LazyTrailRider

When you say "new AXS GX" do you mean Transmission?

Your Scott is a similar machine to my previous-gen Diverge, it's effectively a semi-gravel bike which runs well with 35 or 38mm (mine currently) rubber. I go through a LOT of bike stuff, but the carbon Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels I put on here have been one of the most instantly notable upgrades I've done in years. Light, stiff, great sounding freehub. All the good stuff! In this case, I managed to score this set which I estimate had 6 months of use on it for R10k two years ago, which was definitely a bargain, but I reckon with a bit of patience you could probably find something for R12k-15k in mint condition. Totally worth the upgrade!

The Varia is an amazing piece of kit, but pretty pricey at over R4k... 🤐

No snakes on the Tokai snake trails this morning, but I did have to carefully balance railing that big right-hander on Snake Eyes with keeping my eyes peeled 🥷

Shhh....

Here I am casually browsing, knowing that I'm heading to Tokai early tomorrow morning...

I also just remembered that you have that capability. @Michael S the regular servicing mentioned has been done by this man and his team, FYI. Will have a lowers service done for you (it's been about 20 hours since the last one) if you're keen.

I'm going to print this and hang it on the wall next to my limited-edition Kama Sutra mural.

Oh and shameless plug, if anyone's interested in the replaced Lyrik: https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/mountain-bike-forks/681054/rockshox-lyrik-ultimate-160mm#fullscreen

@MORNE it was time for an update...

Resurrection of this thread: What's the current state of Meerendal's trails? Want to take an upcountry colleague for a spin there soon. Overgrowth? Ruts? General state?

As novel as it may seem… it’s old and outdated, with very little real-world value apart from looking interesting. I don’t know anyone who would ride this, because why? Likely only 0.01% of the market would be interested in buying it, which is of course why it’s priced like it is.

No one here has even asked about budget 😂 I suspect it might very well be that the OP, as a complete novice, may not have had in mind to spend on a bike what a we know a heavy-duty wheelset costs!

You have a customer if there will be any available!

This to fit the Spez's screw-in mounting would be amazing! I recently got a Varia, the OEM mount is "acceptable" but not great...

This. But also, the unpopular fact that high-end bicycles aren't relatively speaking any more expensive than they were 30 years ago. When I was a student in the late 90s, a top-of-the-line carbon machine (full carbon 😆) cost as much as a modest hatchback. Guess what? It's still the same today. A Polo Vivo these days starts at R255k. Both the Polo Vivo and the S-Works xxxx (insert any other halo model here) at that price have improved dramatically since then, albeit with what is always seen as disappointing small improvements each model year. But over 10 or 20 years, it adds up. What has changed is: 1) The introduction of electrification. This was logically always going to come at a higher cost. 2) The current long-term economic cycle (I'm talking about 50-year cycles) has made large parts of the middle class less affluent than the previous generation, and this effect is amplified if you're a South African earning ZARs. Bottom line: The hard-to-swallow truth is not that bikes are too expensive, it's that many of us commenting here are too poor.

This post made me realise that the 2x Levo chargers (48V and 42V) I have in my bike cupboard would cost R7500 to replace 😬

Amazing shots! I’m an annual Greyton visitor, lotto winnings would immediately buy me a holiday home there. Hoping the trails are rideable again by the end of December, going to be there for a week over the new year…

It's astounding how few bikes and pieces of equipment are marked as "good" or "fair" condition. The mind of the seller refuses to accept that whatever they're putting on the market can be anything other than amazing, so it's always "Excellent". Except when they're buying, then it's just OKish, because they don't want to pay an amazing price.

https://bicyclecouriers.co.za Have used them, no hassles.

My best nutrition on rides the last few years has been a chocolate or almond croissant. Nice and cultured, gives you the carbs you need, and tastes great during that top-of-the-mountain stop.

Kids sound like a pain. I’d get rid of them and just buy more bikes instead… 😶

You guys clearly don’t ride enough 😂 My LBS washes my bike way more often than I do, for R100 I gladly delegate it to them. Time is a luxury not everyone has…

These folks are BSing themselves. I've done the calculation 1 gazillion times over the last decade (and I used to BS myself this way). Show me someone who can *guarantee* outperforming the interest on a vehicle loan over a 5-year period with an investment (the operative word here is *guarantee*), and I'll show you someone who was a victim of optimism. Super low rate on a new vehicle compared to a demo or used one? The premium you're paying for it being new kills all your investment good intentions. There are pages upon pages which can be written about this...

Over the last 4 years, I think I've driven probably 100km for work. Driving to an office is stupid, and I freed my team from this silliness as soon as the pandemic started. My car gets used for: - Taking my bike to Tokai from Claremont (no, not riding it there, it's a trail bike and I love my soft compound rubber too much). - Shopping trips - Weekends away For the rest, I walk, and we just added this wonderful puppy to the stable for my wife to use to get to her office (exactly 2km away) in summer, and for deli runs in the 'hood the rest of the time. 20km/hour with a 10km range.