michaelbiker

Short answer: No Long answer: Expect to wait a really long time and lots of headaches following up about customs invoices etc. Ordered some bike stuff from Italy - which was shipped EMS beginning February. Only received it mid-April after lots of chasing. Had to pick it up from CapeMail directly. It was high value. I’d avoid this headache as much as possible in the future. The company I bought it from wasn’t clear it would be sent EMS - they just said express courier - which it wasn’t. That being said, the stuff did arrive. All in one piece 60+ days later.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Dodging the rain between the rice paddies

Not every day you see these signs on the side of the road

Any hard case plus mtb is going to push you over the 23kg limit which is often included in your ticket. If you were traveling with a road bike it might make sense. But bike, helmet, shoes and some spares and you are already at about 16kgs which leaves +-7kgs for the bag. I’ve been using an EVOC bag for a long time and it’s withstood a lot of abuse. Bikes have always come through unscathed. I do find it a squeeze on my Rocky Mountain Element but this is on the original EVOC case and remedied by removing the derailleur (SRAM AXS FTW). As others have mentioned the pro is a lot longer, likely to fit with derailleur on.

Back in Thailand. This time with the gravel bike.

Never did the proof of export. Never been stopped and asked for it when returning. YMMV but I’ve travelled overseas with my bike about 2-3 times per year for the last 10 years. I was once stopped returning with two bikes (mine and my wife’s) but they were just looking for cigarettes and alcohol. I even opened the bike bag to show them I had nothing on me.

BTW it’s fairly straightforward to get an importers code. I did it all online using e-filing and these instructions: https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/guide-how-to-get-your-importers-code.1150950/ Took about a week to receive it - in the end my shipment was over R50k but customs said they didn’t need the code.

It’s usually per flight not return. Check your receipt for the first purchase.

Next time I take my swimming trunks

The elusive Singapore gravel.

These are great. I have several and they are no diff to the tubolitos which cost double. They also sometimes come with a free patch kit.

Not too bad: https://www.temu.com/za/ridenow-56g-bicycle-inner-tube-for-29-inch-mtb-bicycle-cycling-accessories-g-601099548341384.html.

Singapore gravel ride. Got absolutely soaked in a downpour.

Do it. I was surprised at how much fun this bike is. Even on the Constantia greenbelts.

Technically yesterday. Today was too windy to stand at the top of Chappies.

Curve Kevin Ti. Surprisingly fun on singletrack and the greenbelts!

Slightly off topic but I know of someone that adds stuff to their order on takealot to get the free shipping and then does a return of said stuff. Humans don’t like to play by the rules and suck a lot. The world would be better if we were a little more mindful of others.

I’d say car service prices are high for what they do compared to a 200 hour fork service. It’s just an oil and air filter and oil change. Takes them probably 30 minutes max - depending on the car. A major fork damper service takes a lot longer. Seal service is quick to do at home though if you have the right tools and inclination.

As others have mentioned, rather pay a bit more and it will last longer. Had a cheap torque wrench stop "clicking" on me. Thank goodness I noticed before I cracked something.

I used to use Ridewill to import SRAM stuff (their prices are really good) but got quite a shock recently when they sent my order via EMS which has now been stuck somewhere in customs after waiting 8 weeks. They say Express Courier on their site and charge UPS/DHL charges for shipping but they send it regular old post office. Definitely not an option any longer so will need to make a different plan. I refuse to pay local prices for SRAM stuff. It’s extortion. So cross another one off the list.

Thanks Robert. I managed to find a set on the classifieds.

How did they die?