Mook

I get your point Jewbacca, Perhaps I should have explained in great detail. I do not perform the paraffin ritual with every chainwash. Paraffin has an oil base and does no harm to the metal like thinners or petrol. To give you an example of a test I did personally. After degreasing and washing as I normally would do, I allowed a relatively new chain to dry completely and dunked it into paraffin. I got the shock of my life when the paraffin turned a ominous dark grey within 15 minutes. The amount of crap the paraffin washed out of the rollers was short of crazy, AND this stuff had a metal substance because they stuck to the magnet that I sunk into the jar to test the nature of what was coming out of my "clean" chain. This gunk is silently chewing away your chain from the inside. There's plenty of online clips to this effect, BUT the above was my personal experience. I fully agree with your statement with regard the overcleaning of a chain, but the cost of components justifies some research into ways to make them last longer. I tried the paraffin hack and it works. I get mega miles out of my chains. If paraffin, as an occasional cleaning solvent, is not your scene, no sweat ????

Stikkigloo, I had this happen to me once before with another big brand chain. Turned out that the factory lube had not been rinsed out properly before use. The stuff they use on some chains are marginally short of clear tar. I take a mayo jar and fill it with 200ml paraffin into which I then soak the new chain for an hour or so. Once removed from the paraffin, I rinse with water and wash with a detergent or good quality concentrated cleaner. Hang out to dry and blast out any water left inside the rollers with an air compressor. If you have no access to a compressor, a vacuum cleaner will blow out moisture. Once dry, fit on bike and lube as per normal. NEVER overlube your chain. Wax lubes can eventually cause links to become stiff when the chain is coated with excessive amounts of dry lube. I run my chains through a dry rag after allowing the lube to sit for 30 minutes. You need the lube between the links and rollers - not on the outer surfaces of the chain, where it will probably only collect dirt and add no lubrication value. Less is more (MHO) ????

Cheapies with the right pressure will outrun most uber brands with incorrect pressure. I for one still battle to get my tyres on the right pressure for varying surface types in a ride ???? You tend to go too hard most of the times in an attempt to cut down rolling resistance - and end up paying the price when you need grip in corners ........ ????

Had my 2013 Epic rear suspension serviced by Spez Cape Town. It is a known fact that, if serviceable, they swap out your Shock+Brain with another unit that has been serviced already - and charge you R1.5k. They do not replace your original components, hence you could end up with a rear setup that's had 1000hr's of hammering compared to your 150hr TLC babe. For what it's worth

To the Applestolics and the Droids out there ........ Personally I have not had issues with notifications when a chat is waiting on my response. What I have found: 1) Seller does not monitor his inbox for responses to his ad. The notification is there, but he uses his office e-mail, hence does not see anything between Friday noon and Monday morning, or whenever he gets to the office. 2) You contact the seller, he responds immediately with a typical "I will check for you when I am at home", just to eventually get hold of him 4 days later - and he tells you it is sold In my opinion the application, platform or portal causes roughly 10% of "failures"

Even the Post Office got fresh. When your parcel comes in under the duties/VAT radar, they slap you with a minimum charge of R25 odd for "admin/handling costs". Nothing mahala any longer

hi guys, Looking for a decent 26" MTB Rim that can be converted to TL, or is TLR. Need to replace my front wheel rim since I have danged the brake surface. Wheel set is virtually brand new, hence my plan to rebuild front wheel with another hoop only - if cost can be justified. Spec's: 26" (naturally) Width: 23mm (ish) 32 Hole RIM brake Non-Disc Color: Black Do you have something worth building over lying around your cave or garage? Many thanx

Just noticed this morning that Ecobound wants 50% on top of your entry fee simply to do a transfer of your 2020 entry. Your 2021/2022 or 2023 TB will effectively cost you R1.9k in entry fee. While I fully support the transfer initiative in principle, I am of the opinion that Ecobound pushed it a wee bit far this time. R650 on top of your entry fee is very stiff. Admittedly the Covid curve ball was not a result of Ecobound's doings, BUT neither was it anyone of the +-1600 riders' fault whom have already paid their entry fees. If you've entered for the 2020 events, you are now stuck between the proverbial rock .......... and the TB. If you do not pay the R650, you lose your entry fee, yet you do not receive a bedazzled medal to the value of R650 if you transfer and complete the event. Feels like we are being "ridden"

ChrisF, I have been using Stan's for >10yrs without any issues. I have been on Crossmarks and Ikons for as long without any issues either. As far as I know MAXXIS's warrantee statement still mentions STAN's by name as a sealer not to be used in their products. I try to buy when they are on special. Keep the containers sealed/closed properly and it lasts long enough to the next special. I have tried Batseal and Caffe Late, but in my opinion none works as good as Stan's. Good stuff.

