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- but we know better eh??

Absolutely Cruxpearl, there is no way ASO will allow the UCI to muscle in on their events. The UCI knows this, they also know the ASO organisation is a massive concern with very deep pockets, so they have started to try and get their hands on the funds of the smaller events like the Vuelta, but when ASO backed RCI (Vuelta organisers) against the UCI, in spite they threatened to shorten the VUELTA or move the Tour of Germany to a time frame which clashes with the Vuelta, however there has been a unified response from all three grand tour organisers that they will not accept this, and, have made an application to the European Commission as to the validity of the Pro- Tour legality anyway. Expect that in court soon.!! To quote Mr Cordero of RCI "There is no longer any kind of a working relationship between the UCI and any of the organisers of the grand tours ." widget2007-03-01 01:50:03

........to punish Pro Tour teams who decide to race in the upcoming Paris - Nice event.?? For those who dont know its because of the long standing dispute between ASO (the organisers of this event and the TDF) and the UCI who dropped this event (mainly out of spite it is suggested) from the Pro Tour calender. I can only see this heading towards a clash to see who is more powerfull, as many of the top teams have already said they will defy the UCI ruling, the federations of most of the main European countries have said they will send people to assist ASO with anything they need, and individual riders have expressed a wish to ride this event as it is steeped in history, its a prestigeous event to win and they use it a a warm up for the upcoming season. Quite frankly, my opinion is the UCI can never win this kind of argument, the ASO are superb organisers (they run many events not only cycling but the Paris - Dakar motor cycling endurance event, the Paris marathon and various other prestigeous events) they own the rights to some of the best and most well known cycling events in the world, which all pro cyclists and teams want to ba a part of, so they really dont need the UCI anyway, although they have expressly stated they are prepared to work hand in hand but will not be dictated to. widget2007-03-01 01:25:54

Hmmm, thats one for the books, has it been confirmed anywhere?

CSC NEVER fired Basso, he was suspended after the scandal broke but NEVER fired - eventually leaving with mutual agreement. I believe CSC is a great team ,but they protected Basso unduly, T-MOBILE to their great credit took a stance, gave Jan an ultimatum and when he declined they fired him.

It was an inevitable (and rather sad) conclusion to a great athletic career, but, no matter what he says publicly, I doubt any team would have signed him, and definately not a pro-tour team. ..........As for Basso, expect him in court in June (the Spanish prosecutor has virtually told him, he will be called to testify) his case is not yet out of the shadows!!. ............ but, yes I agree, had Basso been fired from his team like T-MOBILE did with Jan, Basso may have found himself in the same predicament, fortunately for him, CSC played the waiting game somewhat longer than T-MOBILE and it ultimately benefited him tremendously.

..maybe you spend the time to tighten them down well, most of us have better things to do with our time. ........but seriously, removable stems are a hangover from the early 19th century when people bothered to repair valves, today they are as redundant as the horse whip - they require constant attention if you want to avoid leaks.

Its a common problem with Vrendenstein tubes Mr Mac, the biggest issue is the fact that the valve has a removeable stem,....... screwing on a valve cap LOOSENS this stoopid stem and you loose air. Best solution if you use these tubes is to tighten the stem with a pair of pliers and a dab of locktight (ie) flippin tight and locked in.!! .......my suggestion however concurs with the majority of others, "toss them", and use Michelin or Conti or Kenda or Specialised any other toob WITHOUT a removeable stem.widget2007-02-21 08:19:35

Further to this I find the name calling here by certain members appalling, , "mud slinging should be left to those standing in the mud" - make comments and put your opinion across irrespective of your position on the fence by all means, but lets desist from attacking the person and lowering the whole tone of the board.

No, but he gets cut off by a train level crossing in the Paris Roubaix, Jumps the crossing and gets disqualified. How many TDF stages have been interrupted by protesters blocking the road, or cows or whatever?? Many, let me assure you, but like normal folk the riders wait patiently and go on when its declared safe. Problems do arise, its one certainty we can all be sure of, but the differance is how its handeled afterwards.

Sorry RodTi - finger / brain problems.! Judging by your present seat height and frame slope (size) there dos not appear to be anything wrong in that size frame - certainly you can get a comfortable ride and set up on it.

