Samurai Pizza Cat Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Who lives in Howick?...My post originally said KZN, but I didn't want to get in a p*ssing contest with a whole province. But seriously, to answer you and Spoke100: The OP already has a marathon bike that he wants to supplement with a trail bike. In my view that means "play bike". Advising him to get a bike that climbs well is just odd. A play bike is something that sacrifice climbing ability for downhill fun. Or did I miss something? Most of the bikes mentioned here will be great as trail / fun bikes. Esspecially the Spez SJ, the Evil ( I agree it is out of the aforementioned budget) and the TR Smuggler. These "new school" 29ers all have slacker head angles, lower bottom brackets and shorter chainstays, making them nimbler and easier to corner. If climbing ability is so important the OP must just ride his current bike. He can use the 60k for a trip to Whistler...or a huge TV.
popcorn_skollie Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 My post originally said KZN, but I didn't want to get in a p*ssing contest with a whole province. But seriously, to answer you and Spoke100: The OP already has a marathon bike that he wants to supplement with a trail bike. In my view that means "play bike". Advising him to get a bike that climbs well is just odd. A play bike is something that sacrifice climbing ability for downhill fun. Or did I miss something? Most of the bikes mentioned here will be great as trail / fun bikes. Esspecially the Spez SJ, the Evil ( I agree it is out of the aforementioned budget) and the TR Smuggler. These "new school" 29ers all have slacker head angles, lower bottom brackets and shorter chainstays, making them nimbler and easier to corner. If climbing ability is so important the OP must just ride his current bike. He can use the 60k for a trip to Whistler...or a huge TV. Too many marathon riders just assume slacker, lower, squishier bikes will mean *** on the climbs and endless bobbing. Pfft. We talking new, 2015 (possibly 16) big wheel trail machine for 60k. Moenie worry nie. Sure, its not going to be AS efficient as a race machine uphill. But I'm willing to bet that whatever his choice is. He would be pleasantly surprised at just how well it climbs because of his low expectations. Then once he starts bombing down trails faster than he did before. Ooh jinne. Its over. He's going to sell the race bike because he needs to buy another trail bike to supplement his trail bike.
F0rest Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Evil Bikes - The Following: Following_X1_1200x1000.jpgRan into a chap riding one of these up in Howick- amazing bike,would be well suited to KK trails.
F0rest Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 That may be true, but according to the guys living in Howick the 67.5 HA is too slack ( for a trail bike) Add the 46mm fork offset, and that thing is unridable. Read the whole thread.Someone has been telling you porky pies, unless your mate is talking about the HA on his motorised wheelchair.
popcorn_skollie Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Who was it that made a 29er downhill bike demo? mmh... its google time
Ryanpmb Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 My post originally said KZN, but I didn't want to get in a p*ssing contest with a whole province. But seriously, to answer you and Spoke100: The OP already has a marathon bike that he wants to supplement with a trail bike. In my view that means "play bike". Advising him to get a bike that climbs well is just odd. A play bike is something that sacrifice climbing ability for downhill fun. Or did I miss something? Most of the bikes mentioned here will be great as trail / fun bikes. Esspecially the Spez SJ, the Evil ( I agree it is out of the aforementioned budget) and the TR Smuggler. These "new school" 29ers all have slacker head angles, lower bottom brackets and shorter chainstays, making them nimbler and easier to corner. If climbing ability is so important the OP must just ride his current bike. He can use the 60k for a trip to Whistler...or a huge TV. My post was in relation to the Evil and an owner of one saying he felt the bike (note, not only the HA) as a whole was too much of a pure trail bike for riding Karkloof. All I'm saying is I think the Evil might be on the one extreme of the options here. The OP lives in KZN, I can't see him giving up all previous forms of riding in his quest for #Enduro dominance - pretty sure he'll still do the odd Berg n Bush, Sani etc and besides most of the good stuff at Karkloof requires a fair dose of climbing. It's a flippen cool bike. I just feel, in my humble opinion, that there may be a better option particularly if it's a one bike scenerio. And it's out of budget. Back to the thread.
Ryanpmb Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Too many marathon riders just assume slacker, lower, squishier bikes will mean *** on the climbs and endless bobbing. Pfft. We talking new, 2015 (possibly 16) big wheel trail machine for 60k. Moenie worry nie. Sure, its not going to be AS efficient as a race machine uphill. But I'm willing to bet that whatever his choice is. He would be pleasantly surprised at just how well it climbs because of his low expectations. Then once he starts bombing down trails faster than he did before. Ooh jinne. Its over. He's going to sell the race bike because he needs to buy another trail bike to supplement his trail bike. I wouldn't class myself as a marathon rider...
