Gumpole

what is the price difference between the two?

you'll have to post a pick... I've never seen one before and they dont seem to exist on the raleigh.co.za website

I think the problem with mixing energy gels and coke rather than water is that the solution in your tummy becomes too concentrated (non-isotonic?) which reduces the ability to absorb water. Thats why they always advise you to drink water with those types of products.

I used to use the 'gulp 'n go' gels (which I was very happy with). I used to get them at Dischem but they have stopped... if anybody knows were I can find some please let me know. Use GU now which is ok.

My impression was that Joe Public thinks that cyclists (lycra clad ones, not dikwiele) are the second worst thing on the roads after taxis. Everybody was upset about riders in groups (you way call it 2 a breast) that blocked the road and were arrogant/rude/vulgar to motorists. Sad but true.

greet them, then do what you want. If you can catch somebody why would you want to sit in their slipstream. I mean if you have a 2 hour training ride at a certain speed (ie power) you are then going to save 20% of the power by wheelsucking and even more due to the reduced speed... pointless

definitely wouldn't change to a compact at the last minute. You will become frustrated at the difference in changing gears on race day (bigger gap between 50/34 over 53/39 for example). It took me a few weeks to become completely used to the cranks.

I think you need a more detailed breakdown of climbs, as within each of these climbs there will be sections that are a lot steeper. My compact 50/34 11/23 combination worked fine for the Jock, but I think if the climbs were a lot longer I would be more comfortable with a 12/25. (especially for if you 'blow' halfway up the last climb!)

wish drafting helped going slowly up hills, then you would be in there with a chance!

I think on a long climb (not a tiny bump that anybody can sprint over with a huge effort) then P/W ratio is almost everything. LA was a very powerful rider - hence good P/W - so good on climbs and also good absolute power so good in TTing. But I would imagine a low % of fast twitch muscle so not a great sprinter (although he wasn't bad) Thats the amazing thing about cycling its not just a contest between who is the most 'powerful' . It is who has the most power, and power to weight ratio, and power for short bursts, and lowest wind resistance... which all has to be factored into different types of races + their is the whole angle of the team!

bikemax?

The difference is that because of McEwens Fast twitch fibers he can put out a lot of power for a very short period of time. (maybe 5 seconds) Boonen can sustain the power output for a longer time. (5 minutes) That is why Robbie is always completely hidden in a sprint until the very last minute when he bursts out to win. Another example: If the two were runners Robbie would probably out sprint Boonen over 60m, It would be close over 100m, Boonen would win 200 or 400m.

He has a poorer P/W ratio than Boonen so he is weaker on the hills, but more fast twitch (good for sprinting) muscle %.. am I right.? He is also quite a lot smaller so the aero drag on him at 60+ km/h would be a factor on why he is such a good sprinter.

starts next tuesday I think, even Owen deserves a holiday!

dont like the giant frame, name is almost invisable with black and blue together - are they embarrased??

Yep, Boonen is a bad example - I didn't want to bring sprinting into it. But i think the whole P/W ratio thing is completely overrated. If I can manage 225w and I weigh 45kg I will be a 'euro pro' 5w/kg and an excellent rider up 10% mountains BUT I will never win a race in SA EVER, not even the sub vets, or the Vets, and probably not even the A or B bunch, where i will get dropped on the flats when the pace heats up and be just too weak to do anything about it.

Bikemax/ Bruce: Isn't total power a lot more important (in SA) than P/W?? I would guess that somebody like Rujano or Simoni has better power/weight ratio (ie better climber) than voigt, cancellera or boonen... by far. But for total power the latter 3 are a lot better (obviously) So who would win any of the races in SA, Boonen, Cancellera or Voigt!

"keep in mind that i don't do intervals myself (know that i should!) and i also push the small blade 99% of the time but:" just put into the 53 every now and again and your intervals are taken care of. Just be careful that you dont cause a crash as you fly off the front of the bunch.

165g SLR, my bum is happy

I had mine around 165 in spinning this morning, then suddenly with an almighty surge of power and leg speed I got it up to 230, kept it around there for a minute but before i completely broke the spinning bike I relaxed and it went back to 168.

No, otherwise the distance from top of pedal to saddle will reduce by 5mm!

Merida, Fuji, You might be able to get the 2006 R*****h 7000 with full ultegra if you look around

Are you licensing to ride with the elites DS?

EVEN in a small size the raleigh rc team weighs more than 7kg

I once worked this out and (for me) it was about 14 seconds saved (incorporating time lost on downhills) per 100m of ascent. So for the argus that is about 2:30 saved on hills alone.. hardly worth it?? There is also the saving on accelerating the bicycle which might be more depending on how smooth your pedal action is. If you are trying to lose 2kg of bike parts to improve your argus rather get aero/lightweight wheels or train harder