ians H2Sport

People are still buying but either your sale item has to be in high demand or your price has to be a really good deal. Earlier this month I advertised a used high end kids bike at a fair price and the next day it was sold, no negotiation on price, no fuss and a really happy kid

Ordered this for my daughter who will be racing in the youth age cat this year. At a body weight of 42 kg it makes sense to go for a hardtail. As we couldn't afford R140k for the SWorks (that's just nuts), we opted for trading basically everything except the frame for upgraded parts. With a HA of 68.5 and an estimated bike weight of 8.5 kg all in, it is a no brainer, HT it is. It was interesting how many bike shops pushed a dual sus, I suppose it is what they have to sell. The bike is being built this week, cant wait to see it. Only downside (for a girl) is the colour. That SWorks is beautiful, maybe one day......

This groupset thing is really interesting. So SRAM got way ahead when they went 1x12, I moved across and loved (still love) the GX1x12, paired with a SRAM carbon crank I have had minimal issues, nothing when considering the milage done. My kid races with full XX1 with zero issues. In Feb 2019 we were at the SA Cup XCO event in the Western Cape, where SRAM is one of the sponsors (really good stuff as sponsorship is critical for the survival of this format). A mate of ours had their young kids race bike parked off next to the SRAM marketing tent. There were loads of bikes around as this was near the finish area. The SRAM chap comes over and tells the father of the kid to move the bike away as it has Shimano parts.... That just didn't feel good. Just spec'd my kids new build with full XTR incl brakes. Going to make sure we hang around the SRAM chap if we see him this year. Competition is great for everyone, it drives innovation and we all benefit.

yes, he has

Your local provincial Commission should publish an annual race calendar listing all sanctioned events for the year. In KZN the MTB list includes the local XCO series, SA Cup XCO series, classics, stage races, schools events etc. If I recall correctly we had just over 80 races on the list for 2019. This is great for rider and race organizer planning

Agree, buy the Pyga. I bought one after a test ride at B&B a few years back, there is no other bike I would own right now. People who own them tend to love them, #pygastage. Oh and the Pyga guys are tops too, proper backup. They have started a local whatsapp group where riders share stories, pics etc even the boss man himself posts and shares news - proper local touch

On this course I would say yes. Same for Yolanda, skills!

agree, you can see by the placement of rocks. That oke can build a XCO course

it does, I wonder why that is.....?

Geez, no South Africa this year?? Pretty sure we watch on Redbull TV last year

Crashed in the team relay. She looks ok, she posted on social media yesterday. Seen a pic of her finger injury, hectic!

Geez, trying to be as objective as possible in my thinking but I'm struggling with ebike XCO at world champs. Agree with @Face Plant's comment about old chaps racing them, that could be fun. But elite's.... its got big brand marketing pressure written all over it

Things are going really well in most/all provinces right now with schools cycling. Whilst I fully agree that regulating schools cycling further could lead to schools adopting it as an official school sport, I hope it doesn't lose the fun factor. https://www.intocycling.co.za/exciting-developments-for-schools-cycling-in-south-africa/?fbclid=IwAR2QgI-5HehuBd31VCJNSPD9Cq3o5TYRyRkTO3CmYipgnvi_odkudJlL-IE

Hi Cois, I am really sorry about what you and your family are going through. You should read this book, it could be life changing

Gradual conversion from bar to pain cave Hammer for kids bike H1 for dads bike Panasonic 40" TV on wall with Apple TV (too high up, difficult to watch and train) Sabaj A4 amp & Yamaha NS-AW392 speakers (need sub) 2x 45" Mellerware fans (perfect) Fridge for after training beers Tablet handlebar brackets (Wahoo if I recall) Gen 5 ipads Zwift all the way Still need to complete the floor, thinking of PVC interlock tiles Need to lose the beer mugs and replace with cycling stuff

Chat to Craig Paul at Minnaar Cycles in PMB. He does the Cure brand, they do hubs too. Very nice

There is support in Durban, through Over The Bars Cycles. As far as I know the same crowd still own Lapierre in SA. I have two of their bikes and have had no issues (apart from a lengthy delay in getting a new hanger).

Pyga Stage is brilliant. Talk to them about the new local carbon frame manufacture process - cutting edge stuff.

Oh, and if anyone is around & about PMB this weekend, KZNMTB is hosting round 3 of our XCO series at Cascades. Course marking is almost complete, race day is this Sunday. Stuart Marais, one of our local pro's, will be at Cascades on Saturday morning to take anyone who is keen around the course. This is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best in the XCO business

As XCO is an Olympic discipline, the commissions or local federations will be focussing on getting riders to the ultimate event every 4 years. Whilst we have some top riders in SA, we need to do a lot of work at foundation level to find and develop new talent. As such, the local federations/provinces need to hold XCO events to cater for both ends. This starts with development programs, such as the Cycling KZN Development program. Development programs lead into the schools programs and events such as the very successful Spur Schools series. Next step is the provincial XCO series. These are often considered too hectic for recreational riders, and in some instances they may be. The challenge of the provincial commissions is to hold events and develop courses which cater for elites with UCI XCO aspirations, and to encourage younger and recreational riders to support the events. Without local riders supporting the events, obtaining much needed sponsorship is very challenging. So you can see the challenge here. In KZN we have attempted to start our 4 event season with fast, non technical courses, ending at the much feared Cascades which boasts arguably world class course options. Even the more technical courses have B lines, and in some cases even C lines. So bottom line, yes go ahead an take part if you are interested. Your support is needed and you will most likely have a blast. I would stay away from the SA Cup XCO events if you are new to XCO, as these are more technical with loads of climbing. They are aimed at top of age cat riders and should be preparing our UCI hopefuls for the world circuits.

I've tried various towbar and roof mount racks. Thule is the best brand in my opinion, but no rack I have tried copes very well when full/all bikes loaded. Too much of a hack to ensure bikes are not touching. Now that the whole family rides the best option was to change vehicles. VW Transporter has made bike loading a pleasure - fun to drive too

Dean, really?

I suggest talking to the crowd who organize your local Spur Schools series. They will know who's kids race and should be able to put you in contact with people who have used bikes. Which province are you in? If in KZN, I could assist you.

ja, the mind boggles... then there are the dopers

Did stage 2 on Tuesday night, as with stage 1 the start was a bit frantic but eventually bunches formed and it seemed to calm down a bit. I found it difficult to work with the bunch as most riders were surging throughout the ride. The lap format was great, easier to work out how to pace yourself. This is really great training, fun too.