PPWTF

I spoke to Marin USA (went on the website, found a number, and called with skype) and they mentioned a Jo'burg based shop who are the SA approved importer/distributor. Seems that the Dollar / Rand rate meant that there was not much product actually in SA- not listed on the Marin site anymore, i forget the shop name... sorry PPWTF2009-04-22 07:14:00

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=882 beautiful

I'm seriously thinking about picking up one of these, having used a T6 previously. I'll be honest, the big draw is actually being able to track training effect and HR whilst riding I know there are a few Hubbers who've gone with the T6C and I wanted to hear peoples thoughts before putting cash down (these things ain't cheap - what is it with SA prices on this kit anyway; international prices are way less)

You forgot to add that the R - Sys has the worst aerodynamics of all the high end wheels. So the few grams you save over the shamals is not worth it. You cant really compare the two. Personally I think the shamals or the fulcrums are far superior. Not forgotten, just discounted, given that the aerodynamic effect / benefit is typically only to be had at Pro Tour speeds, which counts most of us out.... that said, your point is correct and valid when making a comparrison - anyone want to loan me these wheelsets so I can 'review' them to establish which of these wheels a recreational rider should buy I promise to post my 'findings' on the hub for all to read PPWTF2009-04-19 01:59:50

R-SYS 1335g Shamals 1400g Both nice wheels, you need to throw a lot of cash about to find a 65g weight loss once wheelsets hit this kind weight. Add to that the way Mavic has dealt with this, and I'd still be pretty happy with riding a set of R-SYS (can only dream; my bike cost less than either of these two)

The change from 80mm to 100mm can noticeably effect the 'feel' of your bike. The last generation Anthem started with 80mm, and when it switched to 100mm there was a lot of magazine review talk about the handling no longer being as sweet.

.... Quiet news day anybody!!? Buried deep in a press release from the Cyclistes Professionnel Asoci?s released on Thursday was a rather troubling statistic. According to the CPA, there are a total of 866 riders registered with the UCI for the 2009 season. That total marks a drop of 21 percent in respect to 2008 and a 29 percent drop from 2007. The group said that a total of 476 riders were registered with 18 ProTour teams and another 390 riders with continental teams. http://www.velonews.com/article/90606/a-shrinking-peloton PPWTF2009-04-16 23:16:05

Thanks to everyone who's post here today I'm now leaning toward the hub being 8/9speed (as the earlier 550 wheelsets came). It seems like the only logical explanation, having done the rounds of 'is there an engineering reason, or am I just an idiot who can't work a chain whip' knowledgeable sources today. Basically, if I fit the 5600 cluster with a wafer thin spacer, then the locking nut will not take a tread, and if the spacer is removed and the locking nut catches a thread than the cassette is so close to the spokes as to be all but running the inside edge of the chain on them..... either way something is very wrong very frustrating when you can't make something so apparently simple work....! Still, as has been said here, sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one! PPWTF2009-04-16 10:45:03

strangely, and for what reason I can't figure, the 5600 is not gonna fit simple answer is the hub isn't 10spd compatible, but i'd rather dig a bit before settling for that.... thanks anyway Mud Dee

Part 1 Simple question, to confirm what I'm reading / being told "Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7800 10 Speed Cassette features Titanium, alloy carrier mounted large sprockets and is 9-speed freehub compatible. Use with Super Narrow Chain for 10-speed." Is this correct, that a DA cluster will fit a 9spd Hub? Part 2 Given the above, is there any reason why a 5600 (105) 10spd cassette would not fit onto a Shimano WH-R550 hub? The only thing I have found online is this... http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ho-z.html#hyperdrivec Seems kinda strange and obscure, but then sodo most questions, until you find the answer..... You learnsomething new every day. Over to the technically minded hubbers in the hope of answers and enlightenment PPWTF2009-04-15 19:08:41

Forgive me if this is 'old' new news, I've been outta the online loop for a while.... So Carbon is making a comeback after Giant gave everyone the, 'what's the point, our Alloy bike is almost as lite' line for '09 http://my.opera.com/badmadcyclist/blog/2020-anthem-x-advanced-xl PPWTF2009-04-14 23:34:40

Now sat in PE missing the wonders of Tokia, but laughing at your post (with you, not at you) GoLefty. Plenty bitch, how many can actually ride? End of the day the trail builders are usually volunteers, and when push comes to shove those who moan would do well to volunteer their time in a constructive way and learn a few conservation/trail building skills, spend more time on the bike acquiring some real trail riding skills, or just give those who do both of the above a rest...........

http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm Anyone seen one or actually used one / are they available in SA? Looks kind cool I gotta say. PPWTF2009-04-13 06:30:02

Anyone used or using these guys? http://www.2peak.com/home/home.php5 very interested to hear peoples thoughts. The fact that the programme is 'active' or 'adaptive', in that it recalculates for unforeseen / forced breaks in training, as well as to personal training data uploads, is what has peaked my interest. I'm sure someone will say you can get all of this from a coach / some other software, so I'm all ears.... make recommendations Thanks in advance for any replies (posted here as I'd be using PT .....) PPWTF2009-04-13 09:47:27

I'm riding a Cygolite TridenX, and the thing is like a car head light..... 600Lumens of beautiful light. http://cygolite.com/products/new/TridenX/TridenX_Lion.html Bought the thing of ebay from the same people in the link below http://cgi.ebay.com/Cygolite-LED-TRIDENX-Li-Ion-Battery-helmet-or-bar-mount_W0QQitemZ220391618978QQihZ012QQcategoryZ22689QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem The charger and battery have run faultlessly and I can't for the life of me figure why they are not more widely know http://cygolite.com/products/new/TridenX/TridenX_Lion.html Current exchange rate price on the ebay offer works out at ZAR 1941.62.... Show me a better all round package for the money and I'll eat my unwashed shorts.... PPWTF2009-04-13 00:57:03

