camerons

I think seeker911 and tombeej have offered some pretty sound advice. (and everyone else too of course)

Very nice! Black is the new white as well, so a good colour choice.... I know you've just got it but you've got to loose the reflectors ASAP.

I had them on my Roubaix - like yours, that's what mine came with. I really enjoyed their durability however their rolling resistance was terrible. When I switched to a racier tyre it was almost like I was riding a different bike. I wouldn't go back. I think there are better tyres out there that are equally as durable and offer better performance. I've got some nice bomb proof bontrangers at the moment.

@Spinnekop and Barend - thanks for the info.

slightly off topic but am I correct in the fact that if you get carbon wheels like zipp or similar you need to have cardon break pads which would mean if you wanted to swap in between your carbon wheels and your regual (non carbon) training wheels you would also need to change the break pads each time?

I think the "problem" with spinning is that it is completely unstructured so it's difficult to make gradual improvements. With an IDT you can follow your own prgram and it's much easier to measure your effort and so improve, especially if you have one with a power meter. I think a lot of people avoid IDTs because they're boring but if you try one of the workout videos you can get for them it's actually not that bad. (or watch a film on your laptop or something.) If you don't have an IDT then I would suggest going and riding a spinning bike at the gym when a spinning class is not happening and following your own program. - or go to a spinning class (so you've got birds to look at and music etc.) and just do your own ride.

I've downloaded a few of these: The Sufferfest and am really enjoying my indoor training now. Bloody hard work though.

I know of guys in the UK who have used them I belive. For a small order like tyres I would take a chance.

A bit late on the reply but a big +1 for Don Fink. I know several people who have successfully completed IM on his programs. PM me your email address and I will send you a copy of his competitive programme that I put into Excel. If it seems a bit much then you can tone it down a little bit to suit your needs. FYI - the Don Fink book "Iron Fit" has three programs called "just get around", "intermediate" and "competitive" based around how much time you have for training. There is quite a lot of volume in the competitive program but the five people I know who have used it have all gone sub 11 so I know it works. I am going to be using it this year myself having used the intermediate and private coaching before. One thing to note is that the programs have quite a high running volume so if you are injury prone it might be worth substituting one of the runs for some sort of cross training session. Maybe rowing or circuits or something. Also I would highly recommend buying the book. It is a good read and a great introduction to Ironman training.

OK. I interpreted it differently. It just seems that there are a bunch of guys on here with high post counts that seem to be rude and agressive which I think spoils the forum a little - hence my comments. Anyway we've high-jacked the OPs thread enough now. Sorry for that.

I guess what you're saying makes sense because people buy and build there own bicycles all the time... From my point for view I don't know how to build a bike anyway so I had to get it done by a bike shop. They charged R450 which I thought was pretty reasonable and now I have full recourse should anything go wrong as the bike shop is an authorized dealer being a concept store and all. When I collected the bike the guy at the shop actually told me that all work, servicing etc. needed to be done by an authorized dealer to retain the warranty. Maybe I am just a sucker :> or maybe Specialized have got strict with there warrantys.

It does seem crazy but read the last sentence of the first paragraph at this link http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/General%20Warranty.pdf It was also written with the documentation that came with my frame and confirmed by the Specialized Concept Store in Hillcrest, KZN, where I had mine built. Who know's how it is policed though. p.s. perhaps an unnecessarily aggressive response don't you think? Although that seems fairly common place on this site so I won't let it bother me.

very very nice. I just built myself an SL2. Found a ridiculously good deal on the frame in the UK so managed to build for an absolute steal. SL2 Frame - 800GBP Ultegra Groupo - 620GBP DuraAce Wheels - 500GBP Stem/Peddles/Handlebars etc - 500GBP Since the photo was taken I've added some zipp carbon cages. Also the stem needs changing. Spoiling the look of the bike at such an angle. The ride is absolutely incredible. You are going to love yours once it's finished. The Ultegra grouppo seems great as well. I'd recommend it. Only 300g heavier than DuraAce and less than half the price. Some advice is to get the bike built by an authorized specialized dealer otherwise the warranty is void.

My experience is the opposite. I cycle a lot and can run at the drop of a hat. As mentioned in an earlier post I did an IM Marathon without having run a single step. Unfortunately I cannot find the study I read at the time when I injured myself and did the above (convinient for me I know) but I will attempt to track it down. I know a lot of triathletes (a couple of whom are also coaches) and amongst them it seems to be a commonly held opinion that cycling will keep your legs strong for running and running will not keep your legs strong from cycling. I think Eldron said it best. Run to be a good runner and cycle to be a good cyclist.

No attitude was intended, sorry if you read it as such. You said you are not looking to argue and neither was I.

This is completely different to how I've understood it because most runners are limited by their legs and the injury risk from exercising their aerobic systems as much as they could and adding the cycling allows it to happen. However a cyclist is not limited in the same way so can get the full aerobic load just on the bike so they don't run.

We're not arguing we're discussing it's what forums are for and why I am here... to learn. You are not providing any evidence to back up your statement? Please elaborate because what you are saying is pretty much the exact opposite to what I know and have read.

They would not be able to run so well off of the bike if they were not very bike fit. This fitness would be gained from biking not running. I don't know you but I'm assuming you've got a cycling back ground and have strong cycling legs to have managed this. Imagine how well you would have done if you had done cycle training and not running

Hey I'm not saying cycling is going to turn you into an elite runner but it definately keeps the legs strong for running whereas running doesn't seem to do the same for cycling. Do some research (by which I mean googling ) and you'll find loads of anecdotal evidence and even a few studies that will back me up.

+1. This is what I did when I bust my shoulder snowboarding.

Are you looking at this from a just general keeping fit point of view or are you wanting to keep cycle fit? I'm going to disagree with pretty much everyone else and say that running will not keep you cycling fit. Yes it will keep you "fit" but when you get back on the bike you must expect to have lost a lot of your cycling specific fitness. Conversly it is commonly held wisdon that cycling does keep you run fit. In fact I did and Ironman without doing any running training due to an injury (stress fracture). I think it would be near impossible to do that the other way... i.e do an ironman with only run training and no cycling.

You must be hollow!

WOW! Nice work man. You must be noticing some serious difference especially when going up hill. You weigh 2 (road bikes) less than you did! I'm around 88/89 at the moment. 3kgs above my race weight but it will drop off quickly enough when IM training begins on November 1. Until then I will just be "fat" and happy. I am 194cm tall.

Cycle Lab in Durban North have a number of groups that ride a couple times a week. All the details are on their site.

It is perfectly acceptable to be critical of things. It is how things change and get improved upon. Ho-hum - perhaps it is me that is at fault for having high expectations but I really was looking forward to more.