pedal menace

Sorry eyecandy for using your name but I am sure from the comments here you are as beautiful as this bike Forgiven?

My new machine. Beautiful!! Thx for the great service CCD!! This bikes easily costs half the price than any other known brand. Contact CCD for great service guys!

Somebody mentioned to me today that someone died in the race after an accident. Is that true?

Just heard that Grant Cycles in Centurion closed doors a few days back. Sad day indeed! I was epxecting that to happen but it is still sad to see a shop that's been around for many many many years closing doors.

Whoohoo! Remember the words: To boldly go where no man has gone before... Just ordered the Merdia 96 Team Carbon. Sabie Pre-Ride, here I come! I will measure my inseam tonight but bikeshop says I should take a M frame (I am 1.81cm) and ride 56cm road frame.

OK...two bikeshops just called and offered me the following frames: Shop 1. The Meride 96 NINETY-SIX Carbon Team-D...BEAUTIFUL. Any complaints? Right now in spot nr 1. Price R20K Shop 2. Specialized Epic Full Carbon Team. R30K. R10K difference..Sounds a bit steep for Epic. Is it worth that price? Is Merida that much "worse"?

I want a dual suspension MTB with a rear shock that pretty much has complete lockout...my existing MTB uses a Fox RP23 rear shock and it bounces around all of the time, regardles of the setting. Perhaps some people are happy with this, I am not. I am looking for a full Carbon MTB. I honestly do not know a lot of brands so I have no idea about SantaCruz or Morewood. Is it full Carbon? Price more or less? It seems a good frame will be in the region of R20K?

Top Fuel...from what perspective would you recommend the Epic? Burry Stander would also recommend and Epic but he hardly spends more that 3-4hrs on a bike. Me on the other hand look more towards 4-6 hours. Is the Epic not more for your hardcore I want to win comfort not that important but weight is kinda bike? I have to ask...only way I will get proper feedback.

Thx. I have seen you ad but you are selling the entire bike. I am just interested in frame (and maybe cranks).

Hi All, I have an itch to buy myself a new MTB frame. My existing MTB has SRAM X-0 so I think a frame only is enough. Question is what to buy? In my view I narrowed it down to: Specialized Stumpjumper Specialized Epic Scott Spark 10 Any other really good frames? Now my dilemma is which is the best? The websites seems to categorise MTB's by XC, Trail etc..Now what exactly does that mean? Example: Which Specialized is the best to do the Sabie Experience with? Is it XC or Trail? Remember I am a social rider and have no intensions to win :-) I guess comfort comes first..but weight also very important. Next dilemma is where to buy? So many bike shops have closed down..So many rumours of ones about to follow. Eish!! I also have no idea what shops specialize (excuse the pun)in what brands? Anyfeedback will be appreciated.

Ok, I know there has been a multitude of topics on the issue. However, most of them generally asks..How? I am more interested in references for actual truck transports used. I am aware of 2 companies that take bikes down to the Argus. Redline Logistics and a new one I saw on the hub a few days ago called "The Bike Migration" I have personally used Redline for last number of years and I have had no issues whatsoever. In fact I can recommend them. Only issue is that the bike drop off and collection in Jhb is very far from my house. The Bike Migration is situated in Kayalami and is much closer (and slightly cheaper). Has anyone used them before? Opinions/views?

Just bought myself DT SWISS XRC 100 front fork from CRC. Got a lbs quote of R10500. Paid close to R6000 ALL included, (VAT everything!). Absolutely worth it!!

Well you have my vote for PTA! Thx Wolverine, glad I could add a face to someone well known on the hub!

I am planning to test ride this racing steed over the weekend. Can't wait! I must admit that the new gear shifting mechanism of SRAM will probably take a while to get used to. It still confuses me....

