Zula

Picked up one from my sister in law at a deal a year ago. They are awesome!! Thule all the way and the extra cost will be worth it because it will last you a lifetime. Not sure I see the value in the top end ones. Entry level would be just fine and also a bit smaller to allow for a bike up top as well.

Over the moon with my paint job from Bogus. He replied to all my mails promptly and was a pleasure to deal with. Quality takes time so don't be in a hurry. But that said I think its a very reasonable lead time he gives.

I have the Cura 2's and have been using them for about 2 years now. Previously used XTR's. The stopping ability on the Cura's is awesome. I think the modulation on them sits between shimano and sram which for me is spot on. However there are two aspects that annoy me. Firstly pad clearance is close to zero and as such can make setting up for a rub free (sounds weird) experience can be tricky. You have to be pretty methodical and precise when tightening the caliper bolts. It is possible and mine run rub free but they are tricky. I also have this annoying squeak when braking lightly on the front brake using the OEM organic pads. Im also running the OEM rotors. I've sanded them down, cleaned the rotor with alcohol and even rotated the rotor but for some reason or other it still comes back. I have a set of Jagwire pads that I will give a go once these ones are done. Hopefully it improves. Bang for buck very tough to beat them but they are a bit finicky.

I must say that the service I have had from said concept stores is utterly revolting. Except for Tygervalley actually, the rest were all useless in every respect to be honest. In fact once I bought my bike I took it to my LBS to take it apart and put it back together. We even joked that I should just have collected the box and have my LBS assemble it because the Concept Store did it so poorly! Personally concept store experience wouldn't even feature on my list of why to buy a Specialized. Their service, technical experience and attitudes have always been wanting. At least thats been my experience.

Ok I get that and agree with you on that point. Its more a case of said rider being misinformed or uneducated as to the options available and what would suit his/her needs better. But yes there are people who want the best at all costs and when you see the Sworks Epic being such a prolific winner you naturally assume thats the best bike. Same goes for the Pinarello Dogma. I wouldn't buy either of those given the chance. Way better and cooler bikes out there IMHO. That said, most are just jealous that they cant afford top end machinery and thats what drives their opinions. It certainly doesn't stop at bicycles and transcends all facets of our lives. Cars, houses, clothes, watches, holidays, restaurants, the list goes on. Many have a hard time genuinely being happy for others. Anyways back to bikes. The world has moved on, mostly, from the out and out 90mm/100mm XC racing bikes and the new class of 120mm bikes, with their hint of trail and modern geo, is definitely the way to go for most. I recently made this move and my enjoyment factor whilst riding has gone off the charts. Across the board its a better experience. An all round improvement. Maybe a bit heavier that a Sworks Epic which makes no difference in my world. Pro's outweigh the cons ten fold and I recommend the same style of bike to all my mates who are in the market. Its the future of MTB. I think this iteration of the Epic Evo will outsell the Epic. Even in SA. Its a better all round machine and the fact that servicing isn't such a nightmare will lure far more people.

And others are just jealous.

Why is that important? If you have the cash and want the bike, go for it. Where you place in the results is irrelevant.

Range topping models and products are expensive. Not sure why so many think that it should be affordable to the masses. Ok, maybe I do know why but I certainly don't want to open that can of worms here. Fact is that the ZAR is more of a factor in the pricing, for SA at least, than the increase in USD. Compliments of the Absolutely No Consequence crew.

To everyone moaning about the price. Your anger/irritation should be directed at the government and not at Specialized. They have single handedly resulted in the exorbitant pricing. In $ terms the price increase is not unreasonable. As for the comparison to motorbikes and cars it comes down to volumes. Way more cars and motorbikes are sold than SWorks Epics.

The only way it is going to stop is for people to ride in bigger groups. Police are largely useless.

CycleOps Jetfluid Pro Easy as pie to set up. Very very happy with it. Did all my weekday training on it for Ironman. Yup its boring, but its damn effective.

None of the above. You have a stiff chain link. Give them all a good checking. Pop out the rotten one and relink.

My entry is up for sale. Need to spend more time focusing on IM.

Haters gonna hate. If you have the $ do it and don't think twice. Spez are great but the SC is a boutique brand and IMHO far more versatile. Do it. You wont be sorry.

Bought a Tallboy 1 second hand last June. Every time I ride it, it is an absolute treat. Did Attakwas now on it and it did not miss a beat. They really are the most fun and versatile bikes out there and I would take it every time over a Spez or any other bike on the market for that matter.

Bike shops in my experience are generally useless. I have been into that Concept store and to say the staff were uninterested is the understatement of the century. Not even a "Can I help you?" As a result, I have resorted to the following: I shop online and for the best price. I buy on price only and will only pay a premium if its convenient and I will get the items quicker I fix most of the stuff myself except for suspension and wheels. For the big stuff I use BMC as I find their work excellent and prices are incredibly reasonable. Bike shops don't realise that their stock is commoditised and that we can get it anywhere. The only bike shops where the owners/staff seem to give a hoot is Jon O Conner and Cycle Lab in Fourways. Always felt welcome to just walk in and browse. As for the rest, all the bladdy same.

Plus all the niggles along the way! I am being held together at the moment with Transact. Its becoming a full time job ontop of another full time job. Every doc or physio will say niggles need rest but obviously rest means no training and no training at this stage is almost not feasible. Any advice out there from IM finishers regarding niggles and rest?

Went from a Zula to a Tallboy. PYGA I have no doubt is the same pedigree as the Zula if not better. If you can afford it I would go with the Tallboy. It rides like a dream and comes in carbon!

I am doing IM and am at my limit in terms of work/life/training. Good luck with Comrades fellows!

Give your goggles a good clean with your towel before you spit into them both inside and out. Then spit on the inside, rub it around proper, rinse it off and you good to go. Never had goggles fog up on me with that method for the last 5 years.

Mate send Mark Wolff a tweet or find his contact details on his blog. He always responds. Great product.

Spanner in your works - Santa Cruz Tallboy

Zipp 404 are the business. Not as bad in crosswinds as everyone thinks although you do feel them! The plus side is they fast as hell and you wont catch me in a tailwind!

I don't know what you are all on about. I have had a RS800CX for 4 years and never had an issue with it. I change the battery myself with a 5c coin. I once broke the strap and was lucky that Polar were in town for Two Oceans. Swapped it out and all was good. I had to replace the heart rate strap once as well. I use it for both my bikes and running. Never had an issue. I despise the fact that Garmin and Suunto need to be charged. Those charging stations at stage races are mental. Having to add another unit to charge would drive me mad.

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