Polo

I just heard the roads are washed away. We booked the house at Bergplaas for a training run in 2 weeks' time and they us informed yesterday that the roads are closed and it is virtually impossible to reach it with a vehicle.

Same stuff as www.cycling-jersey.net. Same prices too. Obviously knock-offs, but the quality is not bad, just on the small side. Watch out for the import duties on clothing - 45%.

I bought a bike in the US a couple of years ago and the site offered free shipping in the US. I opened an account with www.myUS.com. They provide an address in the US (somewhere in Florida I think). You give their address as your US address and they forward the parcel as soon as they receive it. The whole process took less than 2 weeks and they delivered the bike right to my office. I can't remember the exact cost, but it was less than R2000 in total.

Try Look Quartz as well. You can adjust the exit angle by using different spacers under the cleat on your shoe. Eggbeaters are probably still the easiest to get out of in my experience.

The Silverback is definitely a better bike overall (better wheels, better shocks). I wouldn't call KTM a famous brand, if anything Silverback is more established in SA than KTM. You can also add at least R1000 to the KTM's price to convert the rims to tubeless and put tubeless tires on - Silverback has Tubeless ready rims and UST tyres already. You could have a look at the Scott Spark 50 for a similar price, but the specs are closer the KTM than the Silverback - better frame though. My 2 cents, use it, don't use it...

Use the same product on my Scott Spark. Comes in different sizes, so fits my 31.6mm seatpost. Was about R70 at Cyclefunatic in Durbanville. I use a carbon bottle cage on mine and I've never lost a bottle on any kind of singletrack.

Try Cycle Factory is Montague Gardens (http://www.cyclefactory.co.za/bicycles/new-bicycles-from-cycle-factory.html). They're listing it at R10,100 on their site, but I was there today and I think they have an additional 10% off on all the Meridas. They called it a one-day sale, but I'm sure you'll be able to get the same discount.

I used EB on my previous mtb for 3 years. Works great - you never have to worry about getting the right side up to click in, just step on it. I have to admit they are probably not the most durable. I bought a new Scott Spark 40 this year and it came with SPD505's - entry level. This must be the worst pedals I have ever used in my life, cannot believe Scott put it on a mid-level bike! Changed to Look Quartz (on sale at CWC for R499) and they are working and looking great so far. Their mechanics are fairly similar to EB, so you also get quite a lot of swivel, which I prefer. You can also determine the angle at which you're foot disengages by using different spacers provided with the cleats. The Looks have the same soft click-in as the EB, as opposed to the harsher metal on metal feeling you get from SPD's. I went with the Looks because they seem to be more reliable and cost the same as the entry level EB, which you cannot rebuild as far as I know.

We did 13:30 last year, and I pushed my bike all the way up the pass to bergplaas. If you don't waste time at the check points 13 hours is very possible on average fitness. already entered for this year!

I'll definitely join in. I've tried to do something like this in the past, but it never really got off the ground. If you're prepared to drive it and put in the admin it would be great. I hate cycling alone!

There was a guy on the Hub before the Argus, selling corporate branded gear. He had Indola Enduro bibs for R580. Does anyone know who he is and whether this deal is still available.

So I paid the 50 bucks and entered the 2012 Epic lottery. Does anyone know what the odds are of actually getting an entry. Got married in December and bought a new bike last month (completely unplanned), so I couldn't afford to try and get an early bird entry - need the 2 months to save up a bit...

So R100 flat fee regardless of the value of the package - did not know that! Also I assume its a given that Customs will have a look at these? I've brought in a couple of things from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and it seems to be luck of the draw on whether you pay customs or not.

Just had a look at Bikeinn.com. Very good prices, but their shipping is ridiculous. They are about R60 cheaper, but charge R341 to ship it to the ZAR...

Maybe on a nice blue Assos overall...

When comparing prices on a couple of items I'm interested in (Look Quartz pedals, maybe an Assos bib if I can dodge customs...), I found that Evans Cycles are cheaper and has free shipping SA on just about everything (think you need to spend about R500). They also guarantee to be beat any price. I've been to the shop in London, but have never bought anything from them online. My question is why is everyone always raving about CRC, when these guys offer better deals?

How about guys on motorcycles with a camera man at the back getting some footage of the other 1190 riders in the race. I enjoy seeing the race for podium position (all 15 minutes of it), but the real essence of the race is in the middle and back riders. It will lead to more exposure for potential sponsors and charities and better footage to sell internationally, turning the race into an even bigger money spinner!

Does anyone know where I can find seat post clamps similar to the Specialized ones, but with a larger diameter in Cape Town (or online)? The Specialized clamps are 30.9mm and I'm looking for 31.6mm.

There's a guy outside Checkers in Kloof street CT that does bike tricks for money. This guy goes down Kloof street, in traffic, standing on his head in basket attached to the front of the bicycle An example of the kind of standing you shouldn't do...ever!

Exactly the same thing happened to my last Nevegal. Great tyres, pitty they the don't last from the inside or outside...

I would say if you want to do anything more than ride to the shop (you mention you want to do a few races) then this bike is not a good choice. Look for something with at least SRAM X5/Shimano Deore components (entry level, but with a 9-speed cassette at the back) and at least some Rockshox/Manitou fork (the lower end forks at quite heavy as they use coil springs, whereas higher end shocks use air and oil suspension systems - lighter). There is a guy selling a Giant Talon 29er in the classified for R5500, seems like a good buy. Not sure what kind of budget you have, but for around R8000 (saw it for about R7800), you can get a GT Karakoram 29er, which is very well specced for the price. http://www.gtbicycles.com/bikes/mountain/endurance/2011-karakoram-1-0-green Some entry and mid-level components, with a very decent mid-level fork. If your budget is tight, you should be able to find something on the hub or Gumtree for under R5k. The thing is that mountain biking is a bit of a craze at the moment (much like roller blading), so everyone wants to try it, resulting a high demand for bikes in the lower price bracket.

Silverback has XT front derailer and shifters compared to LX (only difference is weight) and still weigh about 700g more than the Scott. Spend the R4k you're going to save on better hubs and some carbon bits and pieces and you'll probably get close to 11kg's for the same price as the stock standard Silverback. I spoke to a guy in Jonkershoek last month - he was on his second Mercury frame (brand new, previous one broke)and already complaining about some dodgy noises coming for the back suspension! It might have been bad luck, any frame can crack, I'm just saying... My 2 cents... but I'm biased, just bought a Spark 40 and its a pretty sweet ride!

Look at the Scott Spark 40. Similarly spec'd to the Silverback (lighter and better frame) and you might be able to pick one up for around R19,000 if you shop around. It also has the twinloc system that locks out both shocks with one handlebar mounted lever - works very well. http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/product/10023/55381/217930

Thanks Jason! Really amped to try it this year...

What's happening with this race, are the entries open? The website seems to be down. Its happening in 2 months' time and still no details?