GroenHoender

Second that. In fact, I got the ideal bike, after riding various brands Flandria suggested/loaned to me. I also know/experienced that Specialized branch in Stellenbosch also do the same thing. They even have a small test trail (with table tops and berms) alongside the shop. Not sure if they still do it but buyers can ride a bike on the Blaauwklippen farm behind the shop. Although not a bike shop, Dirtopia (outside Stellenbosch, at Delvera farm) and Ride-In (a bike coffee shop near Jonkershoek) also have a wide range of bikes that one can rent for a day.

Thanks - I do know about Anatomics. What I am trying to say is that a lot of people do ask on the forum for clothes advices and there is not even a dedicated section for it. Coincidentally, I actually searched for bike clothes for large people, especially for women, after reading this article: https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a28943613/body-positivity-cyclists/ and via this one lady (in the above article)'s blog heard of places that specialise in bike clothes for large people: https://fatladattheback.com/ So, I was wondering why this forum, one of the largest local bike forums, does not have a section dedicated to clotheswear, where people could share names of local shops (aside of Anatomics) that do gather for large people. Stuff like XXL clothes (from UK) is actually XL in SA size, places that makes custom-branded clothes for Rxxx fee, that sort of thing that one never learns or find from online searing or online shopping, unless it is shared, etc.

It is the farm Stellenzicht Wines - between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Was recently on the internet news, Netwerk24. Bit off-topic but on the next day, after the MediClinic race was cancelled, wife and I went to church at Stellenbosch High school and we passed Paul Roos school: one part of its border wall, was blown over/down (got photos). A lot of houses, mine included, suffered roof damages. Lots of fallen trees everywhere as well.

It would be nice to see a sub-forum dedicated to clothes wear, for beginners, as well as for large people (men and women included)? At the moment, one has to search deep and long, in the "Gear" section of the forum, which is mostly technical and non-clothes oriented. The Search function also does not always provide 100% accurate results.

Just get a GoPro and mount it on your helmet, let it run continually, looping recordings. Best position to have, to capture actual view (as your head turns, following car or person) as opposed to have it mounted on bike or chest. There was an incident, long ago, of a MTB guy who rode alone in the Helderberg MTB trail, who was confronted at gunpoint and his bike stolen. The GoPro on his helmet captured everything perfectly (video was sharp and clear), which helped the SAPS to recognise the guy (who was a resident from the nearby St Louwry's Town and known for his criminal activities).

Well, yeah. I always prefer to pay hard cash for everything but even then there are situations that do not give one that luxury. But at least you got what I am trying to say. Like I mentioned in one of my previous posts: time taken to save vs price fluctuations vs bike value lost over time vs many other factors. Everyone's circumstance differs from others giving the reason why some buy with some financing. Anyone who laughs at stories of getting loans for e-bikes or even a normal bike is clearly not living the life 99% of us currently have (eg studies loans, house/car loan, children upbringing, school fees, etc) and so on. I am at the stage that I could still ride right now for a few years more before trading my bike in for e-MTB. But my wife will still not be able to take part in the fun. Buying a standard bike won't help as she won't be able to keep pace with a group ride, or have the fitness/strength to ride an MTB trail uphill (let's ignore the various obstacles of bike riding for now - the fact is, people want to ride and are now getting the opportunity to so). So, trading in/selling my current bike and getting two e-bikes would be best for us. True, an e-bike's value will depreciate over time, rising service costs and all that. And we don't know whether e-bikes will get cheaper in the future. If one even looks at the various brands of e-bikes, it is actually scary to see how expensive it is (+/-R35k - 60k for Giant, +/-R70k for Spez, and so on). With the current SA economics and looming recession, it would probably get worse.

Thanks. A pity. Will consider my choices with Yonda. Wife is hesitant but I saw how much that e-MTB impressed her.

That is an interesting story about BikeLife.I never had any problems with them, ever. Before I bought my Anthem bike, I saved up a year for it (which was like a water torture treatment - very very long wait as I did not have any other bike then). And by the time I finally could buy it, it was just sheer bad luck that the bike I wanted was sold out and I had to buy the next year model (which was more expensive and above my total savings). So I thought "waddehel, willie nog wag nie" and went to BikeLife (as suggested by the bike shop where I ordered my bike) because their terms were even cheaper than a getting a credit card or any other loan option. Their invoices (and prompt responses) was top notch. When I paid off my last instalment, they promptly closed my debt account, and send me proof of everything. Just curious on why they are gone?

Not sure if you got sorted - but ask Flandria (bike shop in Stellenbosch). Or on their Facebook. They have regular weekend group rides on roads.

Getting old ballie myself :-P But mostly for the commuting between 2 towns - faster with e-bike. Also save a ton on fuel.

The Sanctuary complex. The one with the lake :-) Opposite Paardevlei nature park.

Both Yonda and CycleLab use WesBank as finance option. And according to Yonda, it is minimum R30 000 bike price, with a R10 000 as deposit. No idea if CycleLab is the same but if it is the minimum required by WesBank, then it is presumedly the same required by CycleLab. I have made a quick comparison between CycleLab and Yonda with their online calculators. Both has given me the same monthly installment figure, give or take a R100 more or less.

I share the same sentiment but try buying 2x e-MTB bikes for a family, which certainly is not cheap. Actually wanted to keep my current Giant Anthem bike and get a Giant e-bike as extra. But was shocked to find out how much value it has lost over a year's period (bike itself is less than 1.5 years old). Plus service cost is also increasing. According to the Giant sales person in Durbanville, it is due to SA's poor economy and bicycle market (high costs to import and distribute). Secondhand values are dropping like dead flies while new (normal) bikes prices are skyrocketing. But even still, e-bikes sales are booming, even with high prices because according to him, it has more appeal for a larger audience (especially those that never have ridden bikes before, or the aged people or those recovering from injuries). He is selling more e-bikes than ordinary ones. He predicts that the market, in 5 year's time, will be more e-bike oriented. Even in my town, I am seeing more and more locals on e-bikes. Plus, I stay in Stellenbosch but work in Somerset West and I see a lot of bike commuters (on e-bikes) between these towns.

What happened to BikeLife.Co.Za = a local company specialising in bike finances? I have used them before - very friendly people with great service. What other bike finance companies are out there, and which can be recommended?

Thanks guys, I know about the Southey Vines, have ridden there before. But not likely from my work (The Sanctuary) to it, because I am deaf and do not like to ride in traffic (too many close encounters to my likening). Preferred to ride somewhere in a radius of 1-2km from my work, without having to ride on tarmac / roads. Guess my other option would be to either jog in Paardevlei (but I actually want to do less of that, and more biking) or reserve all my MTB rides for the weekends :-(