I dont know bored girl, but riding a set up where you cant touch the ground from the seat dos not sound too safe to me. Any set up needs to be comfortable and safe, toppelling off at traffic lights isnt conductive to either. Thug, an "oversize" bike frame is relative, obviously if you are 5ft 6 and riding a 62cm frame its not viable, but generally if you have about a centimetre clearance between the frame and your stand over height you can ride that frame quite comfortably. Too many bike shops and fitment centres get tied up in the "specifics" of set up (and unfortunately a lot of them see it as a way to generate some extra income) but for most cyclists who dont put food on the table with their bike skills a "general" set up which is comfortable, safe and allows you to look 30 metres up the road without straining your neck will be fine. Back pain, shoulder pain etc can have many causes and not all are associated to set up, in fact most back pain comes from inexperienced cyclists pushing too heavy a gear over too long a period, nothing at all to do with set up - everything to do with getting stronger and more used to the workload.! Stick to the basics, get a good basic recreational set up (not a competitive one which is stretched out, neck breaking and eye ball watering!!) and make small incremental adjustments yourself as you go along and get stronger.

Big H - PRO-LITES are made in Taiwan at an OEM company (as are most products today) and represent very good quality at an affordable price. From what I understand, these hoops are mainly sold through "agents" in clubs etc, who obviously require less of a "margin" - the importer preferring to not go through the established retail trade, which keeps the hoop affordable.

There appears to be a much bigger issue than grammar and language here.! Perhaps it is a hoax, but if it isnt, (and I for one have no reason to suspect it is) it alledges to a fair amount of "in-fighting" going on which can never bode well for the people (read cyclists) this organisation is supposed to be representing.

I am surprised there have been so few comments on this topic, I found it quite interesting to hear how folk corrected things or "perhaps" made them work better. As I am technically useless, I personally dont change or mess around with anything, if something is not working I take it to the shop. In a way I agree with both porky and dirt rider, I wouldnt like a shop to fit some generic bottom bracket bearings on my bike when I dont know the quality of the line, fitting a manufacturer approved part gives me a bit of confidence that at least the part will work. I understand it comes at a premium, but I figure thats the price I pay for my lack of knowledge on the subject. .............on the other hand, I guess very few bike manufacturers make bearings, and just re-brand from another bearing company, so if you understand the implications and know what you are doing and what to buy, I would be happy with that. widget2007-02-05 01:16:01

Yes Mallo, interesting, because the lady on 702 also mentioned that once she had hooted, and got the proverbial "finger."

You make some valid points Porky, virtually all manufacturers (or at least those with a bit of forward thinking) understand that the world is now much more mobile,people travel and move all over, so just because you bought a product in London and now you are in Australia and its packed up, is no reason to refuse you warranty. Manufacturers will always be giuded by their official distributors on claims like this, irrespective of their fine print on the warranty card. In virtually ALL instances the distributors are the ones who are the "fly in the ointments" as it were, they are either too lazy, too incompetant, or too cash strapped (in which case its a bad idea buying from them anyway) to assist you, go directly to the manufacturers and tell them whats happening - especially if its a USA based manufacturer, (a)they have the best customer ethics in the world and (b) as porky points out there are common law legalities involved here and if you can prove warranty claim you can most certainly enforce your rights.

Hmm, I sort of listened to it, but I dont really pay much attention as most often its just the same old thing been re-hashed by someone who just wants to get on air. One point a lady made was quite valid though and not too often thought about................she said that she finds it very irritating when every Sat. a big group riding down Ontdekkers at about 8am kind of swarms all over the intersections, in between the cars and forcing their way to the front, then they pull off SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLY causing a massive traffic jam behind as cars have to wait for them to clear. ...........something we should think about maybe.??

Thank you all. She would have been 9 this year.

Loosing a child to lung cancer.

Its a personal view but I think "protest ride" is the wrong name. A "protest ride" conjures up visions of an unrully mob who go along simply to flout every rule in the book under the protection of the "protest". If the ride is to be in honour of someone, call it that, if its an awareness ride ride, call it such, in a country of "protests" many of which are simply a means of disrupting as many of the social structures as possible and usually decend into violence and or looting and misbehaving we may end up with the wrong media attention. I have done my fair share of these type of events, and its my opinion that 70% of the participants could care less about the issue, its simply another gathering where they can congregate, rumor monger and gossip and later have a chance to run / ride in the middle of the road in a protected group. If we think back to the run which was organised as a "protest run" in honour of the three runners killed in Bedford view in march last year, well I partook in the event, and it was "interesting" to say the least,(enough said) but has anything changed, and, dos anyone even remember it.............No, not really. Generally, we have short attention spans for this type of thing. So, in closing I am not sure if I am in favour of these rides / runs whatever, especially under the banner of "a protest", I think it has a short life span, can generate the wrong impression and of course the media will cover it, mostly in the hope of a controversial "happening"!! I tend to agree with the poster who said it needs to be addressed higher up, a structure must be created and a sustainable campaign must be funded and implimented,sadly, on Wednesday next, this ride will be old news and everybody would have forgotton about it!!. In the end, I guess, its a personal view and you either support it or you dont and both have their merit points, but I wish you luck and good fortune and a good turnout for the effort.