racman

just spoke to my son who is in 20's. He is very interested but needs a photo and vital statistics before committing. Also please give interests, hobbies, hang-ups, favourite music, books, salary, bank balance, assets list (physical & financial), make of bike, etc etc racman2009-04-11 10:44:16

Sorry Onetime, couldn't do it today. I woke up early, took one look at the bike, took one look at me, took another look at the bike and thought ... I'm not worthy!!! I then slapped myself and had a cup of coffee and ,, took another look at the bike, another look at me and said ... Poser !!!!! I then realised that, despite all my faults (which are too numerous to mention), deep down in my soul .... I'm more of a Panzie than a Poser !!!! So I went back to bed and dreamed of riding tomorrow .....

Will take it for a spin today and give my impressions - of course it will be purely subjective and merely an illusion according to JB

Until I lose lots of weight it will only be fast on downhills Onetime but ... nothing like a bit of retail therapy to motivate one

When is the mine dump ride - hopefully I can get my HT ready by then Dirty Twin do you have and 420 classics for sale?

no man, you can't use something like that in Afghanistan!!!

And what would be a good price as little as possible

difficult to equate todey as most of the components are little used 2007/2008 purchase on BMC build. But most bought from CRC and used. Frame cost me R**** from Tokenfreak.racman2009-04-11 10:47:49

thx Hog, my next problem after the build is complete will be getting into MTB. I am leaning towards kiwi's RST but just need to know what support and servicing there is in SA. racman2009-04-10 05:09:56

Ok a few more questions here: 1) Fork - I have identified the following options: From CRC Rock Shox Sid Race Dual Air Forks - Poploc 2009 Genuine Performance in a Light Weight World! Motion Control allows the rider the ability to tune their fork with the desired level of efficiency, yet retain small bump performance. Besides being light, durable, consistent, and easy to service, t .... In Stock Now: 100mm Black - Post Mount3896.28 ZARhttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Interface/Offers/Sale.gif RRP 5617.66 ZARSave 20% http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/120/31685.jpg and compared to the RST F1rst from kiwi which also seems a good buy. Are Marzocchi's a good buy in SA - who services? 2) Pedals - what are the suggestions. Was thinking of eggbeaters - any comments?

Thx Samma - got any for a good price pleeeeeeeeeez !

Used my old components and a bit of KCNC bling, Alligator cables etc to build a decent but cheapish carbon bike. Not the lightest at about 7.8kg but most of the weight is in the following places (in order of priority and cost to reduce): 1) ME !!!!!! 2) Wheels & Tires (training wheels, tires etc) 3) Saddle Frame: Axman from Tokenfreak Build & Bits: CWC racman2009-04-25 05:52:57

What are the makes of fork that are easily and speedily serviced in SA? Any ideas?

Ok, I have the following now: 1) Juicy 3 with rotors.(160mm ) 2) SRAM x7 twists, rd(medium cage), fd, cassette 950-11-32, chainpg971 with powerlink. 3) Truvativ stylo 3.3 GXP crank with BB. Thx orbearoca And from singletrackmind: Easton EA70 Seatpost - thx guys. Need to recover a bit and will be looking at a decent fork in a two weeks time - 100mm etc. as well as making a decision about wheels.

no one seems to want to answer the gripshift vs trigger?

I see CRC has SLX crankset at around R1400 and XT at about R1700 (looks like older XT). WHich one to go for? More advise on shocks please - which are the best supported wrt service etc in SA? Gripshift or trigger? pedals - which type? Why are there specific MTB saddles - surely a comfortable saddle is the key or am I missing something?

