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Need to get new MTB SPD pedal shoes and I've seen some awesome sneaker variants (see pics) - what are the major differences and/or downsides to MTB shoes vs sneakers? Have been using stiff sole Olympics and Ryder shoes til now. TYIA

I've been running Ryder clip in pedals for about 18 months and they've been great. I started getting a painful footsole about a month ago on the right foot, and lo and behold the left pedal cleat clip in broke yesterday (see pic). So I'm looking at a new set of Shimano SPDs, will the caged pedal (pics attached) provide better foot support to prevent the pain underfoot or are the actual shoes packing up (Ryders also 18 months old)? @ChrisF @RobertWhitehead you blokes seem very knowledgeable 👍🏼👍🏼

I thought it made sense to start a thread with some of the photos of our trip in Northern Thailand. We’re doing it with Trailhead out of Chiang Mai. 6 days / 6 nights. Each day takes us further north into more remote areas. Day 1 is the easiest day and involved crossing a lake and then riding through some of the thickest mud I have ever encountered through the forest. It was tons of fun and we ended it off with a little road section through rice paddies and blue skies. Total distance was 46km with 551m of climbing.

Hi Hubbers, So this video is a year old now but has anyone here built/welded/carbon lay up a frame together from scratch? If so please do share details and pics😁 I don't currently have the tool-set but think it would still be an awesome project.

I have noticed quite a number of cyclists around Babsfontein when I pass through. I would like to explore the area a bit. If I start in Babsfontein, where do I head out for a lekker exploring 30/40 km without transgressing onto private property and staying off the paved surfaces? a GPS file will be most welcome. Anyone?

Hello Bike Hub Community, Very common question, but I need some help buying my first Mountain Bike. I was big into road cycling but moved to CPT but work and spend most time in FHK. I want to get into mountain biking and have a limited R18K (upper limit) budget. Do I sell/trade in my Raleigh LTD (Blue & Yellow) Carbon to fund this? How do I make a choice between the limited options at my price range? Obviously good components are vital. Focus on group set, suspension ? Where will I find the best bang for my buck (no particular order)? • MOMSEN AL 329 (2021) • 2022 Silverback Stride SX • TITAN Rogue Dash (2022) • MERIDA Big Trail 200 (2022) • MERIDA Big Nine 400 (2022) • 2022 Marvel Prime • Trek Marlin 7/8 Advice and guidance is much appreciated 👌🏻

I've just moved to Westbeach & looking for a morning group ride to Melkbos (or Koeberg) & back. This ride would be week days on a MTB. My pace the is about 25km/h, depending on wind. Weekends would be in different, Tygerberg trails. Time would be around 6am. Summer mornings are perfect!

Canyon K.I.S: Another solution to a problem that doesn't exist? or game changer? The name (or reference) is kind of ironic in that regard i think, nothing about dampening a bicycle's steering is keeping it simple. Admittedly a cool idea, although not a new one when you consider touring bikes, kids bikes and even motorbikes. I can see aftermarket things being bolted to stems on toptubes..... Edit: Have a listen to the parts where they talk about how it tends to pull the rear around almost like rear wheel steering. https://www.bikeradar.com/news/canyon-syntace-kis-self-centring-steering-stabilisation-system/

Event Name: Giant Bicycles Beat The Board - FNB W2WWhen: 28/10/2022 - 05/11/2022Where: , Grabouw, Western CapeCategory: Mountain BikeCome down to the FNB W2W and try Beat The Board! Grab one of our Demo E-bikes, power through the Strava segment and claim those bragging rights. All participants also stand the chance to win their 2023 FNB W2W entry! Beat The Board will happen on the 28th, 29th & 31st of October, as well as the 1st, 4th & 5th of November.  Come #RideUnleashed on one of the below bikes: Go to Event Page.

Marin Bikes are Made For Fun 🔥 Since the first mountain bikes bearing the Marin Bikes name debuted in 1986, the brand has been dedicated to enriching the lives of our riders by making fun, high calibre bicycles, which provide years of riding enjoyment. We operate a business based on hard work, fueled by passion, and fulfilled by the satisfaction of bringing the joy of cycling to riders across the world………and now to SOUTH AFRCA! Whether your idea of fun involves riding rugged trails up in the Drakensberg, pinning on a race number and entering your first race, taking the long way home, bikepacking to that remote campsite, or just exploring the neighbourhood bike paths, Marin brings the fun to your ride. It’s the principle that guides us when developing new bikes, from long-travel, trail-devouring machines that are at home in some of the world’s most challenging race circuits to the multi-surface capable pavement collection. Each model is designed to be playful and to maximize the opportunities for two-wheeled fun. We plan our offering around being able to supply excellent quality bikes at the best prices! Hello South Africa, welcome to the fun, welcome to MARIN BIKES! Our range is available at leading bike retailers! Get in touch with us for more information on the range available and find your nearest retailer 076 970 7708

