ridesleeprepeat Posted January 22, 2009 Posted January 22, 2009 Anyone know where the best place to get my paws on 29er bits and pieces in Caoe Town is?Looking for tyres and tubes/Stans conversion kits in particular.
Bos Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Hi Bowmons would be your best bet. Shane the part owner rides one, so there should be plenty spares. Titus TI also rides one and I think he gets his parts from them
buckshot Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 there isn't a wide range of 'niner tyres available in cpt. i've only come across SB8's and Spez Fast Track's and Captains. If you use tubes, just stick a 26' tube in, you won't have any problems. I had to import my own stans kit (Plus Four) for my DT rims as it isn't imported into SA, but you should be able to get the std 29'er stans kit locally.
AfterDark Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 I've been riding a 29er (Niner RIP) for year now - have used standard Stans conversion to do all my tubeless set-ups. No problems.Cylcelab Centurion have supplied all my 29er stuff; I'm sure the one in Cape Town will also be able to assist (they stock the Gary Fisher's). You can even go your own route on the conversions - go have a look at http://www.yellowsaddle.co.za/Docs/docs%20html/Homebrew%20MTB%20Tubeless%20conversion.html for their homebrew recipe. Instead of the 20 inch tube as rim liner, use a 700c tube.I've even used their latex sealing concoction - works like a bomb (is just sticky as hell). I also havent had problems to get my tyres from the Cyclelab guys - there is quite a range available in this country now - Geax (Saguaro - nice and fast - the 2009 range just came out), also have used Bontrager (Dry-X's), Panaracers (big tyre for big climbing; dont go racing with it unless you wanna feel like a tank on your big bike), there is also a couple of WTB's available in country (I'm using Vulpine's - more a tar/off-road combination, sucks in mud though).Â
John H Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 Also got a Niner RIP and get most of my stuff from Olympics in Claremont. How do you find the RIP ?Â
Groot Lem Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 so for my next epic/marathon type bike, do you recommend 29 or 26?
John H Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 I got mine cause I'm quite tall (191) and figured (Well Dick did actually) that my leg is 29/26 times longer than most mtn bikers. That said, they do go over things pretty nicely. Remember that you do lose a bit of gearing with the bigger wheel so up your tooth count on your biggest sprocket at the back.
AfterDark Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 Ok Im straying a bit from the tread now, but you asked, so: Well you're not gonna get a very objective answer from me - I can give you my story and you make up your mind - used to ride a Specialized Epic before switching over to the Rip - and what a totally unbelievable difference it has made in my mtbiking xperience. The Rip is generally viewed as an all mountain rig and not a racer, but it has made me much much faster. Went from to top 50% in races to top 5-10% (ok I got a bit fitter, but it's because I enjoy being on the bike much more).  That said - I'm a tall guy (1.97m) and the 29er in my eyes is a power bike (you have to give it some torque). On the flats I can easily keep up with guys much quicker than I - single tracks bit of a challenge as the 26ers accelerates better. The bike has gotten me out of trouble many a times; e.g time when i hit ditches and expect to go over the handle bars, which the bike just takes in its stride. Rock gardens are much easier, the bigger tyres really just rolls over the big stuff. So to get back to your question - I personally aint ever going back to 26ers. Because the bike fits me better, suits my riding style just perfect and allows me to cruise hours on end.  Best advice I can give you is to go demo one - take it out on to your fav track; one that you know well, go for those tricky spots and feel the difference. It stays a personal decision.
Growler Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 Could not have said it better.I am 2m tall and definitely prefer the GF Hi Fi Pro 29er to the Mongoose Cannaan Team that I rode before it.  Although the 'goose was a great bike, the 29er is a better fit and suits my riding style.
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