JasonW

I have an ARB 4x4 compressor. What sort of adaptor are you using to join to a MTB schraeder valve?

Sorry, but this is a stupid argument. The media report on the cases that are most intersting to the public. So when one of the "greatest cylcists ever" and one of South Africa's "best cyclists" ever get done for doping then its obviously going to get reported. As did the guy who one this year's Comrades. As far as I'm concerned cycling is getting what it deserves. Unless I'm mistaken Jaco Rheede is a Cape sub-vet rider who rode for Anderson Transport and Enzo Lezi is a Cape Vet cyclist. Gives me a nice rosy feeling to think that I raced against these guys! Maybe its time to trade in the race bikes for a single speed and a lot of beer coupons !

Silvermine

The Glen / Signal hill route works best for me. The only downside is that you have to work hard on the short downhill section, but Normalised Power will generally take care of that. Other options are Ou Kappse Weg South side.

You also can't forget about all the people that have the man the marshalling points, water points, etc.

My XX brakes started giving endless problems and needed to have the caliper internals replaced after only 18 months. best options would seem to be either XT (better adjustment range than XTR), Formula R1 (expensive), Hope or Ashima (which I've just had installed).

As usual one of the best!

Wonder if Garmin will bring thir new power meter out for the MTB. I have the PT meter and its main advantage is that I can swop it between my two MTBs or leave it off for XC racing. The Quarq oes seem a fair bit lighter though.

The 75km is probably a bit tougher overall than Knysna. The extra bit (over the 60km) is basically some rollers out towards Delvera and then the Delvera Red route. After that its flat and easy riding to the junction with the 60km route.

Try a Stumpjumper. Now has 140mm travel and climbs well due to the Brain rear shock.

The Stans Notubes MMX Podium wheels are a lot cheaper now (+/- R 6K) and will save you 300g over the XTRs. They are available with a lefty hub. A full XX grouppo will save a few hundred grams

Just to confirm that Neverending story should be avoided as a lot of dead trees have blown over and are blocking the trail. The Canary trails are in super condition at the moment after the rain.

If you are in Cape Town speak to Dr Jeroen Swart at the S A Sports Science Institute.

Would make sense on a cross bike where the descents are short and not that steep/technical. For MTB I actually think that the best option would be 185mm front and 140mm back.

I spoke to Arina (from Dirtopia) on Saturday and it is definitely still happening. Entries will apparently open this week.

Really? Its actually the non-professional riders who benefit more from power meters as it gives them a chance of training scientifically without the need for a coach. The power meter doesn't "contribute to performance" anyway its just a measuring device. However its a much more useful and accurate measuring device than using a HR monitor or RPE.

Rubbish. Top SVs have FTPs of 5 - 5.5 w/kg

The coverage of the Cape Cobra was really pathetic.

Nope, not possible. He would have needed to have actually passed the main A bunch and I'm sure I would have noticed! Aside from anything else if he rode solo at 44km/h then he would be in the Pro Tour not G!

My Scalpel weighs between 9.2 and 9.5kgs depending on tyre choice. Great for racing! My old Anthem is about 12kgs and there is not a massive difference in speed to be honest! The pros are getting below 8kgs

I got 5:55 for the same distance at 336 watts. For OKW (from the left turn to the end)was 9:25 for 3.687 kms at 306 watts.

To do the uphill tests properly you really need to have a power meter on each bike. You then do the tests at an equal average power and see which is quicker. Dowhill is probably impossible to quantify and really boils down to what works for you.

Yes I have and no I am not competing in the world champs this year Stop being so defensive. I'm interested in the science and don't have any bias against either bike. Just saying its pointless for the average Fred to shell out for a new bike in order to save a minute over 100kms.

That's less than 1% difference. Hardly a reason to buy a new bike! Will be interesting to see the full report, but there are obviously a massive number of variables then could account for a 1% difference in time. For me the point is that there is no clear advantage to the one over the other.

For B group I got 10:46 (I am using the same distance of 3.57kms). I was about 15secs behind the split in B group. Average power of 335 watts at 5.15 w/kg.