andretraut

Assos vs Cape Storm = Mercedes vs Toyota. A Toyota is a good reliable car, but it is not a Mercedes. Nothing wrong with Cape Storm, I love my Matrix and Nitros, but I love my Assos more.

Teardrop, I retract my advice regarding the crank set-up, just because you were rude to my favourite bikeshop. These guys go out of their way to make us cyclists here in Cape Town happy. They offer you help, and instead of just declining because of your location, you chirp them k*k. Uncool dude! Suffer on the climbs bro!

Awesome service from Albe Geldenhuys and USN....cause the boss is a mtbiker!

Hey Big Boy, I was going to ignore your stupid remark about a compact crank, but then I thought wtf, what bullsh*t is this, why the f*ck would people point and laugh. Just because they point and laugh at you? Nothing wrong with a compact crank setup dude, you ride what you wanna ride.By the way, my Tarmac S-Works is fitted with a compact crank, and it suits my style perfectly. Point and laugh at me and people will think that you are going nuts and are probably hysterical!

If you suck on the climbs, a compact crank (50/34 with a 172.5 crank arm) will suit you well. Hill training is just as important, but having the correct equipment is imperative. A size 54 (medium) is the correct size for your 174cm height, don't go smaller. Just remember, the more hills you ride, the flatter they become, but don't just struggle over the climb to get to the top, train so that you can race the hill.

Great initiative! Also great to know that my favourite bikeshop is going the extra mile for poor kids!

Hi Scultura Rider, I got my Purple Extreme from Action Cycles in Waterkant Str Cape Town CBD. Sells for R125, (compared to R90 for Rock 'n Roll) but I think it is really worth it, as it lasts long and keeps the chain nice and clean. Best kept for your favourite bike!

Hannes, I trust you are just testing our responses to this hypothetical scenario, which you have randomly selected, and that you have not experienced this in real life. However, if you have actually seen a dude riding a bike which he has obviously scaled minutes before, and you choose to rather consult with hubbers without lifting a finger, I am going to be really pissed at you! Please lower my blood pressure to an accepable level and tell as that you are only joking and that you have never in your life experienced this yourself!

I am sure this question has been raised a couple of times on the hub, but let's see which lubes are better than others. I ride both on and off road events and has tried various products to satisfy my quest for the best. Two lubes have both proved to be really good, Rock 'n Roll Gold and Purple Extreme. Rock 'n Roll keeps the chain lubricated for longer, but requires a wipe after a ride or two, as it tends to make the chain black. Purple Extreme keeps the chain sqeaky clean, almost to the point where one wonders if the chain is lubricated at all. A long lasting lube is Chain L, if you can handle the splattering all over your bike. It is rather thick, and the container needs to be warmed-up in boiling water to apply evenly, but requires a lot of effort to wipe down before your ride. This lube is in my opinion good for training bikes which are not used off road, as it is a dust collector. I have made a mixture between Rock 'n Roll and Chain L which is easier to apply than neat Chain L and it gives a very smooth ride and shifting. Because I am yet to find the perfect lube for all my applications, I use three lubes as follows: Purple Extreme on my racing road bike, Rock 'n Roll on my mtb, and Chain L / Rock 'n Roll mix on my training road bike. What is your lube of choice?

Ask yourself the question, would you rather arrive at the race with a popular choice of wheels, which are tried and tested for years, or are you going to settle for a budget set? I have nothing against Black Spade or any of the newish arrivals, but some wheels just spell superior bettter than others!

No probs with Shimano cleats on Sidis, fits perfectly! Enjoy your new sweet shoes!

What's not ridiculous about a sleeveless aka 'Macca' tank top? These triathlon-wanna-be garments is not in everybodies flavour and looks utterly stupid if worn while not performing a multi-dicipline event. If you are so desperate to look the part on your mtb, why don't you just ask the missus to remove the sleeves for you. Then at least the entire hub fraternity would not look ridiculous!

I will go with option 1, looks great. Seeing that some hubbers had the ridiculous request for sleevless tank-tops, I want to requesting the 'S' logo for Specialized to be prominently displayed on top and shorts! After all, everybody wants a Specialized one day!

I am with you on the Mavic nipple issue, however with a little bit of lube or silicone spray on the nipple now and again will alleviate this problem.

Cosborne, I have Mavic Ksyrium SL on my one bike and Easton EC 90 SL carbon clinchers on the other bike. (not exactly EA's) Both wheelsets are great, and I have not experienced any problems whatsoever. If I have to choose, I will take the Eastons, just because of their hubs, and low rolling resistance, but then again the Mavics with the broader spokes looks awesome. I know this was not much help, but I am sure you will be happy with either one.

Welcome to the hub, and to cycling! Enjoy your new ride, and don't forget to post some pics. The hubbers will soon advise on some upgrades as you progress with your new addiction! :thumbup:

Nivatus, the dude is from Jo'burg, wtf will he be riding in Tokai for? Back to slicks...they just don't look the part on a mtb, in fact it looks stupid! Rather fit a set of low-profile mtb tyres made for fast rolling and hard pack terrain. Rubena Zeferos and the Vredestein Killer Bee are two options to consider. It will make you faster on the tarmac, reduce rolling resistance, and can be used to do an ocassional dirt track loop!

Can't go wrong with the Merida...awesome bikes and they are also tops in the 'looks' department. Just remember that CycleLab will throw in a free service plan, which could come in handy. Welcome to the Hub and to the addictive sport of cycling. If you get hooked, you will soon be cruising on a top-end full suspension carbon baby...maybe a Merida 96 3000D or something similar, but until then, enjoy your new purchase, which ever you choose!

Also had a bad experience with Red, to the point where I considered Dura Ace. Chain kept on dropping on a brand new groupset, then discovered two semi loose chainwheel bolts. Problem solved. This did'nt cause any tell-tale noise, but it is worth checking your bolts.

4 hours is a fair time if you are going to do it on your GF29er!

Don't tell me its is Eddy!

Airbender, maybe we must hook up after races. I will bring a gazebo and some boerewors, and maybe you can organise a gasbraai. All we need now is some more brothers to join. I feel much better already, cause I hated those lonely rendezvous with my coolerbox!

You are wright, the route was 105km, but the bikes were 10kg. A sub 7kg bike should equal the longer ride!

This thread just brought a tear to my eye.... you guys are so lucky. After a race I must go to my car and sip on my post-race-drink all on my own!

I bought myself a sub3 bike, but after reading this thread I think I will rather just call it my dream bike. Then at least it would'nt feel like a waste of money!