Just Keep Pedaling

Interesting - it has a Ario instead of the Marzocci. I have the metallic green colour which looks better to me.

I had to cut my wife's seatpost. My seatpost is on 8 (inches I premsume) and I don't need to cut it. Another thing - the small size one has to intall the shock upside down - no problem except accessing the valve then requires you remove the four allen bolts and detach the shock - not an issue on the large frame.

I run a Rock Shox Revelation 120mm. The bike fees slightly 'forward' so 140mm should make it feel about flat. Check the Fury website - I think they recommend a 130mm shock.

Me and my wife each have one. 1. Looks awesome - expect compliments. Build quality appears really rugged. 2. Despite its looks it is really more trail and less all mountain - quick releases over axles, 135mm standard rear instead of 155mm rear, 1.1/8 inch steerer - 120mm recommend max travel etc. Aggressive geometry makes it good for cross country and marathon. 3. Rides well - feels and probably is bombproof. Downsides: The shock is exactly where the mud goes off the wheel - you need to put a shock boot on. You can't use a 2.4 inch tire on the back as it interferes with the front derailler. It is heavy. At 3kg of frame don't expect it to weight the same as your Anthem x. Nevertheless I don't notice the weight - my Rig weighs in at 13kg. The price above is virtually for free as a replace mentshock alone will cost you R3600.

Giant will specify a maximum travel for the Anthem - probably the shorter travel of 80mm/100mm. Make sure the one you buy fits both the steerer and the wheels you have. They normally come in white/grey/black options.

http://www.sram.com/rockshox/products/sid-xx-world-cup

SID shocks are the lighter air shocks but not for heavy blokes wanting to do the occasional harder hitting stuff. I went for a Reba and I am quite happy with it. SID XX if you want to spend silly money otherwise one of the cheaper versions.

The higher the bars the more comfort - the lower the bars the more power (see time trial bikes). I prefer comfort so I use risers for marathons no problems at all.

"...no cost..." - If I like it, it could turn out to be bloody expensive.

1. Put on heart rate monitor. 2. Run around sports field until you callapse. 3. Check monitor for highest rate achieved. And I won't even charge for this...

Problem with my LBS is they are always BUSY - want something fixed - sorry, we are booked for three weeks...so I end up going back to Online and doing the work myself so I can ride on the weekend.

29er is like Blueray Disk - it better than DVD but nobody cares...except cyclists who belive they are some sort of equipment arms race (bikes as status symbols).

Rode there this year. It was 'nice' but don't expect epic riding - it is a game reserve with jeep track.

Anyone know of a stockist of Formula brakes in Gauteng? Considering buying these...

If they made a right hand version I might consideer it. /jk

It was fun. Needed something to rinse off the mud at the end though...

You have to establish if there will be a bike shop at the event as some have. Remember, they also carry limited stock and can run out of even basic things.

Chamois cream and sunblock.

VG is truely heaven The markings are much better now than when I first rode it a year ago and you are unlikely to get lost. I rode it for seven hours+ last Sunday and the trails are repaired. Avoid Oom Piets after rain as the clay at the bottom of the mountain is bad news.

I finally DID get my Royal Mail items - it took about six weeks. I had bought replacements from the lbs in the mean time...

It was built from some of the components of the previous lightest bike in the world - which the guy did some 20 000km on. Here is a picture of him.

It costs about $45 000 to build one. Or expressed as a percentage of my annual disposable income... 1000%

2.7 kg's according to the website. Expressed as a percentage of my body weight 2.7%

Van Gaalens Nissan Race...with no water...

I also need one. I don't want to pay R2000 for a stand though. Or am I being unreasonable?