bak2basiks

I'm considering upgrading from a RS Tora 302 to a Tora 318 (on a brand new bike: 302 stock > 318 upgrade). The "google" research I've done suggests that the diffference between the two forks is the air suss in the 318 + weight saving. Also for a light rider like myself (65kg) an air shock, apparently, offers better suspension than the coil version (not sure really). I'm not sure what the upgrade will cost on a new bike (heard +/-R1k). The extra cash injection for the new bike is not that big of a problem (), however, it then puts me R1500 short of a "race ready bike" with a Recon Air XC fork . So bike: Stock standard: R9k Upgrades: R10500 Upgrade Model: R12000. Is the upgrade worth it? Or should I just go for the more expensive model. Or, should I just forget about the whole upgrade thing and "save" myself the extra R3k food money...? I intend alot of XC/single track riding (no "racing fit" yet), no DH, freeride junk etc....

i didn't say it was going to save you money!!!!!!!!!! but it is lesser of the two evils (now read slowly) credit card interest is the highest interest (unless u go to a oan shark) you are going to pay as opposed to a loan which you can negotiate with your banker (having liquid security like a fixed deposit will make your case stronger for a good interest rate) btw by the time you have saved enough to buy the R18k bike your friendly distributor/bike shop would have upped the price to R24KOk....now it makes sense. Thanks...

Dear Hubbers, Last year, I bought a Deuter HydroLite 3.0 hydration backpack at Cape Union Mart. I used it at most 4 or 5 times last year, as I bought it during winter and was out on the bike in the bush very little. Early, September, I broke my arm on one of my rides and stopped mountain biking for a few months. That day I broke it, I came home unaware of the status of my arm (until late evening), and cleaned my bike and my kit of which I cleaned my hydration backpack's bladder. After cleaning the bladder, I dumped it in the fridge, but I forgot to throw the orange clamp that closes the bladder in the fridge too. Subsequently, the clamp got misplaced and lost and I have been unable to find it since then. Hence, I've not used my hydration bag ever again, but relied on two water bottles instead. In the meanwhile, I looked around for a replacement bladder, but they were extremely expensive +/-R250 for a decent one and they did not look like that in the deuter. Today, I decided that I'll contact Deuter via they web e-mail portal to order a clamp. My reasoning was that it might cost less to order the clamp, pay for it and ship it here, rather than buy a new bladder or a new hydration pack. After sending them an email via their website email client at 10:38, they responded with: "we will send you the requested clip for free to mentioned address. Best regards Julia Deuter Sport GmbH & Co. KG" at 11:26. I have never experienced such excellent backup service before in my life. Usually companies allow you to contact them via the email client on their website, but the quickest response I every received was 3 days later. I thought I would share this with the rest of you and I think that this type of backup service is what people would like to experience. Many thumbs up and a round of applause to Deuter Regards edit: Title; and might I add that Cape Union Mart's role in this was excellent. They contacted me first via e-mail and got back to me as soon as Deuter contacted me......Also, round of applause to Cape Union Mart bak2basiks2008-02-07 05:45:10

Ok....with this new slash in 2007 prices for the Commencal its between two bikes (in this order): 1. 2007 Commencal Supernormal Deluxe: +/-R13k 2. 2007 Mongoose Canaan Elite: +/-R??? The 2008 Mongoose cost R18k, which is way above what I'm budgeting for.....and also, seeing that it costs US$1999 = R14k, it would have been well within budget....don't see why its R4k more expensive....if Mongoose thinks its worth R14k, then I'll be stupid to spend R4000 more than its value... Any views or suggestions on the two bikes...?

I have also heard excellent stories about the Mongoose bikes....I'd rather get a Mongoose than a Giant, no reason really, but I see it as an "underdog" bike. Is it worthwhile going for these "exotic" bikes....(Stevens, Orbea, etc.)? I just started MTB'ing in the beginning of 2007 and as expected I'm hooked. I love singletrack, but a full day on the bike will be good too. I enjoy going fast in the bush. The faster, the better. I will want to do the Cape Epic come 2009 or 2010...and that is where I want to head towards..... I want to stay clear of a full suspension, but the Toecali I've seen and it looks good + it's got SRAM X9 rear de....which I prefer...

I'm not too concerned about a carbon frame, alu will do just find. It must just be a speed machine and "super" light....and also I want a bike that will benefit from possible upgrades.....should I see the need in the future....

Hello Everyone... March/April will see me buying a new mountain bike. I am unable to decide between a full XC racing bike or just an all mountain rig. For the all mountain, I'll go for the 2007 GT Avalanche Expert (should I find one at that time) and find the R8k enough to spend on a bike. I weigh in at 66 - 67kg and I'm 174cm tall. With my dimensions I decided a HT will do which I think will be less maintenance and better value for money. I've sort of settled on the Stevens Wave at R16k and the Orbea Lanza Enigma looks good to. But the Commencal Supernormal Deluxe has just seen me getting pretty excited. The Commencal looks so well made and I love the attention to detail. I'm not sure what the Commencal goes for, but what other HT's are there to consider in the R14 - R16k range. I am not going more than R16k. Thanks in advance....