Lotus

Cyclists and leisure time. Good combination.

Swiss Army watch, bought 15 years ago. Still a daily runner. Anybody care to recommend a good watchmaker in Joburg northern suburbs? I've also got a Raymond Weil that needs a good servicing, and the local agents look a bit scarey to me. (BTW - that Scratch at the 12 o'clock position was from a high speed (30km/h!) endo after hitting a speed bump on a tar road. Watch glass doesn't have a scratch on it, amazingly tough.)

Thanks! It's also my first time with the Campag groupset (mix of Record and Chorus) and it feels very different to Shimano. The rear shift feels very sensitive and shifts a few cogs at a time (unintentionally), while the front derailleur takes a massive pull to get it onto the big ring. I suppose I have to get used to the feel of it.

Just finished this up this evening. Bought this bike from a fellow hubber recently, and spent a bit of time on refurbishing the paintwork (sanded and re-cleared, added pinstripe along top tube/seat stay). Decided to extend the red/black/white theme with new stem, bar, hoods, saddle. The wheels are also from a fellow hubber. I'm looking forward to the first ride!

Hi all I need to replace the wheel bearings on my Campag Scirocco G3 front wheel. It seems as though Campy parts are hard to find and pricey (I've always used Shimano and this is my first exposure to Campy, but it didn't take long to figure this out!). I see that there's an American website that offers bearings for many types of cycle wheels, but I'd like to try and get the bearings locally if possible. I was wondering if anybody has experience of sourcing OEM bearings locally from suppliers like Bearing Man? Can these suppliers figure out what the right replacement part is, if you bring them the original? Your advice would be appreciated.

Following this with great interest! Always good to see a well-loved bike get a second innings.

A Dino is arguably far more valuable today than any Porsche (with the possible exception of the Carrera GT or the GT1). Top quality Dino's went through the roof in terms of prices during the 2000s, and have kept value (more or less). I was offered a clean Dino around 1985 for R30000 - still regretting not taking it! Back to the original post now - I don't suppose the publisher of this BMX mag has any qualms about dispensing advice to his readers? Advice that might do the Aussie LBS out of some business, like how to maintain your BMX? This article really makes the point for Darwinism and survival of the fittest (okay, Darwin didn't exactly say that but it sort of comes down to it).

Done, thanks

Hi folks Going to be on holiday in December, in the George area (staying at Saasveld). Does anyone have advice on road routes, as well as danger zones (that is, if any exist)? Thanks

I see that Groupon has an offer on Saris this morning http://www.groupon.co.za/deals/national-deals/Groupon-Goods-BCP/10620284?nlp=&CID=ZA_CRM_1_0_0_263&a=1985 More importantly, there's a link on that page to a rack/car compatibility page.

Thanks for the responses. Updated Location (should have done that before!). I'm hoping to find something locally, but if I luck out I'll call on you Flowta.

(At least I think that's what it is!) I need to replace the headset (Campag Veloce) of my Trek 2300, as it's worn out and grinding and missing a few balls. My previous Trek had a 105 headset, which I'm struggling to find anywhere. Any suggestions where I could look locally for a replacement of some kind? Thanks in advance

Advert for Loctite?

@BrianMTB - well done to you! That's the spirit we need in SA.

Hi guys The fuss against the tolls has died down for the moment, but the fight continues behind the scenes. We all had a lot to say in opposition to tolling, and swore we would back OUTA to the hilt. Well, this is your chance to get behind them. Don't leave it until the last minute. http://www.outa.co.za/ Get on the website today for details on how you can contribute, and to see what the costs look like. A small donation is all it takes if everyone pulls together on this. Just think of how much you would have spent on tolls until today, and suddenly the donation looks quite small! I've made my donation this morning.

Dropped nearly 10kgs since February through low carb diet, riding less due to work (so weekends only), therefore fitness not great (but not too bad). The main benefits: Average speed on route (Cradle) increased from 24.8 to 27 Km/hr (without suffering much). Note: riding solo, not with group. Was considering changing cassette to 27 cog for Alpe d'Dainfern, but now comfortable with 25 again (could do 23 if I tried). Was it worth it? Definitely. It's improved the enjoyment level of weekend rides immensely.

I'll never forget Nigel Mansell's qualifying run at the 1985 GP, when he ran wide coming out of Leeukop and kept his foot down while running on the dirt until he regained the track at The Kink. We thought he'd binned the lap when he disappeared in a cloud of dust, but then he re-emerged and took pole instead! I stopped a couple of years ago at the top of the circuit (the entrance off Cedar Road, where the North entrance used to be) and could still see the remains of the old straight. It was quite poignant, thinking of the legendary cars and drivers that had performed (and died) there. The guys who used to race at the old track still say Kyalami was great until they started "turning left" at Leeukop. Now it's just a sad relic of the past, hidden between corporate bomas and office blocks. Dave McGregor and his cronies really destroyed what used to be a legend among the world's GP circuits (and a really great long distance race circuit too).

I gotta get me one of those motors to mount under my saddle! Give the Sunday bikers in the Cradle one hell of a surprise!

That is absolutely unreal! You have to wonder how they built that engine. The materials and engineering must be exceptional.

Being a regular rider on that route I have to agree that cyclists tend to be their own worst enemies in the PR department. The worst culprits that I see are the two big clubs, and the racing groups in particular. Having said that, yesterday I noticed that the cyclists were particularly considerate, keeping well to the side of the road (although the fact that most of them were on the verge fixing flats may have skewed the stats a bit!). I was hassled by two rednecks in a silver doublecab on the descent near Glenburn, because I dared to ride ON the yellow line while passing a particularly bad patch of broken bottle. Started off with a hoot, and verbal abuse and obscene gestures from the passenger. I'm beginning to wonder if there's a bipolar treatment facility somewhere in the Cradle. This isn't normal behavior, no matter what the cyclists may be guilty of doing.

And it stops the bomb rattling in the tubby bag

The golden era of F1. Prost,Senna and open warfare. One lap qualifying engines, rear wings like barn doors, gear levers. And Kyalami was still a great track because you turned right at the top of the hill at Leeukop (not left, as it is at the sad neutered excuse for a circuit it later became).

You may want to read the OP's link again: "What I now understand is that carbohydrates are relatively ineffective fuels for those with CR so that there is no risk that the exercise performance of those with CR will be impaired if they cut their carbohydrate intake" Noakes is saying that people with CR are adversely affected by carbs, not everybody. So this isn't universally true for everybody. But for those who are affected (and it seems to affect more people in later life) it has a significant impact. By sharply reducing (not eliminating) carb intake I've dropped 5kgs in the last month. I still get cravings for breads, but it gets better. And I'm climbing hills better too (only get dropped halfway up now )

Interesting that he bought it in Centurion - must be a "Groot Trek" to fit a large lad like that.

How fast? Depends on the medical plan you're on. Classic Comprehensive means you can go really fast, because the ICU benefit is good. A couple of years ago I hit a speed bump wrong (cleared the front end but the back wheel "kicked") on the estate where we live, travelling at about 40-odd km/h. I stopped somersaulting about 15 meters further down the road, with the frame wrapped between my legs. Not a pretty sight.