This might ruin your paintwork BUT it will solve your sticky problem ............. DOT 4 brake fluid I have seen it work in automotive applications where nuts, bolts, brackets etc. are seized together. Rust or corrosion does not stand a chance against brake fluid ..................... I guess paint neither

Modesty ............................... Gravity's a dawg

"They may take away our forum ................... BUT, they will never take away our bicycles"

I kinda like this thread No tech, No politics, No bragging since STRAVA can't track this, AND pets are good for your emotional well-being. Before the savage streak in some of you is allowed some fresh air - I say the above with tongue in cheek Here's my housemates, BUT do not be fooled by the tranquility of the images. At 5 months, the little one lives up to their reputation as being paw X paw terrors. Socks, underwear, shoes, dishwasher drain pipe, electrical cords, garden hoses They tolerate each other remarkably well. The poor cat runs a "gauntlet" each time he makes it to his food station. Maya ....... 12yr old German Nanook ......... 5mth old Siberian

Well said BP, AND, this might be his/your only ever Lockdown Baviaans. Bragging rights are up for grabs. I did the LangsBaviaans in 2011 when the TB route got flooded. So glad I did

Guys, This is a scam that has been going around your typical Gumtree type platforms. This petrochemical whatsimmicallit has responded to adds I have placed on gumtree on 2 occasions. Always the same copied and pasted story. Simply ignore him and he'll go away. He NEVER pushes a deal and always employs the exact same modus operandi. He wants you to engage with him outside the online portal, hence he requests you to send him a personal e-mail. He obviously does not want to leave any traces or audit trail of his communications with you via your online provider, ie Gumtree, TheHub, etc. He always makes contact via SMS or from a phantom whatsapp account. He never argues or negotiate the price. As a matter of fact he offers you your price plus shipping via Aramex. He offers to buy stuff for somebody else(cousin) without first checking if it works or is in a condition worth his "money". Run some key words on google and you will find this to be a very old scam. Goes away for a year or so - then resurfaces. The oil rig engineers are notorious for online dating scams as well - ripping desperate ladies off big time with stories you can see coming from a mile away. Keep your peeled !

Been using Crossmarks for 4 years now - first 26", now 29". They are bulletproof on any terrain, BUT tyre pressure is key. Riders generally tend to run tyres too hard, especially 29". Let 'em down and watch 'em grip.

Been using Crossmarks for 4 years now - first 26", now 29". They are bulletproof on any terrain, BUT tyre pressure is key. Riders generally tend to run tyres too hard, especially 29". Let 'em down and watch 'em grip.

Vermarc going for approx. R1300. Best by far if you can't afford Ass_s

Thanx all, I will remove them and take it to my LBS(Local Bearing Shop). Your views are appreciated.

Thanx, I am concerned that the inner diameter might have "changed" due to wear. There is a fair amount of play on the rear wheel and I'm not sure if it's simply a case of worn bearing balls. Will take them out in any case and check em. Cheers

Hubbers, I need some advise please. I have a set of Roval Control Trail 29 alluminium wheels with 142mm thru axle standard spec hub and sealed cartridge(12mm) bearings(copied from the spec sheet). Can somebody please give the the sealed bearings simensions/specs. I would like to source them from a local bearing supplier. Also, would u recommend DIY? Thanx

What's wrong with 26" ???? You still have to peddle the damn bike.... Some guy once remarked that "It's not about the bike"

1)No relay........each person goes the full distance or you loose your team's "qualification" status. You will however be timed individually. 2)Entry fee has gone up while the event quality has taken a dive. 3)Still a good one to have under your belt. 4)Done 3 now including the "LangsBaviaans" route in 2011. 5)All logistics must be added to the entry fee, ie. accommodation and transport. 6)Could set you back by about R4k - all inclusive

Gotto agree that you have to try out various brands. EpicPro works well for me on +5 hr rides. Anything less than 4 hr's it does not really do much. The big boys, ie. USN, Biogen, Hammer, etc all push their brand as the best there is, but it comes down to personal EXPERIENCE.

Attitude maketh man !