FBSP

Totally agree with Crankit01, club rides are often the worst. Cyclelab and Club 100 in Cape Town specifically, should marshall their riders in a far stricter manner. It just seems that safety in numbers with cyclists seems to over rule abiding by the laws, almost bringing with it, a sense of bravado over traffic. No matter how you look at it, the cyclists in this photo are in the wrong, no question, objectively speaking and under road rules in SA!

Did anyone else spot members of the 360 Life Team riding along the Atlantic Seaboard the day after the Tour Of South Africa not wearing helmets? Not cool or responsible. These are the guys that should be setting the example and promoting safe cycling within the law.

CSA have royally messed it up again. They get one chance to put on a good show, to show the world an example of how well we can do events in this country and this is the end result. I'm not sure what has caused this but it's totally unacceptable and if SA does not get another opportunity to showcase international cycling like this, we know where to put the blame. They will of course find a way to offset the blame onto someone else, as per normal. It's an embarrassment for all concerned and for us as South Africans.

The 29er is the new FS of MTB-ing, remember when those where introduced, everybody thought they were the solution to all ones MTB worries, but soon that faded, even amoungst all the talk (only by FS riders that the rear shock can completely lock out whilst climbing...whatever), but don't worry it will soon wear off and all normality will be returned and people will laugh about all the fuss that is being made in 2010/11 about a wheel dimension that has been around since 1982 on MTBs, go figure. It's a fad, a craze, like ding bats and chappies. Soon a new category will be announced and 29ers and 26ers will race seperately in different classes at events. Then, all the "yuppies"(and Burry) will race in one cat and all the purists in the other. That is just the way of the world and the way it turns...the real sad thing is that the "yuppy" who annoyed you initially actually chose to buy an X5! Now that is a strange phenomenon...

Apparently Polsmoor have sponsored an Armstrong/Dewani team for the 2011 version! The only problem is they will have to race in the open men category...

Perhaps the Elites and guys up til 30 should be Cat 1 A and B, Cat 2 could be split between A and B and have the SV and top Vets in A to start and the Ladies and Masters in B? A promotion/relegation could happen between A and B groups in Cat 2. There could easily be a way to do this, that gives everyone something to ride for all season. Eventually, you will have the same strengths racing each other, but it will take a while to reach, but in the meantime, the competition would be fierce.

Thus far there is no scientific proof that a 29er is better than a 26 inch bike. As far as I am concerned the worse off a rider you are the more difference the big wheel will make to your ability, but as you go up the chain the less the difference. During the Attakwas, most of the bikes that punctured were 29ers, that I saw. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. The bigger wheel has got to be significantly weaker, that is science. Burry would have won worlds if he had ridden a 26er last time out, according to an ex world champion....no names mentioned! The 29er has been around since 1982, what has changed to make it so popular now? There is definately a place for it in MTB-ing, but horses for courses is the best approach and perhaps everyone needs both bikes??? Maybe there should be a new category in races....for the big wheel, especially if it is proven to be an advantage on some courses!! Personally I think it's up to the individual and his preference..

Hi Hubbers, I am in desperate need of a specialist titanium welder who can weld a crack in my Titanium MTB frame, does anyone out there have any contacts or clue as to whom I might contact to do the work. I am based in Cape Town but happy to send my bike anywhere for the right treatment. Many thanks

15500KM-2009 (10k rd-5,5k mtb), 16800Km-2010 (10,3k rd, 6,5k MTB). Yes, we are very fastidious about our measurements! Funny creatures us cyclists.

I would also like to add that it is ILLEGAL to cycle side by side on a road, it's not to say that we shouldn't be sociable when we ride with mates, but common sense should prevail and should only be done in large hard shoulders (even though riding in the hard shoulder is also technically illegal), again using common sense, as opposed to cycling in the lane and getting needlessly in the way. We need to work with the motorists not against them and share the road through common courtesy and mutual respect. In the same way cyclists shouldn't tolerate other cyclists riding helmet-less, the same applies to taking up more space than is completely neccessary and hopefully friends will remind each other of this. Too many wankers out there giving us a bad name, so please correct them if you see it out there...for the good of safe cycling!

