Minion

Thanks. I must have looked right at it and missed it.

On the topic of rules and so on, where are the rules actually posted? I thought they were in a sticky thread or something, but I can't find it.

You might need a permit for that. SARS limits you to importing around R20k worth of stuff per year, for personal use.

What are your criteria? Weight? Looks? It's simplest to get one of the pre-built SRAM ones (you could wait for Red). Buying just the spider requires a bit of admin. Quarq do not ship direct to SA at the moment. There are ways around this and people here have brought in other Quarqs, but is's not straightforward. If you want them to install the crank, you need to get the crank to them. Otherwise you need to install it yourself. I've done this when swapping cranks on my Quarq and it's not hard, but not everyone is technically inclined.

Also any phone or MP3 player charger that uses the same kind of USB plug.

If it was anything other than a 24H hub, an Open Pro would definitely be the way to go.

I like this train of thought. Maybe not TdF, but I'd take a few weeks leave and go cycling around Europe. Do a couple of days in the mountains and then just take a leisurely cycle tour.

It can like to be kief.

Very good advice. Do homework, save money.

Do they, though? Prices from CWC and Buycycle aren't too bad. They're higher in many case, but not to the point that I'd call it ripping off. For example Buycycle is the cheapest source of Bell Helmets, with full warranty and crash replacement, in SA. Their prices on Zipp and SRAM are in line with Wiggle etc. and are sometimes cheaper. My purchasing hierarchy goes something like: if I need it now, I'll go the the LBS. If I need it tomorrow, I'll order from CWC. If I need it next week, I'll get from whoever is cheapest (be it local or overseas), considering all costs and convenience.

The Mavic looks like it's got better reinforcement around the spoke holes. The graphics also look more restrained. They look like they're similar depths, so the heavier one will probably be stronger, though both are probably strong enough.

Usually not. That's one of the reasons you need to round the spoke lengths down and even subtract a millimetre or two (I was wrong in my earlier post where I said to add length).

Belgium

Pizza? That's the second most interesting swear word I've ever heard.

Right 1? Come on, that's an easy one

I'm not so sure about the ones on the right of the last two lines, but I got the other six.

How does he manage that? Does he have to change kit every 22km? Anyway, I thought there were more than 36 teams.

Now I'm beginning to doubt my memory. Could be I was told to round down and not up.

Did a quick check using your parts and JB's spoke calculator and database. I get numbers very close to these. Use these lengths. Bear in mind that you need to add 2-3mm to the spoke lengths that some spoke calculators give you - this could explain the difference.

Order the ones that the wheelbuilder recommended. If they're the wrong length, it's his problem.

Sora/Tiagra or 9 speed, while newer 105 and up are 10 speed. This means that you'd have to upgrade your shifters, cassette, dérailleurs, chain and possibly chain rings in one go - basically the whole groupset, excluding the brakes and crank.

How is the number plate attached to your wife's car? It might be possible to take it off temporarily and attach it to the bike rack.

The relevant charges from AARTO are: If you put the wrong plate on, it's an offence, with no option of a fine. You would have to appear in court or negotiate with the prosecutor if you wanted to argue a lack of criminal intent. IN other words, a serious mission. If you leave the plate off, it's and infringement which would result in a R500 fine (discounted to R250 if paid on time). If you can't get a plate in time, then definitely go for the option of just leaving off a plate, rather than using the wrong one.

My experience of looking for hiking trails on Google Earth is that is's much easier to find a reasonably well-used track from an aerial photograph than when you're walking along it. You get the complete picture. There're no trees and bushes to block your line-of-sight, there's no problems with the horizon, if you find a branching track, the overhead photos immediately tell you where it goes etc. Obviously, there are exceptions, such as heavy tree cover blocking the aerial view, but you can can often find entry and exit points. You do need a rough idea of where your proposed trail starts and where it will go, but hardly need to know the details.