RobynE 🚵‍♀️

I reckon this would give you great joy, and if you still have the itch for the Ibis, it would be pretty much a straight build-over. Merida One Twenty 600 (Mellow is my LBS and if you were keen Wes would sort you out - also a great point of contact for you down the line)

I would avoid anything Microsoft or SRAM SX. SX I’d avoid in general and Microshift I’d avoid based on your access to bike stuff. If you can find something you like with Deore, or GX, then yes!

I have one that’s missing the first two cogs and the lock ring - so if you could get those you’d be good.

In terms of the rider’s budget, Rapide will be good bang for buck.

Link to the wheelset. @Kiwi is Rapide. Oh and Rapide can sort your cockpit and dropper as well. Also your BB. Basically everything.

I imagine you don’t have ready access to a mechanic, so tried n tested, reliable is the way. I agree with thebob but: I would do a complete Rapide wheelset with Vittoria tyres. Should come in at under 7k for the full wheelset with rim tape and valves already installed. That’s rims, hubs, spokes, etc. You will just need tyres and sealant. Shimano Deore is very reasonably priced and pretty bulletproof. You’d need a Microspline freehub body with your wheelset. You could choose to run an aftermarket cassette using a HG or XD freehub body. I’d stick with a full Shimano setup myself. I have a Marzocchi Z2 and it’s awesome. It’s essentially a Fox 34 and is maintained in the same way with the same service kit. Brakes I would do Magura. That’s my personal preference in brakes, I just love their feel and have absolute faith in them. But brakes are very much a case of personal opinion and you won’t find anyone agreeing on any brake topics lol.

What are your goals? Where does your dream see you riding?

I hated just about every second except for the dry parts and the animals 😂 It was wetter than last year for sure, but the water table is sitting so high with this late rain that I’m surprised it wasn’t worse. If you look at the times of the front runners it was all still very rideable, but it (the mud) always gets worse once the masses start to pass through. I am surprised that my bike behaved extremely well, mud and all. I didn’t have any squeaking or grinding and everything worked flawlessly. What didn’t work however was keeping my feet on my pedals. I could not for love or money keep traction on my pedals and I was in flats due to an ankle injury. I did not love it overall.

I understand about the illegal issue, but in terms of relevance to this thread, I still don’t understand. Alcohol, cellphones and dooring have contributed to the most accidents on this thread and afaik most if not all the drivers have been locals. I don’t think drivers are more likely to drive into cyclists because they’re illegal. But anyone is more likely to drive into cyclists because they’re drunk or distracted. Cellphone usage behind the wheel is an absolute scourge, as is drinking and driving. I live fairly close to a more well-to-do RDP settlement. Everyone drives/walks/sits around with a beer in their hand. Sometimes with a phone in the other hand. I also live fairly close to two of the most affluent residential estates in Johannesburg. Everyone drives around with a phone in their hand. Some have a Stanley cup of wine in their cup holder. None of these machine pilots in the RDP area or the affluent estates are illegals.

Here is a review.

The Zini is brilliantly specced for the price. The fork is in essence a Fox 34 (Fox owns Marzocchi) and uses the same service kit. The brakes will suit nicely. The WTB components all very reliable, though you might enjoy slightly narrower tyres - your preference. Deore is Shimano’s entry-level 12s offering but it slaps SX and is well-respected. All in all much better value and worth the price tag as a new bike.

Oh yes!

Not really. It’s still a fork with 32mm stanchions, still SRAM SX. You ideally want something with at least 34mm stanchions and a better groupset than SX. Both of these things matter. You’re a big guy and when you get onto the bars or put down power, cheap groupsets (incl. cranks) and noodle forks won’t stand a chance. These are expensive parts and upgrading them on “cheap” bikes doesn’t make sense. Rather buy a bike specced ideally for you from the offset. Being that you’ll be looking for an XL frame, you have something of a bargaining chip in your corner if you’re wanting to buy new. Also bear in mind that if you want to sell it down the line, your new purchase bargaining chip becomes a ball and chain lol. Why not chat to Wesley at Mellow Velo and see what he can do for you? I see XL bikes on special there fairly often. But you’ll need to tweak your budget, or massacre it really, to get a bike that will serve you well long term. If meeting the outlay (probably ~60-70k) now is a challenge and you really want to buy new, then prepare to do a fork, brake and full drivetrain upgrade down the line. This will cost around ~30-40k if using new parts. Nothing wrong with taking this route of course, lots of people do, but there comes a point where it becomes throwing good money after bad.

I love the Titans but the specs on that bike aren’t really going to help you a huge amount. The Judy is an entry-level fork, heavier than a better fork, and not very forgiving. SRAM SX is entry-level again, also not very forgiving, and doesn’t really allow for upgrading (as the bike will come with a HG freehub body). If I were you I would speak to @RobertWhitehead, he’s also an XL frame guy and he knows how to put a lekker bike together. Don’t feel too bad about your Cradle outing though - it’s not an easy.

I really don’t understand the relevance of illegals to this thread 🤔 Shall we move on? It’s weekend, and I’m sure there will be a new instalment of Cyclist vs Machine Operator in no time.