Gumpole

I've got a set of 3s, from what I gather they are the equivalent of Ksyrium elites. haven't done too many kms on them but no complaints so far. Great in a straight line!

Bike-thingy - I dont think their is tax in the USA? could be wrong. Your plan would work coming from UK though, I wouldn't bother bringing the bike over as I dont think there would be any record of your luggage leaving the country. It is fraud though!

I would maybe drop it just a little bit, wait a while and see if it is any better (although if it is perfect now, what could be better smileys/smiley5.gif).

22nd?

Doesn't the 'reserve' work on a % basis rather than heart beats? Makes more sense to me. So somebody with a min. 40 and max. 180 = 140 reserve would be better off than somebody with min. 60 and max 205 = 145 reserve.

mIGHT BE THE vo2. All the other data is correct. I think the vo2 is left on whatever default the watch come with. Haven't done a fitness test so that might be the problem. Thanks for the advice Michelle, thats amazing, what does it read if you are doing 160 or 170!!

Yeah, "in 8 minutes" difficult to do on a training ride as the last few kms are usually very slow so I'll be measuring 130 to 100! but I'll try it on a stationary trainer!

170 TO 100 seems slow.. but I must try measuring it one day on myself maybe its really good??

I am getting strange readings from my polar 725 regarding KCal used during exercise... well not strange but very low. yesterday I did 20 minutes on a turbotrainer, very hard. my HR ave was 170, max 183. KCal is 276 which = 828/hour, my highest reached on new HRM. previously I would get close to 1000/hr (on the old HRM). My age, weight, max HR are the same as previously so why the deviation?? Another example, stolen from Marius' entry to the cadence challenge: 1020kCal/hr; last time I went to kyalami, 43km (similar distance) 450m ascent (more hills) ave Hr 166 (a little higher) max Hr 181 (the same), speed 33.1 (the same).. weight 72kg (similar i think) ... and KCal/Hr is 767. How can the HRM give such different figures for two similar exercises.. please help, I are confused.

Prepare to be humiliated by Comrades runners on the really steep bits - hehe

i WOULDN'T say that they are better than raleigh but probably on a par. Look at Westdene, Cajees in Jhb or Solomons in Pretoria North. They have really good prices on 2005 model Fujis.. and the odd trek. Long drive from Jhb though. http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/

very true. Bike shops get new stock and have no space for the old stuff and if they dont sell it quickly it will be cluttering up there space for ever!!

actual weights (double chainring): 105 - 2911g; Ultegra 2576g. I think the carbon rear stays add a little weight to the 7000 over and above the all alu. 6000. if you have the $$ and you are definitely going to buy one of the 2 get the 7000. If money is tight smileys/smiley11.gif, then the 6000 is an excellent bike and probably slightly better value. If you are not completely sold yet I would look at Fuji and Merida too - just to make things more difficult for you! smileys/smiley4.gif

The ultegra groupset isn't that much better than the 105 I dont believe BUT it is definitely lighter. The 7000 also benefits from a carbon seatpost and rear stays. Have your dealer way them, I dont believe the 6000 is actually lighter.

Coyote, 15k is quite a lot. you dont mention important factors such as your weight, type of rides you do, age, injury problems. If I had 15k I would go for the specialized roubaix.

how long will the ride be approximately (distance, time)

I cannot believe that a 52-12 wont suffice unless you are an elite male sprinter! I also dont think you will feel the difference between 170 and 172.5 cranks. I am 183cm and went from 170 to 175 and didn't really notice any difference. * with the 52/12 at 100rpm you will be going 55km/h, at a leasurely 75rpm still 41km/h. if you wind it up to 150rpm... 83km/h!

Michelle, If you belong to a medical aid (discovery or momentum) they have 'vitality/ oxygen' schemes which reward healthy lifestyles with cheap access to various things, shhesh I sound like a salesman smileys/smiley11.gif. costs me R70something a month. My wife and I can use a VA gym for free (or Planet Hollywod but we chose VA as it is more convenient). VA generally have 3 morning, 1 lunch and two evening spinning classes a day. duration is 45, 55, 60, 90 or 120 minutes depending on particular class. all classes are free. Instructors range from crap to excellent, but if they generally have their own 'slots' at the same time each week so you can pick and choose. Check http://www.virginactive.co.za/ and look under timetables.

Knysna upcountry??!! - Anyway a tough race and I would recommend it. Just beware of the wet slippery roads in the Cape winter morning. previous Jock thread: https://www.bikehub.co.za/f_posts.asp?TID=2853&amp ;KW=jock

Thank you NoChain for the training program. My training started with 16 laps of Kyalami this morning.. or rather that was the plan, I gave up after 1 lap in heavy rain.. smileys/smiley11.gif

75% doing it, depends on whether I can convince my training partner to do it - otherwise it is a long expensive drive by car.

Take a standard 'argus' training program (advanced not beginner one) and add 50% to long rides and 25% to short/ hard/ strength work bits, rest is the same hey it might work?

I would say running helps your cycling a lot when it comes to climbing hills out of the saddle. Not so much on the flats. Its also good (better) for controlling weight.