kandui

Thought about something like that too. At Oak Lane there is a receipt book next to the payment box. You write your own. Still relies on honesty, but at least you can get some proof of payment.

An interesting read: Shimano’s Shifting Philosophy We were given a fresh explanation of Shimano’s drivetrain philosophy at the launch, which actually made sense. Shimano divides all available gear ratios into two groups: “Driving gears” and “Challenge gears.” Driving gears, in the case of a two-by or three-by transmission, are in the middle range of the cassette when the rider is in the big chainring. Challenge gears are for the steepest climbs, when the rider is forced to select the smaller chainrings and to use the larger three cogs of the cassette. In the case of a one-by drivetrain, Driving gears are the first eight cogs on the right-side of the cassette. Shimano professes that the smooth, 10-RPM jumps between shifts generated by its Rhythm Step, 11 by 40-tooth cassette, optimize the efficiency of the driving gears that we use most often for both climbing and pedaling on the flats. While the closer gear ratios of Shimano’s XTR cassette provide smaller steps between most of the gearing range, they cannot attain the higher top and bottom gears of SRAM’s XX1 10 by 42 cassette. To achieve a competitive spread, Shimano “strongly suggests” that XTR customers choose its two-chainring option. Before you whip out your calculators, the closest comparison that a Shimano XTR M9000 two-by drivetrain has to SRAM’s one-by is: Shimano 28 x 38-tooth chainrings, two-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 28/40 = 1.42:1 ratio. Highest gear 38/11 = 1:3.45 ratio. (22 gear selections) SRAM 30-tooth chainring, one-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 30/42 = 1.4:1 ratio. Highest gear 30/10 = 1:3 ratio. (11 gear selections) What the above chart demonstrates is how Shimano’s close-ratio two-by option provides a nearly identical gearing spread when compared to a SRAM XX1 one-by drivetrain. By switching to a 28-tooth chainring, the SRAM one-by drivetrain can also match Shimano’s 26 by 36 option, but Shimano also offers a third, 26 by 36 option for its two-by crankset that provides XTR customers a lower granny gear than SRAM can match (Shimano: Lowest gear 24/40 = 1.66:1 vs SRAM: Lowest gear 28/42 – 1.5:1). The bottom line is that Shimano’s choice for trail gearing is a two-by transmission, and it competes directly with SRAM’s one-by offerings. The customer’s choice is: “Do I want 22 shifts and a front derailleur, or do I want 11 shifts and no front derailleur?” What about Shimano’s One-By XTR Option? One-by customers can choose XTR chainrings between 30 and 36 teeth, but the narrower gearing spread of the 11 x 40, eleven-speed cassette means that riders may need to keep a couple of chainrings in their toolbox to match their gearing to the task at hand. Calculating out Shimano XTR’s lowest-available, 30-tooth-chainring option fetches a low gear of 1.33:1 and a high of 1: 2.73. Compare those figures with the options from SRAM and Shimano that we covered earlier in this segment, and they indicate that hills will be harder to climb, or you will probably be spun out on the flats. Shimano’s one-by gearing options are clearly intended for racers and stronger riders who will probably choose the biggest chainring that they can comfortably push and then suffer with whatever low gear is left when the big climbs arrive. What this says, and its from Shimano themselves, is that their "One-By XTR " option is not anywhere near what SRAM can offer. The 10 x 42 option with SRAM makes more sense vs 11 x 40 from Shimano....unless you like suffering!! this tells me that SRAM is the only option for a single chainring as their spread is better. Shimano still needs two up front or you buy extra Chain rings to swop out if the ride is challenging