Can't bring myself to read all 15 pages - who distributes Rock 'n' Roll?

go disc and check out the Fulcrums - good enough for Absalon - for plenty of wow factor Or.... if it must be V Brake; RM0-8VFRS Red Metal Zero V-Brake Weight; 1,486 grams PPWTF2009-04-11 09:56:27

Take a look over the Core Performance website, or pick up the Core Performance endurance book http://www.coreperformance.com/training-programs/endurance-training.html http://www.amazon.com/Core-Performance-Endurance-Nutrition-Revolutionizes/dp/1594863520 There is heavy emphasis interval training - the view being that we are aiming to get faster over a distance, that more volume is not the smartest way to achieve this, that simply going longer, all to often at one pace, is not the most effective use of time. I bought the book after reading two pages at OR Tambo. For me it was a revelation after years of hitting it hard every session, resulting in regular lay offs with over use injury..... PPWTF2009-04-10 10:34:29

for a new bike, from around R7.5K and up you should start seeing Hydraulic discs, and most likely a blend of Deore and SLX components. You will likely find a trade of between the fork and wheelset, where one is branded and the other not. 100mm travel is starting to make it onto R8K bikes, EG Rock Shox Dart1. Frames tend to be at a crossover at around R8K, you'll get a more primitive / basic frame (recreational ride and geometry) with better components, or a better frame (more sporting ride, lighter but more robust design focus) with more entry level components. I'm generalizing here. Personally, I'd say go with the better frame, as your riding skill improve you'll get more long term happiness out of owning a bike where the disposables (drive train) can be replaced / upgraded. Nothing worse than ending up with a 6 month old bike that no longer cuts it on the terrain you now ride and love! PPWTF2009-04-08 23:55:10

if you're looking for someone who'd go the extra KM, the winner will have to come from those involved in the organizing the Hub kit last year...

Enough of the Armstrong cheap shots - I've changed the title, now read the post. It's a bloody amazing project which deserves some serious support from the sport and wider cycling community. Without a shadow of doubt these guys are the next major change to the pro scene. (the last major shift was with the arrival of eastern Europeans from behind the iron curtain) When we see how distance running was transformed during the late 60's and early 70's.... now imagine just some of that talent making it's way onto a bike and into the sport, supported by the required elements.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/16/kenya-cycling-tour-de-france The search for a "black Lance Armstrong" in a country with precious little cycling history might at first seem outlandish - but Leong is deadly serious about his African Cyclist project. http://www.theafricancyclist.com/home.html Tim Noakes, a renowned professor of sports science and exercise, at the University of Cape Town, said that while marathon runners and cyclists often shared outward physical characteristics, the processes involved in running and cycling were completely different. But Leong persevered. After six months of searching for a promising rider to support he stumbled across Nderi, from the Kikuyu tribe, who had run competitively at school but enjoyed riding more. Samwel Mwangi, 24 and also Kikuyu, who packed supermarket shelves and rode a "boda-boda" bicycle taxi, soon joined Leong's team, along with a third rider, Sammy Ekiru, a Turkana. When news got around town that they had been put on contracts, people's attitudes to cycling began to change. He (Leong) took two Kenyan amateur riders from the town of Eldoret, 20 miles from Iten, to tackle the famous Tour de France climb at Alpe d'Huez in August last year. Zakayo Nderi, a 26-year-old shoe-shiner who had never ridden a racing bike with gears before leaving Kenya to train for the ride, made it in 42 minutes 10 seconds, then the fastest time of the year and an achievement that would have placed him in the top half of Tour riders when a time trial was last held on the mountain in 2004. Been featured here before but is well worth keeping in lights - an amazing project PPWTF2009-01-16 01:47:07

http://www.bike-eu.com/news/3198/carbon-specialist-opens-new-taiwan-facility.html it is not making these frames as Axam Enterprise Co. Ltd. focuses on providing know how and mould making expertise to customers all over the world like Corratec from Germany, BH from Spain, Halfords from the UK (for which Axman produces the hi-end Boardman and Carrera bikes) as well as QPB and in the US. With the Axman made moulds the carbon frames are for a big part made at CarbonTec in China. Painting installation After receiving the carbon frames from China the bikes are assembled at Axman?s brand new factory that started operations last September. The 8,000 m? and US$ 3 million costing facility includes a modern painting installation also capable of powder coatings. Axman, produced 100,000models with alloy frames and 15,000 with carbon frames in 2008. 2009 targets include more carbon bikes (to 20,000 units) as well as 120,000 alloy ones. http://www.bike-eu.com/news/3197/sr-suntour-becomes-biggest-in-bike-suspension.html SR Suntour Becomes Biggest in Bike SuspensionTAICHUNG, Taiwan ? With over 6 million suspension forks produced andsold in 2008 SR Suntour is well under way to become the biggest in bike suspension. In fact the company, already realized that leading position in the market for magnesium suspension forks now that SR Suntour is producing all forks for the renowned Italian brand called Marzocchi. After Marzocchi was taken over by Tenneco Inc. in August 2008, the complete production of the bike suspension products was switched to SR Suntour. All Marzocchi suspension forks as well as all shock absorbers are now produced at SR Suntour?s HQ and hi-end production unit in Changhua, Taiwan. This facility was expanded in particular to cater for the Marzocchi production. PPWTF2009-01-07 11:44:07

Interesting.....! PPWTF2008-12-12 03:35:05