Ok, so I've spent all my money on the wheels - now how do I pedal the damn thing !!!! I understand though - thx

Thx for the comments and help so far. Now where are the rest of the MTB hubbers...? Mampara - I was thinking of the Fulcrum Metal 5's anyway - Thx So from above - shouldn't I just go for complete SLX groupset including brakes? Anyone know of the best LBS to get a good price on this or complete build, in JHb or Cape Town?racman2009-04-07 08:10:02

Ok, so I just bought this below (thx GTJimmy) to go with my new "Tread" mag, and am going to start the build soon. As a newbie to MTB riding (actually taking a 2nd shot at it), there are a few things I need to clear up before ordering parts from CRC or LBS or CWC. Ok so for now: 1) Front derailleurs: a) Shimano seems to ave two types - Conventional and Top Swing. What are the different applications and what do I go for. SRAM seems to only have one type - why? b) Some reccomend a Shimano XT FD with SRAM rear Der - Why? 2) Rear Derailleurs - Medium cage, Long cage and then also Rapid rise from Shimano - what goes with what and what should I get? 3) Crank - I use 172.5mm for road - which size do I get for MTB 4) Stem - Road I use 100mm stem but it seems that most people use very short MTB stems - why etc 5) SRAM seems to far simpler design than Shimano but yet far more expensive if you compare top of range items. I would consider SLX in Shimano and X7 in SRAM - which do I go for or are they not similar? (Opens can of worms gently .....) 6) Discs - what size rotors for fron & back? 7) Wheels - I see centerlock hubs and 6-bolts hubs - what gives, why and what should I buy. Lastly, my idea of the build - please feel free to comment (although the hub has never needed an invite before but I just thought ....) 1) FD, RD, Shifters - Shimano SLX or SRAM X7/(or X9) - both Trigger shifters 2) Brakes - Avid Juicy 7's or ? 3) Wheels - What cheapish wheels - need to be tubeless I am told 4) any reccomendations on cranks ? 5) Shock/fork - thinking of 100mm and possibly the RST that kiwi brings in - comments Please assist as it will be a while before I win the Treads MAg IBIS Mojo so I need to build the HT to last, and plan to do short and stage races (more like tours for me but..). I wait with baited breath ..... Of course any bargain, good quality parts etc available please pm me.racman2009-04-07 07:26:35

Hi, Just checking if there are any clubs/training rides/groups training in the Morningside/Sandton/Bryanston areas?

There are also other reasons why some buy a compact. I use a 34/50 with 11-23 - better speed on 50/11 and climbing ease on 34/23 compared to 39/53 and 12-25. Also fewer duplicate gear ratios - see FSA website. I found this comparison quite interesting: ...::: 700C Wheel At 90rpm :::... <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 53-39 Rings, 11-21 Cogs 50-34 Rings, 11-21 Cogset High speed 33.2 MPH 31.3 MPH Low speed 12.8 MPH 11.5 MPH Comments Changes between each gear are the same (cssettes re the same). The tradeoff is easier climbing as the expense of a small loss of top speed. This s the lightest configuration for either set up. 53-39 Rings, 11-23 Cogs 50-34 Rings, 11-21 Cogset High speed 33.2 MPH 31.3 MPH Low speed 11.7 MPH 11.5 MPH Comments Low speed now almost the same. 11-23 cassette is heaver with gear ratios wider apart. 53-39 Rings, 12-25 Cogs 50-34 Rings, 11-21 Cogset High speed 30.42 MPH 31.3 MPH Low speed 10.74 MPH 11.5 MPH Comments The 12-25 cassette lowers the top speed on the conventional Crankset and makes climbing easier but at the cost of even wider gear ratios and weight. 53-39 Rings, 12-25 Cogs 50-34 Rings, 11-23 Cogset High speed 30.42 MPH 31.3 MPH Low speed 10.74 MPH 10.18 MPH Comments With slightly wider gear ratios the 11-23 cogs further ease climbing with the Compact Crankset while maintaining top speed. 53-39 Rings, 12-27 Cogs 50-34 Rings, 11-23 Cogset High speed 30.42 MPH 31.3 MPH Low speed 9.98 MPH 10.18 MPH Comments 12-27 is about the biggest (heaviest) cassette seen on Tri Bikes. Almost the same climbing can be achieved with the 11-23 cogs with a compact Crankset with a higher top speed, closer gearing and reduced weight. racman2009-04-04 06:53:43

who on earth are you talking to at this time of the morning ?!!!!!! Now I know how you got to 20000 posts - post on every thread at 03h00 iin the morning