Danger Dassie

This ☝️

Depending on how big you go, you'll need to be SASREA compliant. Which covers all the public liability, clearance, medics on site etc ... https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/safetyatsports.pdf https://tkp.tourism.gov.za/Style Library/Toursim Compendium/Compendium Set 2/pdfs/national-tourism-phase2_safety-at-sports.pdf "SASREA compliance" in South Africa refers to adherence to the "Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act" (SASREA), which mandates specific safety and security standards for any event hosting large crowds at sports, recreational, cultural, or religious gatherings, ensuring spectator protection and a safe environment at such events. Key points about SASREA compliance: Purpose: To establish and maintain minimum safety standards at large gatherings to protect attendees from potential hazards. Who needs to comply: Event organizers hosting large-scale sports, recreational, cultural, or religious events. Compliance aspects: This could include measures like crowd control management, emergency response plans, security personnel deployment, access control, infrastructure safety checks, and adherence to specific venue requirements.

ICG, informal group. They meet mostly (99%) at the Engen across from Standard Bank. Introduce yourself and ask for one of the lead riders/captains of the morning and take it from there. Normally they ask that a newb arrives with one of the regulars for a few rides until they get a feel for where they fit in. But since you’ve migrated here it won’t an issue. They also have a gravel and MTB group, more recently there is more formal club option for those who want to have a full race license under the CSA/provincial feudal umbrella, I mean membership.

Karkloof/Howick .... ok, I'm not talking to you anymore. Too jealous! Probably some THE best cycling to be had anywhere!

Would be very careful of organising anything inside SBR, it's a provincial reserve and they're pretty sticky about events. Informal or otherwise, SA Road Champs went through there last year and the organisers had to fulfill a lot of paperwork and liability to do so. Something like East Side Crits could be a good starter, Northcliff used to do parking lot crits every Thursday or so. May be an idea to resurrect?

Titan Racing Cypher gen 1. The 2020 Elite (120mm) was/is probably one of the most speed and fun per rand. Merida 96 XT or Merida 120 XT (6000), super under rated and versatile, really well balanced handling bikes that should have a bigger footprint here..

Also Pyga Stage/Stage Max, some good deals pop up. Nearly caught one last year for a shade under 50k. GX Axs, Deed wheels/components 120/130mm Rock Shox Sid Deluxe.

Another consideration is the Specialized Epic, around 2018 on. Some bargains going around and don't have the Brain fork. In fact an Epic Comp alloy is arguably the precursor to Specialized's current Chisel FS, at a fraction of the cost.

That specific bike but that model yes, they pop up now and then. Some in better colour ways as well ...

Just off the bat, there are Momsen Vipa's around at a bargain with decent specs, mostly carbon frames but now and then an alloy option pops up. Upgrade it with a 120mm for at the right offset, and you have a generally budget-friendly ripper for riding, racing etc. One issue could be boost on the rear, however this could be remedied by a decent carbon/engineering co and even updated to UDH.

Quite a few yea, UK and Costa Rica seem really popular with the brand. The Costa Rica account on Insta has a lot of activity. Stoked to see Tiffany's long standing relationship with TR paying dividends, she's not just a bloody good bike rider but also a properly level-headed person. Been with Das Hutchinson in the UK for a while and represents well. https://www.dashutchinson.co.uk/

I will add to the recommendations, great shop and completely above board. Ian & Wes run a tight ship and have a great team.

Hey Chris, yes although not quite as far as 6 years. I see Shebeen pointed that out already. Although it was in 2023 when they made deeper changes in the marketing/sales side - https://diverge.info/2023/10/09/dragons-sports-adds-experienced-human-capital-to-strengthen-team/ Oli's departure is purely coincidental as far as Signal/Rush goes, notwithstanding that Signal is but one part of Rush Sport's portfolio.

All bias aside, that WC paint job is proper as well. Good job.

Not really, Dragons was bought out, so the entire marketing team/HR etc was revamped and fresh people brought in. Oli, Luke and co. They’re doing great work, especially with Avalanche which has long needed a bit of an overhaul.

170mm on XS to M, so should be fine.

@Marichen Ok I remember that Trek frames can accommodate both 29 or 27.5 for smaller riders. This was (is) from the Top Fuel etc and also for the X-Caliber. Confirmed both on the site and messaging a friend at Trek. So the wheels will work, albeit the frame sizing is more likely still too big for you, at least according to the sizing chart. Which can be found here. https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/x-caliber/x-caliber-8/p/35069/?colorCode=greydark Size Rider Height Inseam XS 145 - 155 cm 4'9" - 5'1" 69 - 73 cm 27" - 29" S 155 - 165 cm 5'1" - 5'5" 74 - 78 cm 29" - 31" M 165 - 176 cm 5'5" - 5'9" 79 - 83 cm 31" - 33" ML 173 - 180 cm 5'8" - 5'11" 81 - 86 cm 32" - 34" L 177 - 188 cm 5'10" - 6'2" 84 - 89 cm 33" - 35" XL 188 - 195 cm 6'2" - 6'5" 89 - 91 cm 35" - 36" 2XL 195 - 203 cm 6'5" - 6'8" 91 - 97 cm Not sure where you are based, but reaching to Trek for some assistance won’t hurt. They’re generally pretty good at assisting where they can. Hope this helps.

Your brakes have zero effect on wheel size and won’t be affected. What Trek model is it? The only solution really would be to find a frame that fits you, rather than changing wheels. Not sure if you bought the bike new or not or from a retailer. Without speculating though, you do need to be sized/fitted on the correct frame size.

As in 24inch wheels? Seen some Signal/Apex bikes at Xciter Rosebank recently. Perhaps you’ll have some luck there. Trailwolf Cycles also have some Titans on the floor, and possibly Signal as well. I know they recently did a sweet build of a new Titan for one of their regulars. Other than these two brands there’s also some really good local offerings from Avalanche, Zini, Silverback and Momsen. edit: as aside, for a lot of LBS ventures it’s a balancing act in carrying stock in this segment. Sometimes bikes fly out the door, and then other times stock just sits. Which can be difficult given how quickly designs change (colour etc) As well as contending with the large retail franchises carrying similar stock and brands, albeit often poorly assembled.

Nothing to do with the brand manager. It’s down to the product/technical manager. Their supply chain is likely tied to different orders and time frames. Afaik Rush have been taking in a steady supply at their warehouse. Obviously different brands will have different numbers depending on market share.

Can try the team at Trailwolf Cycles. They don’t overbook themselves and are proactive. Good enough to have Daryl Impey and co going.

Two different categories really, one is a cache brand while the other serves a broader market and product offering. Interestingly one of Titan’s lead designers worked with Pyga originally. There is a lesson though, despite having a strong support base of loyal users. Almost nil marketing, which for a boutique brand is dangerously risky. Imho, if Pyga reintroduced their alloy hardtail, plus launched a revamped more basic spec 110 (call it the 120). Add to that a mid-range/spec alloy gravel option. They could see a healthy return with more interest and more support from their existing customer base.

A beacon? A lesson more like. People are responsible for their actions, particularly when the consequences leave a spouse dead and two children traumatised for life. Not too mention the fallout for friends and family. For sure it's tragic all round, but the perpetrator sits at the end of line.

There was someone doing the brand briefly in CT, not too long ago?

Nothing wrong with the Orbea, they're great bikes and the support is on par with just about anything else out there. If it makes your heart sing, then that's the one.