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OBicycleTouring

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  1. Nice!! I like the blue metallic coat. 26" is a good way to go, but then, I have enough room for that xtra Schwalbe Marathon Evos. Lightweight can't be beaten, but since I like touring with the lightest but most comfortable setup I can get or best put, manage; I tend to have more 'things' in my Panniers. I know those Rivendell Atlantis don't come cheap? Also the Soma dropout works perfectly with my Disk Rohloff setup (weight penalty). On the other hand, I see 700 (29") tourers are becoming popular as 28" and 29" tyres become easily available; so my alternative would be something like a Ragley TD-1 (2012 Titanium) or its new derivative matted to a Rohloff disk hub running a Gates carbon belt. Now that's already spinning my head with excitement. Bellow is one as advertised by a Hubber a while back. Notice it's got the same dropout as my current Soma (Juice) frame.
  2. Soma? Wao, Now my Maryland will now find her brother, ha ha ha But seriously, I am loving this Soma frame, the dropout and general geometry. Am really loving the way it turned out. I got the frame as the best option available when I commenced my build. I didn't know the Soma range prior to buying my frame. I can't wait to see your Soma.
  3. Hi Rob, my 'Maryland' currently comes in at about 27kg, A bit less when I replace those tyres with my best choice Schwalbe Marathon Evolution. DM
  4. Go ahead, Amazon is very good. Relatively, Bike24 is most times cheaper on items made in Europe and most times better in quality aswell. Shipment normally takes about 25 days to arrive SA (depending on the SA Post Office allowing it to get to you if they do). Bike24 loves to use ONLY the normal post (DHL-deutshe Post) though they also generally charge a flat shipping rate of just €20. So long the value is below €600 and weight is bellow 5kg or so. But they will not permit a choice of a faster or more secure shipping method. I have requested for this but my request was turned down citing logistical difficulties?? On the other hand, while sometimes Amazon is cheaper generally. Note, Amazon tends to have a 'catch' so when you consider the price on an item listed on Amazon, also consider it's Shipping amount together with the amount collected for Tax and clearance. These shipping costs are quite high, but sometimes Amazon refunds some change when you have any. Those are very little considering factors and getting any tax receipt for duties and VAT paid on ones behalve has failed in my own case. In general, I must say I still like Amazon for thier A-Z Guarantee. Absolute 100%!!! I will advice you only buy items marked "sold and shipped from Amazon" Where not possible, try only those 3rd party sellers with high ratings. I bought a headset from a dealer in the US as sold via Amazon in June 2017! Tracking last read "Processed through a facility (customs) in JHB." - "in transit" since September 12 2017. When I got tired of waiting in November 2017, I requested a refund and Amazon refunded 100% with no questions asked. Am yet to receive the parcel then if you track the item, you get; "tracking number has expired" = Lost??? On the other hand, I am currently experiencing some challenges with a recent purchase from Bike24. They keep referring me to go to SA Customs who referres me to innept SA Post Office. SA Post is almost 100% bad service!!! Had it been Amazon, I would have been refunded. Note: problem here is not Bike24, it's our South African innept Post Office!! In summary, if you find what you want on Amazon and can afford the total cost, buy it you will not regret it. However many items will be marked "not shippable to South Africa". Bike24 will normally ship most items but some brand names with reps in South Africa normally will not ship; examples are Ortlieb, Specialized, SRAM and many others. Hope my points are helpful. So go have a good cycling day -and, keep pedaling!
  5. Hi, I have a brand new Arkel XM-28 front pannier set. They are unused as I went bigger. Should you be interested, PM me I will sell at a lower than new price.
  6. Suggestion! Before you go and purchase a trailer, try to get one and ride with it around to feel it's handling before you buy. ONLY YOU can decide if it's good for you or not.
  7. Start with the bike you have now, upgrade as you get more experience and as your distances increase. My reason being that you are attracted to bike packing now, but on getting to tour off-road, you may find that off road touring (bikepacking) isn't really clicking for you. But then you have gone far buying up bikepacking specific gear, selling them will be like giving them away. So spend a good time reading up information on the two or should I say three forms of touring ie. Bicycle Touring- Panniers and such, Bike packing- Frame bags etc then your current consideration-trailers. Check out these websites:- www.bicycletouringpro.com www.cyclingabout.com www.bikepacking.com I learnt a lot from these hardcore tourists i can tell you. Remember, reselling touring gear in South Africa is like giving it away, they have very low resale value. So think well before you purchase. Northing feels better when you finish your setup exactly the way you want it. Have a look at my final setup (Touring Specific) below .... check it out.???? What ever you do, just keep pedaling!
  8. If cash isn't much of a burden, go for Ortlieb - The best!!!! And they are waterproofed aswell
  9. Hey, am in Kempton Park, I guess we can hook up sometime? First am not a competitive tourer, 'kinda like a slow paced tourer. More about the route, scenery and the destination and not much about the time it takes one to get there - all serious factors taken seriously that is. So if these points bounce with you, we can get something going? From short distances, and who knows full blown expedition? Like in the boys scout.... be prepared, I will try to be Till then, keep pedaling! Chao Mr Dominic-Mary
  10. Hello everyone, I bought 2 Quadricycles (four wheel Bike) from Jeffrey's Bay and am looking for a firm, company or individual that can collect them and ship to me here in Kempton Park at a fair price. Is there anyone who can help. Most Courier companies prefer them boxed but they are bulky. I think a roll on roll off option might be the best? The two cycles are curently by the seller in Jeffery's Bay in the Eastern Cape. I am trying to make it as little hassel as possible for the (Private) seller... Has anyone had a Quadricycle moved across South Africa recently, please give me referrals. The seats, wind deflectors, but only three 3 wheels of each are practically detachable. Bellow are photos of the Quadricycles in need of moving. Thanks for reading Dominic
  11. Hello everyone! Am SUPPER EXCITED and happy to share my 'SOMALAND' with you all. Fresh from my 'home factory' assembly line! Now am gradually buying up my touring kit for a first major touring. I can tell, its not been a financially easy ride, but.... ....Am getting there gradually! Keep Pedaling all!
  12. One stop shop for Bicycle Touring in South Africa is www.cycletouring.co.za. I bought some cool gear from them.
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