Longbarn Killer

I have heard from numerous sources (a few of them on the Hub) that Trek's aftersales service in SA is absolutely shocking. I've only heard good things about ASG (the Pinarello importers)

I can't view the video, but there are certain things that should never be carbon fibre and a chain is one of them.

Mavic Aksiums or Shimano RS10 or RS20 wheels. They are in your price range and give no problems.

I didn't check the link, so I'm not sure what it is about. My question about this whole Saga is that Contador was found with a performance enhancing drug in his blood. He claims that he got it from eating contaminated meat. It was also said that the amount in his blood was so minute, in fact it was way below the minimum level. If it was below the minimum level (and this has never been disputed), why are they trying so hard to find this guy guilty? Why do they even have a minimum level, if they totally ignor it when trying to sanction him.

Check out the new Ride magazine. They have reviewed 3 hardtails under R10 000.

Shimano invented the Sti. Whilst in it's development phase they heard that Campag were going to send some spys to copy their designs, because Campag did not have the technical expertise to design a brake lever/shifter in one. As Shimano is always one jump ahead, they quickly designed a red herring for those spys. A sort of cheap version, something to catch Campag out. Well, one night, the spys broke into Shimano's design centre and took photos of the red herring. The spys sent the photos to Campag who copied the design and launched their very own shift/brake system they called the Ergo Lever. The CEO of Shimano sent the boss of Campag a letter. He stated and I quote "You call our design the Ergo Lever, we are going to call it Sora." By the way, I have a Centaur groupset which is no better or worse than the 105 I previously had (just looks nicer)

Ok............so everybody agrees mechanical discs are rubbish, but what is it that they do or don't do that makes them rubbish?

It is never broadcast live. It has something to do with TV rights. If I'm not mistaken, there is some USA network that has exclusive rights. That's why the anouncers at the start/finish area who spend the day shouting in to a microphone are American. It has nothing to do with DSTV.

There is no way that you will save 1kg on the wheels alone unless you are going to fork out R30 000 plus on a set of Lightweights (the brand). The cheaper, heavier wheels come in at about 1.9kg (probably what your Giant brand weighs) and a really light set (that mere mortals can afford) will weigh in at approx 1.4kg. Wheels in this weight range include Mavic Kryium SL (about R7 500), Easton EA90 (also R7 500), American Classics R6 500). If you really want a good value for money light wheels, consider the Shimano RS80. They weigh just over 1.5kg and sell for about R4 500. Chris Willemse Cycles had them on special for R3 200 not so long ago. There are plenty of other wheels out there. These are just some of the better brands. Considering all the stuff you have included in your bike's weight, it is already quite light and to try and shave off more weight is going to start costing you. If you want to save weight by upgrading your groupset, consider going for Sram Force. It costs about the same as Ultegra and is much lighter. Force will cut about 500 grams off your current 105 groupset and Ultegra will only cut about 200 grams. The cogs at the back is called a cassette. All Sram and Shimano cassettes are interchangeable.