mtbDobby

yawn

ditto re the specialised - I used a test saddle based on the sit bones measurement and now have the phenom 155 - no more issues

most bike stores will either service the pedals and use the service kit or u can buy it at one of the online stores - just remember u may need to replace the springs as was the case with mine and a lbs sent them in to the agent who replaced the spring for R100 x 2 and they like new now

volcan sponsor the mtn team so there are plenty riders riding the bike - cannot comment on specialised or merida

the bike road like a dream - the only reason I got rid of it was for the epic and I went the 29er route

I had a volcan - fs3 that I sold with a number of upgrades, I regret selling the bike - I think the frame and geometry are awesome

Yip - ridiculous - what's the point of a subscription these days!

to say Giant isnt clued up on 29er designs is completely un true - the the XTC composite 29er is carbon and I reckon going to be an awesome bike - all bikes come with "something" that needs to be upgraded, and in this case does not mean they(the wheels) wont do the job., but we digress...to answer your question u need to try ride a few of them and then decided, personally I would go with the Giant

hope pro 2 hubs are the business and carry a 5 year warranty if memory serves me correct

do they have any other bikes?

awesome brand if there bikes are anything like there windsurfing equipment they will take the market by storm

has anyone tried the stans ravens? http://www.notubes.com/The-Raven-C27.aspx either the 2.0 or the 2.2?

My 2c worth - you can get good deals from cajees if you know what you are talking about and what you want. Do not expect good servicing from them etc, I mean honestly how can you expect people who have never ridden a bike to understand the issues you have, they run there shops as a business and are only interested in turn over and margins - this is just my opinion based on my dealings with them.

Awesome post and I am so glad for you and all the best for getting back on the bike - just a pity it had to happen in the 1st place :-(

just for interest sake - there is another trail called kingskloof - http://www.kingskloofmtb.co.za/ you may like to add this to your review page

what riding do you plan on doing - If you going for longer events go for the 29er. I bought the anthem for the epic, had a 26er which I sold and I regret getting rid of it, only because its a different ride but if I had to choose just one I would take the 29'er

Details plz - I have a medium and have only changed the wheelset - plz let me know what components you changed and to what and if possible a rough estimate(R?) on each part

I dont but my anthem is 11.92kg's with bottle cages etc (different wheelset). I have no regrets

Anthem is the business

im 84kg and have just changed my front to 1.9 and rear 1.8 - I cant see you needing to go over 2-2.1 bar no matter what weight

call Karen - 011 4662800 @ kyalami and ask to be added

what about us jhb boys and girls?

I had the same issue - so I bought egg beaters about 2 years back (4ti) and have no complaints - I did have to replace the spring awhile back (2xR100) but they work for me. However they are not cheap

I had X0 (9sp) and I swore by them...I bought a new bike that came with XT (10spd) which I was not keen on and a friend of mine also bought a new bike with the X0 10spd - he seems to have a number of issues and resetting of gearings etc and mine just seems to keep on going. I have also heard rumours that the sram 10spd durability compared to shimano 10spd is chalk and cheese in Shimano favour - I can only point out my experience and will be interesting if any others agree.

Just built the arch rims with hope pro 2 hubs - can't comment on the sun ringle but hope are awesome, loud when free wheeling but I like that