Mets

Just an update on this topic. I took a spin on a buddy's 26" HT this weekend - research. Still faster than the 26" DS, climbs like a beast (ok, given it is much lighter than my DS), but it is without a doubt more bumpy than the 29" HT. What gets me is that I'm able to ride on the large / centre chain blade for extended periods of time, where with the DS I would have to drop down to proper granny gear to manage most of the climbs on our route. I am getting more and more sold on the 29" HT, I haven't done 60Km on one to meassure what is left of my bud and kidneys, but somehow it just feels like the next logical step. Now: Which 29"HT bike @ R15K MAX. Currently looking at Momsen AL529R and Merida Big 9 XT-D any suggestions or reason to go / not to go for either. Or maybe another bike just to make it even more confusing?

Just to be clear I'm not trying to sway opinions or influence anybody into buying one or the other. I simply wanted to share my experience and enquire about the difference. A month ago I was dead set on a 26” soft tail and after one 15Km stint I’m not so sure anymore. Some people on this forum can only afford to buy a new bike every couple of years due to income restraints and a wife that needs convincing. This is a cycling forum and that person would be a fool if he didn’t draw on the vast experience (and opinions) of the members before parting with his hard earned cash. I know from my current experience that my 26” S/T is comfy, but the revelation I had last week, is that I can be much quicker on another bike if I was prepared to sacrifice (a bit of) the comfort. I just want to make sure that I don’t receive another revelation in a couple of month’s time that I could’ve had the speed and the comfort if I opted for a different setup. If I buy, I need to buy right the first time.

Feel free to join in. I'm also reluctant to really look at the "plastic" bikes. I'm on a lead bike at the moment, so most of the alu hard tails will be much lighter than my current setup. I'm pretty sure the warranty on the frame will cover breakage, but I can't justify the premium for the weight reduction of a carbon bike at my level of riding. Thoses Momsens are seriously starting to grow on me. At this early stage of my research it's between the Momsen AL529 and the Merida Big 9 XT-D. Both in the region of R15K.

Ja, why not hey? The aim is to assist everyone to make a more informed decision when forking out their hard earned cash.

Ok, so without trying to re-start the old argument. I would like to get some opinions on this matter. Last Saturday I had a chance to swap my 4-year old Canaan Comp 26" soft tail for a 15Km ride on a Momsen AL329 29" hard tail that was on loan to a friend. Unfortunately I was amazed at the difference. I always felt that the 29" thing was a passing fad and was already eyeing a new 26" S/T (Merida 120 XT-D). The 29" MOVED, it climed so well and the bumps wasn't as bad as I remembered from my 26" hard tail from a couple of years ago. Is the difference in momentum and climbing ability due to the hard tail nature or to the 29" nature? In other words will I still have the momentum / climbing ability if I should opt for a 29" soft tail? I can say from what I've experienced on this ride that the 29" absorbed the bumps better than a 26" hard tail and I might be willing to compromise on the "comfort" of the soft tail in order to get the speed from the 29" hard tail.

That is the idea, but I'm talking something similar for forks, brakes etc.

I would like to start a reference thread for all the less informed hubbers (like myself) to assist with the comparison of components when shopping for new bikes or upgrades on existing rigs. I’m currently looking at new 29” bikes, but can’t really determine which components from one brand competes with the components from a different brand. The comparison should run from high end to entry level. The following is an example of what I’m looking for: Drive Train: Shimano VS Sram XTR - XX Either this or a list for each manufacturer components filtered from high end to entry level: Example: Drive Train: Shimano XTR XT SLX Deore Etc. These examples are the easier parts to compare, but still leave a lot of room for confusion for the noob buyer and there are some components like shocks and brakes which are a nightmare to determine. Which is the better Rockshox? Is it Sid / Reba / Recon etc. If a bike is fitted with a RockShox REBA RL and another is fitted with a Fox 32 Float 29 CTD O/C- Evolution, are they of equal rating in the spec “hierarchy” or is one an entry level and the other a mid-level component in the manufacturer’s line-up? I don't have the knowledge, but know that some of you guys can list very name and feature of each component out there. Come on, help your fellow hubbers make an informed choice.

Your buddy sms you to organize an afternoon ride and you look forward to it for the whole day at work even though you know he's going to set a pace that's going to leave you hurting.

