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I don't think the Santa Cruz Heckler is worth the hype, the Specialized e-bikes (especially the new Levo SL) just seems so much better executed. Granted, Specialized has been in the e-bike game for a bit longer.
The marketing guys at Santa Cruz must be kicking themselves that they didn't launch these bikes before Specialized...
Specialized:" This ebike revolutionizes everything."
Santa Cruz :" Here, hold my beer."
Most likely overkill for the average Joe and it sucks that you need to pay a subscription to analyse data. Judging by the way these reply to criticism on Pinkbike it doesn't seem like customer service will be great when you experience problems. Some prime examples:
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/motion-instruments-announces-6-data-analysis-systems.html
I'm tempted to try and figure out something similar with an Arduino.
Ouch, luckily you could get sorted and no long term damage! I feel surprisingly good afterwards, suppose I had more in reserve and I'll have to see what the Krampus is capable of in 2022 (if it's still around). I do think I overcompensate on hydration and nutrition.
Slight correction, I did manage to do 12 laps...
I had a Rollercoaster weekend.
We had a lekker camp, lekker crew of solos, a lekker braai and lekker riding.
We had a sidebet going on, burger and beer to the rider with the most laps. I lost our 2019 Total Kms Burger and Beer bet by many country miles, so I wanted this one.
I did three laps, kuiered a bit with my family who came to visit, and then another two before dinner.
After our braai I silently kitted up, put my bike to one side, and while everyone was chatting made a duck for it and went riding alone. And then I didn't stop until 2Am. It was beaulas. This was my favourite stint of the race. I went to bed on 9 laps.
After breakfast it was 5 more laps, the last of which I rode with Dane for a while. Well until he dropped me (he came past me many times over the weekend) anyway. I jumped into the top dam with the PRG Laaities, cooling off and then returned home.
My 14 laps was enough to win me a bet, with Jakkals on 13, Grease Monkey on 12, Hansolo on 11 and CJ Van 10. It was lekker, I never felt out of my depth, the granny was always slow enough and the downhills was fast enough to satisfy. Two years to do it again seems very far away.
It was at 5pm on Sunday when my wheels came off. I started vomiting and had the runs. I thought it was from dehydration and fatigue. At 2am on Monday morning my wife found me flat on my back in the bath room and forced me to go to the ER. Fortunately even my green triage got attended to quickly, and I got put on a drip with some drugs. I had the most amazing sleep on that thin bed, and when the blood work returned it showed I had a viral infection and was a bit dehydrated. Luckily the doc listened to her clinical instincts and didn't just treat me for sports induced dehydration. She reckons I'm in for a rough couple of days until the bug is out, but at least she prescribed me some good stuff to make my life slightly easier.
And this launches the exact same week I buy the plug kit for my One-Up EDC...
Really neat solution!
I'm considering buying a new bike later this year and the 2020 Norco Optic looks like a bike that suits my type of riding. The SA Norco website however says the following:
SORRY, OPTIC CARBON SERIES IS NOT AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Will we be getting the 2020 Optics later on or should I start looking at other options. I'm sure the 2019 bikes is fine but most reviews seems to suggest that the 2020 Optic is way better or a 2019 Optic should be a real bargain.
Any other options to consider?
What is a Pyga Mobu? Your post is a bit cryptic...
I don’t know if this is the correct forum but there seems to be a lot of MTB'ers leaving their teams.
Ed Masters leaving Pivot
Rebecca Rusch leaving Niner
Jared Graves leaving Specialized
Sam Gaze leaving Specialized
Darren Berrecloth leaving Canyon
Gert Heyns leaving Scott
Noga Korem leaving GT
Andreu Lacondeguy leaving YT
Chris Akrigg leaving Mongoose
Jack Moir leaving Intense
Nico Vink leaving Scott
Jerome Clementz leaving Cannondale
George Brannigan leaving GT
Florian Nicolai leaving Canyon
Did I miss any and ideas where all these riders are going?
I agree that in most instances secondhand items are way too expensive. In some instances it's a previous generation model being sold for quite a lot of money. But at the end of the day it's still "willing buyer, willing seller" and I just won’t pay what they ask. In some instances you can buy a very nice new bike with slightly lower spec for the same amount (if not less). The price of some new bikes is ridiculous though...
