Robbow

Pretty much the same response I got from them in May 2018 when enquiring about the 2018 stock. So clearly F all has changed in the last 7 months. Real sad that such an awesome brand is dropping the ball so badly

Great bikes But agreed their stock and service has disappeared. I tried to buy a 29r Capra Pro Race last year, they had no stock, no idea of stock or any plans to get some in. Unfortunately you go and buy something else

I've had a short ride on the Spez, and considered the new Levo, but in reality the pricing is very steep for the spec. I do like the fit and finish of the Spez, but being tall (XL frame) I think the Giant is a better fit over the older model Levo. I recently rode a Trek with the Bosch motor and can say the Yamaha in the Giant is much smoother and maybe even more powerful, the Bosch is way more on/off. But in fairness that was a 2018 spec, I also rode a 2018 spec Giant and the improvement to the 2019 motor/electronics is noticeable, so a new Bosch motor could certainly be an improvement as was the Yamaha. Battery life is ok, in a normal mixed ride at home (Karkloof) I will use about 50% battery in 30/35km using the lower 3 power modes, that's a fair bit of climbing (600/700m ascent) and loads of singletrack. I reckon at a steady cadence on a predominantly flat ride you could stretch out towards the 100km mark. The handling on mine is monster, long travel, good suspension and the weight make it GO when it points downwards and I'm really enjoying it, I do keep clipping trees with the 800mm bars though . Its not as nimble as a "normal" Enduro bike, but it carries the momentum and I'm starting to trust the speed . I can happily ride all the stages we used for SA Enduro Champs in 2018, so its more than capable The biggest letdown with mine has been the brakes, its comes specced with SRAM Code R's and they are very average. I just don't bond with the feeling and warbling, HOPE V4s are on order and will sort that out. Overall though its a real laugh and I'm enjoying riding all my local trails on it.

Do what I did, buy the SX 160mm bike from overseas and bring it in yourself.

YAWN ...here we go again

So I've had my bike for around a month now, and with this forum that just keeps on giving I thought I would give some real world feedback. To start off with I am in no way disabled (wife disagrees ), old or too unfit. I've done loads of marathons/stage races and in more recent years have been enjoying Enduro/DH, whilst also doing the Megavalanche twice. So would class myself as a reasonably capable rider. My home trails are Karkloof and I pretty much spend all my free time there. Why did I buy an ebike? In short cos I wanted to, I had a few short rides on other models and they are a laugh. Do I regret it? Not in the slightest, I am having great fun on it. Plus Side: The obvious I can climb faster, but beyond that its more the mentality that I am happy to ride any trail heading in any direction now because you aren't concerned about the way back or where you may land up. The weight helps the bike stay more planted, some may find this an issue if they after poppy/playful bikes, but for me I've never been great in the air so the better stability is pleasant. Down Side: Lifting that sucker off the back of the bakkie Remembering to charge it before the weekend I've done a few rides on my own and you certainly can cover some distance when going for it, but you can ride it at a normal pace too. I regularly ride with a group of mates and I just leave it in the lowest power mode and it's cool. Except for the really steep hills when I land up towing 2 of them As for racing, We did the team Enduro at Giba a few weekends back and there are no issues, other than you can obviously climb up the really steep liasons where guys are walking, but in stage at racing speeds the bike is not really faster, you are often above 25km/h so its not powering up. For sure you get chirped etc, but after a few big hills that quickly changed to can I have a turn. Most people I have come across are far more interested in what it is, how it works, can they try it as opposed to outright hate. Ebike or no ebike, most of the *** out on the trails is around EGO and attitude towards others. If you are polite and not shouting at everyone who's in the way of your Strava attempt then generally no one give a ...... about what bike you are on.

Unboxed last night with a short spin around the block. Colours are awesome in the metal, pics kind of wash it out.

This thread truly never stops giving. As for me, my new Ebike got delivered by the couriers this morning, so I'm going home ASAP to build it up and go for a spin. I've had loads of different bikes over the years and can tell you this, I'm super excited about getting this one.

