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Help - brand new addict here! Recently bought MTB for myself and wife. Got first decent one for my son and will soon have one for his brother (looking at you people I msg'ed😁) All bikes adult size S - L. I need some advice on the best, safest and most bike friendly way to transport these when we go away. What I have - Tow bar bike carrier (bikes hanging) and rear mounted bike carrier (3 bikes). I transported 3 bikes on rear mounted this weekend and it was a very tight fit, seems that eventually something will be damaged/scrached. We will also camp on occasions and I don't think spending a fortune on 4 bike (standing) carrier is worh it, if we won't use it when we camp. What are my options? Rear mounted carrier and roof rack? What do I need to look out for? Any suggestions. Definately going for second hand. Marnus

Hi We are planning our December holiday. It will be mostly touring around by car but we’d like to get a few MTB rides in along the way. The idea we have at the moment is fly into Lanseria and drive up to Cradle of Mankind. We will need to rent bikes and have confirmed they have a limited number there for hire. Then perhaps a day trip to Big Red Barn. Haven’t looked at this much but sounds like they have bike rentals and looks family friendly - we have a 12 year-old with us. Then we’d like to head across to Hoedspruit and Kruger. I’ve been in contact with someone in Hoedspruit that can hopefully set us up with bikes. Is there anywhere en route between Cradle of Mankind and Hoedspruit that is worth stopping for a day of riding that has bikes for rent? So far I’ve haven’t been able to find bike rental between the 2 so haven’t looked for trails. Happy to extend the stay in Gauteng if there are other trail areas worth checking out. Criteria will be bike rental and not too much elevation gain. Potentially also looking at heading over to Ponta do Ouro so anything in northern KZN would also be an option. Thank you. Stu

Advice on replacing my AVALANCHE Ltwoo AX 1x12 MTB chain - they reckon Shimano is a good option, but there are several different options. Which would be the most suitable?

hey i was wondering if anyone would like to join me on some easy mostly jeep tracks and eventually work our way up to some single track in tokai? if anyone is keen feel free to send me a dm with your number.

Hi all, new to the forum. First, not sure if there's already a recent discussion on this. If yes, pls post the link. Second, I'm a "SIMPLE CYCLIST". I don't do races, not a "Vinnige Fanie", I'm not one for all the bells and whistles. I'm just a guy who likes to go for a ride now and again, who doesn;t want the "best of the best", I just need something functional, with a decent lifespan. Issue: Having to change my ball bearings on front wheel more often. No sign of dust seal. No 22mm cone spanner to tighten unit I have a Titan Drone Dash 29'er MTB, bought used about a year ago - details I have are below. It has a BOOST fork, Fusion-X RC32 (110mm) It has ball bearings (they call it "cup and cone"?). I have re-done the bearings once or twice, but recently I had to do it more often. Main reasons are: - I noticed no dust cover (don't think it came with one). - I don't have the proper thin 22mm cone spanner so that I can tighten the two nuts on the hub/cone/Thru-axle "thing" (whatever that piece is called). Meaning, I suspect that dust is getting into the bearings, as it only lasts about 300-500km before I need to replace again. I'm sure the sand is slowly messing up the bearing cones too. I was told by a bike mechanic that many bikes came out with these standard hubs, but I can't recall what the name of the hub was. The Titan agents don't seem to have the seal kit (huh?!), so they suggested I get a new hub (ka-ching $$$ ??) I want to possibly convert to sealed bearings, but have a few questions / comments - I'm told roller bearings are better, They can handle loads better, especially when you are turning corners, leaning, etc. they can take a better weight distribution, or support. Sealed bearings are very rigid and "stiff", meaning it cannot handle the pressures as well as roller bearings. As a "simple cyclist, I'm not sure whether I should worry about this, and just try get sealed bearings? - Is it possible to knock out these "cones/cups" on the inside of my hub, and simply replace it with bearings? Is there a bearing that could fit? Will my through-Axle still work? I do have some of those thinner thru-axles, like the old bikes had ..... - Is there another option without having to change the hub, re-spoke the wheel, and go through all that drama? I was quoted over R1500 for a DEORE hub (not sure what type), which is about a third of what i paid for the whole bike LOL (And is the above even worth it? How long will bearings last? Can I change them myself?) - With us riding through water etc., do sealed bearings get rusted easily? Do they last longer? - Are sealed bearings easy to replace yourself? - Should I just try get another rim which has a hub and sealed bearings? - Is sealed bearings the easiest? Are there other bearing options out there which are simple? - Anyone who has done something similar with minimal headache? - Anyone with a seal kit?? - I want to have something that is simple. Something I can possibly fix myself if the bike conks out on a weekend, or if I am away somewhere with no bike shop around, etc. - I stay in Alberton, South of Joburg I also need a 22mm cone spanner which I can get off Takealot I guess. Cape Multi don't have the ParkTool 22mm, and most other shops don't stock that size (PS - Anyone have one laying around??) Titan Drone Dash 29'er Year: no idea, said to be around 2015-2018 or so 2 x 9 chainring Air shock/fork. Fusion-X RC32 BOOST fork (110mm) Thanks!, Paul "madporra"