The pain is generally behind the eyes (mostly left one) - I sometimes have sinus headaches that progress to full migranes with the exact same symptoms. It's just strange that cycling can trigger this. I now have a couple of things to try: Drink more water Get rid of the buff (been riding with one through Winter and Summer) I bought a new helmet & sunnies (Rudy Project), but the pain was there before and after this.

Thanks for the info. I make a point of drinking, but doubt if I reach the 750ml / hour mark. So I'll take on more fluids and will just have to man up and train through the rest until I don't get them anymore.

So I've been noticing this for a while. After a hard session in the saddle, I get these insane (like migrane) headaches. What is weird, is that it takes about two or more hours for the pain to start. I don't feel strange on the bike, I get off and start to relax and then after some time, I can feel it sneak up on me. Sometimes I manage to stop it in time by taking a couple of Panado's or whatever, but other times, like last night, I wake up with this throbbing pain that feels like my scull shrunk about two sizes. I also train in the gym and run sometimes, but haven't had these headaches from either, even after quite intense workouts. I initially thought that it might be the supplements, but I've had these with 32Gi, Cytomax and regular water. Any thoughts

2012 Merida 120 XT-D

Is that the same brooch on both pix?

Do yourself a favour and go and check out Heavinforge.co.za - Kevin and Heather Harvey from Belfast, Mpumalanga. These guys know their stuff - they also do the Damascus forging. I visited their workshop a couple of years ago - true artists.

Has anyone ever seen a Rudy Project writs watch for sale in SA? I browsed through a catalogue during the weekend and saw they have a couple of nice looking watches tucked away at the back of the booklet. Do we get them here and if so, what is the going rate?

You notice a green chain in the pic? - We might have some bad news for you...

Hi guys So I've decided to go all DIY on some brake maintenance. I ordered the bleed kit and a caliper rebuild kit from CRC and downloaded the video instructional from Youtube. Bleeding the brakes wasn't that much of a problem, but now there is no (ok, maybe 10%) pressure on my brake lever (I've only done the front). I've read somewhere that you can fill the reservoir from the master cylinder side, similar to the Avid's, but this doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

If you're looking for something waterproof you can also check out the Oregon Scientific ATC9K. 20m waterproof without the need for an additional housing, 30fps @ 1080p or 60fps @ 720p, build in G-sensor and the ability to add a GPS unit. I got mine in December from Killerdeals.co.za for R2700 including shipping. I haven't compared it to the GO Pro or Contour, but I'm pretty happy with the quality. But must say that I used it on 720p @ 60fps 90% of the time - the higher frame rate offers a smoother image. There was someone on the here who was selling his for around R2500, don't know if it is still available.

Apparently Michael Mol talked about this on his program on Sunday afternoon on SABC3. He also injured his elbow during a crash and advised viewers to rather aim for the shoulder, sacrifice the clavicle and save the elbow. My father in-law saw this and had the opportunity to try it out on Tuesday afternoon. He failed to clip out in time, aimed for the shoulder, missed and fell on his hip – he suffered a broken femur and is now recovering after receiving a pin in the leg. Moral of the story – try your best to land on your feet! Cats can't be wrong.

You have just created a new market: Bring on the carbon fibre and Ti knives and nunchucks for SA bikers!

What is scary is that your car's tires will do multiple times the distance you'll get on your mtb's tires. On the price topic - I replaced my rear hub and spokes two weeks ago as I walked out of my LBS I realized I just spent "a Game Special" on a very small component of my bike - Eish

+1 - This thing weighed a ton, but was great fun

Heard the same thing regarding receipts at the toll booths - don't know whether it is true though.

It is a weird phenomenon – a bunch us (Mounties) have been gathering at a parking area at “my local Spar” every Saturday morning before a ride. The Roadies sometimes meet up at the same place but keep at least 30m between us and them. You should have seen the surprise on their faces when we rode over to go and say hi – now it is a regular thing, but it still starts out as two separate groups every Saturday – it is like a strange segregation between the two disciplines, but it only takes someone to go and break the ice.

I’d rather blow my lungs and save my legs than vise versa. I’m no expert on climbing, but what I’ve found is that if I grind my legs up a hill, I’ll carry it with me for the whole trail whereas with spinning the lungs will burn at the top of the hill, but be recovered by the next climb.