I am not usually the rant and rave type person but one think I do feel strong about is that credit must be given when it is due. A few weeks ago I decided that I have saved long enough to finally build myself a new racing steed using some existing components and buying some new stuff. I really did my research this time around and didn't just blindly go to my usual LBS. I called around 6 bike shops in and around Pretoria and stated that I am serious in buying some top notch bike goodies so tell me what you have. The service I received in general was absolutely SHOCKING!! Some of the bike shops are yet to come back with any sort of offer. Clearly most of these shops are not bothered and assumes revenue and good service do not go hand in hand. Considering that times are tough, as a bike shop owner I will take any potential client seriously. BUT..I am not going to name and shame as this is not what I want to do here. I want this to be a positive thread as one bike shop out of all these shops went the extra 1 million miles to deliver a good service. BESTER CYCLES..you rock! I called them one afternoon, they took my requirements down. Within half an hour I received a call back telling me what they can offer me. The one bike frame I was specifically interested in was unfortunatly not in the shop but only at the supplier in PE (yes Port Elizabeth). No problem the shop said, they will ship it to Pta, allow me to view it and if I do not want it, they will ship it back..ALL ON THEIR ACCOUNT, not mine. Within another hour they called again just to confirm the frame has been packed and is on the way to the airport.2 days later I was called to inform me all is there to be viewed. What a beautiful machine (PIC to follow). From the word go these guys have been professional, friendly and with only one goal in mind: GOOD SERVICE. To Alexander and Jaco, guys keep it up. To the hubbers out there, this is one shop you can really take your business to! NOW...TADA...See my new machine below. Felt F1 SL with SRAM Red. 56cm. Weight: (sit down first) Approx 6.5kg's. Yeeha

Thx for all the info everyone. Right now I am considering buying the SRAM Red groupset via the Solomons offer here on the hub. From my research it seems to be a really good deal. If that is the case all that reamins is a frame as other accesories (i.e. handlebars, pedals etc) I can simply take from my existing bike. What you all think of the Specialized Tarmac SL2 frame?

Hi, I am considering buying a new bike but it seems excluding Raleigh (which I personally have no problem with) every other top of the range bike exceeds R50K? I want something that at least has Dura Ace 7800 or SRAM Force/Red. The Raleigh Team LTD (at R40K) at this stage seems to be by far the best value for money.

Unfortunately no insurance...replacing a frame is no cheap exercise...prices have gone UP big time. I think a new CR-1 frame would probably go for close to R20K?

This is my road bike...MTB still safe semi clean :-) Haven't been on it since I broke my leg in February. Currently just doing road riding. MTB...SOON!

Thx Johan..appreciate the feedback and that is what I was so hoping to hear. I understand though that cracks will be an indication of a failure in the not so distant future, but can one cancel the thought of a sudden failure a high pressure (i.e. speed)? No cracks, just a snap at a potential weak point?

It is a Scott CR-1, not so young anymore but still my pride and joy! Spent some money to get it down to 6.8kg's total. No she's damaged. Aaarghh! But...I still need the hubbers opinion...you think it is safe to continue riding with the bike?

But warranty surely doesn't cover a stone hitting the frame causing damage? You recon bike not safe?

I have just made a terrifying, life ending emotional discovery on my trusted steed. Whilst cleaning my carbon bike on the underside I discovered that a stone (or something) hit my down tube about 8cm above the BB and left a hole about 5mm big. And I mean straight through the carbon. Imagine all the tissues I needed between all the tears! Do you think a hole this size will weaken the frame in any way? Being so close the BB area and on the down tube, I assume this to be an area that takes quit e a bit of stress when riding hard. Last thing I want is for the down tube to snap so close to the BB. Your thoughts...SNIFF SNIFF...I am so sad!

Looks like Merry Pebbles is the place to be....hence me leaving Thursday..wanna get a nice camping sport so on Friday (which BTW will be my birthday ) I can have a "drink" (Is Windhoek Light acceptable?) while watching you all unpack..

Current plan: Leaving Pta Thursday morning 5AM with caravan. Also staying at Merry Pebbles. Looking forward to race. Was there at pre-ride and oh boy...she is tough! And then add the weather..she is going to be wet!!