[Table Mountain trail safety]

And remember to pay for your annual biking permit so SANParks can continue to freeload off volunteers to keep our trails in good conditions 🤙

[What the Bell?]

My biggest issue with the importers is not so much the stock limitation itself, but the fact that they only have limited options available and then claim exclusive import rights into SA. I know it's not unique to SA's cycling market, but still...

[What the Bell?]

On 1/30/2024 at 8:48 AM, ChrisF said:

I KNOW how you feel.

...

Ended up walking across the road from our office for a Spez lid .... 

On 1/30/2024 at 9:10 AM, Jewbacca said:

It's so weird how anti brand some people are. Most Spez Helmets have little to no branding on, are incredibly safe (see here https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html ) for the price points and their range is extensive.

I guess maybe I'm an exception to the rule, but I couldn't care what brand shoes, underwear, helmet etc I use, as long as they do the job they were designed to do well and fit me with zero issue.

...

On 1/30/2024 at 10:37 PM, Mountain Bru said:

I used to have this opinion.... Then I tried on a spez helmet (the prevail II vent), and literally nothing compared to it in terms of comfort, weight, ventilation and safety rating. My previous helmet was a scott centric plus which I thought was amazing too, but the spez was leagues ahead of it from the first time I put it on my head. It's really one of those items that if it broke today, I'd buy the same thing again in a heartbeat.

...

On 1/31/2024 at 7:36 AM, mazambaan said:

Yup, never quite got to buying a Spez bike but have bought shoes, gloves and saddle, finding them very good. Coming up for shoes, gloves and helmet, even saddle, it has been repaired a few times.

After all of these comments I went to a Spez shop - one that's supposedly revolutionary. I was this 🤏 close to buying a spez lid, but

• they didn't have the helmet that I was looking for in a plain colourway (in my size though)
• they told me a the colourway on the website doesn't exist.
• they were more expensive than the listed price on the web

The search goes on...

 

[What the Bell?]

13 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Hiehie ....

 

I KNOW how you feel.

 

I had spent weeks looking at all the other brands.  Driving the big shop in Malmesbury, etc.  Trying on all kinds of helmets.

 

Ended up walking across the road from our office for a Spez lid .... 

 

 

 

All because of reading Le Hub .... 

Are the decals removable? Asking for a friend... 

[What the Bell?]

9 hours ago, ChrisF said:

Have you considered the current selection of Specialized helmets ?

I did for 5 seconds.

But I come from a place where everyone, including their dog, owns a Spez.

I will never.

 

 

[What the Bell?]

2 hours ago, ChrisF said:

Cycle Lab has Bell helmets

Thanks, but their range is very limited. Found some other sites too - also very limited range. Nothing mid to top tier available.

[What the Bell?]

What happened to Bell helmets? I'm in the market for a new lid - and Bell always intrigued me - but I can't seem to find amything Bell (online). Did Omnico stop importing them?

[Anyone missing a 2019 SWorks hardtail?]

Saw what looks like a 2019 SWorks hardtail going down Sea Point Main Rd today. Mint colour. Let's just say the kit did not match the bike at all.

Yes, I'm profiling someone based on their looks.

Not sure that this post will help anyone anyway.

[Cape Town danger areas]

3 hours ago, mikkelz said:

New season, same ****.

Unfortunately it's not the same ****. This **** is the worst we've ever had. 

Three seperate muggings on LH/signal hill in the past 12 hours alone.

[Greenspeed Anuda Quad-Cycle HELP!]

Now get yourself an entry to the Stellies' Trapkarre event.

If it still exists....

[Loadshedding solutions]

Need some Hub advice and experience for a relatively clueless person here.

The EcoFlow range is currently on sale, and one particular option intrigues me: the Delta2 powerstation with a auto transfer switch - allowing you to hook up the powerstation to your house/apartment's DB.

I have an apartment, so solar isn't an option, an my db board is located in a smallish kitchen - so size wise this makes sense to me (the 'standard' inverter units+batteries would definitely not fit).

I'm aware that the capacity would just be enough for essentials, but that's fine. And yeah, I'm not helping to reduce the electricity load in any way, but, this household doesn't use a lot to begin with.

So what am I missing here? 

[Dealing with Garmin South Africa...]

On 8/13/2023 at 4:03 PM, Fisan said:

Eish. So we still have to send units to JHB?

A button on my 18month old F7 got stuck, causing all sorts of issues.

I have a race coming up in 2 weeks, but also, I can't really use the watch is. We should have better options.

Randomly thought about this thread again, thought I should provide an update even though this was resolved late Aug, because, credit where credit is due. 

