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Hmm, ewep its difficult. ..........but that said 99% of manufacturers (and I am talking of not only cycles and related parts here) do offer an INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE. They well know the world is not static and we are a travelling people, so they (the manufacturer) will usually honour any and all claims within the specified period, - they really dont care where the item was purchased, its immaterial to them as they sell globally, what is important to them is customer relations and how their product is percieved in the market. The issue ALMOST ALWAYS arises with the nominated distributor. The manufacturer gives them authority to accept or reject any / all claims and will usually support their decision and refer all queries to them, so, generally, if the distributor has the attitude that if he didnt profit from it, and he wont support it, you will get this kind of scenario(no support) and the cold shoulder. However, IT MUST BE NOTED, this is not necessarily the manufacturers view on the matter, and sometimes it pays to put your case to them. This (no profit, no support attitude) is not a universally accepted practise though, a lot of distributors take the view that assisting the consumer with a problem now, will improve his chances of getting the sale next time, and will try do their best, but, sadly, in a small, immature businnes enviroment like cyles in SA its unlikely.

Hmmm, by the same token, perhaps he could consider some of the posts here and change......................maybe.?

Yes, Porky, I couldnt have put it better myself and I studied langauge for years. I am always amazed at how normal honest, people who shudder at the crime statistics in the country, feel its "okay" to go out daily and perpetuate traffic misdemenours on a regular basis, and then try and justify it in some obscure way like "we only do it before 6.30am, or we only jump the light if somebody hollers "safe", or my favourite, it wouldnt be much of a training ride if we stopped at every light, or Ill loose the bunch, or everybody else dos it, or, whatever! Is it okay to steal a candy bar from the corner cafee because the chances of getting caught are less than a supermarket, with cameras, videos and security? Of course not.! But its the same mentality. That said I also believe in "Karma" or "The Rule Of Life" and its very simple "What you give out, is exactly what you will get back". So, if you choose to live a violent, arrogant, disrespectfull life, thats exactly how you will be treated, in a "violent, arrogant and disrespectfull" way. Think its silly and a load of hocus pocus.? Try it next time you are out on the road, instead of scowling at the drivers, smile at them, wave to the pretty girl in the car next to you, stop at lights and put a foot down at stop streets, allow cars through before you, think happy thoughts, think safe thoughts, if the bunch jumps lights, ride on your own, obey the law, be respectfull and humble. You will be surprised how others will treat you. Exactly as you have treated them!. widget2007-12-22 01:50:03

Yeah, agree grey owl, you cant go wrong with the Garmin. I am a Garmin freak, I have 4 of em and I have just bought another for the wife the "STREETPILOT C510" - their mapping is superb and I use mine every day.Its just so convenient. I just love their little ditti - "Without us (Garmin) you will be lost".

Hee,Hee, okay sorry. Have fun. Lets hear what you decided on.

Yup, a good post porky. I think the point on fat and muscle is so valid, I dont think the scale is a good reflection of fat and muscle ratios and just going on a willy nilly diet may reduce the "scale weight" but is it weight you wanted to loose anyway.?

It appears this post is in jepordy of degenerating into a "brand" argument which is not what Pantani was asking about initially. Actually, Pantani appears to have lost interest in the post.! Anyway, I am always amazed at how some folk will post just to be critical, when the contents of their own post, adds little, if any, value, and their post content just shows they have a limited (if any) understanding of the subject in discussion. Anyone can have a quick peek at a web site and regurgitate the info there, but unless you actually understand what you are talking about....................well.! Sometimes, I think they just want to be controversial. Anyway, running and shoes is a subject I DO know something about and most of the info given here is sound and good. I must say I agree with Porky and Willihond, some manufacturers DO specialize and some dont. Asics specialises in running shoes, Dunlop specialises in tennis shoes,Sketchers specialises in casual shoes, - All of them do a good job -Nike makes many types of shoes for a number of differant sports, and do a good job of all of them, but personally I dont think you can be "everything to everybody" and somewhere there will be a bit of "cross representation" - thats unimportant if you are just walking around the mall and want to look bling, but if you are in serious training for an endurance event I would always suggest looking harder at a specialist brand. After all you dont go to the vet when you are ill, do you!!

Good Grief, hows the legs?........... I cant believe its two years since you told me you were riding the first one Linnega - seems like just last week. Interesting take on Phil.

