Polo

Does anyone know where I can find a carbon rim (just the rim, 38mm preferably) in Cape Town. I melted my back rim over the weekend and can't wait a month for a new one from China.

Think this is the longest climb in SA: https://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Du-toits-kloof-pass-extension&qryMountainID=15802 Take a left at the top of Du Toits, scale the biggest gate you'll ever see (wrapped in barb wire), and there is a 5km climb to the Telkom tower at the top. Probably the closest thing to an Alpine climb we have. Narrow tar road, super steep switchbacks, obviously no traffic. Fantastic views. Average gradient is 9%, but that is a bit misleading as there are two short flat/downhills sections which reduces the average somewhat.

Doesn't look much cheaper than XT upgrade. Currently R3822 on CRC, while this would be R3400 at R15/$ (Derailleur, shifter, chain, cassette and chainring).

http://www.unicycle.uk.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/k/mk2-5pennyfarthing_4.jpg Why stop there? Check out this sweet 54/18 combo. Plus its a fixie so there's some hipster credentials as well.

Any idea of the kit we'll be getting? Don't want to pack unnecessary stuff - we had to pay a hefty excess baggage fee last year.

That is exactly what I need (same bike). Who do you use?

What kind of premium would one pay for comprehensive cover on a R30k DS mountain bike? I think I'm being taken for ride (no pun intended).

Do you guys insure against damage (broken frame from crash, etc.) or only theft?

Upper Bloem St climb from Tamboerskloof up Lions Head must rate as one of the steeper climbs around Cape Town. Its only 700m, but it really kicks up. Strava has it at 16.9%, but that's on an iphone, so probably not that accurate.

Jou suster se jy het nie nou n nuwe fiets nodig nie!

I have a couple of friends who swear by Advantages front and back - and they run the non-UST versions as tubeless without any problems.

I think this was opportunistic, but if they get away with it they will try it again. I went past the police and armed response guys at about 5:30 while they were searching in the bushes next to the road. Even at that time there were virtually no other cyclists on the road because of the howling wind. Normally the road is buzzing with cyclists by then - especially this time of year.

Does it help to query your seeding? Has anyone's seeding actually been changed in the past? I dropped from D to J, because I didn't do any PPA races during the year and they have this arbitrary way of adjusting your seeding based on number of months over 6.

Check out www.tablemountainbikers.co.za Quite a few weekly rides on table mountain you can join.

Back prints are so 90's...probably why Billabong is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Remember cheap, light, strong - pick two. Spez tyres are cheap (relatively) and light, but sidewalls are paperthin. I had to replace 2 spez tyres in 3 rides because of sidewall cuts. After that I've gone back to good old crossmark at the back. Still have a ground control in front though.

Technically the Lighthouse to Lighthouse must be the cheapest stage race at R550 for two days - just bring your own tent!

'and is great substitute for cream in chicken al king' Now that would be grounds for immediate divorce in our house...

I've had a Spark (lots of problems with the back shock), Spez Epic and now an Anthem. Although the Anthem is probably not the best looking bike (personal preference), it is definitely the best allrounder. Very comfortable, climbs as good as the Spark, but more stable on the descents. I'd go with the Anthem and replace the wheels with ztr's/American Classics. After selling the stock wheels you should be at the 910's price, but with a better/lighter bike.

We did a ride from Sutherland to Merweville last year. Its all district road and jeep track, but a nice 110km with gravel mountain pass in the middle. Its also supposed to be downhill, but doesn't always feel that way.

+1 for Specialized Fast Track at the back and Ground Control on the front. The 2bliss ready versions are significantly lighter than the Maxxis (granted they are full UST), relatively cheap and grips very well. Continentals (Race Kings and X-Kings) are great if you do most of your riding in a straight line.

2HB is way more fun than K2C in my opinion. If you're driving all the way there anyway, rather get 2 days of riding out of it. Also, as mentioned, there is a great vibe at the camping site in the Hell and weather is almost guaranteed to be perfect (although rather hot).

Thanks. I've used giro gloves, but they are the exact opposite - expensive and crap quality!

Get one of these http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOSSLTD29/on_one_inbred_29er_single_speed_ltd_edition Pretty sweet and its steel with sliding dropouts. Nice carbon fork http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCAR/on_one_carbon_fork I'm sure you can source the other stuff in the classifieds section - well priced brakes are a bit scarce though. I've been doing some research myself...

Does anyone know where I can find a pair of Fox full finger gloves in a XL, preferably black. Buycycle and CWC are out of stock. I'm in Cape Town, so bike shop in the vicinity would be great as well.