Leah

Yes, Yes, Yes

I've had pretty good service from them, the guys have been well informed and willing to do some homework on questions I've had, they are not my LBS, and they could do with more stock but I'll still support them. Way better service and attitude than Morningside and Solomons IMHO.

On*One carbon rigid race fork. You'll be absolutely amazed by the gnarly stuff you can ride with a bladed carbon fork. The Niner is also very good. The Rapide carbon is a real bargain for what you get ( under R3000), had a similar design to the Niner, but newer models have been upgraded. Whisky make beautiful carbon. Trigon also nice. X-lite also great. Many options. No maintenance!! ( that is R500 -R750 every few months less, depending on your mileage) My ON *One came in at 537grams after cutting the steerer to length, that is most likely a good 1000grams lighter than a SID. OK, fringe hi-jack out

I'm sorry, but the weight on a rigid SS makes a big difference, and nowhere more so than on the tyres ( rotationl mass), so get a lightweight tyre, Kenda, IMHO, is k*k, sorry, for the frank view. You'll want something with more volume than a 1.9 tyre even on the back. Maxxis Ikon ( 580 gr with protection)or 2012 Racing Ralph ( 605 gr Snakeskin). I get at least 2500 km from the Ikon as a rear tyre and about 6000km on the RR at the front.

I would love to know what it weighs, as this has been an issue with other gear-systems. The central weight will obviously be a lot better. Not too fazed by the need to not shift under load, most gears work like that. I like gripshifts, so also fine. I'd love to test this on a bike which isn't 'all-mountain 8 inches of travel and flat pedals'. Real marathon bike would do. Í also believe we really do not need so many gears, so fewer gears ( 5 well spaced gears would be fine for me) and less weight would be good. Looks great, can't wait.

Welldone Henry!! I want to have what Theresa Ralph is having for breakfast these days, wow, welldone. The organisers should be congratulated with the fascilities at this race, shade to park off in while you buy proper and plenty of lekker things to drink. Great service. The variety of snacks available to the riders after the race also proper. I hope Fritz and the rest of the MTN and Nissan race organisers pick up some tips from these guys.

Such a pain in the **s issue, I went through 8 seats in a year to find the right one.This is a very personal choice, but I would have a proper setup done 1st, your flexibility and angle will determine the area on the saddle where pressure is applied, this must be measured along with your width of sitbones, only then can you decide which saddle will work for you. Then the hardness of you saddle can be chosen, softer is not usually better as a soft saddle will cause compression of the tissues around the sitbones and this results in a lot of problems. A cut-out channel may help, but this is strangely enough not proven. So, measure first, then make a more informed choice. Good luck

I really DO NOT agree with this idea that 29ers are for taller riders. 29er usually has a higher center of gravity, this is nicely negated by shorter riders with lower gravity center. The shorter rider will sit more 'ín' the bike. This 29er = taller rider is an urban myth, ask Bury. I know of several friends of about 5'2" who ride 29ers, they are much faster and more balanced than they used to be on 26ers. I personally have 2 26er bikes ( love them ) and 2 29ers ( also love them )

We use these Kickass cogs and they are actually very good, light strong, wide base.Much better and cheaper than a Niner cog which lasted only 2weeks and cost more than R500, so She may not look pretty but she is a hard worker.

Hi JGdp That was my cargo pant, and if you can like to ride, get a lightweight No-name cheap chinese frame and build a very light and very cost effective rigid SS. Dangle and I are both 41 and Fred is a few yrs older all doing very well on SS and and really enjoying the simplicity ( plus low maintenance). Recovery is the main challenge and , if you are fit, and young there should be no problem. people will think its hardcore, but it is really easier than it looks. PS( wife's username) D Vader