Garmin actually replaced my unit, despite it (1) being bought in the US and (2) 6 months out of warranty. Ended getting an upgrade to the Pro model as well.

So while I can complain about the premature damage to the unit (other forums suggest that it may be a production fault affecting many units...) I cannot complain about the end result 🙂

[XD vs Microspline]

Needing to replace my HG Freehub. Thought this may be a good excuse to go 12 speed (or stay with my current 11 speed setup).

Fortunately with Hope its easy to pick any freehub, but that means a new drivetrain...probably. Basically, I see it as one of three options:

- Microspline Freehub + Deore/SLX Cassette + XT RD/ Shifter

- XD Freehub + ?? Cassette + GX RD/Shifter

- XD Freehub + 11 speed Cassette + current 11 shimano setup... upgrade later to 12spd later

Any thoughts, comments, or prayers welcome.

 

 

[Dealing with Garmin South Africa...]

13 hours ago, DJuice said:

Do not think will possible within 2 weeks.

After my F6 is kapoet, I’m done with Garmin, great product, no customer service. 

Such a pity because the American forums keep raving about how good and efficient the customer service is.

[Dealing with Garmin South Africa...]

Eish. So we still have to send units to JHB?

A button on my 18month old F7 got stuck, causing all sorts of issues.

I have a race coming up in 2 weeks, but also, I can't really use the watch is. We should have better options.

[Coffee machine]

okay. So they look like they real deal, and 99% sure they are. But also pretty sure these are factory rejects (blemishes, not perfectly round, etc). Still worth it, but little stock avaialble at my store.

44 minutes ago, Christie said:

Whitehouse cups marked down some more, R175 for 6. There are still some Acme left, some followed me home again.

But check the bottom, Acme mixed with other brands on the shelves.

 

 

[Coffee machine]

Just now, Meezo said:

Thinking the same, also thinking what they feel like if you kept this one and the "original"

There's a shop literally 3 mins from my place. Hopefully they have stock so I can compare. If it's the real thing I'll definitely get some!

[Coffee machine]

6 minutes ago, Christie said:

Whitehouse cups marked down some more, R175 for 6. There are still some Acme left, some followed me home again.

But check the bottom, Acme mixed with other brands on the shelves.

 

But are these ACME though? Not some sort of counterfeit?

[30South Eyewear]

Reviving the thread for a classic Friday rant.

I've had a pair of "originals" for a while. Bought it on a Black Friday sale R450,00 instead of R650. I needed something sports-casual for e.g. running, paddling, etc. where I won't be too sorry if I lost it in water, broke the frame, etc. General reviews were limited but decent, but my impressions not so much:

• The "feel" is on the cheap side. Feels more like R150 glasses than a R650 pair
• "HDo (High Definition optics) lenses" is anything but High Definition. It really does not compare to High Definition Optics with an ® from Oakley.
• The anti-glare coating wore off after 1 year. Customer service claims that it shouldn't affect UV protection, but I'm not sure. I've ordered a replacement pair of lenses in Dec 22, but they keep getting backlogged due to shipping issues.

So, ja, wouldn't recommended.

 

[Specialized Epic 2023]

1 hour ago, splat said:

New Specialized Supercaliber about to be launched for the XC season.

[Rims vs Wheels]

If you remove 1 spoke is it still a wheel? How many spokes can you remove before it just becomes a rim and a hub?

[Table Mountain permit system]

The whole system is stupid.

The application process is outdated.

I don't even know what the fees are for. Definitely not for repairs. Most of our (non-cycling) trails in TM are repaired by volunteers. 

The last time I've seen a ranger on site was during Lockdown when they dutifully guarded TM against illegal adventurers.

[Dodgy ad: Trek Top Fuel for sale on Facebook]

1 hour ago, ChunkyMonkey said:

The seller looks totally Legit… like and experienced MTB’ker..🤣

Hey now, don't judge people by their looks. Maybe she just prefers the odd ebike ride on the weekend rather than pushing a top fuel up steep climbs.

[Fuel Economy With Bike Rack]

44 minutes ago, Brawler said:

If this is true it must be hugely dependent on other factors. 

I do 1400KM a couple of times a year, sometimes with bikes, sometimes not. I struggle to notice a difference in fuel consumption and I watch it like a hawk. This is with two bikes (including a huge 160mm enduro bike) on a hanging rack.

I will say my stress levels go up with a hanging bike rack! I end up looking at the rack in my rear view mirror every few minutes. 

You want stress? Try driving a roof rack on a hatchback during a howling Cape Town southeasterly. 😅

[Fuel Economy With Bike Rack]

2 hours ago, FondTF2 said:

INMHO, for a 0.8% saving, i would'nt stress to much.

Closer to 10% to 20%