Jewbacca

Yeah, that's my plan. Do a few rolls and finish with a mast climb I don't want to be too slow on the main bit, so I don't mind jogging up parts of Galgaberg. Or I'll do it on the BMX with gears. I'll see. It's good gees building up to Munga

hahahahaha I got 3 lines into this response and then thought, 'Nah, let them eat cake!' There IS affordable cycling for everyone. Just bearing in mind not everyone wants to shred the gnar, ride tech trails or race road bikes. People look at Deore or NX as being 'the lowest point' of component entry but they are realistically the lowest of the best. There is tons of old stuff or off brand stuff that works for an 'average' person But yeah nah.... LET THEM EAT CAKE!

Not sure yet.... I'll see how swartberg goes. I rode up most of that 2:1 with 700cc wheels, so with 20" I'm hoping 2.2 or so will work

This.... I'll see how I go this weekend at Swartberg

For people like me, with grossly misshapen ear canals and some very limited hearing, the open ear bone conductor ones are amazing. I can't wear in ear buds and on ear headphones hurt after 25 minutes. Over ear noise cancelling ones make my eyes water. So it's SHOKZ (or similar) or super old school ear phones that rest in the little outer ear pocket, most of which are junk anyway. I don't do music while exercising either, but used to wear them when I lived in busy cities abroad and used noisy public transport and walked around

I'll be there on the BMX!

If it is going to look like that, please don't. my eyes! MY EYES!!!!

I'd suggest that dishonest people are dishonest people no matter what system is used to complete the transaction. Ultimately, BikeHub pay is a LOT safer and better than the blind trust scenario.

@IceCreamMan I'm waiting for your input on another big bicycle industry company going bust despite the predicted growth in the industry..... 😜

I already did and specified the difference in semantics as to WHY I said what I said. I still stand by what I said but I'm over it now. Enjoy the racing

Those are available now though anyway? An untrustworthy LBS will be just that, regardless of whether they stock imported Chinese products or not ON THE SHELVES. The LBS and the people running them have those channels available to them already. You're scared of dishonest South Africans, not Chinese things

I get that As someone who has also raced UK/Wales XCO, New Zealand and a number of other places, I was lucky to have a hand in building Hadleigh park olympic venue and a few others over the years We have always joked that a Gopro would make Godzilla look like a garden variety lizard. BUT, this track isn't 'technical' as far as some other World Cup courses go. Jumps are different. Lots of features doesn't equal technical. So while the climb is steep and loose in places, most of the course lends itself to pretty good under tire conditions when not hitting one of the jumps. While I'm not suggesting the average person would get around there easily, saying it's technical because there are lots of jumps isn't quite the terminology I would use. So clearing that up without going further is probably what I was trying to do. Not saying it's easy, just that differing definitions of what the features bring is where sarky comments seep in. There are jumps on the course I would not be overly comfortable hitting on lap 6 with my heart rate revved on tired legs. 100%

Dunno Jumps are not the same as 'technical'? I've seen far more 'technical' courses with rocky climbs, rooty kickers and tight, off camber turns on rough, uneven terrain. Jumps aren't really the same as 'technical'. There could be a difference in what people would term what. I've done massive jumps on my BMX but couldn't ride it down the Plumber or round parts of Coetzenberg with much success.

I've built my own carbon frame out of hacked up carbon frames..... I also won't use no name carbon bars. I'm not so concerned with cranksets, but bars are a no no. I also don't really trust 2nd hand carbon bars. The guy who owned them before you could have been a ham fist and over torqued his brakes, gear clamp, dropper clamp etc so the bars could snap there. Most failed carbon bars I've seen have snapped at an over tightened clamp point. 3nm is not even finger tight. It's funny how 'the west' and the media are making such a song and dance. I saw an article by the Daily Maverick that came across as a disgruntled teenage girl who had just discovered a thesaurus. Published 'whataboutism' based on no fact. It's a direct to consumer Chinese market shopping hub. A large part of our consumer oriented economies have been based on exploiting cheap labour and manufacture sold at a huge markup because of Brand Name shipping restrictions and an ease of use scenario where you're paying for someone else to deal with the sourcing, shipping and risk. Rebranded Chinese parts and branded east made clothes and socks has kept food on SA tables for years. Suddenly these manufacturers have said 'hold on, we can take on the shipping and create a platform that allows people at home to do the sourcing'.... THE DEVIL! There is always risk when importing foreign based manufacturing, hence trade shows, QC visits and supply meetings. I'm all for it. I've ordered a few small bits and pieces like a Taylormade driver sleeve adapter, some corded grips and a set of hosel cleaners. Nothing I'd bet my life on, but stuff you can't get here or is ludicrously expensive due to a protected market

