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JBK

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Everything posted by JBK

  1. Have you used CO2 cartridges to inflate that tyre ? I wonder if that's caused the slime to go so bad... Try the ecologic - apply undiluted and leave to soak for a little while - let me know...
  2. See my comment above - I've ridden both - Mezcal any day over Saguaro... Much faster rolling...
  3. The Saguaro is actually not a fast rolling tyre at all. In fact it's almost the opposite. At 2.25 you should not be losing grip - maybe try slightly lower pressures. The Mezcal is the very fast rolling & low resistance cousin to the Saguaro.
  4. Hey "Zebra" - where in SA are you based ? I hear your pain - this stuff bugs me also - last time I used fingernails and elbow grease but it did peel off OK. I use a product called ecologic (cleaner / degreaser / disinfectant) to clean my drivetrain and bike (in different concentrations) - it's genuinely the best stuff and my wife has now hijacked it for the house, kitchen, bathrooms, etc. I'd be very interested to see if it will have any effect (applied undiluted). If you're JHB based I'd be happy to give you some to try. If you want more info - I get it from www.stealthhealth.co.za PS: clean green goes nowhere near my bike as its corrosive...
  5. Excuse the long post guys but this topic and brands mentioned are constant discussions in my head. Specialized do themselves an injustice by shipping bikes with that stupid 2.1 fast track at the back. Mine lasted less then 10 rides before the sidewalk tore. I wasn't surprised though as I was going to change it anyway - much too slim at 2.1 and it had zero traction. I did however change the front tyre from new bike day also to the ground control but I put on the 2.3 GRID. Kicking myself for not checking what the standard rear tyre was and changing that also. Historically I've used your Vittoria combo exactly but the Cape Cobra versions, on both mine and my wife's bikes for years. Although both bikes were running older (narrower) rims to what's standard today and I don't believe that the narrower rim actually provided the best benefits of the larger volume tyre. If i look at the 2.3 volume tyre on my new bike compared to the 2.35 on my wife's bike, mine looks double the size.! And hence better planted on the trail... Mass of the tyre is not everything and I despise sidewall tears as they're a "ride-stopper" 90% of the time, hence the GRID or Cape Cobra essential versions. I used 2 plugs and ductape to get back to Broadacres from Bidon on that 2.1 fasttrack but I got there (remarkably). Also, Vittoria introduced their Graphene coating / compound a few years ago which was a game changer for the rolling resistance of their tyres, reducing this considerably and putting them in the top (or bottom by number) 10 (or less ? I think 6). For me, strong tyre wall, good grip and low rolling resistance are critical, more so than mass. So, this combo then all the way : * Front: Vittoria Barzo CC (2.35) * Rear: Vittoria Mezcal CC (2.25) HOWEVER, when I replaced my rear a month or so ago, I really didn't want different brand tyres Front / Rear and I'm VERY impressed with the 2.3 GC so I decided to try the wider fast track (2.3) with GRID and i must say that i am now very impressed with the combo that I have currently : * Front: Spez Ground Control (2.3) GRID * Rear: Spez Fast Trak (2.3) GRID Then we also have to consider cornering grip and climbing traction : The Mezcal at the rear is legendary, I climbed steep loose/ rocky single track where other tyres just spin out (obviously pressure now also comes into play). But the wider FT hasn't let me down yet on this kinda stuff also. Both combinations feel great on cornering but I'm now on wider rims with the Spez than a was with the Vittoria and newer bike geometry, etc. But I was happy with Vittoria before and am equally with Spez now. Going forward, if the tyres were priced the same, I'd probably stay with my Spez combo as its working great but the Vittoria are soo well priced (when on special) at about R600 a tyre that you simply cannot beat that combo. PS : I'm not a Maxxis fan at all - rode their tyres for about 10 years when there wasn't much else - they're OK but not great when looking at the overall picture. Hate Schwalbe - you show them a stone and they split.
  6. Matt, thank you so much for being on top of things. Can you check how many other items this user has showed an interest in and contacted a seller ? Also, whilst i have you, do you have snug idea as to why my chat messages are no longer coming through to tapatalk ? All other notifications for the forums come through but chat messages do not - since about this time last year.
  7. No problem, thanks. I understand your position but I've been around the block many times. If I have more communication I'll let you know.
  8. Thanks for your assistance. Its definitely a scammer - no questions asked about the product - wants to pay and have me deliver. Typical modus operandi for scammers. Hope he doesn't catch someone else.
  9. I'm only seeing option to "view and report stolen" bikes. This guys not selling, he's trying to buy and sent me direct message.
  10. Oh I know it's a scam - don't worry about that. I'm wondering where to report to bike hub so that they can remove the account before he/ she manages to scam someone else.
  11. surely there should be a tab / link to report scammers to bike hub to have their profiles investigated and blocked ? I just got the classic message from someone wanting my item and to discuss payment and transport ! RUDOLPH1975
  12. JBK

    Chainrings

    I wouldn't change to 30T as you'll lose so much on the top end that you'll spin out very quickly on flats and downhills.
  13. JBK

    Chainrings

    You also get 11-46 cassettes for 11spd but you might not have the long range derrailleur that can manage the 46 jump.
  14. Depends on bike carrier - I think the bigger problem is the "carry on" type as opposed to the "hanger" type...
  15. Guys, with many cars today, you can't fit an exhaust deflector because the exhaust pipe/s are often built into the bumper or a feature just below it... This is the case with my X5... I happened to be at Thule today for another matter and asked to see their deflector plates... Very neat and they fit into the bike rack frame in a very professional / sturdy way... Much better than trying to pop rivet a 'for sale' sign... They're a bit pricey at R800 and maybe a bit small but certainly a very good base onto which you could easily pop rivet another piece of steel / aluminium...
  16. I bought from Wish - I'd already replaced the watch by the time they arrived...
  17. Nothing works ! I tried everything with my wife's old forerunner 235... Eventually gave up and bought her a Fenix with crystal sapphire glass.. Best to get a screen protector - like for phones...
  18. Heard of melted carbon rims but not melted tyres... The Prado / Fortuna are the worst culprits... A plate pop riveted onto the bike rack probably your best bet...
  19. Hey buddy - i can't comment on the cassette as I have XTR cassette and chain by i don't have shimano chain ring (I have next crank and race face chain ring). This is the standard set up on some Specialized bikes. I have no problem with shifting. I'm interested to know the price for the upgrade kit that you're looking at as I'm thinking exactly the same for my wife's bike which is still running XT 2X10.
  20. I doubt that you'll be able to hire one anywhere but look on the second hand forums. I'm sure you can buy one for a reasonable price and sell it for about the same price once you're done with it.
  21. This stuff is the business as soon as you start getting an itch in your throat - trust me - andolex has nothing on this and its natural/herbal.
  22. LOL - same here - both my wife and myself and always much worse on Mondays after spending Sat & Sun on our mountain bikes - we've resorted to antihistamines unfortunately, taken daily and that keeps us in check. My wife used to do the saline flush story - worked for a while but then not. I must also ad that we're far less sick this year for having stayed locked up since April...
  23. https://www.facebook.com/1103728086339855/posts/3223822064330436/
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