An interesting read: Shimano’s Shifting Philosophy We were given a fresh explanation of Shimano’s drivetrain philosophy at the launch, which actually made sense. Shimano divides all available gear ratios into two groups: “Driving gears” and “Challenge gears.” Driving gears, in the case of a two-by or three-by transmission, are in the middle range of the cassette when the rider is in the big chainring. Challenge gears are for the steepest climbs, when the rider is forced to select the smaller chainrings and to use the larger three cogs of the cassette. In the case of a one-by drivetrain, Driving gears are the first eight cogs on the right-side of the cassette. Shimano professes that the smooth, 10-RPM jumps between shifts generated by its Rhythm Step, 11 by 40-tooth cassette, optimize the efficiency of the driving gears that we use most often for both climbing and pedaling on the flats. While the closer gear ratios of Shimano’s XTR cassette provide smaller steps between most of the gearing range, they cannot attain the higher top and bottom gears of SRAM’s XX1 10 by 42 cassette. To achieve a competitive spread, Shimano “strongly suggests” that XTR customers choose its two-chainring option. Before you whip out your calculators, the closest comparison that a Shimano XTR M9000 two-by drivetrain has to SRAM’s one-by is: Shimano 28 x 38-tooth chainrings, two-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 28/40 = 1.42:1 ratio. Highest gear 38/11 = 1:3.45 ratio. (22 gear selections) SRAM 30-tooth chainring, one-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 30/42 = 1.4:1 ratio. Highest gear 30/10 = 1:3 ratio. (11 gear selections) What the above chart demonstrates is how Shimano’s close-ratio two-by option provides a nearly identical gearing spread when compared to a SRAM XX1 one-by drivetrain. By switching to a 28-tooth chainring, the SRAM one-by drivetrain can also match Shimano’s 26 by 36 option, but Shimano also offers a third, 26 by 36 option for its two-by crankset that provides XTR customers a lower granny gear than SRAM can match (Shimano: Lowest gear 24/40 = 1.66:1 vs SRAM: Lowest gear 28/42 – 1.5:1). The bottom line is that Shimano’s choice for trail gearing is a two-by transmission, and it competes directly with SRAM’s one-by offerings. The customer’s choice is: “Do I want 22 shifts and a front derailleur, or do I want 11 shifts and no front derailleur?” What about Shimano’s One-By XTR Option? One-by customers can choose XTR chainrings between 30 and 36 teeth, but the narrower gearing spread of the 11 x 40, eleven-speed cassette means that riders may need to keep a couple of chainrings in their toolbox to match their gearing to the task at hand. Calculating out Shimano XTR’s lowest-available, 30-tooth-chainring option fetches a low gear of 1.33:1 and a high of 1: 2.73. Compare those figures with the options from SRAM and Shimano that we covered earlier in this segment, and they indicate that hills will be harder to climb, or you will probably be spun out on the flats. Shimano’s one-by gearing options are clearly intended for racers and stronger riders who will probably choose the biggest chainring that they can comfortably push and then suffer with whatever low gear is left when the big climbs arrive. What this says, and its from Shimano themselves, is that their "One-By XTR " option is not anywhere near what SRAM can offer. The 10 x 42 option with SRAM makes more sense vs 11 x 40 from Shimano....unless you like suffering!! this tells me that SRAM is the only option for a single chainring as their spread is better. Shimano still needs two up front or you buy extra Chain rings to swop out if the ride is challenging

An interesting read: Shimano’s Shifting Philosophy We were given a fresh explanation of Shimano’s drivetrain philosophy at the launch, which actually made sense. Shimano divides all available gear ratios into two groups: “Driving gears” and “Challenge gears.” Driving gears, in the case of a two-by or three-by transmission, are in the middle range of the cassette when the rider is in the big chainring. Challenge gears are for the steepest climbs, when the rider is forced to select the smaller chainrings and to use the larger three cogs of the cassette. In the case of a one-by drivetrain, Driving gears are the first eight cogs on the right-side of the cassette. Shimano professes that the smooth, 10-RPM jumps between shifts generated by its Rhythm Step, 11 by 40-tooth cassette, optimize the efficiency of the driving gears that we use most often for both climbing and pedaling on the flats. While the closer gear ratios of Shimano’s XTR cassette provide smaller steps between most of the gearing range, they cannot attain the higher top and bottom gears of SRAM’s XX1 10 by 42 cassette. To achieve a competitive spread, Shimano “strongly suggests” that XTR customers choose its two-chainring option. Before you whip out your calculators, the closest comparison that a Shimano XTR M9000 two-by drivetrain has to SRAM’s one-by is: Shimano 28 x 38-tooth chainrings, two-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 28/40 = 1.42:1 ratio. Highest gear 38/11 = 1:3.45 ratio. (22 gear selections) SRAM 30-tooth chainring, one-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 30/42 = 1.4:1 ratio. Highest gear 30/10 = 1:3 ratio. (11 gear selections) What the above chart demonstrates is how Shimano’s close-ratio two-by option provides a nearly identical gearing spread when compared to a SRAM XX1 one-by drivetrain. By switching to a 28-tooth chainring, the SRAM one-by drivetrain can also match Shimano’s 26 by 36 option, but Shimano also offers a third, 26 by 36 option for its two-by crankset that provides XTR customers a lower granny gear than SRAM can match (Shimano: Lowest gear 24/40 = 1.66:1 vs SRAM: Lowest gear 28/42 – 1.5:1). The bottom line is that Shimano’s choice for trail gearing is a two-by transmission, and it competes directly with SRAM’s one-by offerings. The customer’s choice is: “Do I want 22 shifts and a front derailleur, or do I want 11 shifts and no front derailleur?” What about Shimano’s One-By XTR Option? One-by customers can choose XTR chainrings between 30 and 36 teeth, but the narrower gearing spread of the 11 x 40, eleven-speed cassette means that riders may need to keep a couple of chainrings in their toolbox to match their gearing to the task at hand. Calculating out Shimano XTR’s lowest-available, 30-tooth-chainring option fetches a low gear of 1.33:1 and a high of 1: 2.73. Compare those figures with the options from SRAM and Shimano that we covered earlier in this segment, and they indicate that hills will be harder to climb, or you will probably be spun out on the flats. Shimano’s one-by gearing options are clearly intended for racers and stronger riders who will probably choose the biggest chainring that they can comfortably push and then suffer with whatever low gear is left when the big climbs arrive. What this says, and its from Shimano themselves, is that their "One-By XTR " option is not anywhere near what SRAM can offer. The 10 x 42 option with SRAM makes more sense vs 11 x 40 from Shimano....unless you like suffering!! this tells me that SRAM is the only option for a single chainring as their spread is better. Shimano still needs two up front or you buy extra Chain rings to swop out if the ride is challenging

