bikemonster

Right. We've all heard of the awesome magic pixie dust bracelets, haven't we? Now here's the good news. You can harness the power of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and make your own PowerBalance Bracelet (also TM). Here's how. Somebody you know will at some stage buy some Approved FIFA merchandise. And you will be able to recognise it by a tag like this: See the gold, shiny bit, bottom left of the tag? Well dear Hubbers, that's a hologram. The key mystical ingredient to the PowerBalance Bracelet, home of the magical pixie dust. Cut it out and staple it onto a rubber band, Sellotape it to your wrist or wear it in a sock. Being a hologram (not TM), it will balance your chakras, polish your aura and "react positively with your body's natural energy field". I guarantee that the home-made PowerBalance(sort of TM) band will do everything for you that the "real" one does. You will still ride like a dork. Your friends will still wonder why you shave your legs. But wait, there's more! Send no money now, nor at any other time! Because at least your friends won't think you're a dopey twat for paying good money for something that really ought to be inside a lucky packet.

I'll bite. I prefer horizontal. For two reasons: 1 - The shock is out of the way of the mud and crud that a MTB invariably picks and throws around. 2 - There is no need for fancy pivots and linkages to transmit the forces through 90 degrees from the angle they "arrive" at, IYSWIM. That means that horizontal designs can be simpler in construction, often with fewer pivot points. Then again, Giant went from a horizontal to vertical design with the Anthems, and it is just possible that Giant's lab rats know more about suspension design than I do. In truth, it's prolly a matter of personal preference, nothing more. But I know which design I prefer, and I chose a Scott Spark.

Once upon a time I organised a MTB race. This was shortly after the invention of the wheel, and long before PPA timed every event. We had people riding "sweep" to check that the course was free of broken participants after the end of the ride. I guess crossing the mat makes the admin a lot easier. If every chip that started finished then the organisers can be certain that there aren't any people lying in ditches. (Other than those who choose to lie in ditches as a valid lifestyle choice.) As for the ethics or otherwise of improving your position by cheating. I'm sure it happens but really, what's the point? Pretty much impossible to cheat your way to a win - the real winner would prolly know if there was anybody ahead of her, and who cares if you came 65th or 965th? James

http://i39.tinypic.com/23m7tjd.jpg

Talk about service! I got my bike back with a new Polar, some tools and cash in the tubby bag. Brilliant! (But possibly not 100% entirely true.)

Thanks udxcob, thanks Sylvester.

O bother! One recently acquired a MTB for oneself after a protracted period of roadyism. One's fat tyre cycle arrived from the purveyor with Rocket Ron tyres. Now, my imaginary friends, do these count as "small block" tyres, or can one expect to waft merrily over the obstacles and hazards of the trail while lesser-equipped mortals flounder like flounder? (And no, I have no idea why I posted that like a posh person. 'Cause I aren't.)

Capricorn, I suggest that you rush out now and buy yourself a very large hat. This thread is no place for considered and thought out responses, it's a place for paranoia, conspiracy theory and "us vs. them" thinking. A large hat will offer some protection for the sh!t that will most likely follow, although I would be delighted to be proved wrong on that score.

Break out the tinfoil hats!

AmWay for sportsmen? So how does one know that a particular product has boosted their own immune system? Come to that, how does an individual know the state of their immune system? What does "maximum protection against environmental toxins" acshly mean?

Gorgonzola's advice is a bit off. (Cheese-related pun there.) The 'Dis' is re-set after every exercise automatically. The trip ('Tri') runs as an odometer unless reset. To download exercises you need the Polar software on your PC and unless your PC has an IR port you will need a USB IR adapter. Generic versions of these run to between R70 and R200 or you can buy the Polar one for about R500,000 (slight exaggeration but Polar charge like wounded bulls). Download, plug in the IR adapter and switch it on via the Polar software, then press bottom right button on the HRM and you should see 'CONNECT' displayed on the HRM. Point the IR port on the top of the HRM at the IR adapter/IR port on your PC and take it from there. For more detail, RTFM. James James

Thanks CJVDM I may just take you up on your offer when you return. Have a good trip. James

180 degree change of purpose to this post - I am riding with a mate on Monday at 8:00 from WEBike, aiming to ride for 2-2.5 hours. Meet us there if you'd like to join us.

Come to think of it, doesn't have to be Majik - I gather there are a whole bunch of new trails opening up in the Contermans area, so anywhere that is within easy riding distance of Durbanville area.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The answer turned out to be a Spark 40. I thought that the Santa Cruz was the cooler bike, but it was out of my budget, and I think that the Spark is the better XC race bike. Anyhoo, the Spark is watching over my shoulder as I type this, and even though the only ride that I have done with it so far is a short trip around the neighbourhood with son of bikemonster (age 6), I think that I will be very happy with the bike.

Hi All After 6 years or so of road-only cycling, I've taken the plunge and bought a mountain bike. Between some of the recent horror stories, general common sense and huge changes to the trails in Majik and surrounds since last I rode, I would prefer to ride with a group. So, anyone riding on Sat afternoon or anytime Monday, who won't mind company? I'm reasonably fit on the road, but have no clue as to how I will be on the grubby stuff. James

I don't push my bike. My bike pushes me, dagnabit!

Sorry, Wannabe, but I re-read your post (the one that I responded to), and yes, that post is indeed 100%, full-fat, leaded, caffeine-containing, industrial strength BS. You left out the bit about your experience, and went and made a bald assertion. That assertion was incorrect and got called out. Had you explained about your experience in the first place, my response would have been completely different.

You hooked down at the docks? And you miss it? Wow! Your new job must really, erm, suck! No, wait, it must blow. Or something.

I don't know Merida's frame hierarchy, so this may or may not be a good suggestion... Do you *really* like your present frame? Do you smile lovingly at it? Are you 100% comfortable? If you answered "yes" to these questions, then blow your entire budget on a wheel upgrade. Keep the old wheels to put back on the bike when you sell it in a year or two. If you didn't answer "yes", then save your money. Literally. Open a special "slush fund" account and squirrel money away towards a new bike. And to satisfy your urge to spend your way to speed, buy some nice fast tyres. Conti Attack/Force or GP4000's would be my recommendation.

Hubber in worthless free advice shocker. Ok then, you gracious MTBer, you, try this... Buy regular non-slugde choobs and use a syringe to pierce the choobs and put the sludge inside them. Yes, you'll have holes in your choobs, but the sludge will (should) seal up the holes.

It looks like economics is making the decision for me. The Santa Cruz just can not be built within my budget. Even with relatively humble Rock Shox Reba fork and SRAM X7 gruppo, it comes in at about R2.5k more than the Scott Spark 40. I'll report back as things progress/change. Thanks to all who've contributed to the thread.