during our visit.

Hi there guys and gals, All the best for 2023! Any MTB riders out in the Gansbaai/Franskraal (maybe even Hermanus) area? We're heading to Franskraal to visit family the weekend of the 27th, and I was thinking of maybe taking my MTB along to go see if there are some nice trails/routes to ride. I see on trail forks there are some trails, and was wondering if there are any locals on here who want to take me along on a ride one or two mornings while we're that side to show me around. Drop me a PM then we can get in touch. Cheers and best regards!

I reckon, as he mentioned it creaked and the LBS couldn't figure it out, he took it to multiple shops to try and have the source of the creak identified - Creaking is a common BB thing, so they probably all wanted to check the BB just in case/for their peace of mind. @neau7lll - Really glad TREK is sorting you out man... I was quite shocked when I saw that crank arm, and I would be livid if someone chips the paint off my brand new bike like that too.

Only saw that at the end of the video yeah. 😊 The ones I saw, and posted, they actually press out the stanchions and steerer tube. So now to hunt for that specific loctite, but definitely worth a giving it a bash! Thanks again for the share sir! Very nice find indeed!

Spot on man... This seems to be the exact sound I get right at the below timestamped link: https://youtu.be/_FsYV9Q03uc?t=225 Will see if I can have the stanchions and steerer tube pressed out and sorted with some loctite/similar.