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

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

I apologise in advance if this topic already exists somewhere, I did search. Has anyone signed up for the Val de Vie MTB Expedition? It's happening on the 14th to 16th of May (inclusive)? Entries close on the 10th of May. It was originally a team event but now they also accept single riders. My friend signed me up for it It is 127km of riding around Paarl over 3 days. It consists of: A time trial (in their emails they keep calling it a Time TRAIL, aaaargh): 20km on the 14th Stage 2: 75km on the 15th 1650m ascent Val de Vie Estate| Hawequa Forest | Wild Hog Welvanpas | Drakenstein Mountains Stage 3 – 77km 1800m ascent Val de Vie Estate| Banhoek | Helshoogte | Boschendal | Plasir de Merle Idas Valley Dam Skyfall | Camissa | Klipwerf | Afterburner | Inferno | Sugarbowl

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.

Please share your thought! Titan Racing are really doing some great work lately and my I got caught into this bike: https://www.titanracingbikes.com/product/cypher-rs-ultimate-carbon/ Very well spec bike for R107k and 5 year multi user warranty Also go and have a look at the new Road bikes on bike addict website, they are also hot looking / well spec and good prices! I would like to give credit where credit is due, so Titan Racing ......very well done for improving the brand! Watch out world!

Join us this weekend!!

Hi Guys Looking for a venue for just the wife and myself to go for long weekend in June. It's my birthday so we're leaving the kids behind (for the first time) and looking for somewhere no more than about 2 and 1/2 hours drive from JHB with awesome mountain biking and great accommodation (no camping please - weekend away in lieu of 50th birthday party, so a spoil). We both ride MTB and usually about 80 - 100km rides in and around JHB. Looking for scenic and nice flowing routes and trails to ride three days in a row. Not looking for downhill or really gnarly singletrack trails as we want to also enjoy time off the bikes. Suggestions please but also comment on the type and distance of MTB trails / routes - I may contact you for GPX files.! Nice to have self catering option but preferably somewhere where we can also go for a light lunch and or dinner close by. Thanks

Hi All Im looking for a JHB based company who can assist with Frame protection i see cycle lab sell frame protection kits etc, but i would like this applied by a proffesional any advice ? similar to this .. https://armour-ride.com/

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

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

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.

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

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!

Good day all, We will be down in Kommetjie in the Western Cape and I was wondering if anyone knows of any gravel road or beginner trails in the area? As per my intro I only started MTB a week ago so for me it is gravel roads and easy trails to get into the swing of things. I did do a search and went through the trails thread but cant seem to pick up anything for the Kommetjie area. Thanks

Help Needed!!! I am relatively new to mtb and ride and enduro 27.5 650b. I am running a shimano xt 2x10 group set with a Thirteen hub. I want to upgrade to better suite my riding. I have a budget of +-10000 rand but I am not sure what drivetrain/grouplet to go for and am looking for recommendations. I really enjoy the DH stuff but do like the distance so looking for something that does both well. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Hubbers! I recently taught a friend to ride a bike (after pestering him for years) and he's now got the bug. He wants to get a bike and I want to make sure he gets some value on the cheaper end of the spectrum. He would likely need a medium frame (1.75m, 95kg). I think a MTB is the most versatile for general cycling and (probable) lack of maintenance on his side. We are in Cape Town. - New versus used? I assume the value is in the used but there don't seem to be too many options. - Where's the sweet spot? He wants to spend 3k-5k but will stretch up to 7k if the value is there. - Anything else I should note? Thanks for helping me get another riding buddy .