Ibicam

Just checked the SRAM web site, and they do make a Powerlink for 9 speed, but not for 10. 10 speed Powerlock reckons it is used for easy maintenance, can't figure out why the packing would say for single use only, and why so tricky to remove.

Thanks guys. On the packaging for the Powerlock it reckons it is for single use only. My LBS reckons for 9 and 10 speed you get the Powerlock because the chains are too thin to make a link which can be regularly removed without compromising it, and 8 speed and below use the Powerlink. Will check out Youtube to see how it gets done.

Hi fellow hubbers, I am looking for some assistance. Some time back after buying a 29er, I bought a SRAM Powerlock (as opposed to a powerlink) with the intention of being able to easily remove my bicycles chain to clean and soak. However after some investigation it seems that the Powerlock for a 9 and 10 speed chain is intended for single use only, much like the Shimano pins. Question is, does anyone use a Powerlock on a 9 or 10 speed chain and regularly remove the chain using it? If so, how are you unclipping the Powerlock since it seems like special pliers are required and it is a bit of a bugger to unclip? Any suggestions around alternatives to using the Powerlock are also welcome. Thanks in advance.

Really sad for the couple and the resort. We were going to be going there this week to camp.

My bad if it's a 27 speed. Then at the price imo it is not that bad, especially as a frst bike if you want to buy new.

It depends on your intended application. As cav says, second hand, better bike is the way to go. The Makro bike looks decent, I had a look in the shop the other day out of interest, but the shock is really entry level and is only a 21 speed if memory serves. So if you do start riding with some mates and start putting the hammer down, you going to run out of gears.

Just checking now, the Fuji Roubaix has a 105 groupset and is under R10k. http://www.solomonsonline.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=705

I am all for spending the bit of extra money now so that you don't feel you need to upgrade in a year and then it becomes an even more expensive excercise. Done that twice in the past already. I also appreciate a 105 group set would be a nice target. That said though, as a mtbiker and only a part time roadie, I have a road bike with 10speed tiagra and honestly can't fault it. I did not want to pay the extra money to get 105, simply didn't feel it was worth it for my application.

Can you not put the tyre on without the rim strips, and then get the rim strip on afterwards by moving both beads to one side? In hind sight, I think that may have worked in my case had I tried it.

Since moving to a 29er, I battled like crazy with my last conversion of Crossmarks onto a Giant PXC2 wheelset. Seems the channel inside is not as deep and doesn't allow enough play to get the bead over the lip easily, hence my question about the strip which makes it even worse. Eventually I had to resort to the old cheap metal levers to get them on. Put some insulation tape around the metal ends so as not to scratch the rims and got them on through brute force.

I reckon the Serfas Seca flat protection tyres are good for training and commuting and don't cost that much. Done many a thousand of kilometers on them and they keep going.

Are you using rim strips? Sometimes they are reasonably thick and make it more difficult, in which case rather using rim tape will make it fit easier.

2km for the 6-9 age group and 1km for those younger.

Look at solomons.co.za - they have some good deals on Fuji's with 10 speed tiagra group sets below your budget at the moment. Also have a couple of bikes with 105 group set at your budget.

I was in exactly the same boat a month ago, a mountain biker looking for a carbon road bike to do the same races. Was even looking at stretching a bit to get a Bianchi C2C..... However, for me sanity prevailed and I settled for a Fuji Newest 1.0 for less than half that. It has Tiagra 3x10 and I have been pretty pleased with it thus far given my requirements. It resulted in me having some change available to take advantage of a special or three, including from CWCycles.

Yup, same experience. Real pity because it is great cycling there.

I've had the Thule 9503 for about a year now and use it pretty much every weekend. Has worked well except for the foam which cuts pretty easy but has lasted. Done a fair amount of travelling, including sand roads, with my 29er and two kids bikes from JHB to CT and Infanta and no hassles. Have had 3 mountain bikes on before heading out to a couple of races with mates bikes and they fitted just fine. Got a friend with a Buzzrack and the lock has broken already. Just doesn't seem to be the same quality as Thule.

I did a tubeless conversion this past weekend with Maxxis Crossmark UST 29er tyres onto my PXC2 rims. I used the black strips and had a major fight to get the tyres on. I dread being in the situation where I can't plug a hole and have to put a tube in to get me home. So would agree with Tankman to only use tape if you go that route and opt for UST Crossmarks. I also have a set of new Maxxis Crossmark standard tyres, ie. non-UST or tubeless ready. They fit so loosely I doubt they would make for a good tubeless conversion, although with proper rim strips you might get them inflated and to hold with Stans. Problem with that though, in my opinion, is the side walls are very thin and depending on the terain they may let you down, not just from a sidewall cut. I guess it's a bit of an experiment with the only risk being some Stans liquid to be lost and maybe a long walk home . Just carry some bombs and a spare tube. I haven't ever tried to do a Ghetto conversion so can't comment on that.