Monark

Why was there only water and coke at the water points? and green bananas??

I got there early to register and move into my mates batch only to be told that we both had to start at the back... fail... The single track was horribly conjested at the beginning but after 18km the field spread out... thank goodness. I was riding with a first timer so we just had fun... lots of wooping/shouting/yelling in pleasure on the single track... The *** part was not having anything to eat once the race ended. Spur and all of the other food stalls had closed. wtf?? Oh well. Some single track was VERY slippery but it was a great test of one's skill or lack thereof. Great course and what awesome climbs. Caroline's Climb MUST be the best climb in KZN mtb... thank goodness for the water point at the top!

I have a Vivo attached to my Anthem

The GT 29'er looks the business with the ghosted graphics...

We have a SB in our 'garage' and the bike is awesome. We have jumped it, raced it and thrown it and it is still one hundred cement. We have the SB Ventura, R7500 of bliss.

Yup, I entered about 2 months ago... If it is raining on Friday I wont ride it, that single track is technical enough in the dry.

Is it raining in the Karkloof right now?

Well what type of riding do you do? Race? Free ride? XC? Where do you ride? We need details... How much do you weigh... etc... height... They are all in in their own special ways...

The Momsen AL329? R9500 and its a 29er?

Dave Wiseman Cycles - Glenwood Durban Wonderful service, great prices and a wealth of knowledge

Yoh... it was on last night... what an amazing event! How incredible are those people that open their houses to the riders along the route? Now that is hospitality! To everyone doing the FC, you have my uttermost respect!

Do they have maps of all of the trails yet?

I have seen the AL329 and have set it up for myself etc etc... it feels awesome... I am dead keen on getting one as well.. The Silverback Segma also looks tight...

I tend to agree with Mampara, the torque that you are putting into the wheel when you try and twist it will all be focussed on the rim thus placing an incredible amount of force on the rim/spokes. A thicker axle and a stronger mounting point to the shock will add rigidity but if the thru axle is mounted to poor quality spokes/rims the flex might be the same as a QR. You will feel a huge difference in rigidity if comparing a thru axle combined to topclass spoke/rim combo in comparison to a middle of the range wheelset with QR.

For the Durban guys there is an AL329 sitting at Leigh's Cycle Centre in the Pavilion. VERY very nice looking bike... I am very tempted! LEt me know what you guys think.

When does the WC take place and where?? I missed out last year and WILL NOT miss out again this year!!!

Get proper UST tyres... Ask your local bike shop to do the conversion for you... might be a little expensive but will help you avoid the hassle of getting your hands dirty.

Well we all know how wonderful Giant's paint quality is... Recently compared my 2009 Anthem to a mates 2008 Santa Cruz... mine looks ***...

I spin twice a week at Virgin La Lucia and I must say that it has really improved my fitness but not my riding. You cannot improve your technical skills or bike craft on a stationary piece of gym equipment. Dont fool yourself. It has aided in my recovery after a tough hill or after long fast flat section. It gets my vote as a dedicated training tool.

No one???

Hi I want to make a day trip up to Karkloof and do a ride of about 25km. Is there a trail centre or something? GPS co-ords to where the trails begin? Please!!!! Dave

Hi I am looking around at 29er HT and like the Silverback and the Momsen AL329. What does the Silverback weigh? The Momsen is 12.6kg as is from the LBS. We have a Silverback in the family and love riding it.

I am interested in the Momsen AL329... Where can I see one in Durban? Their website does not mention any retailers...

Agreed that voting with one's wallet is the way forwards My LBS has been selling me bikes and servicing them for me for over 15 years! I am only 28. They still cant compete with certain items that CWC can supply me with for example Carbon noir Cranks... CWC R2100, my LBS R3000

Hmmmm... with my diary I am just starved for decent training time. In sheer desparation I have joined Virgin Active La Lucia and hit the spinning classes every Tues and Thursday... I get there early so that I can warm up before the music starts! I use a much higher tension on the wheel and try and break myself in the allocated 45 minutes... I get to ride for about 4 hours on weekends... I must say that the spinning has helped immensly with my climbing and topend speed. It might not be enough training but I will take what I can get/fit in!