Christie

Powershot A490. It struggles in low light with focus, indoor pics are often blurred. It has survived mtb so far, but I wont cry much when it dies.

I got myself a 10Mp Cannon "mik & druk" cheapie to take with on the bike, it is a frustrating little thing, but sometimes the light and my limited know-how shoots a half decent pic or 2. Im not in your league, though, Dangle, your pics are amazing. I lust after a 650D for more serious pics, but then there is also a decent spec 29er, pimp road wheels, TDF camping trip etc. on that list.....

The pros use them on road bikes to get their upper bodies as low and aero as possible, to save energy when the break or sprint. They often ride with the stem "slammed" (no spacers) too. Non pros do it because the pros do it. I think these stems are seen on mtbs when a road fit is transferred to mtb (not always a great idea for handling)

Some pics I have not posted from the Sani2C http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8264290335_217aea0872_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8264290441_602919a7fd_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8264290493_aabd2e5645_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8264290599_cb2ce8985a_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8264290655_26bf996b6c_z.jpg

Very nice. A bit loud, but I think it would look good with a black on black build for all components. (It would look even better without the "Look" lettering on the top tube and seat stays imo) BLEH!

Puts the rest of the squad further into his shadow imo. He will call all the shots, I cant see him riding in support of Froome, ever.

Ive seen some of those up close, the road bikes look super. Too bad his 29er mtb ht is on the porky side (my next project)

I see Hussy will retire at the end of the year. Great player, how often have he denied SA a win?

Out of curiosity, I have been wondering about the crazy prices of stuff in the classifieds. There have been several bikes advertised for over R50k, which made me wonder if people are prepared to pay big $$$ for used stuff?

Fixed

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8319961599_8be807a47f_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8319961531_407a9ceed6_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8319961503_1dc42d6bff_z.jpg

Pina was a likely target for a copies because they are heavy (extra mass here and there difficult to notice), expensive and 100% made, painted etc. in China. I would not be surprised if some of these bikes are not fakes, but parrallel unofficial builds. Imo it is crazy for manufacturers to do all their production there - but thats capitalism for you, at the bottom of the pyramid, poor people gets exploited. Only way out is to join and to move ever closer to the top. China wont have to fight a war, in 10 or 20 years they will control the global economy.

For traditional/heritage type brands, Colnago is my pick. For a high tech modern bike, Cervelo. I prefer the R5 over that funny looking aero bike they have. Some bikes around the world are still made in house by theircompanies, like most Parlees, for example (except the z5)

A buddy bought one from Maestro a cluple of months ago. For the frame only, you just pay vat, AFAIK. It is also a good idea to talk to Mike re. Frame sizes before you buy, the sloping sizes are a bit different. I would recommend buying the gruppo seperately, from places like totalcycling.com or chanreactioncycles.com. I have used them both, never had problems (for expensive stuff, select or ask for courier option, dont let it go via the post office.

Well, imo bike manufacturers had to know this was going to happen when they moved all their production to China. Pina, Bianchi, etc are still charging the same money as they did when the bikes were made in Europe, only now they get a fat profit margin off way cheaper Chinese labour. That paint job on the fake Dogma looks the part. I would guess it was painted by rhe same Chinese guys that paint the real ones.

Phone maestro in the uk http://www.maestro-uk.com/ Speak to Mike, Im pretty sure he will be able to get a black on black one quick quick.

The looks (pun)of the Looks are not to my taste. One has an Isp, which is a no-no imo, plus the kink in the top tube Looks funny. The other has a normal post but the sloping top tube&stem combo is not for me. Im sure they ride very well, though.

Last time I read lab tests from Tour mag, Pina scored very badly on comfort. Evo will be better. Even CAAD10 better buy than a Dogma imo, it weighs the same, probably similar stiffnrss and comfort.

Best buy overall = Cannondale Evo, imo. For a European bike C59.

Those Borats dont even look like Borats, rear has too many spokes and wrong pattern

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8305172640_9e16fecc0e_c.jpg

I also browsed their site. Grand Canyon 29er looks nice!

Lights out cost us some runs imo. Still, well played NZ. We had our opportunities, did not cash in on them. Our Spinners were not great, Peterson had a poor game imo.

Sabie falls on the edge of town, rolled by them every morning on the way to the start http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8293168983_628cf57920_c.jpg At the start (day 4) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8293168821_f829c31a26_c.jpg Last part of day 3. last 20km wore me out. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8293168769_c17686c7fd_c.jpg Lone Creek falls again, seen from the other side, on HKK climb on day 4 http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8293168885_d662030ab9_c.jpg More scenery from on top of the mountain, day 3. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/8293168723_7f540c1a5b_c.jpg Cheers Sabie, see you again soon! One of my favourite places :-) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8293168647_1c23cca453_c.jpg

Cool! :-)