chuckza

Not sure where you are based, but I've had great service from Dave Marshall at Spoke & Spanner. He's built two sets of carbon enduro wheels for me (both Light Bicycle) and I was very impressed with his builds. Best wheel builder I've come across in Gauteng. In terms of hubs, I used Novatec XD641/642 (front/rear). These are very well priced, strong as bricks with massive oversized bearings. The have 2 pairs of 3 pawls givng 120 POE. They are also well supported in SA. Happy to share any other information. Just send me a PM.

I have been using this service for a number of years and sadly have to report that it is no longer what it used to be, so much so that I have gone from singing their praises to logging complaints on Hellopeter. To illustrate just how bad it has become: I placed two international orders last week. One from CRC where I used CRC delivery service which goes through the Post Office on arrival in SA and the other from JensonUSA using Aramex. Both orders were placed on the same day. Interestingly both packages entered SA on 28/04. But here's the killer: the package from CRC (using the Post Office) was delivered to my door on 29/04. The package coming in via Aramex has only been released from customs today (4/05) and with a ton of luck, will be delivered tomorrow (5/05). The logical deduction is that this service is now significantly slower than the Post Office.

Sent an inquiry on your website, but I guess you've been inundated with requests. Looking for a Large WFO9 (frame only). Considering an upgrade from my current 2011/12 WFO. What would the price on that be?

This could have been so awesome, but seeing as it is still 11-42 only, it still lags behind the 10-42 offered by SRAM. I have a conversion fitted to my existing XT drivetrain that gives me 11-42 anyway; so what's the point? These conversion (OneUp and many others make them), are much cheaper than replacing half your drive train. So what's the big deal then?

He's doing ok. In ICU with swelling and bleeding on the brain. Doctors think it will clear without permanent issues, but only time will tell. As to what happened, well F knows. Derrick has been riding the Spruit for 8 years and is a very sensible guy. I was a couple of bike lengths behind him and lost site of him as I entered the bombhole. When I came out the other end, just saw him go over his bars and that was that. He was unconscious when I stopped next to him. Phoned all the numbers we could think of 082 911, 084 124 and and and, but it took an hour for a paramedic response vehicle, two ambulances and the fire brigade to all arrive at the same time cnr Conrad and Jan Smuts. By this time it was already dark and it turned into a real effort to get him out of there and we only loaded him in an ambulance at around 20:00 (3 hours later). Just by the way, there are a lot of vagrants "camping" between the bombhole and the shool (to the left when going north). They were great and tried to help. Even gave us a blanket as our mate was getting very cold; probably in shock. Very scary experience. Wish I had more time to share, but what I take from this: Never ride the Spruit on your own. I've done it and have seen many others do it. After what I saw and realized yesterday, will never try that again. It could cost you your life. Don't ride late PM. By the time we had ambulances there, it was pitch dark and as you know, the spruit is not easy to access. We scouted for a heli landing and couldn't find anything. Powerlines/river/terrain prohibits it. Took 10 men and a stretcher to get him out. Do a proper first aid course. Won't do much for you, but could save someone else's life. Accidents happen. I believe this was a real fluke. We were 3km from home and riding at a very reasonable pace; no cowboy tricks; nothing stupid. It just happened.