Car key lost on snakes or lizard or bad yet or the climbs up. Modern keyless fob type key

So i discovered an issue with my thule euroway bikerack yesterday. My flippen stupid long cotic rocket (-1350mm wheelbase) is impossible to mount to it securely. It fits on the rack at the wheels when it’s stretched to its max, but the design flaw in the rack is the fixed points for the wheel straps, so where they end up and where they need to be to fix the wheels in place are worlds apart. A strap about 2x the length of the stock one should solve the issue i guess. The only way i could get it mounted was to invert the fork at the front to effectively shorten the wheelbase by enough to get the straps to reach…but even then I can only manage to get them to go one notch/click in by compressing the tyres. Has anyone else with longer geo trail/mtbs figured out how to mcgyver this? Its such a dumb issue, how they could not foresee this issue in the age of longer slacker bikes is beyond me. edit: i guess this is the solution: https://www.thule.com/en-za/bike-rack/towbar-bike-rack-accessories/thule-xxl-fatbike-wheel-straps-_-985000

the youtube algorithm popped this into my playlist. I see Sam Pilgrim uploaded this yesterday (6 Feb 2022). "HOW I SEE IT: SOUTH AFRICA is here and it's filled with urban MTB downhill, freeride lines, skateparks, bike tricks, dirt jumps, sports car hooning, a crazy helicopter ride in to the mountains and endless send! Get ready for the action!" Considering Sam has 1.6mil subs to his channel, thats an awesome advertisement for SA and CT in particular. Good video too. Max's perspective:

The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) is celebrating 10 years of mountain with the addition of new single tracks and starting points and now offers a 120km trail network. To ensure that the routes continue to offer exciting new mountain bike experiences to riders, R160 000 was invested in new trail developments this past year. Trail-Blazers planned, designed and built the original trails and have played an integral part in trail maintenance and route developments over the past decade. In addition, they make a significant investment in community development through the employment of local youths. Not only have they generated 200 man days in the past six weeks, but also transferred valuable skills to the team. The Jordan route has been extended and now features a lovely new 1.2km single track designed and built by Conrad Stoltz, former triathlon world champion. Riders can look forward to a flowy single track in natural terrain with unique granite dome rides that is suitable for all levels of riders. On completion of his first project in collaboration with the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy, Stoltz stated that views of the ocean, mountains and vineyards will take your breath away, (if the climb doesn’t). Additional single track sections were also completed by Trail-Blazers and the owners of Jordan. “Nature lovers will appreciate the Renosterveld with its abundant wildlife. An eagle soaring on the breeze, sharing the trail with duiker and, if you're lucky, you may spot the caracal and its cub stepping into the brush. The location and its people are fantastic and made this one of my favourite builds. Hopefully it brings pleasure to riders for many years to come,” concluded Stoltz. The new single track section on Wolwedans Vineyards offers spectacular views, while the new single track from Fort Simon is ideal for those looking for a challenge and Bellevue will ease new riders into the trails. Another super exciting addition, is the Polkadraai loop that starts and finishes at Somm & Co at Karibib. A bonus offering for 2022 BHRC annual permit holders, is free access to the Polkadraai Bike Park set to open in the New Year. Day permits (R70 payable with Zapper) are available from Asara Wine Estate, Bellevue Wine Estate, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Fort Simon Wine Estate, Hazendal Wine Estate, Jordan Wine Estate, Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Somms & Co. Karibib, Engen Soneike, Shell Kruispad, Hellsend Bike Compound Stellenbosch, Dwars in die Weg security in Devon Valley, Devonbosch coffee kiosk and soon the Polkadraai Bike Park. Annual permits available online www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za – also download Trailforks for an updated trail map and route profiles. The Bottelary Hills MTB Trails were opened by the Bottelary Hills Conservancy in April 2011 and allow controlled access to the conservancy via dedicated routes. The rolling hillsides feature vineyards, farmland, conservation areas and trails comprise of farm roads, jeep tracks and numerous single tracks. While never too technical, there are challenging climbs and a variety of distances on offer for riders of all fitness levels. The BHRC was founded to maintain, expand and sustain the large tracts of remaining Renosterveld in its area - less than 4% of the original Renosterveld in the Western Cape remains. Funds generated through annual and day permits as well as events are used mainly to subsidize alien vegetation eradication. In addition, dedicated community programmes and projects address the socio-economic challenges of the people living and working on the farms within the BHRC.

Hi Hubbers! Our Black Friday sale is in full swing - so head over to see what is on sale! Items can be found here: https://evobikes.co.za/product-category/black_friday_1/

As we near the end of the 2021 season, let's get a chat started about rider and team changes, both locally and internationally!