i attended the meeting Johan is referring to. The catalyst was the episode with the rider in Durbanville which resulted in the farmer closing off the trails on his land to the Tygerberg Mtb members. There isn't any land around that doesn't belong to anyone. Ask for permission nicely and more often than not, you will be allowed access. Just don't think because you got permission once, you are entitled to ride there anytime. Having said that, I would want to encourage Tygerberg Mtb to look at their honesty box system. I have been to Meerendal twice in the last month and both times there was nobody in attendance to give me a receipt for my payment. How am I supposed to prove that that I am not a rogue rider and paid my fee?

Next time I am up in Gauteng, can I hop over your fence, pitch a tent for a couple of days and braai to feed myself? Share the earth- that kind of stuff.

Sold my Hero 960 to a very happy motorbiker on Monday. I found all the the accessories it came with , still untouched since the day I bought it in 2011. Chest belt, helmet mount, car mount, some other mount and a second door for the housing. I only used the bike mount, which was an extra I had to buy. Threw in a 32gig SD card and a K-Edge aluminium handlebar mount. All for R1800. That will go towards a Nikon AW-110.

If anyone's living in Cape Town is keen, I have begun printing Table Mountain Bikers t-shirts. Logo Shirt: R170 each Names Shirt: R 195 each "Love.Ride.Respect" on the back of the neck . Orders: ride@tablemountainbikers.co.za

Hi there i serve on the PPA Exco and will send your inquiry to the office manager. Email me at ride@tablemountainbikers.co.za so that I can respond by email. Regards Robert

you're lucky that you get to sit in on the hearing.When a GABS bus almost clipped me on Somerset Rd a couple of months ago and I pursued the matter, I was told that the outcome of the hearing is confidential as per union rules. A bit of a lame duck excuse since one has no idea whether the driver will even be disciplined. I was promised a phone call to at least tell me that the hearing had been completed, but I am still waiting. Big talk , no action by GABS. I hope you contribute to the driver getting the sack! No second chances for people like him.

Enjoyed the ride this morning. Perfect conditions and the wait at some of the switchbacks was fine. Rode with my wife and savored the non-competitive pace. Lots of TMB jerseys out there, very happy to see all of you. Hope we stay dry tomorrow.

Let's get it done. I serve on the PPA Executive and look after the MTB portfolio. Johan Kriegler and I have met and spoken about the basic principle. The next step is to send out a short questionnaire to trail managers and gauge their interest, concerns, etc. T`he information gathered will serve as a starting point when we first meet. I am keen to push this project and get a pilot scheme set up as soon as possible.

At PPA, we are starting discussions around implementing a One Permit system. You buy one annual permit (online) for a selection of trails. One board which doesn't change and is updated by purchasing the annual license sticker at selected bike shops, PPA office and other outlets. With a One Permit system , the back end will be managed by PPA (this was the initial suggestion put forward by Johan Kriegler) and funds collected will be distributed amongst all the members using a weighting system. One outcome of the system would be that the more popular trails subsidise the smaller networks to a point and thereby the smaller trail networks have access to the funds to make their trails better, bigger, etc. By being able to buy the permits online,at bike shops and at the trails itself, we hope to eliminate the excuses put forward by rogue riders. We want to start a pilot project and see how it goes. Let us know whether Bottelary is interested. ride@tablemountainbikers.co.za

Hi Mikkelz The area has been quiet since the incident I reported on this thread. I am not aware of any incidents.

