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I am looking at getting a Specialized saddle for my MTB , possibly the Phenom Expert. Where can I get them in JHB?

http://www.cape-epic...o_set_the_pace/ New and old partnerships will set the pace at this year’s Absa Cape Epic, which takes place from 23 to 30 March. The race will see 1 200 cyclists take on the challenging 718km with 14 850m of climbing, visiting the towns of Robertson, Greyton and Elgin, and finishing eight days later at Lourensford Wine Estate. Four times Absa Cape Epic winner Christoph Sauser will take on the 2014 challenge with Frantisek Rabon – a former roadie – for the first time. The partnership between Nino Schurter and Philip Buys will also be another new South African/Swiss combination. Mixed category champion Ariane Kleinhans will be riding in the Women’s category for the first time with Annika Langvad. No doubt that all eyes will also be on Karl Platt, another favourite who won the Absa Cape Epic four times, when he partners again with Urs Huber as the old “tried and tested” team. http://www.cape-epic.com//data/news/06_Frantisek%20and%20Christoph.jpg New Partnership: Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon Riding as part of team Meerendal-Songo-Specialized, Sauser is arguably the world’s most celebrated mountain bike rider with both marathon and cross-country world titles (apart from being an Olympic medal champion and four times Absa Cape Epic winner title holder). Although 2014’s new partnership with Rabon is untested, the same could be said of him and Czech teammate Jaroslav Kulhavy before they dominated the 2013 event. Says Sauser: “I’m delighted that I’ve found a very strong partner in Rabon. He has a great character and personality. He’s also committed to win the 2014 Absa Cape Epic. However, many unexpected scenarios can happen, which we’re very aware of.” Rabon adds: “It’s such an honour to ride with Christoph. He’s such a legend and we’ve become really good teammates, so I feel really good about us riding together.” Nino Schurter and Philip Buys will be competing as team Scott-Odlo Racing. Schurter is a specialist when it comes to short course cross-country races, where races last 90 minutes. As a world champion, there is little doubt that his immense physiology and skill will carry him to an elusive stage win and perhaps a podium spot overall. In turn, local lad Buys demonstrated he is up to this monumental task when he dueled José Hermida and Rudi van Houts to the finish line in Lourensford last year. http://www.cape-epic.com//data/news/04_Philip%20and%20Nino.jpeg New Partnership: Nino Schurter and Philip Buys Says Schurter: “We’re racing together for the first time and I’m really looking forward to it. Philip has great experience with stage races in the African heat and I’ve got experience in cross-country races. This will make us super strong.” Buys adds: “I feel honoured to ride with the fastest rider on the planet. Although slightly nervous, my excitement overpowers it.” Mixed category winner Ariane Kleinhans has foregone her partnership with husband Erik to participate this year with Annika Langvad in the Women’s category. Langvad might be seen as a newbie, but the two-time marathon world champion, Danish cross-country and time trial champion, is a good match. Kleinhans comments: “Annika and I previously participated in a stage race where we won every stage as well as the overall. It was a very good test for our new partnership. We made a really good team both on and off the bike. We’re very motivated to go for the overall win.” Langvad adds: “Even though we’re two very different riders with two completely different histories, somehow everything just fits together.” Karl Platt and Urs Huber will ride together for the second time as the Bulls. The Swiss/German team proved last year that they never give up fighting. http://www.cape-epic.com//data/news/ACE2013Day7_GB-283.JPG Tried and Tested: Karl Platt and Urs Huber Says Platt: “I think we had a very successful partnership last year and we’re looking forward to this year’s event.” Huber adds: “Our second place in the 2013 Absa Cape Epic was a sign that we’re a good team. Our goal is to win, which means we have to be focused and concentrate during the whole week, without making any mistakes.” This post has been promoted to an article

