Roy Davis

We all have trouble with motorists with the attitude that cyclists have no right to be on the road. Remember, our bikes are legal forms of transport and have the same rights on the road as a car. I just wish that, although bikes do no damage the roads such as cars, trucks and buses, the authorities would charge a nominal licensing fee to get over this nonsensical accusation that we don't pay licensing fees. We all have cars so we do anyway.

Hi all I would just like to give new riders some advice on starting this wonderful sport. It is the fastest growing sport in the World. It is wonderful for cardio vascular health. Builds up your legs and arms as well as general well being. Riding in the country in the fresh air is a wonderful feeling. You don't have to be a Tour winner. You will enjoy a gentle ride just bas much as a sprint. I am a 78-year old. Stopped riding when I was 16 and started again at 69. The problem is that so many think it is easy. They buy a bike and then find it is much more effort than they anticipated. DON'T GIVE UP. Start very, very slowly on flat roads if there are any in your area. Push the boundaries a little more every time you ride. After a while your fitness will have improved beyond measure. Unfortunately I lived in Monteseel at the top of Inchanga Hill in the Drummond in the 1000 Hills area of KwaZulu Natal, Durban. There weren't any flat roads near me. From the Drummond side there is a short bit of fairly steep incline. One middle-aged rider bought a new bike. He got 100m and conked out. Didn't know it was so strenuous. He was panicking. Friends were waiting to pick him up in Monteseel at the top of the hill (2.5km.) and he couldn't get near there. My friends had to take him up in a bakkie. The moral of this story is.......start very slowly and build up gently.

I have a Shimano 5800 11-speed crank with 34/50 rings and a 110 bcd. I want to change the 34 for a 39 which usually has a 130 bcd.. I wonder if There is enough material on a 39 130 bcd ring to drill it out to fit the 110 bcd crank. Any ideas?

I am now 78 but still riding. Cycling is the fastest growing sport in the World. If only more people realized what a wonderful sport it is for good health. You don't have to win races to benefit. Just a gentle ride in the country brings great health benefits. I am an audio person although my ears are not what they used to be. I often recognize old acquaintances by their voices not looks. Has any else noticed how the different bikes of different frame materials sound so different when riding? Just for interest, in my opinion, the old steel frame bikes were the most comfortable. I fell on hard times a few years ago. Had to sell my beloved Cervelo SLC SL. To keep riding I bought an ancient steel frame bike branded 'le tortoise'. Probably made by Giant. Has anyone else had one of these? It worked fine. Fortunately I have worked my way back up to a TCR Advanced composite 11-speed. Just recovering from surgery and then I will be back on my bike.

I suppose the TCR frame and fork that were victim of the blind driver are long gone. If not I would like them and the seat post.

I ride a pair of Equinox tubbies. I weigh 100 kg. Absolutely no complaints. They ride like silk.

Carbon rim brake clinchers are not a good option. The braking surface is right by the clincher hooks. The heat buildup is enormous. The clincher hooks go soft and this can lead to failure. If this happens at speed you know what could happen.

Not a comment about bikes in particular but we have not begun to see what the chinese are capable of yet. Many expensive, branded frames are made in china. You are paying three times the price for the name only.