LeTurbo

Last week, a guy pulled a knife on me, but I could tell it wasn't a very professional job. There was still butter on it.

I use my Le Turbo as my training bike simply because it's less valuable. I've also engraved my name, ID and cell number on the handlebars and other exposed parts. If they take it, they won't be able to do anything with it. I suggested to Tracker at the Argus Expo that they look into developing a local unit that could, perhaps, drop into the seatpost. The Cape Town agent seemed very keen on the idea, and was going to see what their R&D Department could do. We wait and see. I also carry Mace whenever I go into less safe areas like Woodstock (the police station there is moving because "the area is too dangerous"). It's attached to my handlebars with Velcro so I can rip it off quickly - though the other option is to have it on your jersey so you can protect yourself, even if not the bike. Unfortunately, I don't think riding in bigger groups would help. It's just more bikes to steal. However, riding spread out might help. Other riders in sight could get on their cellphones immediately. The guy at the back might be the unluckiest though ... And with all the weight-saving we try to do with ridiculously expensive parts, carrying a big .357 Magnum is going to defeat the object. Cycle shorts with holsters?

It couldn't possibly be that your freewheel hub is worn, could it? Or am I barking up a wrong tree?

Well! I'm 1,75m, weigh 60kg's, ride a 30+ year old steel bike that needs a small pick-up truck to get to races, and I'm generally as slow as sh*t. BUT I can take a hill like it's a little speedbump. It's all in the gearing, me thinks.

Um ... you'll spend thousands on bikes, throw away pumps, etc, but a R35 tube is too much? And you don't carry a spare one on the bike at all times? I've tried the cleaning the valve and vaseline thing and ended up chucking it away anyway. Old slime has made my tubes gooey within a year anyway.

A more practical application of a pimped ride.

Get yourself something with downtube shifters and you'll hit the sweet spot every time. Finesse is the word.

Mampara, I'm not sure I should listen to you since you moved to the other side and became a ponce. Turncoat! But Campy comments noted. I was just thinking whether i should buy these bits at a good price, then replace them over time. the original bike seems to have been offered with either Campy or Shimano. But this is all new stuff to me who still uses a Sachs-Huret Eco ... If I get Campy, I see other bikes use Chorus or Athena. Which is better?

So I just bought an Eddy Merckx Corsa-01 frame from HeartCoppi, and there's nothing sadder than seeing it sitting naked in the corner. I did want to fit Campy ... but there's a guy I know with a box in his garage containing a full Dura-Ace groupset and Kyrium wheels. He says, "Make an offer". I don't have all the details about them, unfortunately. Probably about 3 years old, but maybe 100km per week. (They must be pretty top-of-the-range, because insurance paid him out R70 000 when he totalled his last bike.) So, two questions: 1) In principle, will they work on my new/old bike. 2) What's a reasonable offer, without schnying him or myself?

You bastards! You are all agents! I hear you, I know what your agenda is. You are here to undermine the glorious revolution. But now you must give up your ideas, you must join us as comrades in the struggle against capitalist oppression! According to my Breitling, the time has come. We must mobilise in our Lexuses, our Mercedes, our Range Rovers and Bentleys! We must move forward through the William Nicol traffic behind the traffic officers with flashing blue lights to clear the way. We must march! Yes, we must march from the paraplegic parking to the front doors of Luthuli House, and that is a long walk to freedom! We, who fought the bloody battle to get a whole lamb on the spit to braai in our backyard, we lead the revolution. Viva Comrades, Viva!

Dear Nasa! At last I've heard from you. Where have you been all my life? Thank you for reading my profile - one day, I promise to fill it in and then we can really get to know each other. Phwoaar! "Baby you can drive my car, and babby I love you!". Or maybe, "If there was a rocket ship that gave me half the lift, it aught to sell a million!" - that's 'cos you're such a spacey babe! Please send me your image., I can't wait. Lotsa love, your adoring boyfriend, LeTurbo.

I liked the bit, "details about my car". Not only highly romantic, but also well targetted to the audience.

But it's perfectly understandable: if nobody knows about it, how can they support it? However, now we know, and now we can.

Sounds like you're taking what they say way too much on trust: they say it's the hubs, and you're looking for new ones already? I think rather change your bike shop. Creaking, to me, usually means the "fixed" parts - your cranks, seat post, etc, rather than bits that are lubricated.

Reminds me of the "kinetic" bike of the 70s or thereabouts. It compressed air in the tubes while you pedalled, so you could release it on the uphills. Oh, wait, found the reference ... http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/checkered_flag.htm

Carry Mace - either attached with Velcro to the handlebars or crossbar, or there's one you can attach to your arm, which may be better 'cos then you protect yourself. I suggested to the Tracker guys at the Argus Expo that they develop a battery unit that slips down the seat post. They seemed keen on the idea, so let's see if anything happens.

Thanks Parabola, I'll try that tonight though, heavens knows, if I spend another hour doing little quarter turns, I'm going to need an ice pack on my brain. I'm guessing that there still shouldn't be any wobble in the wheel after it's put on? Okay, that's a fairly stupid question ...

I cleaned out my wheel bearings, checked for wear. regreased everything, adjusted the cones until the wheel spun like a dream. Just the weight of the valve had it turning. I tightened up the lock-nuts. "Brilliant," I thought, "It'll be awesome to ride." Then I put it on the bike, and suddenly it's acting like a lead weight. A flick that would have turned it many, many times when I was holding it now makes it turn only 3 or 4 times. Take it out again, and everything spins like a top. What the hell's going on? Also, in the event of it being unfixable, do I throw the bike off Chapman's, or should I jump myself?

You're going to get Powerade or Coke at the refreshment stations whether you like it or not. So .... salt tablets from Clicks for about R40, and follow the directions (about 2 three times a day, I think) and Rehydrate sachets at about R10 each to mix into the Powerade during the race. It's a bit late to start the routine - ideally, you'd build up a bit reserve of the salts, but it'll make a bit of a difference anyway.

12 people riding abreast, chatting away, while I'm trying to improve my position from 23568 to 23472. The guy with the iPod riding on the extreme right, in granny gear, all the way up Chappies. People who think "Passing Right" means that's the direction they should swing/sway/swerve. And anyone who passes me.

Completely disgusting posts on that forum - isn't there a moderator actually doing his job? Some of the stuff is just beyond human understanding. Nevertheless, I believe in kharma ...

An old cycling book I had recommended riding towards the traffic, especially on a national road. It seems sensible - at least you can see what's coming and take evasive action. I'll admit I nearly rode into a cyclist once, in the days before I became a recovering alcoholic. Granted, he was riding in a dumb place, past the CTICC on Eastern Boulevard. But I was drunk, closed my eyes, and found myself in the yellow line about 25 metres behind him. I thank my Higher Power that nothing happened. Guys, please be extra vigilant on early Saturday and Sunday mornings in particular - the Ou Kaapse Weg stories are mine, with more tragic endings. Strength to the families, not only of the Oudtshoorn 3. May all victims ride in peace in heaven.