Iwan Kemp

Yip, it does. That's why I said they are a SA company like Morewood, but Morewood is the only company that actually manufactures locally. Silverback's office is in Cape Town, but the bikes all come from the East.

South African? Not even close. The ONLY SA bike brands are Silverback and Morewood with ONLY Morewood manufacturing locally. Google Morewood and you'll find that many international riders have piloted their bikes to podium finishes. Besides I'd rather ride a Silverback than a Raleigh...and not just because Raleigh had carbon issues in the past.

What size are you and how much would you like to spend? I know of a couple of great deal on new bikes. My 2c: Keep in mind brand value, second hand value, local back-up and warranty.

R 18,950

To fully understand "expensive", have a look at this: http://s235041100.online.de/shop/category_24/Complete-Sets.html?shop_param=cid%3D24%26

...it all depends on who you know and how hard you try. The Crow2008-04-11 13:56:54

Manitou is lighter but more flexy. Fox is stiffer and heavier, but not as trust worthy as... Rock Shox Reba or Rock Shox Sid is the way to go!

Water in my 'bak, energy in waterbottle. Generaly I don't drink disolvable energy drinks while riding, I prefer Gels for races and stuff like that. I prefer the sweet taste of good ol' faithful H2O. But if you prefer you can have energy drink in hydro pack. It's up to you.

Jy kan Camalbak spares kry van hier tot in De Aar. Nie dieselfde met Dunlop of Ryder nie. Plus CB se bite valve is nou maar net 20 keer beter. Plenty mense wat ek ken het op die ou end hulle "alternatives" packs verkoop en maar 'n Camalbak gekry. MULE is 'n legend. 3l water en meer as genoeg pak en hang plek. Nie noodwendig XC race friendly nie (is bietjie te bulky vir dit) maar doen die ander 99,9% damn goed.

Also look at Merida Sub 60-D and Silverback Nabraska.

Go have a look: http://www.notubes.com/wheel_weight.php

I had the Stans/DT combo and build up the weighed a wisker under 1470 FULLY BUILD. Incl rim tape and valves, excl skewers. Front rim: 347g Rear rim: 351g Weighed a Arch and 355 last week at Bowman's. Claimed weight on Arch is 420g, rim was 405g. Claimed weight on 355 is, well, 355. Rim weighed in at 358. That's not bad. Cois: I had Revolution spokes and never broke a single one or once had to true my wheels. And I abused them. Not aimed at what I put them through, but they survived.

DT240 hubs, DT Swiss Revolution Spokes, Stans Olympic ZTR Rims. 1470 front and rear, soooooper durable and blindingly fast. For more money you can buy Fulcrum Red Metal Zero wheelset, but they weigh a bit more and are VERY expensive. Go with the DT/Stans build. I have manhandled them on jumps/drops/ruts and roots and haven't had a single issue, even though they are not supposed to be build for it. My wheels out-spin, out-roll almost any wheelset out there. Mavic SLR rims' hubs give issues and as far as I know XTR hubs are not sealed. Latest Scandium XTR wheels are getting good reviews though. I'm not helping, am I?

Cnr of Freedom Way and Montague Drive, Montague Gardens (021) 552 8285 www.cyclefactory.co.za sales@cyclefactory.co.za

Yes. Everyday weekday at 6pm and Saturdays at 2pm!

Was at Cycle Factory Store this weekend. They have a 10 - 15% sale on Merida and Giant. Saw the AM 5000 on the floor for R25k...usually goes for R30k. They also have Anthem, Mission 2000, AM 3000, Merida Carbon 907 and lots of others...all going for cheap cheap.

I'm just glad to see that you tossed a blanky on the couch. You know, so your new bike won't touch the second hand fabric!!!

PM Mr Look, Hy is die agent

I'll be there.

Felt VIRTUE. I have demo'ed and ridding and tried and owned a lot of FS bikes and can honestly say that nothing is more pedal efficient than the Equilink found on a Felt. Anybody interested in demoing a Medium Virtue Two PM me and I will try and organise.

You sure USD6.8m will be enough?

Go with the Kansas. Great local back up, lifetime warranty on the frame for the first owner and Fulcrum wheels are much better than anything else in that price range.

Great bike. In the sam price range also look at Felt Q720 and especially the Silverback Nabraska. Nabraska and TFS500 have similiar build, but the Silverback has a much better fork. All Silverback frames have a lifetime warranty. I won't go cheaper than that if you know you like mtb'ing and planning to do it often enough. Pop in to Cycle Factory Store, they have all three of those in stock.

Slipstream at 10mph? None.