johanpre44

I've tried a couple of Dual Sussers - different wheels sizes and all - and could not get used to the getting on and off the bike, the bit of sag is just too different to a hard tail. Have to agree with Chukky, bump is a bump, but I do like the efficiency of the hard tail too much. When I eventually go dual suspension, it will probably be a short travel (like the Momsen Vipa).

I started mountain biking about 1.5 years ago, bought a 2012 Silverback Stride 10 (very much the same spec as the Sola 4 but with 26 inch wheels and a much cheaper frame). The bike have been going well (more than 3000km done, lots of off-road and mountains) and I'm still riding it. I'm now looking for something better (specifically at the Sola 1). Couple of suggestions: 1. Buy the best you can afford (maybe push the limit a bit), and remember all the extras will need to be part of the budget (Helmet, Cycling clothes, pump, multitool, maybe a computer etc.) 2. Learn how to maintain the bike properly, lack of maintenance can cost dearly in the long run (I lost a rear wheel because of neglecting some play on the bearings). Taking the bike to the LBS regularly can also become very costly, so learning the easy maintenance stuff can save you a lot of money. I don't think you will go wrong buying the Sola 3, very good value for money that few other brands come close to. The components on the bike are good and will probably last a long time (I have been surprised how well my bike have lasted so far).

Pretty sure I saw something like this at Solomons in Woodmead a couple of months ago.

Amazing Bike! Obviously a steel bike, and if its under 10.5KGs, very impressive for something that is about 70 years old! Looking at the detail on the brakes it seems very hi-tech for its age.

Nice Bike! Must be interesting cycling in Windhoek.

It depends on why you need the Tracking? I assume that you will need "live" tracking, like tracker in a car? I use Endomondo on my Adroid powered phone with GPS (works on lots of other phones as well). Endomondo then allows live tracking via their website to "friends" of your profile. This gives my wife some peace of mind when I'm out cycling on my own. My phones battery lasts quite well (5 hours drains about 40%). Strava have a similar feature (but only for the premium memberships which is very expensive). I have also read an article in the June 2013 Ride Magazine "The Fun Way Down" (p76) about someone (Eelco Meyjes aged 63) that cycled from Jhb to CT for the 2013 Cape Argus. He did mention using Tracetec for satellite tracking (http://www.tracetec.net). Let me know if you need a copy of the Article.

Think there is a lot of people who cannot afford cars and can afford bicycles (even though the cheap Makro specials). Imagine how much safer the roads will be if some of the mass transport (especially the kind that takes out cyclists - sorry for the biased opinion) is replaced with cyclists. I bet a couple of months worth of taxi fares can buy that Makro special.

Any News on the routes? I've done the half last year and very keen to do the marathon this year, but not sure if that will just be too crazy. Looking at the profiles for last year the half was just over a 1000m in climbs (and it was tough and wet and slippery), and the marathon I think was around 1800m.

My 2012 Silverback Stride 10 frame was replaced with a 2013 (also cracked frame but on the Seat Tube just above the top tube weld). This frame is a lot better than my 2012 frame and a lot more like the more expensive 2012 26" models (like the Alpine and Spectra). Problem with the frame replacement is that I had to change gear cables to the full outer type (not really a problem and cheap). Also had to change the front Derailleur (top clamp did work with position of seat tube bottle cage screws). Make sure they also send you a Rear Derailleur Hanger. Will be nice if Silverback replaces your frame again.

And this is a pic of another helmet doing its job. Hows your head?

My bike took me to work today, had too much fun to stop and take a pic.

This just shows that an old bike with a little attention is still a nice bike. How many gears at the back? 6 or 7? will be interesting to see with the new/upgraded drive train.

Hope they can source a nice set of 26er tyres for me in the new year, at least I found out that their Tubeless Valves are way cheaper than some of the other places.

It really sucks not being on holiday! But at least I can do some of the lekker local Jhb rides over the weekends. Looking forward to my next bike holiday in April! Already planning the rides

A friend recently got the white one and he is running it as an SS (most parts from his old AL529 used for the build). Brilliant Bike! I would love to build one up (yes, I need a new bike, and don't have a 29er). But building from scratch is very expensive! But then again a R20k-ish build with all the parts you like is probably not that bad.

Just to make it harder... you can get the Silverback at westdene cycles for R14100 (I'm very temted to get one myself). But I must say that I like the merida spec a lot, but too expensive (R19000 is already dual suspension money like Giant Anthem x4 or silverback sprada 2 and there is probably a merida dual suspension priced around here as well)

Looks like its either hacksaw and tidy or cable ties. Thanks for the suggestions.

I recently got a new frame which requires full cable outers from shifters to derailleurs. Looks very tidy with the added benefit of no dust/water/mud getting into the cable outer. No shifting issues in muddy MTB conditions. With my old frame I struggled a bit to keep the dirt out of the cable outer at the rear derailleur, shifting sometimes got very hard/stiff. I had a look at a friends bike on Friday and was shocked at how much he struggles with shifting. His bike is still not cleaned since the 94.7 MTB challenge and the shifting is almost impossible! His frame still use the semi-open cable routing. Have anyone converted their cable setup to a more full outer setup? I did some Googling and did not find too much, except for some cable holders that screw into the cable bosses (not too neat) and cables (like Gore Ride-on) that still use the cable bosses but somehow seals the cables properly. I know that he will prefer a tidy setup that do not require any modification to his frame. Any suggestions?

Not nice... Always better to ride in groups, but I know its hard since I ride alone most of the time. I'm thinking about getting pepper spray or something but if the robbers are armed, something like that may just make it worse. At least its good news to know that your son did not get hurt in any way.

Thanks for comments so far, will check out the other brands over the weekend. Pity that the current exchange rates is pushing the prices up by about 15% from last years models.

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