RikisKiff

Thanks guys. Nic, that finish is beautiful. The fork is a 34mm Raidon with 140mm travel, I believe an OE fork off a Giant of some description. It was rebuilt with some new components for an absolute bargain, again Props to my LBS. Adjustable compression and rebound damping, lockout and boost spaced. A huge improvement over the 100mm Reba Brain that was on there. I was eyeing out a Durolux that was advertised for a while, but it sold before I could make up my mind. Hoping the rain stays away for the rest of the afternoon so I can go for a ride.

Hi Gents, Oren, your endeavors prove just how versatile the Tigre is. Well done on completing another Munga. Nic, she's a looker. Is that a raw finish on that frame? Here's my Tigre in all it's splendour. This is honestly the best bicycle I have ever ridden and the only one that I have ever felt truly comfortable on. Comfort leads to confidence and the plushness of the steel compared to ally isn't something I thought I would notice as much. Fair enough the 2.6s do a great job of ironing out the chatter on the trail but the big hits don't transfer through the frame, it even sounds different. I am 100% sold on steel. In this pic it still had its 100mm Reba up front, I have recently popped a 140mm Suntour on it and have started attacking downhills even quicker. Next on the cards is a dropper and some clipless pedals, as I'm tired of being bashed in the arse and having my feet blown off. A big thanks to Rapide, fellow Bike Hubbers and my LBS for sourcing all the bits to build this magnificent thing.

Thanks Nic, Exactly the feedback I was hoping for, and it aligns with what I was thinking which is nice. I have a 2.6 DHR 2 already, I need a front counterpart and wasn't sure if it was worth buying a DHF. I see some specials on Eliminator Grids, with the soil searching tan walls, where two tires could be had for less than one DHF. I'll research whether the Eliminators will fit the bill or not as I don't want to turn this into a tyre thread. Nic you are inspiration, keeping it real with steel on local wheels That Merino of yours is a handsome thing. I had quick squiz on the Merino website, pricing seems very reasonable for the quality of frames. That Cabala got the juices flowing, I see a Large is the biggest frame they make which is a pity.

Sorry hey Nic, I looked back in the thread and saw you had a particularly good looking Tigre. When I was ordering mine there were no red XLs in stock and I believe I picked up the last black one. I was pretty keen on a red one. I've been piecing mine together over the past couple weeks. The all black bike is growing on me though. I was thinking of sticking some skin walls on it to break the monotony, which leads me to some questions. Is a Trail casing skin wall tyre really going to lead to endless misery on the trails compared to a DH casing? Considering I'll be running a 29x2.6 on i30mm rims. Would running an insert make a difference? End of the day I'm on a steel hardtail, I'm not going to be jumping rock gardens at 40kph. Interested in your opinions/experiences. I'll post some pictures once my bike is together.

Hi Nic, Good Luck with your search. I'm still holding out for an unused Pitch Fork for mine.

I have achieved the nigh on impossible task of getting outside with both half decent light, and a half decent camera. Here's a few shots of my lonely frame. My GT was lurking in the shadows while I frolicked around in the afternoon sun with my Tigre. Once I narrow down what direction I intend to go with this bike, I hope to pick up some bits to compliment this frame soon. Please post some pictures of your Tigres. I'd be interested to see how the bikes have evolved since the inception of this thread. Thanks guys.

First things first. This thread has been an absolute inspiration. I inhaled all 25 pages in one sitting. A little backstory. I have been looking at the Tigre for maybe the past three years. Dreaming, crying, screaming to get back on a bicycle and amongst the trees in an attempt to relive the memories of the simpler times of my life. Unable to justify the outlay of not only the frame, but the entire build, on a trip down memory lane. Fast forward to two weeks ago. I get the moer in, go sign up for the Karkloof membership, pull my old GT Avalanche out the depths of the workshop, seized Rockshox Dart et al, and set out looking like an X Games competitor circa 2009. I'm close to death 100m from my gate. I'm actually dead 300m up Currys Post Rd. I embrace it and enter the forest network, no longer dreaming, just crying and screaming, maybe a little vomiting. Grinning like an idiot. Post a multiple day recovery, I climb onto the Rapide website, the Tigre is on special. My wife comes running into the office to find out what all the squealing is about. She assists me, as at this point I might just order two frames out of shear excitement. After much convincing I concede, she does not also need one, for now at least. I make payment, and wait... Second things second. Wayne and his team are an absolute pleasure to deal with, and it was a huge relief to see they utilize Courier Guy. I was kept up to date the entire time and followed up with post delivery. I could not recommend purchasing from Rapide enough. Big up to them. Thirdly. My frame arrived last week Monday and I have been staring at it all week, my gaze shifting only to these here Classifieds. Forks, Wheels, Cranksets, the options are endless. My thinking is low investment, high grin factor. Which leads me to the point of this post. Does anyone have a Pitchfork laying around they'd be happy to exchange for a hand full of Buffaloes? Keen to keep it Home Grown.