Rigardt@Scott

Haha, I would not have kept up. I struggle to keep up with that group on my normal bike, they are that level of fit where a comfortable pace for them is a hard one for me. Great for my fitness. Anyway, not complaining, it was nice no to break myself on Helderberg for once. All I am trying to say - ebikes even at low levels of assistance are way faster than normal bikes. Especially on steep stuff. Guys that can ride ebikes off are machine though. This one I had is an early gen alu levo - near 30kg and there is a fair bit of resistance from the motor when it is off. Anyway, I am returning it tomorrow. My bike will be working again...

Nope, just terrible brakes haha

More travel does not equal more weight (not always). If we take a 140mm RS Pike fork vs a 150mm RS Pike fork they will weigh exactly the same. The 150mm version just has a longer air spring in it. In fact the cheaper bikes probably use cheaper forks, which are heavier. So a mid level model with a 150mm fork will weigh less than a cheap model with a 140mm fork. But, I don't think they offer different travel options, and if they do it will be 10mm difference. Remember, the platform (frame) is built around a certain geometry. Changing the travel changes the geo (unless there are changes to linkages, etc), so generally speaking a model bike (eg: Stumpjumper) will have +/- the same suspension travel across the spec range. And, 150mm on an ebike is down the middle. The only reason you won't use all of it is if it is set up wrong for you (ie: too much air pressure, or too many volume spacers). If I ride a 100mm travel bike and then a 150mm travel bike down a red route (for argument's sake), I am going to use all the travel on both of those bikes on the same trail. How I ride will just be slightly different. And cost wise, more travel also does not equal more cost. A top of the line 100mm XC fork will cost the same as a top of the line 150mm trail fork.

You're right they are. Wow, then they are even worse than I thought. This is the 2016 version though, don't know if they have gotten better over time? Comparing them to 2 piston Shimano Deore brakes they are bad... comparing them to 2 piston and 4 piston Formula Curas they are terrible. Second time I have ridden a bike with Guides, and both times I thought they have no stopping power. Anyay, don't wanna derail the thread. Point I was trying to make is, if you are buying an ebike, make sure it has decent brakes. An extra 15kg over a normal bike makes a difference when trying to stop.

Double post

I borrowed an ebike again last night (mine in for some warranty issues). Reminded me how fun these things are. But you really have to ride with other people that are on ebikes otherwise you are getting zero exercise. I rode Helderberg with a bunch of very fit guys and they were hammering it. I didn't even break a sweat and that was on 20% assist the whole way. One thing though - manufacturers really need to spec good brakes. On this Levo there are Guides with 200mm rotors front and rear. Felt like a bloody death trap, I pulled the brakes and absolutely nothing happens. These things need 4 pot brakes as standard - good to see the new ones are coming out with it. And to be fair, I think even good old 2 pot Deores would stop better than those Guides. It was quite interesting descending Helderberg in the dark, on a heavy ebike with crappy brakes that were the wrong way around for me, with a short travel dropper post - not something I am going to do again. Anyway, I can see myself owning an ebike as a second bike in the near future. Especially if my little one is interested in sitting on one of those yellow seats on the top tube. But one thing is for certain, however fun these things are - I like pedaling a bike with my own steam, it could never replace my normal bike, and definitely won't be a primary bike for me.

We live in an online world where people just cannot wait to signal how virtuous they are. Side tracking the launch of a lekker local product with rubbish like this.... eish.

Well priced, good looking. Looks like a really good option for a commuter. Well done!

Sho, so on the narrower side. The last time I ride under 25psi I ended up putting a lekker big ding with a few smaller ones in spank rims (2.5” Minions on 30mm internal rims).

Do you use cush core? At a 100kg myself, if I ride those pressures I will take the tyres off the rim if I corner hard and destroy rims in a matter of a few rides. I ride 25psi front and rear, but use a cush core in the back.

