BaltazarMarques

Looks like these guys are looking to compete with FiveTen. https://aftonshoes.com

These Dynaplug tubeless tyre repair kits/tools are pretty rad! I love shiny ano colours.

This looks pretty cool. Loads of fork "upgrade" options available lately.

Another shout for Leatt. Awesome top tier products and fairly priced in the league of TLD/Alpinestars etc and a lot of options in stock locally.

Thanks Dude - In Gauteng I'll ride it at the Hakahana DH Track on arranged shuttle days, Helderkruin and on jump lines like Wolwespruit. Going to KZN for 5 days riding next month too which is really why I wanted it and for Afriski trips. It's a nice to have bike for when I can use it hence not going for something expensive, shiny and new, for everything else there's my Warden for Trail/All Mountain or 26 Player for Dirt Jumps.

Fully - Even if they cost more, they would still be on my short list when buying a new bike because if you put the costs aside, they are as good if not better than a lot of other "bigger" brands. They look incredible and performance wise they are right up there with the best. I managed to pick this up in the classifieds for a steal. Needs some work but I have all the bits to freshen it up a bit. Correct Spring, Coil and 7 Spd Groupo on the way and Guide RSC's I had kicking about are replacing the beat up Guide RS's that were on before. I also reckon cos it's scratched up already I don't feel bad putting it through the ringer from the get go... Haha Gonna go full hulk with some Joystick and Straitline goodies

Just bought a YT Tues AL - Super stoked on it, just waiting for the correct Spring and coil for my weight and then it's go time!! Haven't heard any bad reports on the Jeffsy's or any of the YT's for that matter. Real game changing bikes. Look and ride the business and can "justify" the spend compared to other Brands. They really have got it right! These are a pretty interesting watch...

Thanks a mil for the comments. We are so stoked you all are digging what we're doing.

As you say, the Maxxis do run a little narrower but it's not skinny by any means and running it on the rear is perfect - no heavy drag etc. Everyone I know thats riding them has only good things to say and it'll be my next rear tyre. Another option if you want some fattness is the WTB Breakout. I'm running the 2.5 (which blows up HUGE )on the rear and it's been amazing. Comes in 2.3 too. Once it runs out though I will be trying the aggressor DD on the rear as want to match the Minion I'm running up front now and think a slightly narrower tyre on the rear will be good.

Absolutely man.

Unfortunately the kind of stuff we ride up here in JHB you end up spending more time fixing punctures and buying new tyres than riding so tougher/heavier casings are a must.

Slap that puppy on - You won't be sorry... Unless you're donning lycra and doing all day fire road epics... You do know this is the Gravity forum Just kidding Dude - Yes they are heavy, so just depends if the performance gain is worth more than the weight penalty for you. If getting to the top 4/5 minutes faster is what you want out of your ride, then go lighter...

Only about 250g with Ti spring so not that bad a weight gain and as you say, it's in the right place to negate the weight gain slightly - Having ridden with both on my bike I didn't consciously notice the weight gain, but I 100% noticed the performance gain. And as far as beautiful carbon bikes getting more weight added I'm not so sure I agree with you if completely, but that's just talking about my personal experience. Yes the bikes are made of carbon and the first thing everyone thinks when carbon is mentioned is "oh, it's going to be light" - Actually the stiffness is probably one of the biggest advantages and then weight. The carbon DH and burlier AM bikes are slightly lighter than alu yes, but not as much as may be expected as they are also layered slightly thicker and beefier etc to take the abuse of DH and AM riding. Same with Carbon wheels, the Burly DH/AM Carbon rims are wider and thicker so don't weigh too much less than a similar alu. I have a lot of carbon on my bike and I was expecting it to be much lighter than it is at 14.5KG (Really wanted 13kg or less), but it still climbs well and feels/rides much lighter than what the scale says. I could run lighter tyres and spend a bomb on a much lighter groupo ala Eagle or XO1 to get it closer to/less than 13kg but as Myles said, I don't mind a bit of extra weight if it performs where I need it to and for me personally that's the downs...

