RudoJ

I posted a thread last week on this big 21" MERIDA TFS 800 frame a got. It really didnt look good at all as some of the clear coat was stripped but not all. Got a call from a guy who was looking for a big frame. Decided to see what I can do to make the frame look better. The end product is quite good. It still needs a polish and some decals before new clear coat. I'm sooooooo sad this isnt a 19" I used Durham chemical paint stripper, 9hours of my time over the weekend and a plastic scraper and very fine steelwool to keep the "brushed look. If youre planning on stripping the frame this way, please use rubber gloves (those yellow dishwashing ones work well) AND a mask (I didnt), had a nagging headache for most of weekend, at least my sinusses are open again So here goes, BEFORE & After What do you guys think??

I dont know how "good" the Schwalbe Smart Sams are that I bought a month ago, but I got them (wire bead) for R295-00 for both at South Bay Cycles in Centurion. They seem grippy. Took a 2.1 back and 2.25 for front. Will fit them in a about a month's time.

i just had a look on www.buycycle.co.za doesnt look too bad

Eugene and Paul, thanks! I suspected that. Not even going through the trouble of building over. But will restore it for sure. I got it for free, so might just as well give it a go. Even if I can just get a spare wheel and cluster for the IDT, it would be worth it I think

The "oke" apparently hand painted it green and what you see on the frame is just the clear coat that started to peel off as we played around with some industrial paint stripper a bit The part of the frame beneath the front bottel cage has been properly cleaned... That I like!

OK, so here goes. My training partner rocked up at my place yesterday afternoon. On his bakkie was (now in my garage) a MERIDA Matts TFS 800 frame in brushed aluminium. (long story, but the guys bike was stolen, insurance paid out, the caught the oke the stole it, he got the bike back and used the parts again, but didnt want to have ANYTHING to do with the frame thereafter) Structurally the frame is perfect, it however needs some minor "cosmetic surgery" See pics below. BUT after a bit of research and measuring it turns out that the frame is a 22-inch. my present frame is a 19inch, BUT I can be comfy on a 20inch as well. So the question is, what can I do/change in order to ride this bike if I build my parts over to the Merida Frame? And would it be OK? As you will be able to see from the pics, most of the stripping has been done. Need to finish the job to get the clear coat off, get new decalls and send it in for clear coat the same time they repair my wife's car. Just want to be sure that there wont be any problems with me using the frame before I start.

Some articles on that Carbon 29er: http://twentynineinches.com/2011/02/06/breezer-bikes-cloud-9-pro-out-of-the-box/ http://twentynineinches.com/2011/02/02/breezer-bikes-cloud-9-pro-carbon-hard-tail-on-test/ http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/breezer-cloud-9-pro-carbon-fiber-29er-mountain-bike/ Looks like an awesome one!

yeah Airbender, that's a good one, but I'm on such a high, its about a 10th on the happiness scale!

Let us know what happened dude

Just had to share this with fellow riders as the non-converted family members and friends wont understand After two months off the bike due to Varocise vein surgery and some complications I just got the green light from the doctor to start training again!! Will have to take it slowly at first but what a relief!!!

Yep, very nice website with relevant info and reviews. Consider me a fan. Always wanted to know about Breedts, will be good prep for longer races.

I bought myself a Bianchi Doss 5100 from Solomons last year for R4000-00 Alivio Shifters, Deore mechanical disk brakes and deraillers (back and front) Suntour XCT V1 fork The fork is not the best in the business but I get by. I have done amongst others the 60km Bulldog MTB race, 2 x Babbas 70km Marathons, and various other races at Teak Place, Avianto and Red Stone etc etc. Both me and the Bike survived, and we are going to do the Karoo to Coast on the very same bike. Only changes I made are Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres, shimano clipless pedals and comfier grips I will be looking to buy a new bike in a year or so, but until then, this one serves me very well. And yes, it doenst say much, but it happens in races that you pass guys on better and more expensive bikes, and yes it does give me great satisfaction in doing so. In the end all that matters is that you must ensure the bike fits you and what you want to do/achieve best. What would happen if you buy an expensive mtb and decide a few months downt the line the sport is not for you? As Me-rider said, be aware of the "hidden costs" as well BUT, having said all of the above, welcome to the most amazing sport on the planet but be warned, as soon as you hit your first trail, there will be no turning back!

Those are Racing Ralphs Try a LBS or check out CWC or this website: http://shop.bicicletta.co.za/c3-0/MTB.aspx They retail for around R500-00

PM Sent

I also experience it from time to time. Counter it bye regularly changing hand positions...bar-ends, normal handle bar grip, and then when there's a nice flat section and I hammer it, I grip over my gearlevers

I recently bought the Schwalbe Smart Sam... Still to put them on, but they seem like very nice tyres as well...in same category as Crossmarks methinks. will be running a 2.1 at the back and 2,25 front. Also not tubeless, and picked them up for R380(both) here in Centurion

Hmmm good thing I saw this thread. U guys think that the 100km route should be good prep for the Karoo2Coast later this year?

Well at least she's not sitting on her very pretty behind doing nothing, and she has the guts to attempt/do an Ironman, which I will never even dream of. So flame me for that.

Hmmm which Lube is best.......NAH lets just enjoy the peace and quiet BTW, are you finding any joy with that training programs?

Yeah it was nice Was my second time racing there. The first time I did the 70km but did the 35 yesterday. Course was a good mix of lotsa loose sand, mud some rocky bits although not too serious. Always an awesome venue and race. And I took a tumble in some thick sand close to finish. Thanks to the guy who helped me get up.

Yup, bought my MTB from Solomons Pta North, the service I got from Alone was top notch as well

I think all the bases have been covered already. It depends on how well you look after your bike. After each weekend ride, my MTB gets washed, cleaned and lubed, all nuts, bolts, screws get checked etc etc doesnt take that long and can save you some R's in the long run

I first went to see a Sport Doctor at Tuks High Performance Centre in last year She prescribed compression socks and I had to do exercises each morning and night (calf raises and ankle rotations). A middle of the pack kinda rider in compression socks at races just looks funny Didnt work that well, so I started cycling as well (at least one good thing that came out of it) Lower left leg: 1. 3,5cm larger in diameter than on right 2. brown spots all over from blood leakage under skin 3. veins a complete stuff up. Not just only one. ( I will try and have the wife take some pics and post it) 4. feels waaayyyy warmer than other leg 5. Ankle painful, like when you twisted it badly Surgeon said that if I dont get operation: leg will keep on swelling. later on I wont be able to do anything about it, injuries like curts and bruises will never heal properly. In my first race in June last year I bumped my leg against my pedals, the marks are becoming darker as time goes on. You can delay it with compression socks, but an operation will eventually be needed. So decided, I'm still relatively young, and rather do it now, so I can get back on the bike as soon as possible afterwards. It was a bit of a downer when I got the news last week, but now I cant wait

Just go a call from Leon as well. Just ordered new tyres for MTB (Schwalbe little albert and smart sam) He said I can pick them up this afternoon AND he will beat the price I got elsewhere. I really hope they continue the way things are now. they will get my support all the way

geez, if i were you, I wouldnt have blown a gasket, and then got him to pay, you just dont do it to family (or at least to some of them)