Stig

You need torque on MTB 175. 170 for speed low torque fine for roadies.

Ja one of the issues I think is water bottle space. It's hot in Africa if u doing Marathon stage racing you need to carry at least 2x. 600mm bottles.???

I carry the new generation Pepper gel. Its not a spray but a gel that sprays out like a water pistol, so you dont ride into the blast. More accurate. Mainly for dogs and hi jackers. But dont keep it on your bike keep it in your back pocket, so if you are pulled off your bike that its on you.

The crank arm length has to do with a proportion to your femur length. Has nothing to do with wheel size, gearing will sort that out.

Had 2 Tallboys, best up grade I ever did was a set of ZTR Arch ex, Light tough and stiff, I'm 100 kgs

An old school thought "Drop the drugs and train harder"

Would you use 3 year old Formula R1 brakes, OR keep the brand new Magura MT6 brakes that come std on the bike?

Hi I sent you a pm.

Im a 50 year old passionate cyclist, I do approx 10 hrs a week of training. I do several stage races per year and local MTN marathon races. However racing is not my goal it's purely participation. My budget is R40k. 2013 Specialised Epic comp carbon OR 2013 Scott Spark 910, I have chosen these two because I'm 92 kg and like to lock out or restrict rear suspension bob.

Just pay the R199 for DHL Speed Services, 2 to 3 days delivered to you door. Its worth it.

Depends on the terrain you are riding and what you weigh. Gear ratios is all about power to weight ratios. Less than 85kgs 2x10 with 26/39 ratio is fine for most marathon/ trail riding.cassette 11/36. More than 85kgs 2 x 10 better with 24/38 with 11/36 cassette. Remember you have wheels that are 10% larger in diam than before. So your final drive ratio is automatically larger.

it doesnt matter how it happened, its tragic and sad, RIP brother

Had R1's on my previous bike for 2 years, now have new 2012 XTR race brakes. The stopping power of both is similar, but the sensitivity and bite point of the R1's are superior.

I have owned two Tallboys, the most plush ride out there. Bike is very stiff and light. However the geometry of the Tallboy is based on a trail design bike. Depends what type of riding you do? Simply if you are wanting to concentrate on XC racing, Scalpel 2 Weekend rides, adventure riding and a few races, Tallboy rules.

Wait for the new Pyga 29er, from Pat Morewood. It's just won a shootout against all the big brand 29ers. Check out "Bicycling" magazine from March. Also nice to have a cult bike that's not mainstream and made in SA.