Joe Soap

While we are on the seat tube diameter topic... Can anyone please share their experiences using shims with dropper posts? My bike has a 31.6 seat tube and the longest drop the Lyne sells for this size is a 150mm I would like to go for as much drop as possible and they sell a 170 and 200 mm 30.9 dropper. These can be used with a shim but I dont have a very warm and fuzzy feeling using shims. Are my concerns valid or is there nothing to worry about, should I just use the longest drop with a shim?

I need a Sram brake lever rubber boot like the below. Any suggestion where to find one or anyone having a broken lever lying around who's boot i can use?

Referring to 40 or 110 series?

My suggestion would be to go to a Takkie Town and the sturdiest pair of Vans that you can buy. Quite cheep compared to "Proper" MTB shoes and has tough and tacky soles. Only compromise is it doesn't offer the protection of other MTB shoes

Next on the shopping list: - Tab mount (not sure of terminology) brake adapter for 180mm rear disc - Seat post clamp 34.9 mm - Headset ZS44/EC44 Any help with sourcing a headset would help, looked at all the online shops that I know of and can't seem to find stock. Preferred brands are Hope/Cane Creek

Procurement process started

Yeah scared of that. Also undecided if I should go full OCD I.e. Nothing but black and 100% matching orange (only other colour allowed is 6 yellow letters on each tyre), or should I rather rate the component value/functionality above the colour.

Forgot to ask, what's the consensus regarding 28 vs 32 spokes (if any)? Apart from the number of spokes, what's the difference? Or does one manufacturer just prefer 28 over 32 and the other 32 over 28?

Thanks everyone for the inputs, much appreciated. Hope seat clamp added to the shopping list (also looking for ZS44 and EC44 Hope headset). Both in orange would be perfect!

Suggestion noted. Name on the list for the "spin when complete" but don;t think it will stay there..

Now I need to start buying parts. I don't have nearly same budget as some surfer dude with not enough bikes... I need to buy smart and sensible. Handle bars, and drive train is sorted for now. I see a couple of big spending component up ahead. 1. 120mm fork 2. 29" Boost wheels 3. Brakes 4 Dropper. I especially need some input on wheels and brakes, don't know what I don't know yet. I don't have a huge reference framework, best bike I've ridden (and own) is a mid-range carbon Giant Anthem. Here's what I'm thinking 1. Get a 2nd hand Fox 34 or RS Pike/SID with 120 to 130 travel. New forks are for rich people 2. ????? 3. THe Giant has Guide RSC brakes which I like so they are on the list so far unless there is something available that beats it from a value point of view? 4. Lyne or Brand X or Brand Y. (31.6 150 min drop) The idea is not bomb this bike down the steepest hill that I can find but it also shouldn't be specced like a 10 year old XC bike, somewhere in the middle. Any advice would be appreciated. Top 5 most valuable suggestions gets to take it for a spin when it's done! I'll also update this as the build progresses.

So a while back I chucked this rock in the bush to see what jumps out: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/185419-help-me-with-a-lekke-hardtail/ Kept an eye on the classified and pulled the trigger on this 2017 Cotic Solaris Max

Thanks for the input gentlemen. Luckily I have a set a cables and housing ready to go. I'll give it an assembled-state clean and leave the SPROINGING for another day. I'll update once I'm done

I've tried searching but me and this "search function" are not seeing eye to eye. The 9spd Ultegra shifter on my bike is too happy with life. Especially when it gets the the smaller end of the cassette. If I switch into the smallest cog for example all is good but when I want to shift back, it's as if I have a "blank" level pull. Nothing is engaging. I need to press the shifter as far left as possible to the limit of its stroke before I can feel "stuff" is engaging and normal service is resumed. My logic is telling me that something is not releasing properly after I switched into the bigger gear. Happened to anyone before? Do I just need give it a proper strip and clean? How easy is this?

Bought my itch reliever over the weekend

I've never swung a leg over a XL frame in my life. Think I need to find something with similar size closer to me that I can get a feel for. I'm 1.84 so right in the L size sweet spot.

This makes me wonder if I should start to sleep hanging from my feet to get taller. My goodness, I want it https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bike-frames/397985/kingdom-bikes-vendetta-x2-frame-only

Would have pulled the trigger there but that Medium will be to small, I'm 184

Ja nee, tell me about it. Turning into a rash. Fast!

Exactly the same boat. Found this beaut on CRC https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/vitus-sentier-29-vrx-bike-xt-slx-1x12-2020/rp-prod181546 Won't fit the budget though Then again, steal frame would be a nice cherry on top. You're making a good point to sit tight for a while to see what jumps out 2nd hand.

That 2019 Meta essential is a bargain but might be a bit too burly for what I need. And only XL frames

That's the one! Like the Dartmoor frames. On-one Scandal is also contender from geo point of view but thinking exchange rate will be the killer. https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FTOOSC29V3/on-one-scandal-29er-mtb-frame Not really interested in anything less than 120mm travel, then I'll just keep the one I have now/

Thanks Jewy but will have to be a large frame. Agreed with avoiding the slack/long travel comment, anything over 140mm would be overkill

I've got an itch that's getting worse and worse and it's not one of those where a GP can help. I'm seriously looking at buying a trail-HT but me knowledge in this sector is very limited. I'm also still on the fence whether it is better to buy complete or buy a frame and build from there. Best of-the-shelf option that I'm aware of is the Silverback Slade Trail (R24k), are there any other contenders in this space? Can't see myself spending more than 30k for a hardtail play bike. What options are there for buying a frame and build from there? Will need to buy at least frame, wheels and fork (have the rest of the bits). Looks like the local market for these trail oriented HT also doesn't provide for a big variety. Any opinions welcome

Only problem I have with Hubtiger is that you get notified that your bike/component is due for a service but the only way to clear it is to actually book it in for a service at a LBS. I have not found a "service it myself" option in the app. Have started using ProBikeGarage and is a bit closer to what I need from a maintenance app.