JohnQ

Your telling me! According to racetec the winner did it in 1:38 at a average of 61km/h! I don't think so!

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll have a look at the above mentioned bikes and also check out the classifieds section - and give up on the idea of building up a new bike. Rather get a new bike now and then slowly get better components over the next few months/year.

I started MTB'ing about a year ago (Always been a road biker for just about forever) and got a Scott Yecora second hand bike to see if I liked MTB'ing before buying a new bike. Well the time has some to upgrade and after reading tons of posts I'm even more confused - there's too much choice Before I go to the LBS and they try and sell me a R30k bike I'd like do my own research. First thing - is it even worth upgrading. The bike is a good few years old and I would like disc breaks, so it means buying new wheels, disc breaks etc etc. It's probably more worth my while to get a new bike? I've almost come to the conclusion that its probably better to get a new bike. The next question is new, second hand or build your own up? And then the next question on price - probably the most asked question. Prices range from like R3k to R60k. i don't want to get anything too cheap that its going to fall apart but I'm not going to buy something for like R50k. Is there really much of a different between a R10k and a R20k bike (I know better components, lighter etc) but for the average non professional cyclist will this really make a difference? I'm looking at spending around R7k-R10k. Most likely hardtail because of my price range. I would like FS but its going to cost loads more (I would also like a Ferrari but it's not going to happen) Would appreciate any advise from people who's been in the same boat as me.

Doh. Thanks found it https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/98308-argus-splits-timedistance/page__hl__split

Anyone have a link for this? I found a thread with a link from last year but its no longer valid. Also can't seem to find it on the Argus tour web site.

? www.endomondo.com Nice site. I've started using Garmin Connect which works with garmin mobile xt. The above site gives a error when trying to import from my mobile

Is tubeless really better? I've read a few posts where some people swear by them, others says its too problematic and prefer to use tubes.

Having been a roadie for many years I've just started mountain biking mainly to keep fit during winter until its time to hit the road again. Are there any tips/tricks which could prove useful to a newbie. I've found 2 so far. 1) Don't use bottle cages - during first downhill I lost my bottles I've now got a hydration bag. 2) Use a chainstay protector. On my first ride I thought my bike was going to rattle itself apart. I've fitted a protector and now its a lot more silent! I'm sure there are load of other useful tips out there?

Wow - nice maps!

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of useful info. I think I'll be getting the 520's. They very reasonably priced and looks like a decent pedal and I"m not concerned about the weight. I can always upgrade at a later stage.

I've been a roadie for many years and have just recently acquired a MTB. In winter I would like to start doing some mountain bike trails and with in the next few years maybe the cape epic. So with that info would pedals would you advice getting? I've looked at the cwcycles online shop and they range from R500 to R3000. I want something thats good quality but will not break the bank. I don't want to buy cheap and after a few rides it I regret it - but is there a difference between like the R500 and the R1000 pedals. I don't want to go completely overboard and buy the R2000 pedals. Any recommendations?

Thanks for all the posts. Taking all the above there are a few things I need to look at. 1) Its a mental thing - I always been bad at hills so before the hill starts I'm thinking eish - this is too much and just about give in. 2) I do need to lose a few kilos. I think I need to determine my ideal weight and then see how much I can realistically lose. 3) I'll start doing more hill work training - one of the reasons I'm probably poor at hills is I don't train them often enough (as I'm poor at hills 4) When hitting the hill my HR jumps to about 85% and I run out of air. I don't think its the 85% thats slowing me down, more the running out of air. BTW my casette is a 11x25. The chainring is a 34 gregmcc2010-02-15 11:27:08

Going to have lose a good few kilos then. How come I often see these massive overweight guys flying past me then?gregmcc2010-02-14 04:49:35