KnobbyMech

I used both and currently run the XT. In my opinion nothing between them except looks and price. Even the weight is actually almost the same. Do not agree that the SRAM is softer, been getting similar life from both.

Thanks crack. Plan to ride there early Saturaday morning and perhaps Sunday verrrry early as well. Giba does look nice as well. Think it will be crowded considering us Vaaljapies decending there for the school holidays and long weekend??

Taking her Durbs way for the long weekend. Heard good things about Hola trails, so will check it out. Anyone that can recommmend a route/s (about 3 hours)?

Manbearpig can lose another 10kg by shaving the hair on his back (yes, those ones that is standing up now)

Mtb'er 1.82m, 80kg, 10.1% olive oil

Ja, really not that hard to do. Get the hydraulic oil required from a motorcycle shop. 1Litre will last around 6 services pending model. I serviced mine a couple of times without replacing any part except the oil. Even the crush washer can (but shouldn't) be re-used. Just clean the wipers thoroughly and make sure the foam bushings are well cleaned of any metal and dirt residue. You may have to buy a 26?mm socket and use this verrrrryyyy carefully. It is actually fun. Enjoy!

Well done Gregzilla! You will find the hill is not as steep and long as you are told, but there are some really steep switchbacks now and then. You also forgot about the awesome downhill that awaits you on the other side. Crack is almost there. Keep it up. Oh yes, love the interest the non-smokers take in the smoking thread.

Respect for you roadies. I just dont have the guts to take on the traffic. Rocks and trees don't move and I'm the only lunatic on the road. Be safe.

A bib that fits like a glove...now that is a picture...hope it's one with only one finger!!

Thanks guys for reminding me how lucky I am! Gonna give my wife a big hug toninght. She buys more mtb stuff for me than I do, pushes me out of bed in the mornings if I am lazy because she knows I'll be grumpy if I don't. Our planned weekends away are mostly around our races and she loves rocks and flowing singletrack as much as I do.....humbled

Thanks to Giant, we have affordable bikes that stands up to the quality and performance of the niche, pay-for-the-name, pay-for-the-painting brands. Sure, Giant is'nt always a painting but then again I don't rate my paintings on their handling performace. Had planty mtbs before, but now there is only one girl for me and she is big, really big...in fact she is a Giant! PS: Chickenrun4me, i'm pretty sure my Anthem is not one you passed lately (lekka windgat, sorry) The next big thing: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/anthem.x.29er.1/7508/44088/

Firstly, we are talking two different things here: a) comparing a road bike with a mountain bike on the same tar road, and B) comparing a mtb race distance with a road race distance. For a) a maintain a 5% difference and for b0 I agree that it can be as much as 2:1. It obviously depends on the terrain, it is like asking how many foreigners are living in SA. Secondly, to answer Kingcompass: Think of it this way; if the patch of tyre on the ground is moving at 50km/hr relavant to the ground you would leave one hell of a skidmark! The top part is moving twice as fast as the hub relevant to the ground. If it was travelling the same speed relevant to the ground, it would not be turning. The outer part of the tyre will always move at 50km/hr relevant to the hub if you are riding at 50km/hr, but not relevant to the road. Make sence now?

Interesting topic. No scientific reports on offer here, but I believe the difference is not that great. At higher speeds, the difference increases due to the exponential effect of wind resistance, particularly on the knobs of the tyres. Remember that when you travel at say 50km/hr, the uppermost portion of your tyre is moving at 100km/hr (relevant to the ground or 50km/hr relevant to you). The resistance of knobbies due to the "friction" on the road is thus far less that the wind resistance it creates. My fastest tt time on a 20km round route is only 2min faster on the road bike. (roughly 5%)

Thanks Johan! This is a keeper.

My favourite is Slimepro. It is a pretty new product for tubeless systems. Around R125 at your lbs and this is enough for 8 tyres (R16/tyre)! No delamination, no drying out, instant sealing, actually smells nice too. Had mine in for about 3 months now. Better check how much is left http://www.slime.com/product/781/(10112)-Slime-Pro-Tubeless-Sealant-.html

Best place for group rides in Gauteng, whether its skills training, fitness training or just a lekka social ride out. New sections giving me butterflies just thinking about taking them on again. I think my bike loves this place! See you there shortly. Good luck with Nationals.

I ride an Anthem X frame with custom components. It started its life with a Fox 100RL and now I have a SID World cup. Although I never experienced the Fox as too soft, the SID is stiffer for sure. What a ride! Both the frame and the shock is great, but nothing wrong with the fox. The lockout does what it has to. Oh, and the RP2 does not have a full "lock-out" although it has a "pro-pedal" level switch. You cant go wrong here. Enjoy!

DMC007 CRACK HELLOISE NOBBYMECH That is 4 of us so far! Good choise and good luck. I did quit for 2 years before. Was not as hard as I thought. So stupid to start again. This time...

Way to go DMC007! Making that 1st step is halve the battle won. Will join you from Sunday. C'mon who else?!

To the other cycling smokers out there (and it seems there are plenty): Lets not fool ourselves, we do not really want to smoke. Yes, we enjoy it and yes, it will be hard to quit, but we can do it. Anyone out there willing to take up the challenge with me to stop on say 25 August? We can motivate and support each other and have a tread on our progress. Imagine what HeartCoppi will have to say. Be strong, say yes!!

Gerhardc, something wrong with you software for sure. I see similar loops on the top left, yet one goes through the velt and through build up neighborhood. See that?