Dirtbreath

Allen key and circlip pliers. Mavic have a useless plastic tool that breaks the first time you use it.

Are they similar to Crossmax's? The axle is actually in 2 parts that need to be tightened. When they start coming loose it has the effect of lengthening the axle which doesnt allow the pawls to engage properly.

Man, I know this patch is doable but I would be very nervous riding a fast steep descent with a tyre patched in this way. I know it's a price to pay but I'm the same with car tyres. Any puncture on the side wall and I bin the tyre. Small price to pay in the long run I think.

Love the friendly banter here. Why are cables a multi coil helix? Is this just historical or are there other reasons? Would a single cable not be a better option? I would think a helix is not the ideal shape for this application given the sealing and bending. I know there were some composite cables but dont think these went down well especially given their pricing. How much tension does a gear cable need to stay true?

I think we are generally seen to have spent so much time in the saddle that our backsides are numb. Open season it is then.

Yolande de Villiers ......................................... Mother of 3!

You can buy it at one of the bike shops listed here: http://www.treadmag.co.za/DisplayLink.aspx?eid=9159&group=Stockists&name=N/A Or you can subscribe here: http://www.treadmag.co.za/DisplayCustomLink.aspx?eid=9159&name=Subs Issue 2 will go on sale next week and should also be available in CNA and Exclusive Books (probably from the following week). When should we check our postboxes?

Duct tape should sort that out. What's that ad that pigs cant look skywards? Is that true Hog? Maybe that explains why they dont fly.

My wife made the effort last time and really enjoyed it. I babysat and she juggled stuff around so she could make it. Once a month is not too bad to take some time off. Hog, I think you should stay away. Some of these ladies will embarass you with their skills. You will be sent packing with your tail between your legs.

Maybe you were riding with the ladies?

Not really. You might find more lighter hardtails in XC and slightly heavier, more comfortable full sussers in marathons, although the race snakes still do light and hard. XC bikes can push the limits of durability a bit more than marathins as you do have a tech back up zone whereas marathons you are pretty much on your own out there. Not sure about the tech backup in stage races as was seen in this years Cape Epic.

Although some marathons run 2 laps of the same course, essentially they are or should be a single route of around 70 kays. XC will be a number of laps (3-6 +-) of a short course (+- 5kays). Technical difficulty of the route varies. XC hasnt been popular in SA in the past but is very quickly gaining popularity. Marathons and half marathons have enjoyed huge fun/social rider support. XC is a bit more intense. In running terms it's probably like running a 10 kay versus half and full marathins.

Hanging in there. Half way now. Thanks. Which oncology clinic chucky?

Crap news man. Good luck with the chemo!

Speedy recovery Dude!

Crap news.

Sadly, I think SA is quickly catching up with the first world countries were young folk simply cannot afford to buy property. In the USA today, unless you are very lucky and have a marvellous trust fund, the only way you will own a property is when your parents pass on and leave it to you. Its getting to the point where its not possible for young people to save sufficient money to get a deposit and they need the cash injection from their parents property which they can sell and buy again. Yes, but our generation has different priorities. We are consumer driven where we buy bike parts, travel more, eat out more. Our folks put more of their cash down into property but also didnt have as much choice and temptation to blow their money on. It was a big thing to get a TV or a washing machine or whatever. huhm, where does your priorities lie? roof over the head first... I see so many people with brand new cars and sattelite, and the biggest and best cellphones... living in flats... then I think , what F^^&%# idiots... English lesson first. Where do your priorities lie? I agree with you 100%, fancy cars, big Hi-Fi, nice clothes, snazzy bike and still living with Mom and Dad. My wife and I bust our asses to get debt free ASAP and we are now there. Cant wait for interest rates to go up.

Sadly, I think SA is quickly catching up with the first world countries were young folk simply cannot afford to buy property. In the USA today, unless you are very lucky and have a marvellous trust fund, the only way you will own a property is when your parents pass on and leave it to you. Its getting to the point where its not possible for young people to save sufficient money to get a deposit and they need the cash injection from their parents property which they can sell and buy again. Yes, but our generation has different priorities. We are consumer driven where we buy bike parts, travel more, eat out more. Our folks put more of their cash down into property but also didnt have as much choice and temptation to blow their money on. It was a big thing to get a TV or a washing machine or whatever.

Had a mate who had it done. About 6 years down the line his eyes are back where they were and maybe even worse. Cant have it done again. Apparently his eyes hadn't stabilised and he rushed to have it done. Been to have my eyes checked out (-1.75) and was advised by the surgeon not to have it. I have near perfect vision with my glasses on and he said laser would never achieve this quality of vision. He said unless the glasses are unbearable, rather keep them. Much better suited to peple with really bad eyesight that when they get 95% vision the improvement is so large that they are much satisfied with the result. I still think I will have it one day.

There's that plastic one, cant remember the name but it looks really sturdy.

Lay off the CSI methinks.

What do you have in mind quinton? Big hub ride or piggy back a race?

Thanks for that. I believe that the mineral oil absorbs moisture. I presume a full bleed will just displace the contaminated oil with new.

Anyone have bleed kits that they assembled from bits that can be bought at your local hardware? Pics if possible. Any alternatives to Shimano Mineral Oil?