Just Keep Pedaling

Yeah...Cajees...I had a bad experience there and so did my friend...

Women can ride mens bikes just fine by the way. Womens bikes generally have a shorter top tube or stem and a womens specific saddle. They can sometimes lob a whole lot extra onto the price for this.

I must say. This is a good race to start with. Easy route. Excellent markings. Pretty route on private land. Go for it.

Be a man. Enter! (it is mostly flat and you can walk the uphills if neccessary)

Never take advice from someone selling you something. That being said - they are all looking for repeat business so ripping you off is not going to happen - rather beware of them upselling you junk you don't need. Honestly, buy him an entry level Silverback for like R2000. If he likes biking then sell it for R1000 and buy a 'good bike'. Nothing is more expensive the that R12 000 bike ridden 5 times and then left to rot because cycling makes his bum hurt or whatever.

I had Tektro's. They are good brakes for a budget brake.

You won't die from cycling. Beware of heavy 'treffers' blaring at max decibels at 6:30am though... If you want to die do Barberton this weekend or Sabie Classic next month.

From your post it would appear you are assuming there is a large % to be gained from doping. Until I know the % I can't form an opinion about whether it is impossible to win when others are doping. Edit: SwissVan's posted while I was typing. Still can't form an opinion.

Minor rubbing is acceptable. Try this also: Loosen the bolts that attach the brakes - then pull the lever - then tighten the bolts while still pulling the lever. (Bedding in is related to the pads requiring a few good pulls before you charge down a mountain.)

"are they really going to pick it up? " When you declare cameras on the way out they take down the serial number. They might do the same with bikes...

It is important to allow your B-HIND to shape to the saddle. Strap it to your chair at work and sit on it the whole week. Glare at anyone who asks questions and say "If you only knew the suffering I have to go through..."

I will probably need it for the Sabie Classic. Going to leave it on the bike.

Is the granny gear cog really neccessary for mountain biking? I have been purposely riding without it on the last few rides - in my opinion it is not needed.

I use a medium cage on a three ring - the shifting is better under load but when in the granny cog there are about four gears not available on the rear. Shorter cages are to avoid hooking on rocks when doing a descent.

Frak - was hoping to do it on Saturday - never done it before - but that four letter word is scaring me off - CLAY!

Just thinking...if he is careful he could probably get away with scratching with his thumbs...just saying.

Just thinking...if he is careful he could probably get away with scratching with his thumbs...just saying.

Stoffel - a worn cassette does not cause that. That is cable tension. A worn cassette with cause the shain to slip off the cassette on a pedal stroke as the teeth can't grip the chain properly anymore.

I don't mean to be funny but gears generally need adjusting with the barrel adjuster each ride. Do it while on the bike and riding with the barrel adjuster at the shifters. If its slipping under load tighten the adjuster (you can feel which way is tighter) and if it won't drop down nicly then loosen the barrel adjuster. The cables stretches each ride (or cuts into the housing or whatever) - temperature can change the tension too. Learn to use the barrel adjusters and get rid of the messy shifting once and for all.

Scary. At the food place there was a map of the Farm with the dam above the FishEagle Dam saying Hippo! - I thought they were joking and just didn't want mtn bikers to ride there - being for the bird watchers etc.

I read otherwise: that it is a proper lube and better than any applied stuff. I wan;t to know where I can get some too.

Northern farms really is a great ride. They now cut the grass near the highway - making it much safer !

Fox has more poseur cred. If you don't care about status symbols on your bike then sell me the fox!

Thanks guys. Much obliged.

"48kg?? is she 4'2?" Lol. No. About 160cm. Whenever we go out for dinner I say "sweetie, you are looking so good today, I think you should have the salad." With a sad look on her face, she always agrees...