Bram_on_Madone

I ride Ultegra with 11-27 and it works perfectly.

They actually have both URL's .org.za and .co.za, but both are down at the moment. In any event, they haven't updated their website (again) for a while and it doesn't list any events after the One-Tonner...

Nothing on Pedal Power, but I found this on Racetec -----> http://www.racetec.co.za/ShowCalendar.aspx?Year=2011&Month=&RegionId=9 Seems to pretty complete compared to last year. Notable changes are a new date for the West Coast Express and the Langebaan Race. The Joostenberg Vlakte race also seems to have gone missing...

Pedal Power didn't send out a calender with all the events this year yet and I need to plan my life (weekends away etc.). Does anybody have a complete updated list of all the spring WC PPA rides? Thanks for the help

Browse around on the CWC website and wait for specials - there are a couple of options. Have a look at this one: http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/zipp-team-issue-cl-wheelset

I use 53/39 with a 11-27. Its kinda like having a 9 speed 11-24 at the back with an emergency 27 ring if I cramp up a really steep climb. I don't ever admit to using the 27 though...

She forgot to change the word car to bike in the last paragraph - what a ponse!

Bib shorts are similar to a lot of other things in that at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. For myself, by far the most comfortable are Giordana - I have three different models and they are all great. I have bought all of them by shopping around or waiting for specials, etc. and got them around the R850 mark. Just watch out when you buy these online though, as you probably have to go up two sizes on your SA size. In SA I wear a Large (e.g. for Capestorm), but Giordana my size is XXL - guess Italians are little people

Come to think of it, if its an older bike, you're rear derailleur probably won't be able to deal with the appropriate clusters. Time for a new group set or bike?

Don't get a triple chain ring - its only a nuisance and increases the risk of bad shifting at the front. You can get all the ratio's need with a compact crank and cassette. Personally I don't like a compact crank, as it limits your top end speed, but I have a 11-27 at the back.

Good option - at the waterfront you can cut through the harbour if you want to avoid the N1.

I hooked up behind a gravel lorry past Nitida in Durbanville this morning and comfortably drafted it at about 75-80km/h. Haven't done 100 yet, but should be pretty possible if you're prepared to take a risk.

Since about the beginning of the year, its been almost impossible to improve your index, given the adjusted starting times and beta's they were using. Obviously when they ran their numbers, they realised that there were very few people left in the lower groups (A-D) and so they adjusted the brackets. Not sure why everybody is complaining, as people have been moaning for better ratings for months - personally I'm crapping with my revised D, I think I might get hurt a little up front there...

As long as there was some consistency in how the seeding was done, we should all end up in a group with similar riders. I was a decimal fraction away from a D and now I'm in F and a whisker away from G. I guess PPA is trying to thin out the higher seedings, but they'll probably change their mind when only 5 riders qualify for Cat1...

Thanks for the comprehensive response! Don't know enough about frame manufacture to comment on the veracity, but certainly sounds plausible.

Wanted to buy a pair of these and tried a friend's out for a few rides. Did all the tightening I could and the float was still MASSIVE. Couldn't get used to it, so went back to my trusty Shimano 105's!

I also use Cytomax, but try to use as little as possible of it. Train on water and only have 1 bottle of Cytomax for races (the other water). In the past I have also been lured into using all sorts of supplements, but have figured out that they're all basically sugary water and there is only so much your body can digest in a 3 hour race. Just eat a balanced diet on a continous basis and include lost of carbs. Eat something on the morning, but nothing that will overload your digestion (e.g bananas!) I agree with Tankman, that the more I train, the less I seem to need suplements... btw the concept "low GI" comes from the world of "alternative" medicine, so anybody that doesn't believe shaved rhino horn is going to cure cancer, should take care with these unscientific claims.

I think they should pass a law that you're not allowed to leave your bed, for fear of accidents on the way to the loo.... (just kidding) - the way "nanny-state" laws are being passed these days I wouldn't be surprised!

Could be, but whatever the reason, they're really smooth!

You mean those with a crack on the rim and the bum cassette?

The Shimano's in the link are not tubeless compatable - there is a tubeless compatable version available, but they're about 200g heavier. I've never heard of anybody that rides road tubeless without problems - the smaller tyre and higher pressure, makes it a lot tougher than on a MTB. Also, you will be a limited to a very small range of (expensive) tyres and will end up not using it. So if you go for the Shimano's, I would recommend you save the weight. All the wheels mentioned are very good, but the road softening effect of the carbon on the Shimano's clinched it for me in the end. The limited aero profile wasn't such a consideration for me, as I'm quite heavy (and weight is more important on the hills) and the winds in the Cape already buffet me without deep sections.

One more comment - how sure are you of your honest intentions if you use a separate addy to do your deals. Guess you'll have to get another new one now - irrespective of their views, I don't think a lot of people on The Hub will be doing business with either Snip or Chicababe after this.

Judging by the spelling and poor language usage, Snip and Chicababe are the same person. Also, she clearly thinks that she got away with pulling a fast one on Edge, yet feels sufficiently guilt ridden to throw in these ridiculous defenses - very "Crime and Punishment". The time period is irrelevant as it is within the legal period of prescription. The reality is that Edge probably has a very strong legal claim, but the costs and laborious pace of the South African legal system may mean its not worth the trouble. If Snip/Chicababe really thinks this deal was above board, she would have no problem rescinding it and giving back the (now slightly used) Edge wheels. This seems unlikely, but the fact that she has been active on this post means that she may have enough integrity to do so.

Like I said, I have them. They're about as good as you would expect from shimano's top of the range clincher. Very light (for a clinch), rock solid, absolutely no flex, very smooth braking and very free running hubs. Also, the carbon laminate (most of the other wheelsets recommended are all alu) means that you don't feel all the bumps in the road. This last aspect surprises me every time I put my training wheels on and get smashed by small potholes. I've put about 2000km on mine now, and they look like they just came off the shelf. Promise you boet - you can't go wrong with these wheels and CWC has them at a killer price . Just don't go for the tubeless compatible version - adds unnecessary weight unless you're one of the 6 people on the planet that want to try road tubeless. The only thing to mention (if fashion is important to you), is that they have been around for a while and a new flashier model will problem come onto the market soon.