Rigardt@Scott

My current bakkie is the last one I will buy in manual. It's a pain to drive a big manual car in traffic.... I know purists are all about manual gearboxes, but even the average auto gearboxes these days are pretty dam good. The only cars I would not buy in auto are these super small turbo charged engines that are all power and no torque... Autos just don't work on them.

What wheel / tyre combo is that? Looks wide and comfy....

At the price I think it's worth it. I would pay that price for just the frame. I would stretch for the Trail if you can though, not much to replace there and it comes with a really nice fork.

Nope, holding onto it. I have been on the HT for every ride so far in level 4, and I realised just how much I love it. My dual suspension XC bike it better for the trails I am riding at the moment, but it's no fun. The Enduro sled is just overkill. The Slade is that perfect mix of fun and efficiency.

I'd rather have the Chameleon but that's just me. I have a thing for hardcore hardtails. They are just more special and have more character (for me anyway). Dual suspension bikes just feel like they serve a purpose and that's that.... That Mobu is pretty sweet though....

That's the stuff dreams are made of! The market for that type of bike is very small, the people in that market that can afford that level of build even smaller, and the 1 or 2 that can will probably buy new. I am afraid that bike is gonna sit for a while...

Exactly how it happened yes

Lol I didn't even think of that admission of guilt masks were involved and we didn't shake hands... flame suit on I guess

Yes, as long as you aren't planning on winning any races. It's a trail bike, not an XC race bike. Don't compare the Slade to any form of XC hardtail, apples and oranges. Even compared to my relatively modern dual suspension XC bike the Slade is waaay more capable.

The Slade is an awesome all rounder bike, very versatile. I would feel comfortable doing a 100km day or bike packing trip on it with the right tyres (if I was fit enough). It is also immensely capable, lekker long wheel base with slack HTA means it is very at home on the steep stuff. The steep STA means it climbs very well too. A low seat tube means you can fit long travel droppers wven if you are short (I am 1.78 on a large with a 170mm dropper, could fit a 200mm). The seat stays are built to be compliant which means it is comfortable (as much as my previous steel Cotic Solaris). The Slade is probably the most versatile bike I've owned and I'm comfortable tackling double black trails to mellow XC trails on it. It does feel most at home on steeper trails though. I nearly sold it a week or so ago, but the buyer was a bit short for it. When he left without the bike a sigh of relief came over me and I realised I don't want to sell it at all. I would highly recommend this bike. If you're into hardtails it is as close as you get to a one bike quiver.

Good.

Seems like this oke goes out looking for drama.

A big part of the enjoyment I get from cycling is from building a nice bike and nerding out on bike parts. So I get your obession!

Can't argue with that.

Shame, my brother saved up for months and used all of his birthday money to buy an Alcatel - it had the most fun games loaded to it. He had it for about 2 days when I pushed him into the pool (something we did for fun as kids). He was the moer in with me and I had to replace the phone. After that we stopped randomly pushing each other into the pool - one of the many fun things phones changed for kids.

When that phone came out I drooled over it. I remember my dad having one, it was cutting edge haha My first brick was a 3310 like most people here. I was in Standard 5 at the time.

I'm of much the same opinion at this point. Getting upset over other people's disregard for rules won't change anything, it just puts me in a shitty mood for the day. Besides, I am sure most of us have bent the rules a little here and there whether it be during lockdown or before. I don't support breaking the rules, but I am not gonna lose sleep over other people's bad decisions anymore.

Customs works the same for distribution in mind. I imported and distributed bicycle parts for a while and was no charged a single Rand on duties, only VAT. Like other mentioned, when distributers bring in GX Eagle parts at the new exchange rate the price will also jump dramatically. Not arguing with the fact that Deore won't be cheap, but relative to what other parts are going to cost it will be cheaper. The exchange rate is going to screw us with everything.

You can know for a fact the first one will not be cheap.

You do when you want people to not be able to use other brand's chainrings...

My guess is focus will be on the development of wireless tech for the next few years, improvement, cost reduction, trickle-down etc. After that I think the next big step will come in the form of wireless internal gearboxes - the tech already exists, it must just be adopted and taken to market by the big boys - and if Sram's patents are anything to go by, they will be first to the party as usual. That is one development I am extremely excited for - we can have belt driven, wireless gearbox bikes - yes please.

100% with you. For low end stuff - stay away from Sram, for high end stuff it's preference. I have run everything from XTR to XO1 to NX, SLX, and deore. In the GX/XT and below "class" Shimano is just streaks ahead. I'd go as saying I'd rather have Deore than GX. With Shimano's lower end groupos you get the same performance as the high end stuff with more weight and less price. As for Sram, my current GX Eagle, previous NX 11speed leaves alot to be desired. As for the high end stuff, I am not going to say one is better than the other, but I prefer the feeling of Sram. I have XO1 11speed on my hardtail, and it has been flawless since 2016. I have just ordered XO1 Eagle (very close to pulling the trigger on AXS, but I just cannot justify that amount of money) to replace the GX Eagle on the Enduro bike. The solid click just works for me, and aesthetically I prefer Sram's gear.

It's weird how things grow on you. It has happened to me plenty of times. Eg: when the VW Golf 6 came out I thought it was horribly ugly, way worse than the Golf 5. After a couple of months the 5 looked very dated and the 6 all of a sudden was a beauty. Same thing with Transition's new bikes. I originally thought the sharp lines were uninspired compared to the swoopy lines of their older models. All of a sudden I am dreaming about the new Sentinel every night. Personally I am not sold on the Mobu's looks (yet), but I am sure I will get there. I agree with you on the paint though. I get why they are leaving it naked, show off that unique layup, it's part of the appeal of the bike, but I'd want a splash of paint on mine.

Kudos! I would struggle to cope with work from home and being a part time teacher.

Luckily both directors in my company are quite active, but also like to sleep in. So they are only starting their runs at 8, and have told us work can start at 9 and finish a bit later. Small blessings