sometime

Notable exception was Patrick Jansen riding a Giant XTC 26er hardtail who smoked all of us in the 45-49 category. But he looked about 5 foot tall so it makes sense he rides the smaller wheels

Stumpy has good geometry if you're not riding a small 29er in which case the geometry really doesn't / can't work. If you're running a small or medium frame then geometry is far less compromised in 27.5 than it is in 29.

It was a real privilege and pleasure to participate in such an incredible event. The course was fantastic and I'm definitely going to be doing more XCO racing after this. Seeing so many 60+ and even 70+ year old riders on the course was an inspiration and I hope to be able to emulate them in years to come. Well done to all participants and the organisers - you should all be proud of yourselves.

If you want to win a World Championship XCO race then you must have it all - speed, strength, technical skills, race strategy, intelligence and balls. Whatever the debate might be on the nature of the course I have no doubt the best (most complete) rider will win. I'm looking forward to riding the course and being part of a World Championship event. I haven't ridden the course yet but from what I've heard it's pretty intense with a number of competitive XCM riders I know seriously reconsidering their entries. When I suggest they take the B & C line to say safe, their response is they'll lose too much time...

Nobody can tell me some synthetic powder produced in a factory is going to give you any nutritional benefit over a balanced diet of real food. If you don't believe this then please stop eating real food and eat a 2 kg tub of your favourite multi-vitamin every day and come tell us how you're doing in a month's time.

There is a section is in the video going uphill over some roots and Nick does mention choosing a smooth line through there to maintain momentum and minimise time loss.

Thanks for the feedback guys - full sus it is then

After watching that video those are my exact thoughts but video seldom does justice to the true nature of the course. Does anyone who's actually ridden the trail think you can get away with a rigid forked 29er hardtail assuming a rider with above average technical skills? I have a choice of adding gears to my rigid Ritchey P29er single speed or going with a heavier, less responsive Anthem X 29er Comp. Course looks fantastic BTW! Really looking forward to this event!

Any idea if the Masters course is suitable for a rigid front fork or will that compromise your speed as the course is too technical for that?

Great race with a little bit of everything thrown in. I find the finish a bit irritating with endless little twists and turns through the mud near the finish but apart from that it's great. Also it's only an hour out of central Gauteng so very accessible and with showers there it's easy to bring the family along and enjoy the rest of the day in Parys.

One day when I'm a real cyclist I'll have agents working for me

Congrats Iron - nothing quite like getting a new bike especially when it's something unique like you've got there!

+1

Check the test results above? But either way you've made the same point I did.

For my money the best stage race in the country.

Just when all the racism, bigotry, ignorance, arrogance, brand/lycra/SS/29er/made in China snobbery & BS threatens to get too much on this here forum, along comes a thread at encompasses all that's good with TheHubSA. Well done to the OP - you have my respect, envy and admiration.

Or just save yourself over R1000 and buy the Shimano SLX brakes which produces more power than the XT's and weighs only 19 grammes more.

ZTR Crest (or Arch is you're over 85kg) plus Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs are a pretty bullet proof, well priced, reasonably light overall package. Available from a number of LBS and online retailers in SA

Dry and dusty you ideally want low profile knobs packed closely together (think Kenda small block). Conti Mt Kings are the opposite of that with pronounced knobs and wide spacing along the contact patch. Invert everything above and you have the reason why Crossmark are no good for the wet and mud and good for cycling across the Kalahari ten times. In fact swap your answers around and you'll be much better off.

One of my training mates has a similar problem. Depending on your budget you can get a frame custom made based on your measurements as he did. Else the Santa Cruz offers a true XXL frame.

http://www.tunisia-live.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Thrifty-families-boost-McDonalds.jpg

Nice ride!

A ride to and back from Thaba, with all the blue loops and and a lap of the green loop whilst there, ticks just about all the boxes I need ticking from a technical and training perspective. I rode the full length of the spruit from Emmarentia to Paulshof, and back via Alberts farm and N'cliff this weekend for the first time in a long time. I'd forgotten what a good ride that can be.

Mix and match Shimano 105 & Ultegra and then spend the sizeable balance left on the best wheels and tyres you can buy

I can only assume you haven't done much bunch riding in a fast group. Touching someone to let them know they're too close is common practise. Secondly just 'moving away' isn't that easy without compromising your position and others around you. Either way responding to this by hitting someone is unacceptable and would lead to a suspension or a ban had this happened in the elite group.