He said sorry for "the late reply" , but never apologised for backing out of a deal where a price had been agreed on. Probably just too bok to admit he didn't have the cash to pay me.

Had a guy respond to my ad on Friday. We settled on a price, after he opened the negotiations. He was unable to pay on Friday and wanted to do an eft or give me cash today. I told him that if someone contacts me over the weekend and wants the frame and pays me , I will have to sell. The guy was fine with that, even contacting me on Saturday to see if the frame was still available. 5 minutes ago I read his PM saying he thought about it and has pulled out of the deal. Now you want to ask the question again about first options. They are absolutely meaningless.

It's on the TMB Forum, that's where you're reading it.

When: 26 April Where: Deer Park , route marker 8 Time: 8am for an 8:30am start Rules: Everyone is welcome to come and ride, but only paid up TMB members are eligible for the KOM jersey and any other prizes. Past winners of the KOM jersey can win the KOM, but don't get the jersey. The next placed member will win the jersey instead. Riders have to be present and ride on the day. This is the only way it works. Riders are sent off in 1min intervals along the Mountain Goat TT route. Riders time themselves on Strava, so keep your smartphone handy. The route is not closed off, riders will have to deal with other users, dogs, etc using the route. Be courteous to other users at all times. The organiser reserves the right to make changes , but will make every effort to inform members of any changes to the event. A category must have at least 3 riders present on the day, otherwise there is no jersey to be won. We will look at a special category jersey again and make an announcement in this regard. Encourage friends and family to come along and cheer you on. I may consider the coffee van, if there are enough people wanting to come.

I bet you compared the prices on the internet before you bought from this guy and the huge discount sealed it for you. I bet that in the back of your mind you knew there was a good chance you were buying a fake bike. That's probably why you asked him 3 times whether the bike was an original. To make that little voice of doubt go away. There is no way in hell, even buying overseas,that you will save 55k on an original brand bike. You made a rational decision to buy fake, you can't cry about it now. You also buy your Louis Vuitton bags at the robots and ask the trader 3 times whether it's real and when he says Yes 3 times it's all good.?!

Not living in Joburg, can someone please give some info. From what I saw on Telly last night, the shop looked pretty ordinary with no big name brands (other than Inelli) on their shop sign. The bikes outside the shop looked cheap, the owners sounded like they ran a fish n chips shop. Why would you walk into Cycle Science and be willing to drop a chunk of cash there? Are they a known Pinarello dealer? Have they been around for a long time? If I was in the market for a 90k bike, I'm sorry, but I would not chose CS as my preferred bike shop for a Pinarello. What made the guys that got taken buy from Cycle Science?

The field gets stronger each year, at least that's my perception having ridden 2011-14. Add a pile of very good foreign teams to the local contingent and it requires hard riding to get the desired result. There is no other mtb event in SA that gets this kind of foreign attendance and with the Epic being an international event, we are taken out of our comfort zone. There is no "homely" vibe like at the Sani or W2W, it's "full focus" for a week. The Epic pushes you past your comfort zone and trying to keep that up over 8 days is probably one reason riders drop out. Add to that 1200 odd riders grabbing stuff at the water tables with spit , dirt off your gloves and sweat and you'll get a bunch of riders getting sick. Then there's teams not pacing themselves for an 8 day event, thinking they can keep up the pace from Prologue to Lourensford. The terrain is no more or less technical than any other event, it's the distance, coupled to the ascent that gets you. If I had to pay to enter the Epic, I wouldn't ride again. I did my "bucket list" Epic in 2011. After that I paid 50% of half an entry in 2012 and the last 2 I was lucky enough to have a very supportive sponsor. It's too expensive for the likes of me, but as long as the sponsor backs my team, I will come back and ride another one.No brainer and worth all the training & sacrifice. If you're into racing ( I'm an "also rode" , finishing in the first 25%) then do an Epic. The personal feeling of achievement is immense.

Table Mountain Bikers was well represented at the Epic. Results went from top 50 all the way through the field. Well done to all the riders that made it to Lourensford. My body is poked. Woke up with a sore throat and head cold this morning.

Daily race reports on www.teamhansgrohe.co.za

Back home after a tough couple of days in the saddle. Had a great partner, imported from New Zealand. Amanda hung in there as I brought out the big stick every day. Very pleased to achieve our goal of of getting a Top 10 in our category. The riders are getting stronger and stronger each year. No.4 done and dusted. Time to retire!

We ride to the Blockhouse every Thursday at 6:45pm. Start is on the corner of Kloof & Ivy Street. Finish at Van Hunks in Kloof Street where we have regular table booked.