johanpre44

I'm in the market for a new MTB and wondering what to get. I'm a heavy rider (+-94kg) still on the slow side but getting stronger. I will keep on doing an MTB race (like Trailseekers and MTN series half or full marathons) every month or two, so the kind of riding is very much XC. I'm not brave enough to tackle rides that are too technical, but Sabie and Clarens was rough in pathces this year so I expect the bike to handle it well. Because of budget I think I will stick to alloy frames for now (and also hard tail). With the Budget constraints I will prefer something that is durable (need to last a couple of years with minimal upgrades). Top of the list for durability is sealed bearings on the wheels (rather than cup and cone), and then obviously the bike will need to be ok with my weight and regular use (at around 3000km a year). I will also prefer an Air fork like an RS Recon Gold or better with 15mm Through Axle and Taper Steerer. Groupset can be SLXish What I do like: Silverback Sola 1 (R16k) - Very good spec, not too sure of the Crest Rims (as far as I know they are not as strong as the Arch Ex, and a Crest wheelset have a 86kg weight limit and rated as light XC use only). The Hubs are also the regular cup and cone kind, otherwise I think the bike is cool! GT Zasker 9r Elite (2013 for R13.5k) - This one with sealed Bearing Hubs, but I don't know the Formula RX brakes (sure they are fine). I have had a look at lots of other brands but they are either too expensive (Sola 1 almost falls into this class) or have components that are little below par on what I want. Any suggestions are welcome.

Same price as above seen at Linden Cycles and Cycle Lab Fourways within this week. Not sure if you will be able to find a better price anywhere, but if you do please post.

My seat kept moving down with the last trail seeker, after trying (via a hub post) to figure it out I also noticed a cracked frame. My frame was cracked on the seat tube just above the welds with maybe 10mm holding it together. Frame was a Silverback Stride (26" and 2012 model) warranty replacement was a 2013 frame (which needed new/different front derailleur and full gear cable outers), other than this I'm very happy with the final result. Owner of the LBS said its his first Silverback Frame replacement. Don't think its a General Problem with Giants, friend broke his Anthem a couple of years ago, but that was because of a very bad fall.

Was my Second 94.7, will try and get up earlier next year to try and miss the parking rush (or whatever to call it). It was so hectic trying to get to my start batch that I forgot to check if my GPS was on, damn! Still improved my time with about 35 or 40 minutes (still waiting for the results), but did not make it under 4 hours. Now about that entry fee, I dont really mind paying it. Saw and heard of a couple of very bad falls today (was slowed down on Cumberland next to the golf course), Good thing to know my money paid for proper medical care (or at least first aid) for those cyclists. Saw a couple of guys on unicycles with very big wheels. Impressive!

Soo many posts/complaints? I picked up my number and some of my friends at work for whom its very inconvenient to try and get their numbers at the dome. The queue was fairly quick, but I think someone misplaced a box with a couple of my friends numbers in it so I had to wait while the reprint. What was rather frustrating is that you have to walk through all the stalls with hands full of race packs and people trying to stuff more stuff in your hands

I've lost a fair amount of weight over the last year because of cycling and eating better (but I'm still heavy). Now about that Zula, do you have one for sale?

Looks like a warranty replacement. Just need to take it to the bike shop where I bought the bike. Silverback will be sending a replacement frame there tomorrow. Hows that for awesome (after hours) service!

Think I found the problem with the seat moving down all the time... Cracked Seat Tube right above all the welds ... Eish! Pic is of only the one side but both sides look like this. Very surprised and now its for a bike rebuild before the 94.7... Hope I can get a Warranty replacement from Silverback (bike is only 15 months old - 2012 Stride 10). Maybe this is my chance to just go and buy a Morewood Zula! Busted frame is too good an excuse!

My thoughts as well, but my wife will kill me... I will try the other suggestions. Didn't know there was some of the nonslip paste/spray. Thanks for suggestions everyone!

I have an aluminium frame (MTB) with aluminium seat post. The clamp is the regular quick release type. The problem I'm having is that the seatpost moves down by itself so I have to adjust it almost before every ride. Rough terrain also makes it worse. I've had the bike for just over a year and the problem seems to be getting worse. I will try and properly clean it again but it does not seem to be working. Any Suggestions?

