supertorro

Presenting the wife's' new steed. It started with a need for shorter cranks on her existing bike, and kind of snowballed from there. After much looking around and seeing what was available at not too steep a price, eventually built up an STF with 650b wheels. I know: that's sacrilege! Still, it kept the geometry very similar to the current bike, but just moved the front wheel further forward, essentially dropping from a 90mm to 50mm stem. A not inconsequential change. The result is a setup that she is much happier with and produced some unexpected responses. Apparently it "feels lighter to climb" and "is much easier to roll over stuff". The roll over is not unexpected, moving up from 26" wheels and older geometry. All in all a successful experiment, despite a minor OTB at the end of the day. A lot of bits were existing things lying about. Momsen STF 29 in medium Manitou Marvel Pro Magura MT4 with 180mm rotors DT Swiss E1900 Sram GX 11-speed Lyne AMP crankset 165mm Lyne Dropper Post 125mm Lyne Amp Riser bar PS: To give credit where it's due: the first frame delivered had an issue, and Momsen sorted it out without problem or fuss. You don't often find that sort of service, and it bears mentioning. Good on them

A, B and C. Faced a similar question as the OP, wanting to try a wider rim. Had the option of rebuilding existing set of DT Swiss E1900 wheels. After much deliberation and waiting on stock to arrive, went with the Hope hubs. At the same price (or as close as makes no difference), you get faster engagement. That they were being cleared out and were available was just happenstance. No difference in regard for quality from either brand.

For me the Yamaha Niken is just a solution looking for a problem

He's pretty entertaining in his own way, and that he is doing it on such a tiny bike is a brilliant dig at the Dual Sport crowd.

Sounds suspect to me. You can search for companies on the site http://www.sacompany.co.za For what its worth, Full Cicle Gym Equipment is a registered company, registered to a PO Box.

The Vitpilen + Svartpilen 701 was a serious choice for me, until I rode it. Maybe I just don't deal well with thumpers but I found the engine very lumpy and not pleasing to ride. So much so, that the test ride was literally around the block. Never had such a strong sense of dislike from the get go. The 401 however, is a laugh to ride.

separate incidents. When I get to the point that I am using a hammer and spanner simultaneously I tend to stop and have good think about what's going on. I do try to use torque wrenches when applicable, but when you're disassembling 40years worth of drunk monkey maintenance you need a little percussive persuasion. For reassembly I take the time to clean threads properly and add loctite or grease, application dependent

I learned 2 lessons recently: - don't hit your finger with the 4lb hammer. It tickles a bit - buy good tools. The cheap stuff breaks too easily

I had the same view, but I'm trying to get into the habit of cleaning, inspecting and lubing the chain once a month now (don't have a long daily commute). Following the Fort9 review on chains and chainlube and understanding that the rollers actually need lubing I figured it is a better choice. Trying out gear oil for the moment and cleaning with WD-40 and/or prepsol, depending on the level of dirt in there. Found aerosol lubes to be irritating as I can never get it not to spray everywhere else. Have started applying with a small paint brush to encourage even spread, without excessive application

Gear oil Clean thoroughly, then apply oil to a warm chain. Make sure it you get the individual rollers going.Wipe off excess

hot damn! Kloof Nek. That is a bitch. My Aprilia had a malfunctioning MAP sensor and limp mode couldn't get over Wynberg hill. Ended being a good solid push over that, in traffic. Also didn't need the gym session afterward.

yep, looks like a cotic

My experience with the BMW F650GS (the twin cylinder 800cc engine now called the F700GS) was terrible terrible terrible. Poor suspension, exceptionally expensive parts, lots of bits that broke etc.. To be fair it was the 2008 model, the first year of the range, and so a lot of issues could be put down to teething trouble. The engine on it was superlative though, not a crazy fire-breathing monster, but reliable as. Pity the rest of the system wasn't up to scratch. Also, the engine isn't made by BMW, but by Rotax.

I don't understand the particular problem so many folk seem to have with E-bikes. More people riding surely increases the viability for riding areas to be attractive business solutions? So what if the guy next to me is on an e-bike. Enjoy and see you later from some coffee/beer/pizza etc. And if there are additional people needing/demanding/crying out for more trails and access would that not be harder to ignore by authorities/stake-holders/land-owners etc. I understand that there is some concern around the trails and damage done, but that can surely be managed. What am I missing here? Whether guys are on pedal cycles/pedal assist/fully electric/fully petrol I don't really care. Share the trail, we can all have a laugh. Bit of mutual accommodation from all sides and everyone's' a winner winner.

you won't be the only one gunning for last place

It was too confusing between the motorbike and bicycles, so I have stuck with right-front

It is quite simply madness what goes on out there. I commute by motorcycle and everyday is a new adventure in madness and mayhem. Having just returned from a holiday in Ireland the difference is astounding. We drive with not a single care for anyone else on the road, far too impatient and at speeds incompatible with the traffic conditions. I keep coming back to "People are just plain stupid" because it's the only reason I can think of that makes any kind of sense. Somehow, the action of getting into the drivers seat renders our ability to think coherently null and void. The best I can do is to try and stay well away from the fools out there. Except for when I'm the fool on the bike making life difficult for everyone else. An ounce of forethought, patience and consideration is really all that's required. It just seems an impossible dream at the moment

I'm wondering if anyone has imported a bicycle from Europe and used the European Trade Agreement to forgo paying the normal import duties for complete bicycles? If I read the tariff book correctly on http://www.ftwonline.co.za/OrdinaryCustomsDutyFullDetail.aspx?tariffItemId=9575 complete bicycles sourced from Europe are exempt from duties. Anyone in the know that can verify? What would you need to do to make it so?

what is the agreement with SAN Parks? In a nutshell I mean. I haven't been following so am out of touch

send it to martin paetzold in cape town. Otherwise there is Hilton Hayward of Hayward suspension in JHB Lanseria area. google search should sort you out

you absolutely must go up Molteno road. It's good for you

I think Williams Bike Shop in Somerset West might be an option??

and that makes it bags of fun to ride. Even though it's italian it wasn't too hard to fix up too.

My current italian mistress:

Da. Revolution cycles were kind enough to loan me a pyga for the whole weekend!!!!