Ratty

Its not cut and dry. I had a small specialized epic and now a medium stumpjumper both with the standard stem. I found the 2 bikes feel very similar in size. So basically even the same brand can be very different. Best is to try the bike and see how it feels.

You have plenty of time to finish it. My mates took 4 1/2 hours last year and there were quite a few people who finished behind them. 2 of the guys had only done a maximum ride length of 30km's before the race and they did fine. The only technical section is the bit at the end. Even if you want to try ride it, its almost impossible as most people get off and walk. Just remember to take some energy bars etc along so that you don't run out of fuel half way through.

have u done any other MTB races? I find Knysna a fairly easy one, no major hills that are difficult to ride up, so even though its 50km's, its less taxing on the body than some of the 30km ones. I'm doing it this year with a bunch of mates. None of us are fit so we are just going to chill near the back and take it easy. I can't wait. Hope you enjoy it!

If I have to work on my own bike it will waste precious riding time. I work full-time and have a 1 year old to look after, there ain't much spare time. If I take my bike into a shop it can get serviced during the week. What I hate is when you take a bike that is working perfectly in for a service and you get it back and the gears don't work properly, the back brake needs to be bled etc etc. My bike is now at a different shop being fixed.

If was my choice then a Honda Jazz! Out of your list, I'd definitely go for the Corolla.

Anyone tried the Thule ClipOn high bike rack? I've got a 2004 Honda Civic hatchback and am looking for a way to transport 2 bikes. One of the bikes is carbon so we don't want a system where the bike hangs. I've been looking at either getting a towbar or roof mounted system, but both options are VERY expensive. Anyone who has had any experience good or bad with this please let me know.

nochain said what I wanted to say. I have always and will always be a Lance fan. I think its brave of him to make a come back when there is a chance he won't be nearly as good as he was before. I really hope he does well at the TDF!

I'm like my man to look like a MAN so definitely hairy legs for me. Preferably without too many scars. To be honest, I hate looking a men with smooth legs, its just makes them look too girly.

Auto & General decided to increase mine by 30% after I had only had my car for 11 months. I've been with them for 7 years and haven't claimed once!!!!! Original price: R650 New price: R850 I phoned around and got a quote from Dial Direct for R615. Phoned A&G back and told them this just incase I could get a discount and stay with them but they told me they can't give me a discount at all. They then tried the whole "you will lose you bucks back bonus" thing due in 5 years. I just gave them a little mathematics lesson. I was due for a bonus in 5 years. R200 saving per month * 5 years = R12000. So I lose a bonus of +- R7000 and save R12000 which leaves me R5000 better off. Plus I get a bonus from Dial Direct a year or two later than I would have with A&G. RIP off artists if you ask me. You would think they would treat their customers who don't ever claim a little better.

I always yield for the rider coming down the hill, I hate to spoil their fun. Unless you are trying to ride up a downhill track, getting going again on the uphill is no big issue. I find when I'm on a downhill, its quite noisy and I often don't hear the people coming uphill. If you go round a switchback and as you are leaving suddenly meet people going the other way, its difficult to stop and unclip in time. If you are going uphill its generally quite and you can easily hear the people coming downhill and it gives you plenty of time to find a spot to pull over.

I agree with Charvel, start with a MTB. You then have the option to ride on and off-road and you are not limiting yourself to one discipline. A MTB is also more comfortable to start with and easier on the legs.

If you have a car that is double the height of your bicycle, you are going to seriously struggle to get the bicks on top. Stupid idiot for fining you. They wouldn't manafacture the bicycle racks just for SUV's / 4x4's. Most people have them on saloon cars or hatchbacks.

We hang our bikes like this. 2 stumpjumpers and a road bike and haven't experience problems with any of the bikes. I struggle to get my mtb off though but thats just cause i'm a weakling.

I don't have details or my full name, doesn't mean I'm a dodgy seller, I'm just cautious with putting details on the internet. I have been surpised at how trusting some people are. Personally I wouldn't transfer large sums of money into someones account without some guarantee that I will get the goods. I agree though about searching for the persons posts. If you see successful previous sales then thats always a good sign.

I think its great that people take time and effort to comment on product. I like to know what other peoples opinions / experiences are so that I can make a more informed decision. you just need to use common sense and filter out the rubbish comments.

I've been to Knysna for the last 4 years and am going again this year! I love everything about it, from the cold start where you get a cup of hot chocolate and a little snack, then the beautiful forests, and then best of all the beer tent at the finish where you get to sit around the fires. What is great is that there is plenty for the people who don't cycle to do so you can bring along the non-cycling wives or husbands and they can still have lots of fun. With the town being overrun by cyclists, it makes for a great atmosphere if you go to any of the pubs / restuarants.

There is more to setting up brakes than just tightening them. I won't go into details as I'm no expert, but I've had bike shops / friends help me before when I had a similar problem on my first bike. Seriously, when I rode the same bike, the brake levers did not feel soft at all. 3 of our friends bought the hardrock and none of them have complained about the brakes being soft and the one guy is a very nervous rider. Question is, where your brakes very soft before the service? From what you said now, it sounds like something they did during the service stuffed the brakes up. I would take it to another bike shop and see if they can sort it out for you before going and spending huge amounts of unnecessary money.

Are you sure the brakes are setup correctly? I've ridden a mates Hardrock and while the brakes are not quite as good as mine (avid juicy 7's), they are perfectly adaquate. I rode down Jonkershoek on the bike with no problems. Ratty2009-03-31 01:51:50

I'm so sorry to hear about Vic's bike, he must be devestated. Its an expensive bike and I'm sure not too many people have the same one so lets all please keep a look out and spread the word!

Wind can't get any worse than it was yesterday, so if you completed the course yesterday, every year afterwards will seem easy! I can understand them stopping people. most people coming through at that time are extremely tired and that downhill was extremely dangerous.

Yesterday was insane. if anyone asks me how I did I say I survived. Being a fairly light female on a light bike I was being blown around everywhere. I actually got off and walked for about 20 metres on the downhill going towards Camps Bay.

I like to wear good quality kit, some of it you just don't get over here especially for ladies. I am almost fully kitted out in specialized gear which I got from overseas. I make the name look bad because I'm so unfit, but I really don't care and don't see why anyone else should care what kit people are wearing. Maybe they just like the colours of the kit or it matches their bike etc?

Thanks for a fantastic ride. There was too much jeep track if you ask me ;-) I thought the singletrack was great. For me a ride is not complete if you don't have a couple of close calls and / or falls. I managed not to fall, which I think had a lot to do with me having the perfect bike for it, but I certainly had a few close calls. The turnout was good considering it is the middle of summer! I now can't wait to get back to Majik forest now that I know the track a bit. I enjoyed doing it twice because you get to go faster once you know whats coming.

Just want to make sure, if you are thinking of join outriders, its ok to come try it out first? I'd like to get an idea what pace etc you guys ride at! I know the Cycles Direct guys go too fast for me :-)

I've never won overall, but have been the first lady in a few of the shorter mtb and road races. Best one was the 30km road race in the Langebaan nature reserve, I got R300 in prize money :-) Oh and I'came 2nd in the Koringberg 50km mtb which I was quite proud of.