I also enjoyed the race tremendously! Well Done Advendurance! F batch pulled out of the start gates so fast I was left to suffocate in the dust... Brilliant fast middle section, helped to push up the average big time. Rocky sections at the end was very scary so I opted to walk like most of the riders around me, take my hat of to the few that attempted by MTB.

Found the email in my Spam folder today, was received yesterday already. Luckily someone reminded me so I had a chance to collect the race pack at Fourways Cycle Lab this afternoon.

I'm in F too... Hoped it would be better after a nice fast Crater Cruise (Half Marathon).

Agree that its still small (missed some of the other manufacturers like Giant, Silverback and Scott). Took the Pyga 650b for a spin, awesome (not sure if I will ever get used to a dual suspension though). Must say that the one cool thing about this fair is all the funny (or rather interesting) bikes you don't really get to see (Like Pyga, Yeti, and all those steel frames and SS bikes). Food was great as well. Really hope it gets bigger in the years to come.

Looks like rebuilding the wheel at an lbs is more expensive than buying a new better one. Think I will have a look around for wheel sets. Hope they have some specials or something at the Cycle Fair! Problem with just replacing Axle/Cones/Bearings is that they will probably wear out quickly since the Cups are worn (I will post a pick later to show the small pits/cracks). There is also play on the Splines for Center-Lock Rotor, not sure if this is a problem. Thanks for advice everyone.

I noticed a bit of play on my rear wheel yesterday and decided to sort it out, but it turned out that the wear is substantial. Cones/Bearings/Cups are all pitted (and the last service was in June?!?!). Its a Shimano RM35 Hub with 26" Alex Rim (yes I know, very cheap). Now I have a Couple of Options: 1. Rebuild the Wheel with a better Hub (~R500 for Deore Hub and new spokes, using old Rim) 2. Get a Good Priced Wheel set (New Red Metal 10 on thehub for R1100, wonder if its still available) 3. Or just get the better MTB (Lots of Rs, but may be worth it in the long run) A couple of considerations is that I cycle a fair amount (around 250km a month) and I'm a heavy rider (96kg at the moment). I do not want to spend too much since its a very cheap MTB (2012 Silverback Stride 10) Any suggestions?

Just entered for the Marathon, will be my first one but at least its fairly flat.

Made a weekend of the event, did the 23km with my son on Saturday and then the 40km on Sunday (money well spent!). I enjoyed the fact that the route was fairly flat and fast (even enjoyed doing Sorryberg). I must say that it was a bit disappointing when the 56km became 40km, I was still ready for another 16km when I finnished. Going through the informal settlement was different (way out of my comfort zone), but I do not think it was unsafe (especially riding in a group).

Anybody know where any of the photo's will be posted? I saw some on Facebook, but since I'm not one of the fast MTBers I'm obviously not there.

Alround I think it was a good event. Did the 23 with my 8 year old son (and we did not come last!). Also did the 40 and enjoyed (could have pushed harder, but I was too busy having fun). My wife and kids were busy all the time I was out cycling (always a plus!). It's nice to have a flattish race every now and again. Think I'm in for the 103 next year, hope the heat s not as bad as it was on Saturday. A friend did the 103, he had a tough race because of punctures, also struggled with breathing and later dehydrated so bad that he needed a drip after he finished. He did say there was a brilliant bunch in B batch that averaged about 36kmh on the tar until they left him behind on the first section of dirt road.

I've had my Menabo Winny 3 for about a year now, works great. Very easy to fit to my cars and load the bikes. Its a bit heavy so I haven't asked my wife to try fit it to the car, but I'm sure she can if she have to. I made a bit of a mess when I tilted the rack back into the horizontal position and snipped one of the electrical wires in the tilting mechanism (didn't cost me too much to get this fixed).

Will the 23km be suitable for Children? I'm keen on doing the 56km on the Sunday and since it includes an entry for the 23km on the Saturday I was thinking of maybe taking my son (8) and do the 23km with him. We have done a 16km race in Hekpoort a couple of months ago (total of about 250m vertical climbing).

Tried to enter last night with no luck (way too late!), anybody want to trade a 40km or 70km entry?

Well organized event, 20km had some interesting terrain which my son struggled with a bit. And I think I was the very last person to finnish for the 20km (had to let my son win me). Think I will do the 50km later this year (heard that the one today was a bit rough with the terrain not really being smooth anywhere)

Taking my almost 8 year old for his first race, hope he copes well with the 20km (I'll be right behind him, and hopefully not last to finnish).