I also have an older Epic (2006) in my garage that already has slicks on it (well more touring / commuting tyres). I also have a Shimano Tiagra 2x10 hydro groupset from a gravel build where it didn't quite work. I am going to be putting drops and the Tiagra groupset on the Epic to make a monster cross commuter bike to ride to work (new job close to home with a shower at work ). I am going to be keeping the front and rear suspension (just going to set it up hard), mostly because I am not planning on spending a single cent over and above gear cables and drop bars. But also because I feel like spending money on such an old bike is just not worth it, no matter the condition. The tyres I will be using are 26X1.8" Schwalbe Marathon tyres - heavy, and not tubeless compatible - but for my commuting purposes they will be perfect. Will post some pics once done. But that will only be mid May.

How was the shipping experience? Time and costs...

Great! Just drop me a PM next time you are in Somerset West.

Hairy, when I had my Harley it was my only bike. Previously had some converted MX bikes (450 and a 250), a Kawa 636 superbike, a Kawa ER6N and an F800GS. I had no issues with the Harley as my only bike (a Wide Glide like Wayne’s). My intentions for it was similar to yours - weekend trips from 200 to 400km in a day, the occasional commute, and a few multi day trips. I strapped a bag to the sissy bar for those trips and had a removable windscreen (I still have it, and it’s yours mahala if you buy and HD and want it). The Harley was not the most versatile bike - that would have to be the F800, but I never felt like I needed another bike. If I had to buy a Harley again it would probably be something that sits a bit more upright than the Wide Glide (maybe a Fat Boy or Fat Bob). But definitely fine as an only bike if your intention is not to commute daily - they are a bit cumbersome for that.

Haha yeah cold is a relative term... I owned mine in Pretoria and Western Cape and it was in a garage, hardly ever below or approaching 0, and when it was I’d rather take the car or bicycle anyway. I can imagine it would struggle in very cold temps.

I’ve had fast bikes, nippy bikes, and a Harley. The Harley was not slow in a straight line, but it was the slowest and least practical of all my bikes. Despite that, it put the biggest smile on my face when I started her up on a cold morning and those Vance and Hines straight pipes did their thing. Pretty sure everyone else hated me though. Harleys are not practical bikes, they are not fast, they are heavy, but like any toy - if it puts a smile on your face - it’s the right toy.

I'm surprised, I think a short travel machine with a dropper is the best tool for the job. I've done it on a Sentinel, a hardtail trail bike (silverback Slade), and an SB130 now - and I can honestly say I was overbiked all of those times. It's not that the trails aren't techy - they are. It's just all those short sharp bursts needed on the climbs means I want as little squish as possible. I guess it's never as simple as travel. But IMO, a Scalpel SE, Epic Evo, etc. are the perfect bikes for these trails.... Anyway, I had fun on my hardtail and I had fun on the full squish trail bikes, these trails are just superb regardless of the bike you are on.

Started watching House of Cards over the weekend. Always been on my list, but never got around to it. Man, am I happy I left it for now - so good!

Agree, what an awesome day out. I will be there for every open weekend for sure! Hopefully next time we can do the camp / weekend trip again rather than just a day trip.

Very well marked. You will not get lost.

My dad has bought his last 3 Harleys from there, all excellent condition and the once an issue did crop up they sorted him out no questions asked.

Have a look at Armour Ride's instagram page. They do bike wraps, mainly clear and protective (good product, have it on my bike). But I have seen some colorful and custom stuff being done by them lately which looks quite awesome. If it costs the same as a clear design you are still looking at half the cost of a custom spray (which you will want to cover up anyway for protection), and you walk away with your warranty in tact.

Haha yes... To be fair MTB is all I think of when I think of when I think about 2 bikes

All AXS derailleurs are compatible with the 10-52t cassettes.

It depends on how much you shift. I am guessing a trail ride where you are up and down the gears the whole time will yield shorter than 20 hours, long gravel rides where you sit in a gear for a while will yield longer hours. I am on 16 hours now (trail riding), and my battery is showing more than 50% left. I will ride it this week to see how long it still lasts, but have an event this weekend - so not gonna try my luck and will charge the night before. But so far it seems like it will last longer than stated. Temperature will also influence battery life.