ALLMTB

Yip same here. Previous orders which were shipped with DHL were quick and easy, now with Skynet my last experience was terrible. R350+ for admin and I had to call them three times to find out when I'll be receiving the invoice as my parcel had already landed in the country. Took way longer to deliver as well. Numerous mails also went unanswered.

The markings are there to help you setup the 'correct' or your preferred sag percentage on your fork without having to use a ruler or vernier etc. Here watch this:

Taken from Pinkbike: "The main talking points include the all-new Step-Cast chassis that, much like the even lighter 32, sees less material used but, according to Fox, a gain in rigidity. While the 32 Step-Cast chassis is narrower than the standard 32, so much so that its Step-Cast lowers needed to be re-engineered to clear the front wheel's spokes and brake rotor, the 34 Step-Cast chassis is less out there."

Dual Air model? If so, air could be leaking from the positive chamber past the seal to the negative chamber pulling the fork into its travel. What kind of services has the fork had? I normal 'lowers' service wont solve that issue.

https://www.cogentindustries.co.za/

Since you've checked almost everything else, the creaking might come from the contact points between the rails and the base of the saddle. I have that issue with a Fabric saddle, spraying some Teflon spray on the contact points solves the issue.

https://ridewithzeal.co.za/ Speak to Balt, might be able to help.

Sunblock! I've learnt my lesson in a bad way...

Does the bike handle/ride better than it did before you used the shockwiz?

The guys at Westrand recon you would need at least 5 full rides to get a good base of data to work from.

Westrand Cycles has one to rent. Or contact Les from Gravity Hub, I believe he has one to rent as well.

IMO, yes R650 for little piece of aluminium is a lot, but... Yeti = premium brand = premium replacement parts = premium price. Also, that little piece if metal was made to fit your type of frame and maybe one or two others only, no other bike in the world will be able to use that hanger and on top of that its an essential part without which your bike/frame becomes useless. Most I've paid for a hanger, R400

Its not only that the people who assemble the Makro bikes don't have a clue what they are doing, its also that the bikes are absolute crap. I'd rather save up a bit more and look for a good second hand hardtail 29er. Somehting like: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/292696-merida-big-9-500/

Bite point can't be adjusted with these brakes, but, and this is a big but, I've had some success adjusting the bite point on Shimano brakes but slightly overfilling the system. A good mechanic might be able to achieve the same results with Level TL brakes....might...

The only reason I went from 175 to 170 is because the frame I bought at the time had a much lower BB height and pedal strikes were becoming a problem. Could not feel a difference in term of pedaling power etc though.

No, an angle set changes the head angle, the offset of the fork does not. So you can run either fork, its just the trail which will differ. More info here: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/transitions-new-speed-balanced-geometry-2017.html

Nope, I've got a Patrol. You don't need a new fork with the correct offset for SBG, I know of two people who bought frame only and ride them with normal offset forks. You just wont get full effect of SBG.

Great list of possible choices you have there. I'd say the Sentinel but that coz I'm biased. Also, I believe most of those frames are boost specific, will your hubs from your Kona fit?

is that why Bruni won the World Champs on a 650b, or why Gwin won the overall world cup on a 650b?

Minion DHF or DHR II front, Aggressor Rear

Looks like a 2008 Scott Scale, I doubt it can be repaired. It might have been caused by the incorrect size headset cups being pressed into the head tube, hard to say...

You should be able to get local support for those wheels, check here: https://dewbrocycles.co.za/

I like the industrial look of it...but at 16.13kg its getting close to the what my DH bikes weighs...nee dankie....

UPDATE: Took the pads out for a spin at Haka yesterday. First impressions are that they are more bulky than what the pictures suggest, so if that's a deal breaker for someone I suggest having a look at them first. The fit is superb, first time riding with them and I have no chaffing and they didn't slip down or move around at all. Pedaling is not an issue. They do get hot though (humid 31degree yesterday) but for the amount of protection they offer its not a bad trade off. Luckily no crash test took place but so far I would recommend these pads for Enduro type riding for sure.