KnobbyMech

...actually the 29er slow routes are the 26er fast routes, but then again how will you ever know.

touché I run my front tyre at 1.7 Bar and the rear at 1.8 Bar hot air for fast routes. On slower routes I will drop about 0.2 on each.

You should take something for your Keyboardial diarrhea! Carefull, it's contagious.

Wat, geen fietsie op vakansie?? Ons waai die 26ste Daar is blykbaar awesome sandsteen "slickrock" trails. Sal bietjie by Glen Harrison meer uitvind.

Jip, and we will also ride the Rhodes race route on one of the days. Up the concrete strips and down the Naudes Nek pass. See you there (unless you have a problem with 29"ers)

And there I was thinking you only knew how to brilliantly apply your right brain. Also, how about a spokes design or wooden wagon wheel or airplane prop.

Geax Saguaro for the rear will be perfect. As grippy (traction and braking) as the mt king, long lasting (harder compound on the centre knobs) and has really low rolling resistance compared to the mt king. Also has sidewall cut protection strip. See you on the start line (spectator )

Can also add snorkling and surfing to the list now. Boy, would love to spend more time at the coast!

Going to carry picks of this in my wallet.

So when is uni-cycles going the 29" route?

No. MJ, was it you biting the dust 3km into the R42 race?

You have a good point. I advise young newbies to get a 26" hardtail. Just as a dual-suspension makes you "lazy" on the trail, a 29" makes you "lazy" when reading lines. Hone your technical skills on a 26", preferably HT and then reap the rewards when racing with your 29".

That Spez is damn pretty. Here is my ride and I love it! Went back to the wide bar without bar-ends though.

As much I am converted to 29", I am also getting irritated with all the 29er commentator comments on the Epic. Please stop, I might find it hard to find stock of my next 29er or spares. Don't spread the word any further, let us converted ones have the advantages all to ourselves!

No answers. Does this mean it is a good question?

After the recent brake failure incident regarding Kevin Evans I was wondering how and if the UCI protects mountainbikers. I know for road racing there is a weight limit on the bikes and this is not to stop innovation, it is to protect the riders. Also tri-bars are banned for road races, etc. But, apart from helmet specs and our local CSA prohibiting I-pods, what measures are there to protect mountain bikers? Are there any organization that looks at things like manufacturer' frame quality, brake quality and reliability, handlebar strength, rims, spokes, etc? With other words, is the safety of us as mountainbikers only up to ourselves?

No matter who or what is at fault, after Kevin's post with positive and thankfull remarks, I look up to the man even more. Get well soon Kevin!

And the wooden spoon award goes to.....

Probably the most accurate response. Two of the "good" shops mentioned in this tread is on my black list. Once asked the shop owner of one of these shops if he keeps Specialized saddles. He told me Specialized do not make saddles, they just put their names on it! WTF!!! Then most bike makers don't make bikes right? I love my XYZ saddle with the Specialized badge man.

Not true! Also, you get XC and All Mountain type. Small weight diff.

Dit was die wag werd! Word al hoe mooier hoe meer ek hom sien.

The Barro Mountain and Saguaro are big volume tyres. Ie a 2.2 is similar to a Conti MT King 2.4 and a 2.00 is similar to most 2.2 UST brands. I run 2.1 Barro up front and 2.0 Saguaro rear on my 26". Perfect for me. Running Saguaro on my 29er (no 29" Barro available yet) Whatever you decide, these are all good tyres.

People, people, have none of you ever tried the Geax Barro Mountain? Perfect for the front for mud or rocks or loose, then run the Saguaro (2.1) at the rear.

While we're on the topic...I've heard that smaller riders won't reap the benefits of the bigger wheels, is that true? Im just about 1,69m and ride a small hardtail. Ask Burry Stander. He is around that length and weighs around 62kg. Won the XC SA title on a 29er (dual suzz also nogal).

Welcome to the hub. Hope you find answers soon, cannot imagine myself not being able to ride my bike.