Topwine

I use Ebay regularly. If you make sure the sellers ratings are top notch, you should not have any problems. As said above, ask if they will mark the package as "gift", that might save you on VAT, but it obviously depends on size and weight, before PO become suspicious. Paid $20 shipping to my PO BOX from China recently for a carbon fork (500 grams). Just last week paid $30 postage for a tennis racquet from the US (300 grams). The racquet was a steal compared to the prices sports shops charge here in SA. The RRP in SA is R2799, the best online price from a "warehouse" shop in SA I could find was R2500. When I queried the online shop that I could get the racquet for less than half their price from the US, they had all kinds of excuses like agent prices, high shipping costs (min $80 !, for a 300 gram racquet !), PO handling charges, VAT, etc, etc, BUT they are willing to sell it for R2250. I said no thanks of course and in the end I bought the racquet from Ebay and my total cost is R1000 ! Online sports businesses should really get a wake-up call here in SA.

This is the one I bought, http://www.dionridesbikes.com/2010/09/carbon-fiber-trigon-fork-6-month-review.html http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8Y7zogc96fk/TJpb4Cc7-_I/AAAAAAAACN8/dQliE8ApuXI/s400/trigon.jpg

I don't do major jumps, no more than 0.5 m, and I am quite light about 70kg, so I don't think I give it too much punishment. I do like to do ruff trails though and have put it through a few paces already here in the veld trails around me, with lots of ruts and mini "ravines" in the way at high speed! It handles beautifully, the way I remember growing up on a rigid bicycle. you learn to move again with the bike and is a very natural feeling for me. I was very uncomfortable with these "loose" unpredictable air forks.

Why do you say it's useless on a MTB ? I just bought myself one, and I quite like it. At 500 grams it sure is very light and I am very pleased. My Fox air suspension fork is for sale.

No, he's just a "Tank" of a man to try and ridicule another person's attempt of giving some tips.

You've got your facts wrong. I don't think JB is an engineer. At least not in the true definition of one. But he is knowledgeable in the practical side of things.

I don't see the proof of a "swiss" frame there. Some "DT swiss" components, but so have many other bikes ...

Do you have any proof of it's "Swiss racing pedigree" ?

As they say, "ignorance is bliss". "whose bread I eat, his song I sing ", or "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" all just comes to mind quickly. But don't listen to me, continue down the path of darkness.

Just keep in mind, "Reviews" in magazines are usually "paid for" in some or other way...

On the contrary, I use my MTB ONLY for MTB'ing. In fact, I used a full suspension Anthem X1 before. I like the feeling of a rigid fork. Also, care to share the "couple" of threads of people braking their carbon forks, as I can't find them here using the search item "breaking carbon forks" here on the Hub ? There are far more threads on the internet of people raving about their rigid carbon forks on their MTB's .

If you go the hard tail route, why not go the full monty, and get yourself a rigid carbon fork. I got myself a Trigon one last week for about R1400 and now I am the proud owner of a 8.5 kg hard tail. It really makes a big difference on the climbs and acceleration.

I agree, some moderator's egos are bigger than their post count.

A big up for this comment.

Do you equate Post Count to "knowledgeable" ?

Wow, Chris. If you lost 1kg/week, that means your KJoule deficit was 4000 kJ / day. Considering that the normal man needs around 8000 kJoules/day, you must have starved yourself ?

I agree, if you have problems with dicipline, stuff up on those fruit and veggies and fibre. You still have to count the Kjoules though, although it is probably much more difficult to overdo it on fruit and veggies alone.

While I agree with your first sentence, your conclusion is not necessary true. You need your energy in all 3 its forms, in a balanced way. This balance will shift and vary according to everyone's needs ito excercise regime, weight gain (or loss) goals etc. You can't just eat 100% proteien, or no fat, and expect to be healthy.

Define "a difference", and how much? Was it immediate and how much did it cost you. What did you have to do? Just interested, as I am busy with an experiment as well.

I didn't have time to enjoy the view, but I did gulp down half a beer. Nice and cold, Thanks !

It's not overly technical (the 40 km), apart from one 10-12 m drop which is not that bad, but very exhilarating. Also 1 sharp corner on a steep downhill, but lots of warnings beforehand and marshals stationed there. The course is very demanding though, with lots of continuous ups and downs and you never feel there is a time to catch your breath. There is also free beer on top of a steep uphill, or at least there was the last time. It's a very nice ride though and can't wait. The weather forecast looks good too.

Not much, but I want to know whether I am only 10 positions behind you or 20 ...

Helloise Dit WAS a great race! Ek dink nie mense kla daaroor nie. Die bietjie opondhoud by die treinspore is nie 'n groot issue nie, maar kan verbeter word. Die ding wat baie mense omkrap is RAceTec wat nie al die uitslae bekend maak nie. Dit het egter niks met die organiseerders te doen nie. Jy kan trots wees op jou dorp!

What kind of response is that? Hayleyearth has some valid points. The congestion and bottle neck on the railway track back home was an issue, even for the 55km riders getting behind 35km riders... I also want my results measured against ALL participants, not only PPA members, even though I AM a PPA member. It is just plain stupid if you ask me. They don't have to state the times, but at least give an accurate position of your finishing time.

Yes, I think early morning it will still be nice with the wind picking up from mid morning.