Does that look technical? Lots of jumps but the tech sections are short and mostly on pretty fast descents. I think this will be won by the person with the best climbing legs and doesn't get any flats or technicals. I Can't see any of the roots/rocks etc troubling the top guys, so whoever can get clear of the group and attack on the steep stuff unhindered should be able to open up a gap. I guess we will see, but IMHO this track looks pretty straightforward. The dust and ruts will evolve over the next two days though

1 week till Swartberg GF!

I also think we look over the fact that very few SA people follow the XCO series and even know that Decathlon/Rockrider even has/is a pro team and their bikes are doing well. Then, out of the handful of bike dorks who DO know that, maybe a couple of thousand, I'd suggest very few would actually buy one. There would be 'interest' from a few, but actually pulling the trigger? I don't think it's a clever market to get into in SA. It would take a LOT of marketing, brand awareness and a gamble in the ability to create brand perception. The effort isn't worth the returns.

This 'loss of power' is something I have never experienced. I've owned a lot of bikes in many shapes, sizes and travel ranges. If the bike is set up properly and is a decent suspension platform, there is little noticeable pedal bob unless you're pedaling squares. I have even built a teeny tiny 20" wheel single pivot ds in my braai room which pedals efficiently. All that being said, I am lazy. I hate washing my bike and spending time fiddling. My bike is a tool, it must work with as little fuss as possible. Having to deal with a creak creak ping ting pffft tak tak more often than once every 3 years annoys me. So I have accepted that I am not a suitable dual suspension bicycle owner. I won't try and justify it with jibber jabber, I am the reason my dual suss bikes annoyed me. There are very very few competitive XCO or XCM riders who ride a hardtail. Without using extremes to prove a point, the general speedier, more proficient MTB bike riders will be racing (not 'riding') dual suspension bikes. This isn't because they suck at putting power down One thing I can say though, is that bike musical chairs is not worth it. Constantly buying the thing you're lusting over wont stop you from lusting after the next thing. Ride what you have, then ride it more. You will never satisfy your bike lust if you suffer from bike lust, you will just keep burning money and suffer from sellers remorse

Yoh.... If you're able, let me know how much you want for it..... I shouldn't but......

I'm shaking my money pouch to see if I can somehow make this part of my BMX 2024 experience... I had forgotten how many thousands of zar it costs to enter, travel and stay for these things! The whole route/vibe at Cedar looks properly rad

Yoh.... A big part of me says I should bite the bullet and do it now while it is still going, even if I come last

Height,weight etc - Just picture Frodo Baggins I've been 27 for more than 15 years Shoe size 44 or 45 but mostly barefoot I love food but due to my chronic ADHD I sometimes forget to eat for an entire day I drink too much coffee because it relaxes me. I don't really drink alcohol My bikes vary from smaller than a kids bike to regulation size small Punk, pop punk, emo, ska, grunge, old school metal, folk rock but will definitely throw shaped to Prodigy, Sandstorm and other 90s/early 2000 electronic bangers

Thee term these days is 'Down Country'.... Bear in mind XC bikes these days are longer and slacker than Trail bikes were less than 10 years ago! Down Country 120mm bike will be the ticket! Enjoy

Shan Wilson, is that you?

Isn't it usually a cherry juice mix with electrolytes? Antioxidants as well as easily absorbing sugars and electrolytes to stabilise the body before eating and make the body wee to prevent it storing fluid? I was under the impression cherry and berry juice was standard practice to enhance recovery - snake oil or real, it's used pretty widely