Mr lee

I think this has more to do with the fact that 75% of the time new bikes come with tubed tyres and in order to go tubeless you need to get a decent tubeless tyre anyway! It is however great that Titan are selling most or all of their bikes with TR tyres even though they may not be the best tread for everyone's application. It at least helps anyone new into the sport/(hobby ) to go tubeless without the added expense!

Ok so on the topic of scrotum....a saddle bag is cool as long as it is not overly huge and flapping around like a bull's happy ball sack on his way to mount a fair cow . Like everything else there are a few do's and don'ts! Select the appropriate size for your bike and needs and mount it securely so it does not sway around and make hideous noises as it bangs everything around it... the mounting straps will also start to rub the paint and/or carbon if not tight! Make sure that the contents are tightly packed too so your tool and tyre levers don't rattle and potentially cut into your spare tube.

Whether you look cool or not in whatever gear, as long as you are riding, you are cool

Now there is something I would never rock on any of my bikes!!! It's not crap if it helps me out of a pickle

I like to be prepared, well as much as possible, so I don't have to walk a million miles back home or to the car! So I an one of the uncool I always ride with a camelbak...road or mountain. It's just easier for me to keep my over-sized phone, keys, additional bomb, tubeless repair kit, money, cards, glass cleaner and cloth (I have prescription sunglasses that sweat always seems to obscure my vision from time to time) and whatever else I feel I need to take with me! I cannot stand to have all that weight in my jersey pockets, pulling and bouncing around! I only ever keep bars and gels in there as they are easier to get to while on the move. The bladder is only used on long and hot rides so it also provides for extra storage space if I need to take arm warmers or a jacket off on those cooler rides. A camelbak actually looks like a little saddle bag on my back cause being such a big oak I tend to obscure the proportions a little My mountain has a medium sized saddle bag with tube, levers, bomb, C02 adapter, multi-tool, quick links, tube patches, and a few other tiny bits and bobs that may help with trail side repairs. I have a micro saddle bag on the road as the tube is obviously alot smaller than a 29r with pretty much the same contents as the mountain....at least it looks more road specific and slightly streamlined in comparison

It all depends on different people and their actual and present financial situations. I personally would never want to finance a bike cause the total amount paid over the full period scares the crap out of me and I see it as a total waste of money. ...but if I did not have the cash handy and really wanted or needed a reasonably priced bike for my needs I would probably go the finance route....BUT I would definately make sure to use it and not leave it with cobwebs and a few layers of dust in the garage

Was on my way to a local bike race yesterday morning with the wife...we were actually riding there, and I passed a roadie with floro kit and no lights. I obviously had mine on as I now do not believe in leaving home without them (day or night), cause I don't want to become another statistic!! Anyway as I have mentioned before, when passing under the shade of overhanging tree's and if the sun is in a motorist or other road user's eyes THAT FLORO JERSEY IS NOT GOING TO HELP!!!

Saw quite a few roadies around linksfield off ramp area in jhb(not sure of exact road names) yesterday without lights and it was overcast! Those with lights were visible

And how was it Andrew?

Don't worry about being charged for a guided ride....total rip off and you can ride wherever you want...within reason. You will see loads of cars pull in with bikes, especially at the vacation club!

You can always ride the hill climb from the entrance (the one that travels next to the mono-rail). Keep left as you enter! I did that last year and could not get to the top without stopping....granted I was not that fit at the time though If you ride that a few times over I am sure you will look forward to that cold beer or a dip in any of the pools, especially with the temps these days. We rode around the golf course later in the afternoon after 5 on the golf cart paths and didn't have any problems...almost got lost a few times too . Even saw a lonely elephant up on the mountain slope There are more than enough paths (on and off road) to keep you busy and exploring. As mentioned above though I would not venture out of the grounds for your own safety!

Looks great....that chainring looks ssssoooooooooo tiny now!!!!! :lol: Are you using the medium or long caged derailleur? Can't make it out cause of that monster cassette throwing off the proportions a little

Should be ok then... Sorry I just assumed (mother of all F#@k ups ) that you were on the heavier side due to wanting an XL frame

I do like that Scott are sticking with the times now and using wider 25mm rims

How much do you weigh? I was initially going to go for a 2016 Scott spark 960 which had the same or similar rear shock (the fusion). After a bit of research I decided against it as I weighed in at 125Kg's (at the time) and was not confident that it would handle the higher pressure required to handle a heavier rider. I would rather stick with Rockhox or Fox on the rear.....