Get some tennis/squash racquet grip tape and wrap over your grips. This makes it much easier on the palms, definately worth a try. I did it, made a big difference!

Well done on picking MTB-ing, it's totally awesome. Its also awesome to get all these handy bits of advice when you're starting, but can become overawed and intimidated by too much jargon, etc. Tubeless though, is a no brainer, and is a must, regardless of the initial expense it may incur to you. Secondly, like all other sports/hobbies, a lot of stuff like saddle preference, grips, full suss or HT is all a personal choice and something that you have to sift through as you go and become more experienced. A FS bike will make MTB-ing much easier (esp with all the technology these days), but it won't make you a technically better rider, and riding a HT is definately more thrilling, but harder on the parts of your body which can be affected, esp on stage races. Although it makes it easier, it also makes it heavier and gives you more things to have go wrong. I would say try a Sella Italia saddle with a cut out, that may aleviate your saddle problems, and in my opinion, if you are 184cm you should maybe be on an 18inch not a 21. I'm 192cm and ride a 20inch and I could be on a 19in comfortably. A consideration when looking for your next bike. Go and enjoy and be safe..

One cannot actually say enough good things about that shop in general. Friendly, down to earth, helpful, attention to personal detail, it's really the **** basically. Can you imagine if Cyclelab were that way inclined? Well, one wonder at a time I suppose. Well done Stirling, first class.

NO CONTEST! Tubeless. UST for better sidewall protection, but if it's not a rough technical course, any tire will work as long as you do a tubeless conversion. I cannot believe people STILL MTB without this conversion, it's insane! I have not had a puncture since March on my tubeless setup which includes 3 stage races and 6 one day races. Convert today, at ANY cost, it's so worth it.

ZTR's, don't look further. I had Mavic Crossmax rims and moved to ZTR Olympics, unbelievable difference in all departments. You can pick up some from Chunky Monkey for R3250-ish at present, look him up on the hubbers members list.

Surely, if the weight of the wheels differ, rotational mass on a hill must favour the lighter wheels, especially as the hill goes on for a long time and doubly so if the gradient is steep. The heavier wheels would be ok if on a rolling set up (undulating profile) as the momentum is more, but from a standing start on a hill, the lighter wheels must be quicker, ie: a hill TT. An interesting debate none the less. I certainly agree that the test should be done a few times, not just once. Thanks for the interesting work SteveCT, more stuff like this and less rubbish on the hub would be great.

Avoid CL like the plague...you will be glad you did! Prices way to high for everything, plus lets not forget the alleged price fixing they got involved in...has everyone forgotten that already? Example: A friend told me this price for this item-Giordana Ladies shorts at CL-R1200, CRC-R600. WTF?

I agree the bling is not worth it. Not sure how your chain twisted, but I bought a KCNC BB and within 6 weeks it had fallen apart. I took it back to the shop where I bought it (very nice guys) 10 days ago and as of today they still haven't heard back from the distributors (paragon). I didn't know it was Paragon, these are the same people who import Alligator rotors. I ordered a set of windcutters in July, near the beginning, just after Knysna and received them on 15th September having been told they would be arriving in 2 weeks. Clearly they have no regard for customer service and people should be aware of this. That BB cost me R400 and it was very pretty, etc, but it should not fall apart in 6 weeks. I expect at least a warranty/money back, but doubt they will do that. People out there, these guys are full of it and you have been warned. As consumers we should make a fuss, it's our right and if the distributors do not respond, they should get a bad name. PS-Hope my spelling is up to it for the teacher marking the hub spelling test.

Why would anyone who has an interest in cycling/fitness/healthy lifestyle even want to smoke, it's disgusting, not to mention fouls smelling, inconsiderate to others, harmful to the environment, a fire hazard and unhealthy!! It should be totally outlawed and if you were seen smoking and riding I think it would be seriously frowned apon. Thats my opinion, as an ex smoker, current cyclist!!