MrJacques

A dropper seatpost could be ideal for you... In terms of comfort (in order of worst to best) I'd say it goes like this: HT 26, HT 29, DS 26, DS 29. See if you can demo any bikes and feel what works best for you and the type of terrain you like to ride.

One solution would be to have a rubbish bin or two on the trail?

What helmet do you have? Maybe you need one with better ventilation?

Contact Two Wheels Trading, they are the Serfas distributors in S.A. I think.

If you are sick enough to be on that medication maybe you shouldn't race?

I'd go for the stronger set.

Yeah, not easy spending so much money on something you haven't physically seen. What size bike do you ride? I saw a carbon anthem on sale at cwc the other day: http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/giant-anthem-x-advance-0-frameset

Unfortunately not (my friends aren't that rich, hehe) but I have only read good things about it. The reviews all say it's a very solid, good quality bike (go check on mtbr and BikeRadar).

The pivot frameset is new, not sure about the warranty though. Wonder what the warranty implications are if you bought a new bike and stripped the components? You could also phone some bike shops and hear if they have old stock from previous years at discounted prices. With the 29er hype 26er sales must be down a bit I'd assume. The Anthem is a good choice though, you won't go wrong with it.

Not a tapered steerer (I think), but this is a really good frameset: http://www.thehubsa....-black-or-blue/ (no affiliation to the buyer, just a pivot fan) From what I've seen with frame prices you could probably buy a whole bike, sell the components and come out cheaper?

Why not share here so we can all learn?

Looked what just popped up in the classifieds.... https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/23217-continental-cyclo-x-tyres/ and these as well: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/22262-schwalbe-rocket-ron-tyre-700-x-35c/

I think there was a review of it in a recent copy of tread mag. From what I remember it was good.

Wow, nice looking bike and it can shred too! The scrub was cool, could see the suspension working. The drop at the end was huge!

Dealer list: http://www.rideghost.com/za/Dealers

Get your setup right first, but also have a look at getting some ergonomic grips, like these.

Shimano has revealed the SLX range for 2013 (So I assume it should be here the end of 2012?). The direct mount rear derailer looks interesting. http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/shimano-slx-2013-unveiled-33285

Raising the bb height will also have an effect on the handling. From what I've heard a lower bb height should be more stable.

I've seen the Scott Metrix at a bike shop in P.E. (and taken for a very short test ride, it's quite a fun bike) It's around the R4600 mark.

How tall are you? Crank length is usually matched to length, specifically inseam length.

So it's time to replace my xt derailer's jockey wheels as they seem to be pretty worn. Would you guys recommend just the plain old nylon (or whatever plastic it's usually made from?) or maybe aluminium? Which type would last longer? These seem pretty cool and would maybe not gather as much gunk as solid ones? But at that price it might be better and cheaper just to buy a new derailer.

Yup, be safe & replace it.

Interesting, seems like very short and intense interval training.

Rockshox Reba

Here is a nice review of the Giant.