bontie

WW, I have not yet no. I can get a Scalpel 29er in December. I am considering to get a Flash 29er3 now and selling it in Dec to make space for a Scalpel 29er. I am based in the UK so it may be a bit easier to still get one? Any takers for a Flash 29er3 @ about R20k in December??

It sucks your ass? Really How comfortable is that?

+1 - Read reviews by real people on www.alwaysriding.com or PM Etxeondo

Because wheels bigger than 29" would make you look like a clown!

Those were my initial thoughts too, thank you. Christie wrote : As to hard tail vs. soft tail:Imo only racing snakes should be riding hard tails. A 29" hardtail is just as hard or very close to a 26" hard tail in comfort - on the rough stuff it will beat you up just as hard. True, but I am sure it would be okay, I can take a bit of a beating in terms of comfort - I'll rest after the ride? If you decide to go full-sus, I would suggest you consider multi-link frames as well. Cannondale have gone for a multi-link design on their new sull-sus 29er too, perhaps this is the best one to go for? Also considered - but when and at what price as I will be buying a bike at the end of June... Lastly, be careful of a Lefty in European conditions - the shims and bearings don't like being wet, but if you look after it well, it should be ok. I am in the UK - most people here ride 4" and 5" frames - the trails are supersmooth and mostly moist/damp (even in summer) Eish, now I am even more confused - Scalpel 29er?? Does anyone have an idea on pricing and when it will become available? The last info I had said available in May?? Thanks for all the comments so far

Okay, my intention is not to start a 26 vs 29 thread, but I would appreciate some thoughts from the fountain of knowledge that is thehubsa. I am on the verge of buying a new(and only) MTB. I need it to do everything... I will mostly ride the soft swooping trails in the Northern Hemisphere and potentially a couple of XC/marathon races. I am used to riding a hardtail (have never had a full suspension bike). I am undecided between a 26" Scalpel and a Flash 29er -will probably get the "3" in the model range (XT/X7 spec) nothing too expensive. Which will be the better all rounder?

Pretty sure it was not a random killing for a cellphone or 50 rondt... We live in a broken world

AFAIK - this bike was first sold in '05 and was discontinued in about '09? NOS @ Solomons, but I wonder how it would compare? Imagine, your front wheel rolls like butter over obstacles and the rear accelerates like a road bike

AFAIK the distance between the BB and saddle does not change when the suspension "sags"

I just ride my bikes. Recently bought a new bike and it came with 170mm, didn't notice until I saw it bu coincidence after about 1000km... I remember buying a 2nd hand MTB a couple of years ago, after very long I noticed it had 175mm cranks. Honestly - I don't think there is a big difference...

his is not bad either - love the custard coloured one. Felt curbside

If you browse the forums, the thing going for the Polar apparently is the training tools and functionality. Garmin has its own but Polar can be set up to very specific goals and training programs e.g. set intervals etc. The Polar is a "multisport watch as long as you have the necessary sensors (different for bike and run)which also adds to the price tag quite a bit, while the Garmin can be used on whichever mode of transport you choose. The Polar GPS is very poor compared to the Garmin, it is very bulky and needs to be strapped to your arm or similar, and battery lasts approximately 10 hours, and cannot be recharged. Rant over. So, if you have the Polar and you are happy with it, the Garmin will probably offer the same. If you have none and need to choose one - I'd get the Garmin.

The one Fabian rides...

The International company will honour the warranty, but expect the local distributors to have it somewhere in the fineprint that they need not honour such warranties. I recently made an enquiry to Bianchi on exactly that and received the following response : "thanks for choosing Bianchi brand! Yes, in case of warranty you can contact the Bianchi distributor in South Africa. Please keep the sales receipt (invoice of purchase): it is usually required in case of any problem with the bike. Best regards" I wonder what would have happened if Burry&Sauser or Multivan Merida or Milka Trek or even Trek WR broke a frame during the Epic - surely their frames weren't sold by the local guys?

I think she's enagaged to Tom Lowe? Otherwise get in line... http://www.examiner.com/endurance-sports-in-national/chrissie-wellington-down-under-7-marriage-proposals-1-flasher-but-0-rings

Okay, there are a number of Hubbers who live in lala land. I am keen to go watch a stage of the Giro, and the weekend of 22 May seems like a good one as the Saturday stage finish is on Monte Zoncolan. Plan is to ride to Lienz (where the stage starts) from Innsbruck/Salzburg (230km) on Friday, sleep in Lienz and leave early Saturday - up mountain, and watch the finish.We will then drive on and sleep somewhere close by (maybe Lienz again) and catch a train back to Salzburg/Innsbruck. I need a few fellas to join me as the UK friends have all blown their budgets on that little MTB stage race last week... Any takers? Or suggestions re logistics/routes etc?

Thoughts like "Skoenmaker, hou jou by jou lees" come to mind

WTF! Fizik shoes, Giro Shoes, Giro Bikes, Trek helmets... What is next?

How are the Panda bibs nowadays - saw some of them at the J2C last year and they seemed pretty good - I was especially impressed by the chamois...

Louis Garneau

Ask your future "farther" in law if you could ride it a bit farther, and then make your mind up... Giant makes good bikes, and they are all pretty strong - I say this because almost all bikes have had one or two (some more) failures. For your type riding - The Trance is well worth a look at as you probably need a bit more travel, or better yet : Buy a second and third bike before the wedding...it gets more difficult to do so after.

I do not know what ratio you currently ride, but I recently changed to compact (As I will also be riding some of these climbs soon) A 50:34(4.5454) is actually a heavier gear than a 53:12(4.416). And the compact gives you a massive range to the lighter side. IMO compact is the way to go!

I suppose justice was served... When the gods of the Epic strike, they punish you hard for your sins...

I suggest to read the cutomer reviews of these gloves to give you an idea of their cold resistance. Here are three : "I bought these hoping to keep my fingers warm during the winter months as they are 'winter' gloves. Unfortunately when the temperature falls below 7 degrees c your fingers get cold. I daren't try them at zero. They are nice and slick and probably good for autumn." "perfect fit, just go for the size chart and buy (and this is very very important since the glove has no closure device). good to 15~10ºC (enough for me). yes, there is a lack of padding but if you got a confy cockpit, it will never be a problem. there is a lot of sensitivity involved (the good side of the lack of padding?) "Overall I am very pleased with these gloves. The Design and detailing is very good. although there is no padding. I have been out cycling at 5'c with a cold on set wind and the gloves kept my hands warm bear in mind these are designed to be light weight so there is no lining. This is the only downside as you may find your hands swet slightly but saying that I am happy with the gloves and can vouch they do what they say on the packet! Good price indeed CWC!

I have these - they are NOT very warm and not windproof... They are at best "shoulder season" gloves. I wear mine in temp 7-12 deg (estimate) Anything below that I wore Castelli Windstopper gloves over them or rela winter gloves. They are good for the not too cold weather days - I use them a lot, and they have superb grippy palms. Don't intend to bash the thread, they are very nice gloves- but not proper winter gloves at all.