Posted on his Facebook page, I wish him all the best and hope more will follow his example. Max Knox (Specialized) says he does not want to have any regrets the day he retires as a professional mountain biker. “I want to completely change my focus. The future of mountain biking, actually the pinnacle of the sport, is cross-country racing,” Knox” said. He was last year’s overall winner of the MTN Series and is currently 2nd overall. “Internationally cross-country racing overseas has a v...ery huge following. “Anyone who says that he became a cyclist to make money is stupid and talking nonsense. If you want to earn a good salary, go to university and get an office job. “I could have done that if I wanted to. I have matriculation exemption to go to University, but I preferred to cycle because I loved it. But I am no longer enjoying myself. I feel at the moment I have achieved all there is to achieve here in South Africa and I feel it’s time to aim higher internationally to further my career. “One of the reasons is that the quality of local racing is not as good as it used to be when I started out. In the past you had to be prepared to really push yourself to the limit to stand any chance at all to achieve a podium finish. “Nowadays I am racing at a much slower pace, but I am still achieving good results. I think a kind of road-cycling mentality has developed in mountain biking. Riders are not prepared to race hard any longer and I don’t want to be part of it. It is all about making easy money. “Don’t get me wrong. The MTN Series is very well organized and it has fantastic races, which have developed me as an athlete and I’m very grateful for them as they have raised the profile of cycling in South Africa, but I feel it’s time for me to take on the international circuit. . “After riding the TransAlp I realized that I am not that special as a mountain biker. I still need to improve about 1 or 2% and if I just continue to race locally, I will not be able to improve. “It is like being a big fish in a small pond. The only way for me to improve is to race internationally against faster and better riders. “I discussed my frustrations with my dad. He pointed out to me that I used to be the South African cross-country champion and suggested that I should take it up again with the aim of representing South Africa at next year’s Commonwealth Games and in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. “I am going to do just that. During the next three years I am going to focus on becoming a good cross-country rider. “This I can promise. I will give it 110%. The worst that can happen is that I fail and I am not scared of that. It will definitely be better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. “I want to be able to look my children in the eyes one day and tell them that I had really tried. I want no regrets when I am an old man. “My advice to young riders is not to fall into a rut. They should not be scared of having goals and aspirations and they should be willing to put in a 100% effort to achieve them. “As I have said before, mountain biking should be about pushing yourself and having fun on the bike and fulfilling ones dreams.

I currently have a Specialized XC Comp (2009). It has basic components: - RockShox Tora fork - Avid Juicy 3 brakes - Deore shifters - SLX RD I like the frame but the bike is damn heavy (16kgs) and the brakes and fork could be much better. I'm thinking of updgrading the components (SLX brakes to start, new fork next) and slowly building a better bike. Option 2 is sell the bike and buy a new one. Whats your advice? I'm leaning towards component upgrade.

Hi guys, Basically I have 35k and was set on the Specialized Stump Jumper FSR until I researched the PYGA oneten 29er. Will this price get me a complete PYGA and is the PYGA really that much better that the trail bikes from Specialized and other reliable brands? Ill be doing most of my riding in Jonkershoek or areas close to Stellenbosch. Looking for a bike that has more travel than a standard XC mtb. So maybe the Specialized Enduro? Hopefully my dream can come true with the PYGA. David

I see a lot of adds posted for cameras and MTB and they all have the seller's email address as : Digidirectsales@gmail.com The wording and prices are very suspect.. http://www.ahoo.co.za/sport-recreation/cycling/2013-specialized-epic-expert-carbon-evo-s432.html A google search on the email address also shows on how many ohter sites this address is used. I cannot confirm that this is a hoax, but please be careful. D

hi, need some help. I am changing a friends std 29er giant wheels(on a Giant Talon) to tubeless. did the whole tape thing, valves are in. problem comes with tyres. we bought specialized TL ready Fastrack tyres. they don't want to seat. used soap but cant get wheels to inflate. tried the garage pump, removed cores nothing seems to work. the one tyre is a 2.2 the other a 2.0. both don't wanna inflate. anybody have a trick please. I have even inverted the tyres for a while to stretch them a bit. I have done a few on 26er wheels and pumped with a floor pump 1st time. pls any help will be appreciated. thanks

Hi, this has probably been posted 100's of times but have not been able to find the answer I am looking for. I have a 2013 Specialized Epic Comp, which is a great bike. My problem is that I have gone through 2 front rims in less than a year. I currently weigh 120kg and am 1.93cm tall. I don't know which way to turn, been on google, chain reaction cycles, mavic to mention a few sites. What do the guru's on thehub have to say? Thanks in advance

Bored at work so here is a preview Ag2r-La Mondiale: Focus (Continuing through 2015) Argos-Shimano: Felt/Giant? Astana: Specialized BMC Racing Team: BMC Europcar: Colnago FDJ.fr: Lapierre Garmin-Sharp: Cervélo Orica-GreenEDGE:Scott (Continuing through 2014) Lampre-Merida: Merida Cannondale: Cannondale Lotto-Belisol: Ridley Movistar Team: Canyon Omega Pharma-Quick Step: Specialized Belkin Pro Cycling: Bianchi Team Katusha: Canyon Trek (formally RadioShack-Leopard): Trek Team Saxo/Tinkoff: Specialized Team Sky: Pinarello (Continuing through 2016)

Four-times winner of the Absa Cape Epic, Christoph Sauser (37) of Switzerland, will team up with Frantisek Rabon (30) for the first time as Team Meerendal-Songo-Specialized. Sauser won the race in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2006. This year’s race, which takes place from 23 to 30 March 2014, will once again take 1 200 riders through some of the Western Cape’s most unspoilt territory. The race will kick-off with the Prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville and finish 8 days later at Lourensford Wine Estate. Click here to view the article

South African Erik Kleinhans and his Czech teammate, Frantisek Rabon (RE:CM Specialized) won the final stage of the three-day DUTOIT Tankwa Trek mountain bike stage race on Sunday, but it was the young South African pair of James Reid and Brendon Davids (Trek Racing) that claimed an impressive overall victory on a dramatic final day. Click here to view the article

Hi Guys I am one of many lucky Stumpy FSR owners, a 2012 model. The bike kicks ass, but the Hi Lo rear hub sucks bigtime. It really sounds bad, and I think I should check out the insides before I go riding again. Apparently a bearing overhaul and regrease should do the trick according to this thread http://forums.mtbr.com/specialized/hi-lo-rear-disc-hub-service-replacement-869150.html Can anyone give me some advice on this? Who else is having the same concerns? I dont know if I should do the overhaul, or should I rather push my LBS to replace the bloody thing. Thanx all!