There was one of those at Shova this year. That is easily distinguishable as an ebike. Look at the new Orbea Gain...ebike indeed

Guys don't give up now. This thread is some of the best most childish banter there is on the Hub

Entries close in 2 weeks. Numbers are good and it's gonna be an epic weekend of racing and chillin with mates. Don't miss it. 2 days.. 10 stages

They let me pay the deposit by PayPal, but they get hit 5% of the amount in charges. Its a large store in Italy and is legit, I think because they are doing me a really good deal there margin is probably pretty tight so they trying to make as much out of it as possible which I can understand and if it wasn't such a mission I would do the EFT route. But I really don't feel like fighting for a month to get the right paperwork in place. That's why I'm querying if anyone has any bright ideas on how to do this and reduce the charges?

Another question for the educated international spenders. I have found the bike I want, but the bikeshop in Europe doesn't want to let me pay by credit card or PayPal due to the charges they incur. I have queried the international EFT route with ABSA, but it requires a once off importers permit or some reserve bank permission (I can't remember details, they lost me at paperwork) Does anyone know how to make this happen? What the options are? Possible out the box solutions. Thanks again

Spot on Thanks for the help

I am wanting to bring in a whole bike. I know that the charges work out to just under 35% with the duties/VAT etc. My question is around the shipping charges, do you get charged anything on that? Airfreighting a bike is quite an expensive exercise and I certainly don't want to pay 35% extra on that charge. Anyone know? Cheers

Sitting on the plane to Barcelona now and bikes are in the hold. No charge for any of us, my box weighed 22.4kg and the heaviest was 23.6kg. My box dimensions are 132x82x32cm. Just make sure you are early and damn close to 23kg. The one bag was 25kg and they weren't happy about that so we transferred stuff from it into the other bags and problem solved.

Guess we'll find out on Friday. We are flying Durban - Barcelona on Emirates and my box is like 240cm...132x82x32..did make sure it weighs about 23kg though

I've gone with AIG, I get far better than the std Credit card cover, like 8m vs 1m. For the Mega they also have their own insurance for the race week, like 5 Euros a day, so have added that on too. Friday night we fly New bike ready to roll too

Event Name: 2018 SA Enduro Champs When: 27 October 2018 - 28 October 2018 Where: Karkloof Country Club, Kwazulu-Natal Category: Enduro The 2018 SA Enduro Champs showcases some of the best of the KZN Midlands Trail Routes with stages being held in the Karkloof Valley and Howick Mountain Bike Club's area. The Full Enduro is a 2 day event consisting of 5 stages per day (Saturday and Sunday) and is limited to 180 entries. Nippers and Sprogs may only enter the shorter version which consists of 4 stages on Day 2 and is limited to 20 riders. Each pre-entry will receive a custom designed FOX t-shirt. Sizes cannot be guaranteed. CAMPING ACCESS: New ablutions with excellent facilities are available on-site. Camping access is included in the entry fee of each rider. Full Enduro riders get 2 nights of camping access (Friday and Saturday) and Short Enduro riders (Nippers and Sprogs) get 1 night of camping access (Saturday night). Accompanying visitors can be added on for R60 per person per night and must be selected when doing online entries. If riders or visitors would like to stay additional nights before and after the event (Thursday/Sunday), please email reneeandlaird@gmail.comfor separate bookings at R60 per person per night. . FOOD AND BEVERAGES: Food and beverages will be available all weekend via on-site catering and bar. Seating will be available all weekend at the marquee on-site. ENTERTAINMENT: There will be live music on Saturday night. ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Day 1: 5 stages around Karkloof 36km- 1200m ascent Day 2: 3 stages in Howick 2 stages in Karkloof 37km- 1000m ascent Go to Event Page

We're in the Blue Zone, nice and close to everything Staying in this sweet 7 bedroom chalet with a hot tub

Drink beers until late...sleep in...pack bikes...breakfast at a little streetside cafe...then airport shuttle... For me the last day is for chillin out, did it last time in Milan and this year will be in Barcelona, be a crappy tourist for a day.

A good way to ride large portions of it is to ride the 37km loop and then add in some rockin pieces of the 30 and Supa 20 The new trails built for the event are being incorporated into the 37km shortly so everyone can enjoy them. Pity the weather was moist, did make the day for more challenging

I'm glad you like it ...there are also some new trails which are opening on Sunday for the Trailblazer. I suppose the really big difference is if you are in it for profit or not, at Karkloof all the funds raised go back into the club, facilities, local community and trail builds.

You right...its only 35 Swiss Francs, cheap really!!

That's cheating Nige, they all massive with ski lifts...but I luv them Verbier in Switzerland R500 pd...but oh so worth it