greg_sa

I think a used Giant Anthem or similar 29er is a good call. Should have an SLX or even an XT groupset.

Giant Durbanville (Western Cape) had some 2018 models...

At Meerendal, Dorstberg is a decent climb... Without it, the climbs are minimal. I normally ride a full loop in about an hour, about 15km I think.

Yep, I also noticed that You can still get the page via google cache

Cool, thanks. Just noticed loads of new riders on my regular segments And also routes that are not open to the public.

Just curious, but are Strava uploads of the Epic route still not allowed? I see rule 13.7 is still on the website. There are lots of riders that have definitely uploaded their Epic rides to Strava.

I bought my bike with a Fabric Scoop - I find it very comfortable

Not sure if you'll be running tubeless, but I'd recommend it as soon as possible... it is thorn season in Durbanville Try to stay on the tracks that have been used - they'll be thorn free. Even on the dirt roads, there will be a strip that you can see is well used. Riding on a less used part of the dirt roads (on the edge) is looking for trouble. Even if someone wants to pass, don't ride on anything that looks like a flat plant

If you live in or near Durbanville, I'd definitely get a Tygerberg MTB Club membership. Then you have free access to all the trails mentioned. There are family membership options too.

I'm looking at similar options... and I think the best option is the Muna. The BMX type ones don;t have a nice handle bar (they are too high). The one with front suspension is a waste - just extra weight. I might even consider a 14-inch Muna for our 3.5 year old

Cool, at least I know it wasn't me doing a bad job. The front tire is a beast Had a quick ride today - loads more grip and much plusher ride. The extra rubber feels like soaks up the small bumps nicely.

So I just fitted a Nobby Nic 29x2.35 to the front (ordered from CRC) and a Rocket Ron 29x2.25 rear. Was quite a pain to fit... The tires are quite loose on the AC Wide Lightning rims. I could slip them onto the rim by hand quite easily. Getting the beads to seat in the channel with a floor pump... no luck. With a compressor (and valve inner removed, I managed to get the Nobby Nic on. For the Rocket Ron, I had to fit a tube to get the bead to seat, then pop the one side's bead out and remove the tube, and reinflate. Still need to take a proper ride

Well, I just found another review that praises the 29x2.35 Nobby Nic on a wide rim (31mm internal). Says that the cornering is very predictable. http://www.bitingtires.com/review-2015-schwalbe-nobby-nic/25 So I'm assuming the previous negative remark on the wide rim was the 2.25 tyre

Thanks. I'm going to see what I can get in a 2.35 or 2.4. Most places only seem to keep around 2.2

Not sure if that test used 2.25 or 2.35. I suppose the 2.35 would be better... Or go with Vittoria or Maxxis

Hmmm... I just read a review here about the Wide Lightings: http://www.ambmag.com.au/news/tested-american-classic-wide-lightning-wheels-429323 They say: Not every tyre is designed to be run on such a wide rim, and certain tread profiles just didn’t play well with the 29.3mm internal rim width. Two options in particular that I didn’t enjoy on the Wide Lightnings were the Maxxis High Roller II and the new Schwalbe Nobby Nic. Both tyres feature substantial cornering blocks that are most effective when protruding away from the tyre casing. On a super wide rim, the squarer tyre profile saw those cornering blocks protruding vertically, with the tyre casing actually sitting wider than the tread. This led to inconsistent traction when cornering aggressively, where the tyres would suddenly skip out once you leant them past those edging knobs. So maybe the Nobby Nic isn't the best option?

Cool, thanks. I'll see if I can find the Nobby Nic in 2.35 otherwise I'll have to take the 2.25

Thanks guys. When it comes to price, my LBS has the Nobby Nic, Ardent and Barzo all at the same price... R800. So will the Schwalbes typically wear faster than the others? Reviews seem to rate both the NN and Brazo highly...

Hi, I am new to the MTB scene, and bought a used Anthem X 29er with a AC Wide Lightning wheel set. I am riding the Tygerberg MTB trails and Grabouw Lebanon trails. I currently have Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.25 Snakeskin front and rear. The rear seems pretty worn to me, and I was thinking that I'd also prefer something with more grip in front to give me more confidence in the corners... especially at Lebanon where there is quite a lot of sand and loose surfaces in places. Is that rear tyre ready for the bin? This is the front (excuse the old Stans busy weeping) I was thinking of moving the less worn front Racing Ralph tyre to the rear and fitting a Nobby Nic to the front? Seems like most places only stock the Nobby Nic in 2.25. Would the 2.35 be a much better option (if I can find it)? Will either width be fine on the Wide Lightning rims? Any advice? Thanks, Greg

You could consider cutting the tow ball clamp off the rack and welding it to a plate that bolts to the tow bar plate.