Clinton1

Precisely! Obviously doing everything would be the ideal but not financially possible. I do also understand the logic of the gear going with me to my next bike so it's not really a waste. But then I am currently enjoying my riding and I don't have all that stuff. Damn! I keep thinking that too! I could get R400 ones now and then never use them cos they are crap. Or they break and I am buying new ones in 6 months.

Ok, so I am going to rely on you guys to steer me in one direction or another. I have asked a few questions about goodies on here and have listened to what was said but now I need to decide. I know many will say just do it but I need to see whether it makes sense. I have a R4,500 bike! I am now looking at R1,000 Specialized Comp MTB shoes. R400 Shimano M530 MTB pedals. And a R1000 Rudy Project Sterling helmet. These goodies will cost me R2,400 which is more than half the value of my bike! If my bike was R20,000 it would make sense but am I mad thinking about doing this? What is the other option? Get R400 shoes, a R300 helmet and R200 pedals for a total of R900? Just stick with my takkies, flat pedals and crappy hot helmet? Yes, I am thinking out loud here but let's get opinions. Thanks

I was sympathetic when I first heard of his plight but now they must just strip him of his title and ban him!

...some great new sections to the Blue trail now.... you need to get back there ASAP

Yeah, I agree. There are places to ride all over SA so rather decide what else you want to see and do and then fit in your riding around that. As a Durban/Coastal boy myself I'd recommend flying into Jhb, heading to Durban and then making your way down the coast to CT. Plenty of riding to be done on the way!

If you want a hot and steamy ride and are in the Durban area feel free to message me and we can head to Giba Gorge or Holla Trails for a ride.

Thanks guys, I'll be trying a pair today

I have not read all 13 pages but in the few posts I did read there is something I do fully agree with and that is the lack of detail and effort that some people put into their adverts. You are trying to sell something FFS, so at least take the time and effort to ensure you grab the interest of those looking through the ads. Give ALL relevant info and take some decent photos of the goods being sold. Not doing so is wasting the buyer's, and your own, time as you are inevitably going to be asked these questions and for pictures anyway.

So if the choice was between these and the Shimano XC50 shoes? Personal preference or is the one clearly better?

I'm keen for a ride there now!

I sometimes see these referred to as BG Comp (Body Geometry) and other times just Comp. Are there two types or are they one and the same?

Cool. I am reading good reviews and that price is not too bad.

Yeah, Concept Cyclery crossed my mind when I was thinking of prices for these. I expected it may be quite a bit more. I should tweet or FB them and ask. Yeah, definitely. I will probably buy them somewhere local too but was just wondering about the price difference and personal experiences. I tend to prefer wider shoes myself as I do not like the feeling of my toes being squashed.

Any body got any experiences with these? And any idea of what price they go for in local shops? I have found them online at Evans Cycles for instance at R1077 but know the price will differ here. http://www.cape-hike.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/specialized-comp-mtb-shoes.jpg

You need a phone that talks to you. Mine tells me if the call is one worth answering or not.

So where is the chap that was claiming it is all just PR and not genuine riding? Interested in his opinion

FA?

I was shocked today by the difference in price between online and "real world". I had priced some pedals online at R350, the shop had them for R680. Now I understand as a shop they have overheads but as a consumer why would I want to pay almost double. And pedals I do not need to try on!

No, no, not interested in that at all. I presumed he was referring to shows with rachets like that last pair shown. Two velcro straps and one rachet at the top.

Or if you feel it is boring then you could always just skip along to the next thread....... I was rather specific with what I was considering. I hardly said "I want shows and pedals, please help" Thank you. XTR is quite a jump in budget. I will look for those shoes locally as I am a little concerned about duties with CRC. I like the look of those and they look comfortable. Are the soles stiff enough to get the full benefit out of cleats? Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Thanks, I've had an eye on The Sports Basement already. Not the widest range of MTB shoes either.

Thanks but that means little to someone who has just decided to consider cleats I have also heard that they are not the easiest to clip into and out of. As someone new to this that is something I would favour rather highly. Yeah, that is the problem with an online purchase. I would need to try them on in a shop. At the moment online shopping is giving me an idea but then I'll need to source in "real life". Went into a few shops today but you battle to find one that keeps the whole range like online shops. What/where is Solomans? If not online or Durban then no go I'll search online for those M162s. I'm using extremely comfortable Salomon's so the change will be huge.... As in those XC50s? They get great reviews online. What is the issue with rachets? I'll look for those shoes too. Thanks. Apparently the 520s and 530 pedals are the same expect for the extended platform on the latter. For similar price I may lean towards the latter.

You should enjoy medical cover under your Discovery Medical aid and can read more about it here: http://www.discovery.co.za/portal/loggedout-individual/international-travel

OK, so I am considering getting me some MTB shoes and pedals. Constantly being told I NEED them has eventually made me think I should probably consider going the cleated route. So now I am looking for some and seem to be seeing a lot of Shimano's that look ok, both the pedals and the shoes. Some names being "thrown around": Shimano MT43 MTB Shoes R799.00 http://www.buycycle.co.za/images/thumbnails/10/120/Shimano_MT43_Shoes.jpg Shimano MTB M077 Shoe R829.00 http://www.buycycle.co.za/images/thumbnails/7/120/SH-M077.jpg Shimano XC50 MTB Shoes R1069.00 http://www.buycycle.co.za/images/thumbnails/11/120/Shimano_SHOE_MTB_XC50_SIZE_42.jpg Now I realise that it should be apparent that as I go up in price I will be improving... not sure in what though? Stiffness, quality, lightness? Is it worth getting the most expensive. The reason the cheapest ones appeal to me is that they appear easier to walk in if need be, before and after the ride, but then I can just take them off straight after. But I also don't want to see my ass if I do need to walk over rocks during a ride or to the car after a ride. By the same token I don't want shoes that are so flexible that I might as well just stay in my takkies. Any advice, hints, obvious flaws with the above? I have seen in other places people get pointed towards Specialized. I haven't seen any online but are they in the same price range for the same "specs". The pedals I am looking at are: Shimano Pedal M520 R325.00 http://www.buycycle.co.za/images/thumbnails/10/120/EPDM520L.jpg Shimano M530 MTB Pedals R329.00 http://www.buycycle.co.za/images/thumbnails/11/120/shimano-pd-530.jpg I am leaning towards the latter as I do on occasion hop on my bike with takkies on, or barefoot, to shoot to the shop or ride around the driveway with my little one on her bike. Any concerns or issues with these? Will all the above shoes, or other recommendations, be compatible with these? Any advice, flaming, discussions welcome Oh and while we are at it, any experiences with the Rudy Project Sterling helmet? Rudy Project Sterling R1,020.00 http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/059/1768059_101026153616_Sterling_MTB_-_Black_Red_Silver_Titanium_-_S-M_HL511931_L_HL511932.jpg

The bridge is still standing, the sides of the road are in place, there are no rusted trucks present that crashed off the road, and the road has no visible potholes. How did they possible think that?!