Gromit

If you enjoy a little technical riding, the Baakens Valley that runs through PE has some fantastic trails, but make sure you are with a local as its not all that hard to get yourself lost, never mind the safety factor. There are also some nice dirt roads through Rocklands between PE and the Van Staadens railway bridge that we use to train for the TransBaviaans. Its pretty flat and about a 70km round trip. This can make for a nice scenic relaxed ride. If you are up for some climbing, Longmore forest is also an option. It is a working plantation so make sure you keep an eye out for traffic, also make sure you have a valid permit, these are available from Cyclopro. It to has allot of different trail options so once again make sure you are with a local who is very familiar with the area.

Are you referring to non-cycling activities in PE?

Are you referring to the Osseburge 4x4 trail? If so this has been closed to the public for some time due to the poaching in the area. Check with nature conservation in the area first to avoid hassles.

I received a replacement frame for my Anthem X1 and I want to learn from my mistakes on the old frame. On the old frame I had Lizardskin leather patches to protect in from the cables and a few other contact areas. Unfortunately after a decent wash these patches start peeling off so I am looking for better options. I know BBB have a full frame protection pack with thick clear vinyl type stickers, will these hold up over time or is it a consumable that needs to be replaced regularly. I also remember seeing a product that goes over the cables like a sleeve that protects the frame where the cables make contact, I just cant seem to find them anywhere, I am assuming that is because they are not any good? What do you guys use to protect your frames?

If the warrantee is on the technology of the time then they should replace it with a frame from that same "time", or am I missing the logic? If their logistics and business structure does not allow them to keep stock should a warrantee claim be made in the event of a failed product, surely this would not be to the consumers detriment?

Not to sure, they gave me one total without itemizing

Nope, they put a new BB in

OK, so Dragon sports replaced my frame with a 2012 Anthem X1 frame, fantastic! Now is the question of the ethics. Correct me if I am wrong, Giant provide the warrantee so as to instill confidence in the consumer of the durability of their product. So their product fails and happily they replace the frame much to my delight. But, and its a big but, the new frame now requires a new headset as the 2012 frames now come standard with a tapered steerer (as mentioned earlier in this thread) it also requires a new bottom bracket as the new frame has a press fit BB. Now all these extra costs plus the cost of re-assembling the bike (a cost I have no issue with) add up to a substantial amount, well for me that is, a total of R1300. Why is it that I, the consumer should fit this bill? Surely the costs are incurred due to the failure of Giant's product, a product they have provided a warrantee for? I do understand that they are supplying me with a newer frame, but I would have been happier if they replaced it with the exact model I submitted for the warrantee. Am I missing a bigger picture?

Great, I never new about the adapter. Seems I have learnt something new

So I have a 2010 Giant Anthem X1. I managed to crack the frame coming down Bergplaas in the Baviaanskloof over the holidays. So I am hoping that the local agents will happily replace the frame under warantee, but this is where the issues start: The new 2012 Giant Anthem frame has a tapered steerer, that means I will also need to replace my fork as the current Fox F100 does not have the tapered steerer. So lets say I fork out the R5k for a new fork as well, most forks I know of in this range with tapered steerers have a 15mm thru axle, so now my current wheel-set in incompatible, so now I would need to replace them as well or at least lace on a new hub in the front to accommodate the Thu Axle. My options seem to be as follow: 1. New fork + new hub = +-R7000 2. Sell everything: Full XT drive train only 2months old - R2500 Brand new Shimano MT65 wheelset with new Maxxis crossmark/Larson tires - R3000 Fox F100 fork - R1500 Fox RP2 rear shock - R1000 Replaced 2012 Giant Anthem X1 frame - R7000 Total: R15000 Add an additional R5000.00 and get a new Giant Anthem X2 What other options do I have? I don't really have R7K to spend at the moment either.

The organizers of the Trans have agreed to add a notice in their next newsletter. I am not going to send it to them as it could belong to one of the many 4x4 enthusiast that passed through the Baviaans on the day, people that had nothing to do with the event.

Done

Please guys, let me know if you hear of anything, this is a reasonably fancy ring and I am sure there is someone out there who is in a state over their loss!

I picked up a wedding ring while watching the Transbaviaans. If you lost yours or know someone who did, please PM me

Here is an article about the hold up in JHB News24.com