Jules

That was a good race. Thanks very much zaShadow for collecting my number. The course was a lot of fun with a few tricky parts to keep us on our toes. I thought I was setting quite a good pace until Burry and Philip passed me. Then I had to put a foot down to make sure I was actually moving

Jacques Rossouw

Thanks for the update. I'm quite keen to try the 2.4 tyre. They're not tubeless, though, are they? I heard somewhere that Conti can't/doesn't sell tubeless 29er tyres because the weight weenies say they are too heavy!

Christopher, you might as well go the whole way. In my opinion, one of the best things about a Sram 9spd group is the 1:1 cable pull ratio, which applies to the few parts you've kept Shimano! The 1:1 9spd produces very reliable shifting and is less prone to going out of alignment. It also handles a bent derailer hanger better than Shimano. I have never ridden Sram 10spd, but I'm told it's the same ratio as the road, and no longer 1:1. What happened to that good idea??? For the past few months I've been riding XT 10spd, run with continuous cable housing and it's been as close to flawless as you get. I still think Sram has some way to go before it can match Shimano on brakes, and, to a lesser extent, cranks.

Dear XXXX Thank you for your mail. The names of athletes that test positive positive are included in our annual report. As far as the Argus 2011 is concerned, there was a non-negative. The hearing of the case was concluded in December We are now waiting for the written decision from the Tribunal Regards YYYY Doping Control Manager South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport

I'm told there's a Rooiwal race tomorrow. Is anyone able to confirm? I'd like to know the time, and if it's going to go ahead if it rains. Muchos gracias

yes

Nice new route but another interminable prize giving.

Great price. But just know that the courier company used by Planet X UK is not in the same league as CRC. Stuff can take a long time to get here, and you face a greater risk of it not arriving at all. Might be worth asking them if you can upgrade the courier. I have no personal experience with the above wheels, and, considering how new they are, I doubt anyone else on this forum has either. That said, I've ridden lots of Planet X stuff and I have yet to be disappointed.

Thanks Thuggy. Another good Babba's, and a better turnout than Sunday. I just wish the prize giving could take place sooner.

They think it's too much of a road race. Not enough technical stuff. I doubt the rocks will get the better of you. I rode Babba's on a hardtail with no suspension fork, and I won the 60km. Morne Styger came third on a hardtail with no suspension fork and no gears, and he had a puncture! Just ride it. You'll enjoy it!

You'l have no problem entering on the line. The last race was not that well attended. I'm sure they'd welcome the late entry. The 35k is not at all difficult. You'll have a short section of rocks as you start the climb, and after the descent you'll have the eroded section I described above. Otherwise the majority of the race is on dirt roads that present no challenge. Some hardcore MTBers sneer at Babba's, but I enjoy it; the nature reserve is a good place to ride, and if you're lucky you might even spot some game.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! FRIB!

I did the race on Sunday and it wasn't muddy at all, despite quite a lot of rain the day before. They mentioned two "water crossings" at the start, but in reality these are not to be feared at all; you barely get your tyres wet. The only part that is challenging is the section after the only hill in the course. It is quite eroded and there is no clear path. Be prepared to be bumped around a bit. But it's over before you know it.

Some recent cases: Herman Fouche: tested on 16 November 2008 (94.7). Announced 13 February 2009. Turnaround: two and a half months. Nolan Hoffman: tested on 18 October 2009 (Amashova). Announced 3 Feb 2010. Turnaround: three and a half months. Ian McLeod: tested on 19 February 2010 (SA Champs). Announced 7 May 2010. Turnaround: two and a half months. Michael Pepper: tested on 17 October 2010 (Amashova). Announced 10 February 2011. Turnaround: four months. A rider allegedly tested positive on 13 March 2011 (Argus). Not yet announced. Turnaround: nine months and counting. What is taking so long???

Glad you enjoyed it. For anyone interested in coming for the first time, the night race starts at 18:45 at Delta Park Scout Hall every Wednesday. The race happens regardless of the weather or time of year. I've done it on public holidays, and even once on New Year's eve!

They look real. I suggest you use that info to drive the price down

Was good but the prize giving could have been about five hours sooner. There is a storm on Twitter about it. Applies to most races though.

Three things you could check: 1) Is your cable housing long enough? A dual sus can have problem shifting if the suspension movement pulls cable housing that is too short. 2) Is your cable attached to the derailer correctly. Sometimes it's possible to clamp the cable in the wrong spot, which will lead to *** shifting. 3) Check for play in your cassette.

Those are really good photos!

Jeez there are some big gear pushers on this thread

I'm sure there's nothing wrong with them. You just need to decide whether you want a Volcan, Momsen, Rapide, or unpainted no-name frame. I've been very tempted to build one of these frames as a lightweight cross country machine, but I need another bike like a hole in the head

Can't see the pics. Agree this doesn't sound right. Why not send a mail with pics to Chris King directly? I'm a huge fan of the Chris King BBs and headsets, but I buy mine direct from Aspire Velotech in the US. I choose the most expensive postage and it comes to my door in less than a week. I get the colours I want, and the price is probably a fraction of what the local okes charge.

What I heard was that Max and Jock have been riding "no-name" 29ers because Ghost doesn't (yet) sell big-wheel bikes. It's difficult to imagine the sponsor condoning that sort of thing.

Looks like you've already got a good idea. Crater I rode a 38X17 so I'd say you're over-geared there. Hazeldean is fast. You need something a bit heavier. I did it on a 14 this year. Phambili and Fountains are well suited to a 20. The real tough choice is Clarens because the first half of the race is so different to the second. If you ride a 20 you will feel horribly under-geared in the first half but your gear will be perfect for the second half. I rode an 18 there last year with some success.