So many bikes are being spec'd with the E*Thirteen rubber and seeing them loads in the media reviews and side stories - Not particularly about the tires but they're on the bikes being used. Pretty much all say they are the business so I'm def keen to get onto a set in the future.

My Fox Float X2 is still sitting in the cupboard as after putting the CCDB CS on while waiting for the X2 to come back from Air Can recall I don't see any reason to refit it. Yes it's slightly lighter but the coil feel is night and day compared to the air, and I reckon it's definitely the better option for heavier riders as couldn't get the X2 to feel as plush but supportive as the coil. Jumps, berms, drops, rocks gardens and rough chop (Amazing on the the rough stuff, relax your arms, drop heals and let it roll as the trail chatter disappears) and I never touch a setting between it all - Just works so worth taking time to set it up right for your particular type of riding. And the climb switch is the business - You can stand and really power down on the short burst climbs, without CS engaged it normally slips but once engaged it almost feels like it sucks to the trail as you power down on the crank. Total coil convert!

I know it should come down to performance over looks, but damn I would probably ride this with a paper bag over my head cos it's pretty fugly! Yes there is a lot of tech and performance in this design which is the draw to try it out but I just can't see myself going into the garage and getting amped to swing my leg over... The Poly is gets the same reaction from me I'm afraid, just not nice to look at at all...

Totally agree! Until just recently I ran this combo. That 2.5 Breakout on the wide rims looks 27.5+ it's so big - Awesome high volume tyre. Was enjoying the Trail Boss 2.4 out back too until I slashed it on a fence stake sticking a couple of inches out the ground. Now I have a DHF 2.5 WT out front and swapped the Breakout to the rear as it's still newish - High Grip compound though so probably won't last too long out back. It's actually very similar to the Maxis Aggressor in a way that it's tread is pretty evenly sized and spaced all round, has good sized blocks and low rolling resistance. Been liking it so once it's finished I'll do the Aggressor in Double Down casing.

Indeed Andre - Rush has catered very well to the Gravity tyre options available in SA. I'm gonna throw our name in here quick as we will have a feature up about us on BikeHub in May - In the meantime, we launched last week and have most of these Maxxis in stock and ready to deliver!! We are biased towards the Trail and Gravity side so we have catered specifically to these disciplines with a load of great Brands and products. Give us a call or drop us an email if you require anything specific, what we don't have we can get in quick! Check our tyre selection here -> https://ridewithzeal.co.za/collections/tyres

Wow Martin!! Inspirational Dude!! You, the riding, the words and the trails make for amazing content and Hayden has captured and put it all together so professionally and emotionally. It's world class and already can't wait for the next part. Congrats man and wishing you all the best for this exciting year ahead.

From what I've heard, they're awesome!! Prob gonna be my next set of tyres!

Damn this looks like it was a rip!! Nice!!! Hope to get to ride in the Cape next year...

Awesome Combo, ran it on my Slayer and was always surprised and impressed at the performance. The MM saved me too many times, such a confidence inspiring tyre that you can push hard. Now running WTB Trail Boss 2.4 rear with a WTB Breakout 2.5 up front. On the Derby Rims they look like plus tyres and they are incredible. So much volume and grip like wet **** to a blanket. Rolling resistance not bad for their size either. I tell you though, the new E-Thirteen rubbers also look damn good and heard only good things so reckon I'll be giving them a go at some point...

Absolutely... And personally I think it looks a billion times nicer than the Bell too. I'd go as far as to say it looks much nicer than a lot of the normal trail lids available. I dig the extra coverage and how it looks. Its probably one of those marmite type items - You either love it or hate it, I'm definitely keen on one. Some clever features like the adjustable visor and the way the chin bar attached/detaches. Gautengs trails are pretty gnarly with regards to rocks etc so the extra ear/face coverage without the chin bar is welcomed for my riding purposes. From a post on facebook it looks like Leatt are also going to be launching a hybrid Trail/DH helmet but no doubt it's going to come with a sell your first born price tag...

Really dig the look of the whole range.

That. Is. AWESOME!!! Glad you listened to Hayley and decided against the white, the purple and yellow looks so good together... You can also do night rides without a light now