JasonW

Darren Lill did say that it was quite tough on 39x25 gearing! Would definitely go for cyclocross tyres with a reasonable tread. The bit before the tar is quite loose at the moment.

Indeed. I got my LBS to make one up for me and it works a charm. You can also download a how-to guide at www.roadbikerider.com

I've been running my XTR as a dual set up for 4years now so Sram isn't the first to think of it' date=' they were the first to market it in a groupset...The new XTR will have a similar setup Its hard for me as I like both groupsets, both have their positives and negatives...[/quote'] Thning is that XTR dual doesn't give you the chainring flexibility unless you use the after market stuff.

Have used both and you will really be pushed to tell the difference. XTR has a lighter shifting action. XX dual chainring set up is streets ahead of anything else though.

What SRAM (or anyone else for that matter) really need to bring out is a cheap 10speed 11-36 cassette that can be used for training with the XX gruppo. I suspect that the XX casette will wear quickly and I am dreading the day when I will need to but a new one!

I had a creak which I was convinced was BB related and which turned out to be a faulty rear skewer that was not tightening up properly!

Why? I would have thought it would be the opposite. In MTB you are far more prone to shifting problems due to dirt, etc which electonic shifting should theoretically avoid. I do agree that there is probably more potential for water fouling up the works.

Whether it works or not is a scientific question, not a matter of opinion. I know it does not work.

Any idea of the weight of the TCR ADV SL ISP?

Personally I would like to see two things: 1. A series of 3/4/5 XC lap races which would constitute provincial racing under the CSA rules. Because there is so little money from the CSA, this requires a lot of volunteer work, which is probably why there has been general appathy about these events. The only way I can see these events happening is if the bike clubs, bike shops and CSA make firm comitments to do the leg work. 2. The selction of PPA MTB events to act as an offroad league similar to the current PPA / Virgin Active spring and summer road leagues (although for MTB it would probably be winter and spring leagues). I'm sure that this idea could be sold to PPA / Cyclelab who jointly administer the road leagues (I think). Anyway, juts my 2c as I can't make the meeting. For Cyclelab, maybe try get Gary Marescia involved.

Flash Team

Clearly the ethical thing to do.? In any event, why make an enemy out of a fellow competitor?

I use Glenrand MIB. Paid out in full after my bike got totalled by a car and did not even have to pay excess. They cover everything except professional use.

Interesting thing is that the only thing that makes the XX groupset expensive is the casette. If SRAM or Shimano bring out cheaper 10 speed casettes then that problem goes away.

My question is why are all our shops suddenly selling Chinese inch rulers? Is there a Chinese imperialist take over on the go?! JasonW2010-01-20 07:53:43

Agree with the comments. CL does have one disadvantage which is that you need to carry the (bulky) lock-ring tool if you do any outback riding in case you need to remove the rotor. I've needed to do this deep in the cederberg when I bent a rotor and would have been faced with a long walk had I not been able to remove the rotor in order to straighten it. I suppose the alternative is to carry a (less bulky) pair of pliers which would allow you to straighten a rotor whilst it is still on the wheel.

I'm not sure how any gearing advantage would affect the power - time relationship, power being measured at the cranks / hub. Thus if both bikes are pedalled at say 200 watts and one does the same distance 10 seconds quicker then it must surely be a more effeicient design? My guess is that the 26er would be very slightly quicker due to lower weight and less air resistance.

I would still like to see some proper testing using a power meter. Anyone have a 29er with a powertap wheel that they would like to volunteer? First, you would want to ride both bikes on a velodrome at the same power output and then compare times. This will determine whether the "29ers are faster" myth has any truth to it. Second, you would want to ride both bikes up the same steep hill at the same power output and compare times. This willd emostrate what the impact of the 29ers lareger weight is, and whether this outweighs any advantage gianed in the first test. Third, you would want to ride both bikes on a XC circuit, again at the same power output. It needs to be flat as the downhills add too much of a subjective element. The course should be rough and rutted though.

why would that be? If you can lift a bike 10cm surely the wheel will lift up 10cm no matter what size (considering weight is the same). I suspect its the longer front wheel base/rake coupled with the added front wheel/fork weight.

I am genuinely interested to see the data from this test, partciualrly the power files. I also think the author needs to explain why there was such a huge variation (20%) in the times for the 26" wheels but seemingly very little in the times for the 29" wheels. My biggest problem with a 29er is that the front end of the bike is just so much less manoverable. Simnply lifting the front wheel over a log becomes a chore.

I have the GPS track if anyone is interested. On Google Earth you can see that the forrest road carries on to the top of the pass. I noticed that the singletrack had white dots on all the trees and I noticed some more white dots heading off from the dirt road where they had put up the danger sign next to the barbwire fence.

Really awesome ride again this year. Thanks Geddan and the other organisers. The extra climbing this year was well worth it for the extra singletrack through the forrest and the views! Does anyone know if once can ride in the forestry areas at other times?

i'm not sure that it really makes a difference as both an old and new tyre are still inflated to 120 psi and it is this pressure rather than the stiffness of the sidewall that gives the tyre its rigidity. I do however suspect that an older tyre may perform differently under heavy cornering.

You can also add the Attakwas MTB race which runs between Oudtshoorn and Groot Brak River. 130 odd kays though! Its on the 16th Jan.