So I was hearing alot of complaints on the day of the 25km race that the event was way too hilly especially for "newbies" just wanted to find out what everyone else that raced it thought about the whole race as a whole

Hi everyone , I'm looking for some clipless pedals that won't break the bank. Iv seen some DMR ones and Crankbrothers but they are all above R3000 I'm used to Shimano type of pedals anyone have any idea of some good budget ones?

Hi everyone, I have a problem. i have started to ride more and more aggressively (came from XC) and now I bought myself a new bike, a 2018 Merida team big nine hardtail, it is an amazing bike and the frame weighs just 900g but I NEED a dropper post, I bought one now assuming it would work but apparently this model cannot use a dropper post, so now I sit with a dilemma I have a amazing bike but the frame isn’t working for me. I was wondering if anyone has or knows anyone who has a Hardtail 29 frame medium or large that is INTERNAL DROPPER POST READY (30.9 or bigger) who is willing to trade for my frame, even something less high of a spec. It’s a medium 29 inch frame! Let me know! Ps if anyone has a way of making it work on my frame it would be Appreciated.

Hi all, I'm in Bloubergstrand next week. Any good MTB riding routes and trails you can start from Blouberg area? I'm looking to do about 80km with some climbing if possible, on Sunday (24 Oct 2021) Are there any MTB groups riding during the week? 1h30ish rides early mornings.

Hi all- have removed an older TUBULAR - meaning Glued-on - MTB tyre off of a 26'er Carbon Fibre rim - see pics - and obviously do not want to negatively affect the integrity of the CF, so keen to hear which SOLVENT I could use to remove the H-A-R-D glue? It will not roll off with rubbing with my thumb, like back in the old Triathlon days, - this glue has SET, and is VAS! (pic 1 shows old glue. pic 2 is of clean section. pic 3 is the new Tubulars i have for the rims. pic 4 is of the complete rim (i have front & rear...) thanks CHris

So I bought a new bike and the specs of the bike online said the front hub is a sealed Giant unit. In the bike shop I checked all specs except the hubs for some reason (trusted the web specs). Then I see the front hub is not a sealed unit and not a Giant hub either. (The rear hub is also not a Giant hub, different to the web specs) Dragons sports are the guys to contact and Gavin Salt tells me they made a running change and on dragon's website it is stated that the front hub is a non sealed unit and not a Giant hub. I didn't even think to check dragon's site beforehand to check for specs. Kinda disappointing. Gavin basically said it makes no difference and if I want a sealed hub I must wait until next year and then there may be rotor compatibility issues. Any thoughts on this from anyone who knows more than I do? And how much better is a sealed hub?

Mountain bike enthusiasts can now enjoy the 92km Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) trail network at the special midyear permit rate of R400. Make the most of the great outdoors for the remainder of 2021 and enjoy the wide open spaces of the BHRC that stretches across the rolling hillsides, conservation areas, vineyards and private farmland in the Bottelary Hills. The ever-evolving network of MTB trails cater for various skill and fitness levels. Only 2021 BHRC annual or day permit holders are allowed access to the trails and bike boards must be displayed on handle bars at all times. Annual permits are available online at www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za and day permits (R70) and are sold at various park and ride spots including Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Hellsend Bike Compound in Stellenbosch as well as Engen Soneike and the security gate at Dwars in die Weg on Devon Valley road. Due to lockdown restrictions Asara, Neethlingshof, Jordan and Cycle2Ride are closed for permit sales. Take note that most of the access points operate on a cashless system with Zapper as the only payment option. Less than 4% of the original Renosterveld in the Western Cape remains and only grows in very rich fertile soils, which is often replaced with commercial crops. The BHRC is fortunate to have large tracts of pristine Renosterveld in its area and has been declared as a World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO. Funds generated through permit sales are used mainly to subsidize alien vegetation eradication. While alien plant clearing has been an ongoing initiative of the BHRC, the project has intensified since 2012 following the opening of the Bottelary Hills MTB Trails in April 2011. During the past two years alien clearing follow up was done across 735.2 hectares generating a total of 4486 person days worked. Game still roams naturally in the Hills such as Caracal, Grysbok, Grey duiker, Porcupine, Bat-eared foxes, Cape foxes and otters. There are also endangered reptile species such as the Diamondback tortoise only found in Renosterveld areas. More than 109 bird species have been identified and listed on the BHRC website. When you support our trails you support conservation. Find the latest trail map on the Trailforks APP (https://www.trailforks.com/region/bottelary-hills-conservancy-mtb-trails/?activitytype=1&trailstyle=random&z=12.0&lat=-33.91566&lon=18.77475&m=hybrid). For more information please visit www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za or follow us on social media.

Was checking out this AutoDrop Dripper post from BMC. Anyone know if Pidcock is using it? https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/rad

Nino seems to be battling a little. Or has everyone just stepped up their game? https://www.pinkbike.com/news/results-jolanda-neff-and-mathias-flueckiger-are-the-2021-swiss-xc-national-champions.html