Courtney99

Hey @nonky, I am a bit technologically impaired,but this link should take you to the location. https://www.google.co.za/maps/dir/-25.6931619,28.2022123/-25.6931981,28.2022813/@-25.695748,28.1993584,760m/data=!3m1!1e3 Regards C

Hi, Went for a walk/run with the dogs on Monday. The trails quite neat and there has definitely been some work done. The rain seems to have washed away some of the dirt on the trails making them a bit more rocky(read:more fun). There is also another section added called the "Bouwer broers"(or I might just never have seen it before?),it starts where the "Yak" trail loops back. Nothing too exciting feature wise but is very well prepped for a new trail. The new route is also quite scenic. Will definitely be doing a ride there this weekend,maybe Saturday. I will also be joining friends of the Magaliesberg,they do good work and I think it is a good cause. Maybe we can convince them to put in some more exciting features like drops and bridges.

My Scott Aspect Singlespeed "budget bike",love it to bits! 26 aint dead!!!

Did the 35k,havent done many races so cant be too critical First piece was very flat and uneventful,mainly dirt roads. The last 15ks were brand new singletrack,very rough and new - had to do lot of hiking in sections. Even the 70k guys seemed to be struggling with the singletrack. But enjoyed myself thoroughly,was on a SS! I had to start a few minutes late because there was a huge que to get my SAS board,not sure if that is a norm? Otherwise there were 3 waterpoints on the 35k route. Would definately do it again.

Its why I created a thread and make it not so "rarely",to prove that they are out there and get more people into the sport that otherwise would have said "R12 000 for a beginner bicycle,they must be mad!" Why should mountainbiking be an elitest sport(like golf or sailing),only for the people who can afford it? As a youth it was a great way to keep me out of trouble and off the streets,as a young adult it is a way to cope with stress,keep me healthy,bond with my family and friends,(still)keep me out of mischief and most importantly have fun!

Thanks @KingTJ! I think the N+1 rule applies to upgrades as well! The reason for this thread is to show that those upgrades and improvements do not have to end up in taking out a second mortgage on your home. I am sure lots of guys and girls here have built pretty impressive bikes with all the bells and whistles for a fraction of the cost of a shop bought model,those are the ones I made the thread for!

No-one else have a budget bike story?

Ill go first, Here is my bike,I started with a goal budget of about R3000 to build a bike for the JUMA (I know,I know, no need to say it)as an upgrade of my old bike. Specs (all secondhand) *2008 Scott Aspect 10 frame (L) (R500) *Rockshox Recon coil fork (R500) *ELixir front brake(R200) *Deore shifter 8 speed (R150) * Merida pro flat handlebar (R150) * Scud Amoeba stem(R50) * No-Name alu 27mm seatpost that I milled down to 26.8 (R110 plus milling cost) *Truvativ X-flow Crankset (Free off old bike) * Shimano wheelset ( Free off my old bike) * Alivio derailleur (Free off old bike) * Shimano mechanical rearbrake (Free off old bike). All in all the bike has cost me about R2000 (including rebuild costs,travel expense,tools and replacement chains and cassettes),leaving me with about R1000 to source a lekker singlespeed crankset or to build wheels around the sunringle rims I picked up cheap cheap. This bike is a big step up from my previous bike and rides like a dream. I have so much fun on that bike,ride it 3 times a week at least and cant see how a 20k bike could make me happier. I feel all the things that the bike lacks (air fork,10 speed gears,hydro rear brake) just make me the better rider when bombing past the fatties on their full sus bikes down the hills or over technical sections.

Hi Guys/Girls, I am quite new to the forum and noticed there was not a forum for budget bikes. Now the large portion of the people on here are quite serious and also have some pretty nice(read expensive) kit,they also have the funds to back it (or can make enough debt)! The sport of MTB(or cycling in general) has become very advanced and the bikes today are very expensive.But I am sure lots of the people on the forum are like me and dont have the funds to build/buy 30k plus bikes,but that does not mean that they dont have the means to build a badass ride and smoke most of the guys on their full carbon,full suspension,overpriced and under enjoyed bikes. Here is where those okes can show off their bikes!

Now thats what Im talking about! Is that part of the JUMA route?Hope that it settles before Sunday Going to be muddy as hell,the way I like it! Might have to fabricate a mudguard though to keep the stuff out of my face(mouth).

No thats the attitude to have! Will catch you in the beer tent afterwards My seeding is at 10:50 so might catch you guys in the beer tent beforehand too

Thats kinda what i thought,I looked at some of the Go-Pro vids on Youtube and there was nothing seriously hectic there.Other than the floating bridge and some of the scaffolding leading into the channels there was nothing i don't do on my normal rides. I saw the guys were slipping on their backsides on the scaffolding! If I ride with clipless shoes i have already hijacked some grippy neoprene carpet and polyurethane sheets to stick under the shoes to create more grip. It will also stop my feet from sliding off when trying to clip in. Hydration seems to be a major issue,will ensure that I bring enough-and not in a waterbottle held in my cage as previously stated!

For sure! Not out there to hurt myself. I can remember from my motocross days when the Leatt brace just came out and I got one. Lent it to my brother one day so he can try it out and that first lap out with it he crashed himself into ICU cracked his C1 -doctor reckons he would probably not have made it without the brace. Goes to show can never be prepped enough. On the other hand a full face helmet is a bit of overkill for XC for me,but if it makes you feel comfortable go for it! I cant ride without full gloves Personally the best confidence booster I have is a good medical aid!

So any specific reason the wheels were damaged(more so than at Sani or Epic)? Something one could look out for?

Awesome, I think my problems with SPDs are all mental.Im quite good at basic skills like stoppies,wheelies and my trackstanding ( my no handed trackstand is a party trick of mine) but as soon as i am clipped in im like "remember youre clipped in so dont fall,dont fall,dont fall,dont fall,oh no my foot wont come out,this is going to hurt,why was i doing this on the tar road again?,hope no-one is watching,CRASH,***&%&()*(&(^*%^*,....." and then I limp back into the house only to repeat it again just now They (SPD shoes) should make my riding better,more control,higher bunny hops. I can get out easy enough-if i remember im clipped in,but struggle to get back in afterwards. Will take your advice on the watching tv and clipping in and out.Nothing like repetition to build muscle memory! I think with practice (and knee guards) Ill get confident in them.Planning some technical riding this weekend,will see how they fare! If im not comfortable by the end of the weekend Ill just put on my good old faithfull BMX pedals and rock it comfortably,there is always the 94.7...