ChuCke3

Hey Michael, Good to bump into you yesterday matey. I will post some details of group rides coming up tomorrow with starting points, starting times and distances. My suggestion would be that you definitely so the infamous beach route through Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak etc. When in CPT, its a bucket list event. The PPA group may just do that route on Saturday and Sunday,

Hi Vish, I had the fox Evolution shock on my bike that is their entry level fork but I must admit it works like a charm. I have never tried the Manitou forks yet. Sorry matey.

Hi Vish, I spent around 5 years and maybe 15 000kms on a Merida Big Ninety Nine. Did all of the WC Trailseekers and Attakwas 2021 on it. It stood up with no issues at all. Cracked the rear chainstay when I crashed in 2020 and had it repaired and no issues since then. I have upgraded to the Merida 96 but decided to keep the 99 frame because it worked so well and as a back up. The sealed bearings are probably the easiest and cheapest to replace. I ran 2.4" tyres no problem at all and I would only recommend that you maybe pop a set of ZTR Crest wheels on there to improve the overall performance of the bike especially weight and how it rolls. The 99 is marked as an XC/Trail bike, I would say more more Trail and eats up the big stuff. It is really confidence inspiring out in the ruff stuff.

I appreciate the passionate comments about the brewskies but i will reckon i will park my bike at one of my fav coffee spots, have the baristas brew me a cup, sip and enjoy while i ponder what tire combination i will try next.

Titan29er, try Rapidsports in Cape Town CBD, they have a few branded shirts. I also enjoy looking good in gear. My motto is, if you gonna lose then at least do it looking good. In cycling, if you do not win the race, you have in effect lost First prize is enjoying the race, so enjoy the race in YOUR gear of choice. Also try Bridge Cycles, the have specialized and craft gear which looks well wicked!!!!