Hi All, What is the problem with using a bike like this as your everyday bike? Riding to gym and the odd trail here and there? From what I have read, this is classified as a downhill bike. http://filipe2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/1287166690_45220853_1-fotos-de-bicicleta-downhill-specialized-big-hit-2-1287166690.jpg?w=704

Hey Guys, what do you think this is worth?

Hi everyone... I bought a 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp HT (Carbon).... I dont have an actual weight it was, however quoted about 10.8kg out the box.. assuming tool bag and water should add another KG to the total... I feel like it was lighter when I bought it than it is now, I haven't made any changes other than convert to tubeless.... Can it get heavier??? I made sure the drain hole below the BB is open... Other than the basics, carbon stem, carbon handlebars, carbon seat post, wheels... What else can I look at doing to make the bike lighter?? I dont have a large budget and would be over a number of months but would really like to make the bike lighter again, feeling very sluggish now... :( :unsure:

Looking to by a 2014 Specialize Epic comp carbon 29er! Im 1,78m tall, and the sizing charts say im at the top end of a medium or lowest end of a large frame! Is there anyone out there who owns Specialized bikes that can give me some advice?

Hi, My bike was just stolen off my premises behind two closed gates in Bergvliet area. Please be on the look out for a gold, white and black Specialized Camber Comp which also has the connections for a computer. Will try upload a picture later with a picture of the exact bike. Thanks

Anyone out there with one? How is the ride?

Really torn as to what are good MTB shoes on the market in this price range. Have a pair of specialized but after pricing they are now way to expensive and had problems with the rachet system. Any advice will be appreciated.

Hi All Im currently in the market for a dual suspension 29er with a carbon frame. I currently own a 2012 Scott Spark Team dual susser. I find the Scott to be a good bike with no issues at all, untill I rode the 2014 Spez Camber Comp last year as a test bike. I had ten times more fun on the Spez and on the same trials I normally ride on with the Scott. I normally ride in the Ruimsig and Fourways areas with only a few races such as the Magalies monster and Silverstar MTB challenge, per year. Is the Camber the best bike for R 40 000.00 or can you guys suggest a different ride? I had the below bikes on my short list. 1. Giant Anthem X 29er 2. Own built. Niner RIP 9 aluminium frame with a lefty shock, Fox Float CTD shock and existing American Classic wheel set with a lefty conversion. R48 500....too expensive. 3. Santa Cruz tallboy. Very cool but not in by budget. 4. Scott Genius 910. More trail orientated but should a hell of allot of fun to tide. More so than the spark? Any suggestion or comment with reasons why, would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks

Hi hubbers ive got a 30k budget for a mtb cross country/ trail / play bike ..... all rounder ive got my eye on the new Specialized Stumpjumper FSR comp, I did take it out for a ride an truly enjoyed it. Are there any other options that im missing out on? Will appreciate your comments.

Someone listed a 2012 Specialized S-Works Roubaix size 58cm in the classifieds about 2 weeks ago. I think it was someone from Pretoria or Johannesburg. A few days later it was delisted. Does anyone know who it was and if it sold? I am interested but obviously was not fast enough to reply... Can anyone help?

Have a web page. Seem to deal in importing specialized - 1 year old stock....deliver. I am told Pietermaritzburg based...... Any experience here?

My two much loved mountain bikes were stolen from my garage yesterday afternoon (22nd Dec) in Kenilworth. A white Trek 69er hard tail with silver Trek stickers and Gold Olympic ring stickers on either side at the front, a pump and Specialized saddle bag. The other was a rather unique white BMW branded full suspension mountain bike with red anodised rear suspension mechanism. Again this had a gold Olympic ring sticker on the front. Lots of sentimental value attached to these bikes and it's sad that some people think it's ok to just brazenly take other peoples stuff. They won't use the bikes and appreciate them like we all do. SAPS have been great so far but I sadly doubt I will see them again.

Hi All, Im looking to get a new bike, and right now I am trying to find all my options to work out which i going to be the best bet. Im looking for a trail type bike, so something like Giant Reign/Anthem or Specialized stumpjumper. Something in the Shimano (or SRAM, dont care much) SLX/XT set. Spending somewhere from R25-35K for the bike. Can you guys help with some good options and pro's/cons of the options?