Yes, I agree Porky, a gear ratio is just a reflection of you preferance - just because you climb well with an 11 sproket, dosnt mean you are better than the guy who climbs with a 27 sproket. Simoni, one of the best climbers in the world routinely uses a 36/29 combination and / or a 43/27 on some of the mountains - a gear ration you ride is no indicator of anything except "thats what suits you". As most average cyclists fall into a range the wide range clusters are usually fine (ie)12/25/27 but even then, you will find yourself favouring three or four combinations over the rest. The narrow band clusters are great for young fit or well trained individuals as they are used to a heavier work load but no good for the "more moderately fit" individual. Read what Sheldon Brown has to say about crank lengths / gear ratios and decide if you need a compact crank. widget2007-12-11 02:13:44

- you gotta get out more Delgado.!

I dont think he had too many options, at 34 he was nearly at the end of his career anyway. I always liked Vino, he didnt say much, did what he had to do and "injected" (no pun intended) a lot of interest into some otherwise dead boring races, very sad, that, like Heras,Ullrich and company, he has to end his sporting career like this.

I guess....................! .............but I am not angry and I am not ranting, however, I also dont believe sticking my head in the ground and just pretending it s okay or its not there is constructive either.

No the club charges this. A variety of reasons are given mainlt, time and cost of getting the entries to the CSA. Not sure how they are sent, post hand delivered (I dont know) but thats the reason.

..................I recieved today from the club my wife and I belong to. Basically the jist of it is that they will be charging a R25.00 admin fee per member to process (the massive extra work load of ?) License applications, and furthermore if you have not handed them in by (a noted date) there will be a further R50.00 penalty per member to process the late license applications. After chatting to a few mates I find out that this is not the only club doing this. Now the CSA is quick to jump on the financial bandwagon and institute (some would say onerous) regulations which the cyclist has to adhere to, they constantally promote the idea of "joining a club" however I am interested to know "What regulations has the CSA put in place to prevent Clubs financially EXPLOITING this situation."? ...........and lets not hear the usuall parroted comment of "join another club" - thats not the issue, the issue is exploitation. I will be waiting with bated breath.

Yes, I read it, you will never please everyone. ..........but come to think of it, a Sunday wedding...................!!

Riding a bike or playing any sport can never be more important than your physical health. I spent the best part of 20 years participating in long distance running events, those that read this forum will know I have completed over 11 comrades marathons and 9 two oceans, I have run the Boston marathon and the London marathon, 10 odd years ago my cervical vertebra started to crumble, my neurosurgeon told me to stop running - what did he know - I continued - two cervical fusions followed, - again he told me to stop running - argh, I am fine - a few months later my spinal vertebra also stated to crumble, 1 spinal fusion, 6 months in a brace unable to sit down and, later been so weak I couldnt cut a slice of bread without assistance - (do you really know whats that like - I doubt it.!) and a warning from my neurosurgeon that if I wanted to see my 50th birthday standing up and not in a wheel chair, convinced me, I have to stop running!!. Was it tough? Damn right - but I like walking, sitting, driving, and been mobile more than I liked running. Now I cycle and swim, both non load bearing so my spine is not under pressure, but I can never run again. Tara is 30 years old - at the prime of her life,so much to look forward to, a family, a career, running in the park with your kids - to be paralysed from the waist down is just awefull, - NO SPORT IS WORTH THAT PRICE.

Where were they based? Companies in fixed premesis can go bust as well and disappear, its not an on-line only problem. International companies especially those based in the USA are strictly controlled, credit card operators will refund your money if these companies dont deliver and blacklist the operator, it can but seldom happens with these companies. SA has a long way to go in this regard, Banks and credit card operators here adopt the principle of "let the buyer beware" which opens the door to unsavory dealers, however you do have a few means of recourse - *If you paid via c/card over a secure site and an approved bankers merchant, you can approach them and have the person / company blacklisted, you can also tell them the goods were not delivered and the C/card company will stop their account - you may not get your money back, but you will stop them trading. *If you paid with a C/CARD over the internet or phone (but NOT through an approved secure bankers merchant, the merchant MUST hold a signed C/CARD copy, if not call your bank and ask them to return the transaction as the merchant dos not hold authority to debit your card. *If you paid directly into their account - "OH dear" - approach the small claims court.!

I think the "stretched out" position the wide bars will put you in will cause shoulder and neck pain after a very short period, riding like a "giraffe drinking water" is not going to be conductive to a comfortable day in the saddle. I wouldnt worry about how the pro team riders set their equipment up too much, they could ride a "dik wiel" and still beat most of us up the hills - get the right size bar ZeroPlay, it can only be benificial.

Thanks fellas,I feared as much, which means I will have to make a needless trip to change them - typical bicycle shop attitude, just sell it now, get the bucks and hope theres no comeback, probably didnt have the older model in stock so just got rid of these. To irritate myself further, I am gonna skip my 4pm cup of coffee, which will definately put me in a bad mood and then drop in after work at 5 pm and see what gives - that salesman is gonna hear it from me in my caffiene deprived state. widget2007-11-19 06:42:32