Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

As BF says - also, when measuring sag you should be STANDING with your weight equally between front and back. Not sitting.

Yep. Chain keeper. Easy fix - unscrew the bolt holding it in, bend it back into shape and re-install. Bob's your mother's brother.

Damn dude! Not cool! Hope the Feckers are found and castrated.

No, I didn't. Not old enough to be a master. Sub vet officially. But I know people who have, and I know that at world champs you expect a good level of technicality on the xco track. If the elites rode it 2 weeks later on the original trail and didn't complain... As I said. Be man enough to admit that you can't ride the a line. Then go for the b line.

damn you to hell!

INSTANTLY thought of one of these... What were the designers thinking!? http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fj-K9wWXuQ/TWRo1ehzlHI/AAAAAAAAA_E/XJNtwKseDMk/s1600/northern-elephant-seal.jpeg

Now that is DAMN fine... When I respray my Giant... Someday!!!

Tokai firms up very nicely in winter. Jonkershoek is good all through, thanks to the different soil type you get down that side.

He's a bit on the wee side... S/M frame only.

Damn, that is high. But it also depends on the term of the loan - 1 year or 2 years... And new bikes have warranties. 2nd hand bikes, you insure.

Frame & BB/Crank for frame & BB/Crank then...

How much is MUCH, and is it worth being tied in to buying it new from a single shop, where you may find that the prices are 20% higher on the goodies than online options?

HAHAHA! That's more like the Duane I know... Any excuse to get a new bit of CNC'd aluminium porn... That fresh-from-the-UK smell. Machine oil aftertaste (you have to lick them, of course) and the sexy-as-fook levers. Awesome.

MUCH better way of doing it. And contrary to popular belief, there's nothing wrong with financing bike purchases. As long as you're disciplined and do it right, it's an easier way to get into the sport where initial costs are super mega duper high.

YOU LIE!!! It was on your intense for at LEAST 45 minutes!!

MMMMMM, MMMM, mmm, MMMMMMM, <<<

OH BTW - Sukuma new price off the shelf is I think 17k. So contact Morewood directly if you're keen...

It's this frame... http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_us/bikes/models/xxl/2010/Reign%20X%20Frame_GE_GU_72dpiWIDE.jpg

Well, there you go... Reign X - shorter than the new Trance, with more cushioning! And you're about the same height as Omega here!

NS Soda is a kickass bike, bro. Love the fact that it's so customizable. Other options are the Sukuma (a BRILL bike) and my personal fave at the moment. Commencal Meta is also a good option. What about a Reign? Would suit the TALAS 160 perfectly. As would the Reign X. But then that's going onto the upper end of the travel scales at 170mm rear. Was going to suggest the Turner 5 spot that Crow has for sale, but just remembered that it's for grown-ups only (it's a bit big for you) Hmmm... Decisions. If it were me, doing the AM thing all over again and buying a replacement for the Reign X, it'd have to be a Sukuma. That's my pick. But it'd be a custom colour...

New bike at 15k (5k for the kit) is okay - but if you look at new 2nd hand bikes (of which there are PLENTY) you will be able to get a VERY good bike for 15k. Something that would retail for approx 25-30k new. That's the route I'd recommend...

solid advice here. On the helmet side, there's a few people who have just bought those cheap new MTB helmets for approx R 500 or so. Go for one of those - light, strong and well vented. It's the Etto from Rapid Sports here in CT. They do ship them to you as well. Also - if you're just starting out, and depending on the type of riding you're doing, you need to decide on flats & 5-10's vs cleats. If you're more into trail riding, I'd advocate flats from the get go. They just allow you to build a much better base if you are just starting out, and help you learn proper technique. Cleats will help you on the long jeep track rides, if that's what you're in to. As for the kit: Long finger gloves (go to a motorbike shop for these - MUCH cheaper than your LBS and you DON'T want to come off with short finger gloves) No need for a cycling top. Normal Maxed moisture wicking shirts or t shirts work perfectly Cycling shorts (your scrotum NEEDS protection) - Endura are a good brand Floor-pump (to keep in the car / at home) Toolkit (to start doing your own servicing at home) Tubeless conversion kits (an old tube & some Stans sealant) Camelbak (priceless - holds up to 2l water and acts as a back protector as well. Can hold ALL your goodies wihtout you looking like a goon) Lights (if you plan on cycling at night - a Ryder 5 LED rear light and one of those EXTREMELIGHT front ones will do nicely) Your chosen shoe / pedal combo (flats vs cleats. If cleats, get some Shimano PDm520's. They're bomb-proof. If Flats, Nukeproof Electron / Neutron from Diald Bikes & a pair of 5-10's) Other than that - you should be able to find a very good bike for R 10k. All the above should come in at less than 5k, depending on where you source it, so you'll have enough tom left over for a decent 2nd hand bike. What type of riding are you planning on doing, and how tall are you?

Sorry, what? You had 10 perfectly suitable mates and it STILL took you that long to decide? I'd think it's harder to choose!!!

WOOOOOHOO!!!

If I include the purchase of my bike and the years I've been riding it's close to 500 a month over 3 years. After the purchase of my bike it's less than 3000 a year. Annual pass at tokai. Chain. 2 tires. Stans. Cassette. Chainring.