Daft Vader

Mine is 1:1 I have some power and I have some weight...

LOL. Hell yes. Bring on the drift...

Come ride with me and find out for yourself.

Amen brother. 5.10 carvers all the way.

I'm putting in an order at the moment. Give me a mo' What ratios are you looking for?

Good old CRC. I run Saint cranks, so any 4 hole chainring should work. Just check the BCD of your crank and then go and have a look. I now run singlering on the front so I use e-13 chainrings, but you can find chainrings quite easily.

ps, look out soon for my new DH bike build. Frame is apparently on the way...

Sweet build. Big plus for the flats too. My Cove Hustler has a similar build. I take it you're running 3 chainrings on the front? If you want a bash-ring, I can recommend the Blackspire Dew lite chainguide and ring. You can run a front derailleur and granny and middle chainring. Works well. If you were considering this, I would also recommend considering different chain ring ratios. I was running a 28t granny and a 39t middle. Looking forward to seeing the pics.Daft Vader2010-05-18 09:04:43

I have upgraded to an E-13 Taco guide which has a built in bashring. I have used the raceface guide for over 2 years. I wore out one set of plastics, so replaced them. I have never had a moment's trouble with it. Having said that, I change my mind. I do not have a race face guide for sale, but I do have a blackspire dew lite double chain ring guide for sale. The RF is going on my cherry bomb.

I have a Race Face Diabolus Chainguide for sale. Works really well. I'll let you have it for R650.

I have 3 x Spank Tweet Tweet halflink chains for singlespeeds available at R380. 1 x Red, 1 x Blue and 1 x Orange. These are wicked looking and will finish off your ride.

I have been waiting since December for a parts for a Fox 40 fork. I have decided it's easier just to buy a new bike. Their service is not great in my eyes.

Or you can get em from CRC. I think about R420 per brake but that excludes fitment and brake fluid etc.

I import the components myself. It's a bit cheaper if you order the hose seperately. But it is expensive. A pair of goodridge hoses (connectors included) and fitted will cost prob just over R1000, but it not only is a cosmetic enhancement, but also has a significant improvement on brake performance in terms of feel, power and heat dispersion.

Without being daft.... (bada bing), here are some learnings that I have accumulated over the years... 1) Look at the line you want to ride, not the rock or hole you do not want to ride into; 2) Speed is only your friend if you are totally committed. 3) Have a quick release seatclamp, and if faced with a really steep and technical descent, rather stop drop your seat and drop like a stone. Once you have got that dialled, you will be able to descend with your seat up better. 4) Don't brake in the middle of a corner. It straightens the bike out. Remember, slower in faster out. 5) Relax those hands. A deathgrip on the bars gives no control and causes arm pump on longer descents. 6) Clean your mechanicals regularly. Sand and mud are heavily abrasive. 7) Learn to trust your equipment. There is a hell of alot of technology in those shocks and forks. 8) It's not always about pace, but there is also no better feeling than pinning it on a flowy trail. 9) Be courteous on the trail. Don't piss off the other trail users too often. 10) Yield if you see me coming the other way (especially if I'm descending) 11) Love the riding, always. Welcome to the future of cycling....

Whats the benefit of full finger gloves' date=' protection against the cold? [/quote'] Or not...

I have them on my Cove Hustler, but I have upgraded the hoses to Goodridge and am running 185mm rotors. They have the same feel as Juicy 5's, so are very grippy and have loads of stopping power. They are also very easy to service and to bleed.

Dude, Don't skimp on the headset either. I recommend Hope or Chris King. Otherwise, I'm with Tarmac and Bos

Congrats dude.

Swoosh

Whoa Silver... Let's just think this through before we cry WITCH... XTR Cassette - R1600 - R1900 I guess. Headset - R1000 (XTR specc'd bike, so no skimping here) Chain - R300 odd Fork Service (including seals etc) - R1000 Brake Pads?? Chainrings?? This is starting to get close and these are just estimates off the top of my head. Maybe it WAS a R5k service. If you want to run XTR, you must be prepare to pay to replace these parts when they wear out. You probably could have saved half by using XT or SRAM components. As for the fork, that prob would have cost you anyway. Oh, and this from someone who rarely uses local bike shops and does own servicing.Daft Vader2010-04-28 08:12:38

Boys, I have set up a week's riding in the Alps with ski lift access on all days. Check out the thread in the events section. The whole shebang will cost you only +-R18k (flights, chow alles)

I was going to put a 50mm DH stem on it. The long one prob won't last long anyway. I also think it looks too goofy.

Dude, You have no idea how much what you have just said is causing distress in my life. This high saddle business is driving me crazy and I wanted a 50mm DH stem, but this is an AM machine after all. I know it looks nerdy, but the guys in Jo,burg are all bloody race snakes and I have to try and keep up with them somehow. BTW, would you be interested in riding in the ALPS in August?? Strictly DH trail riding. Ski lifts up, gravity sleds down... Like this...

LOL, ironically I agree, but you can't deny the ease of training with a skinny wheel bike. ride and no wash. But the real fun is on the weekend when you won't find me wearing lycra.