Hairy Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I wouldn't class myself as a marathon rider...IMG_2962.JPGthat bike NEEDS a dropper post you roadie
Baracuda Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Too many marathon riders just assume slacker, lower, squishier bikes will mean *** on the climbs and endless bobbing. Pfft. We talking new, 2015 (possibly 16) big wheel trail machine for 60k. Moenie worry nie. Sure, its not going to be AS efficient as a race machine uphill. But I'm willing to bet that whatever his choice is. He would be pleasantly surprised at just how well it climbs because of his low expectations. Then once he starts bombing down trails faster than he did before. Ooh jinne. Its over. He's going to sell the race bike because he needs to buy another trail bike to supplement his trail bike. Indeed, as mentioned in a previous note on this thread, I have just purchased the Pyga 110 and are really surprised by how well it climbs and cruises compared to previous dedicated cross-country bikes that I owned. But just so much more fun. Before I bought it, I did thorough reviews of the geometry and suspension of all the "trail" type 29ers and they all seem to be gravitating towards a similar geometry. The Pyga was a bit ahead of its time 3-4 years ago, but the latest Spec, Ibis, Trek etc are all gravitating towards a 68/69 degree head-angle, shorter chainstays and a longer top-tube with a short stem. Most come with a burlier fork and a dropper post.
Ryanpmb Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 that bike NEEDS a dropper post you roadie Gawd... Along with my calf length socks, neon yellow/ green/ blue (pick one) 3/4 length arm shirt, goggles (which MUST be worn with a normal open face helmet to look especially special) and flats... I'm going to be fitting my 20mm stem with 1000mm bars soon too - cos I NEED it for #Enduro...
Robbow Posted July 14, 2015 Author Posted July 14, 2015 Thanks for all the responses. Loads of interesting ideas and bikes. To answer a few questions/points I see being raised. 29r instead of 650b - I'm a fan of them, I am comfortable on them. I have had many 26r's and was happy on them too, but the move up in size suits me well. I have had the Pyga 650b demo for a weekend and enjoyed the bike a lot, but was happier to get back on the 29r. Nothing against them at all, just preference. Enduro bike - I'm not interested in Enduro's, we ride large sections of the Karkloof and Giba enduro routes, but I do it for fun and not for time. Riding type - I still have my marathon bike and will use it for long races (Hill2Hill, Stage races, K2C etc) This new bike is for me going to be used as my regular weekend bike, so it doesn't have to be a racebike, just something that is fun to ride up or down. I know that some will be better climbers than others and vice versa some will go downhill better. I'm looking for a nice compromise, that can be good for 50km rides, and singletrack fun. Anyone who is familiar with Karkloof/Howick area knows the type of trails we have here and what would work well. I am starting to ponder the idea of building something up instead of a complete bike as there seem to be many great frames and then you can spec. What are good options for Forks, Wheels, Cockpit?
Spoke101 Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 I wanted to buy one about 6 months ago, before buying my Stumpy. Local importers told me they no longer import this model. Last time I heard, Santa Cruz have stopped making the LT completely.We will still be bringing them in[emoji1] production has hit a snag but will be getting new bikes in January.
Spoke101 Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 No being funny here .... but 14K for shipping ... holly smokes!Jip I was shocked and thought the guy was joking till I got told roughly the same price by 2 other companies.
Spoke101 Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Just to set the record straight my previous comment about the Evil pedaling like a DH bike was a non successful attempt at sarcasm. ????
Odinson Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Based on the OP's latest post, I think that even something in the 120-140mm travel bracket will be best suited. 2016 Spez Camber 29Trek Fuel EX 29Cube Stereo 120 29Pyga OneTen29
Ryanpmb Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Based on the OP's latest post, I think that even something in the 120-140mm travel bracket will be best suited. 2016 Spez Camber 29Trek Fuel EX 29Cube Stereo 120 29Pyga OneTen29 + Santa Cruz TallBoy with a 120mm fork or the LT. Edit: I'd obviously be punting the Codeine but I've already had a chat to Robbow and he needs a XL. Codeines go to L.
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