Looks like a standard Lux or what am I missing...
2020 Norco Optic looks like a very nice bike for my type of riding, wonder if we will be getting them here.
From your options my choice would be the new Giant Trance. The Anthem is not a trail bike, it's an XC bike - so scratch that off your list. The new Anthem is by all accounts a brilliant all-rounder, and as with all Giants you get a superb warranty with great value for money. I'd splash and buy the 2 rather than the 3. The 3 has too many parts I'd want to upgrade very quickly whereas everything on the 2 is solid and will get the job done well.
As for the rest of your list:
- Scott Spark - good, but the current model is a bit long in the teeth and due for an upgrade. The geometry is a bit conventional compared to what you would get.
- Trek Fuel - good bike by all accounts, does nothing for me personally.
- Giant Anthem - XC, doesn't really fit the requirements you listed.
- Specialized Stumpjumper - If you go for this option, go for the short travel version. I had the previous Stumpy (135/140mm travel), and it was one of the best bikes I have ever owned, but too much travel for what most of Gauteng has to offer - the Camber (now Stumpy Short Travel) would have been ideal. I would however not choose this because you have to spend a ton of cash to get good components on a Spez - I splashed on an Expert model and still replaced every single part on the bike except the cranks. And then had a very bad warranty experience (cracked frame blamed on a crash even though I didn't crash), so personally while I like Specialized's product, I won't be buying another Spez bike any time soon.
But, if you are not too phased about sticking to the list I would also go and test ride a Norco Optic as BaGearA mentioned. It is getting very good reviews!
Edit: Spacing - don't know what's up the with the mobile editor lately - everything just gets thrown into one paragraph when I post.
"Mint condition", "bargain" and "vintage" is very subjective. In general I think most people push their luck with prices on items way too much.
I was really impressed with the build quality when I saw this at my LBS but I have a OneUp EDC tool. My friends gave me for my birthday lives on my bike, it's very handy with a chainbreaker and spare links.
I do wonder if the situation is similar oversees. I'm far from being a racing snake and most people let me pass when I asked politely in Canada. People also seem to drive way more polite so it might be cultural thing. Not bashing Canadians in any way, I love the place and people.
We fight or way through the morning commute and some of that mentality probably rubs off on us while riding. I'm sure I could train more and be fitter but the person refusing to get out of the way/insists on walking technical sections can "upskill" as well. I try to get out of the way for faster riders and try to let them enjoy their race as well.
4
I think there is still scope for some events but there definitely seems to be an "over supply". The appeal of an organised event is there but it doesn't always feel like the money adds up. Paying R7000 to R8000 for three days with craft beer and gourmet burgers (if you are lucky) is a lot of money. I'd like the option of being able to pitch my own (bigger) tent and make my own food/supply my own beer. Granted, not all events/venues would allow for it but there is some events where a cheaper option could work.
I'd still like to do Wines2Whales and the U, luckily I ticked BC Bike Race off my bucketlist this year.
Pretty sure the Hope HB.T x Lotus track bike for the Great Britain Cycling Team qualifies as one of the weirder looking bikes out there. Almost looks like it could have been a fatbike.
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Thanks for the feedback, looks like external routing would have to do. I could attempt to remove the BB and route it through the frame.
Wireless options by Rock Shox and Magura is quiet expensive...
One of my friends has a previous generation (2015) Scott Spark 910 and we want to fit a dropper post on her bike. There is no entry for cables on a internal routing dropper post, would I be able to still route the cables through her frame or is an external routing dropper post the only option?
Fork lowers tend to be made of magnesium which could be quite difficult to weld. Getting the alignment perfect might also prove to be a difficult task. Good luck!
Alpkit makes something similar...
https://www.alpkit.com/products/exo-rail-seat-pack-mounting-system
Do you guys "up country" ride "down country" bikes? Seems like a good fit for flannel...
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/what-the-heck-is-a-down-country-bike-opinion.html
No ... you guys up country wear two tone kaki tops .............
Help with Customs
in The Bike Room
Posted
The tracking number can change when SAPO takes over the package. Try phoning customs at the airport and someone might be able to tell you what the "new" tracking number is.