Vexer

I'm keen to ride the Spruit... Where do you get to it from? Is there one entry point? Cool video!

Thanks for all the response! So much choice! I think I'm going to try and get the coil changed out for a stronger one before I change out the entire fork/start looking for another bike etc.

Cool. Thanks! I'll get in contact with them and see what is available. Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm sure I'll find a solution based on what you've all said.

Thanks for the response. I think I'll troll the forums and gumtree etc for a while to see if i can find an air fork for a good price. I like the idea of pumping the fork up. I'm pretty keen to experiment with travel as well as I'm not sure what sort of riding I'm into yet. I like XC but I enjoy technical downhills a lot too.

I saw that yeah... Is it true that Fox forks/shocks are largely regarded as being the better/best shock option? I know that store and the owner, nice guy!

Thanks for the response. I should have put my weight in haha. I'm a fairly big guy at 6ft3 odd and 95 odd kgs. I have adjusted the preload to maximum and I can still seem to get the shock to bottom out. I tend to ride much faster than the people I am riding with, and am probably a little more aggressive with my lines and expectations of the bike.

Hey peeps! I've got a '11 GT Avalanche 2.0 with a RockShox Dart 2 fork. I know that it's not the greatest fork but it's my first real bike and when I bought the bike I wasn't sure what kind of rider I am, or what sort of riding I wanted to do. I went for a ride on Saturday and pushed the bike quite a bit (but nothing that got me worried) and bottomed out the fork quite a few times. It's a little worrying and makes me feel like even though I have only had the bike for a few weeks I have found a limitation in it already. Is there a logical next step? Do I upgrade the fork or look for a new bike with a better fork or shocks fitted?

I'm pretty new to the sport, but I'm also new to it riding with my GF. She is pretty active and fit and does yoga twice a week, runs, and has run the Two Oceans twice. We went away for the holiday period and hit some trails in and around Plett/Knysna, it was awesome. She kicks my ass on the climbs pretty severely, but it's not a competitive thing, and she lets me pass her for downhills because she knows that that's what I really enjoy. Overall she is pretty awesome and we haven't had any issues while riding other than some energy-based frustration I think I'm pretty lucky. Hopefully going to be riding with her for a long time to come!

It's a small photo but it works!

So I picked up my bike yesterday, it's great! I managed to get the deal a bit sweeter with some discounts on some helmets and other accessories. I'm pretty chuffed!

Cool, thanks. I'm budgeting about a grand for the initial equipment. I'm hoping people got the hint for Xmas and I'll get some stuff too though, haha.. I'll try and negotiate a discount when I'm at the store a little later. Will do.

Cool, thanks for all the feedback. I'm pretty excited! I will try and see if I can get a cash discount, I'm also buying two bikes so that should count for something! What should I expect to spend on the necessary gear? Helmet, gloves etc?

Cool man. If you wouldn't mind posting back here that would be awesome! I'm going to go look at one tomorrow after work closes, pretty keen!

OKay cool, thanks for the reply. How does he find the bike?

Hey peeps, I'd just like to know if what I have been quoted is ballpark for a new but discontinued bike: I've been quoted R 5000 for a 2011 GT Avalanche 2.0 new. I have done a bit of research online and I have seen 2012 GT Avalanche 2.0's for around the R 5900 - R 6000 mark, and the 2012 Avalanche 3.0's at around R 4700 to R 5000, and so the price for the 2011 still seems a little high. I'd appreciate some advice!