Corvus

...and if you make mention of it, it is assumed that you have a chip on your shoulder. No, mate, I really don't have a chip on my shoulder. I'm simply pointing out what I've perceived with a healthy dose of embellishment. I admire XC riders, they're way faster and fitter than me, but the type of riding is not for me.

I think things are a little different in South Africa. There's no "know what sort of mountainbiker you are". In South Africa you're simply an XC rider. Period! If you ask a bike shop about flat pedals or 26 inch rims or wide riser bars, your request will be met with the same suspicion that Aussie customs officials have for sweaty, fidgety individuals with dilated pupils. In South Africa, ALL MOUNTAIN BIKE is meaningless term. It'll be interpreted as a versatile lightweight 29er which can be used for all mountain bike events such as the Cape Epic, Hill to Hill, Wine2Whales, Joberg2C, 94.7. The abbreviation AM will result in, "So you want an AM bike? Erm...this Scott Scale can be ridden morning, afternoon, evening. Anytime you like. AM, PM you name it!" If you ask for tyres you will be sold either race kings or crossmarks. If you ask for grippy tires you'll get mountain kings or monorails. If you ask for knee- and elbow pads you'll be referred to Boogaloos after your LBS enquired whether your kid does BMX.

I know some high-end devices have their own internet link (not sure if it's via 3g). According to the article, the data was collected from high-end devices. It could also be possible though that a low end device simply stores the data when you're driving and when you connect it to your PC to update maps, firmware etc. then the data could be uploaded while the updates are downloading.

This is why I'll only buy a Garmin too: http://blogs.wsj.com/tech-europe/2011/04/28/tomtom-drives-into-speed-camera-scandal/ "TomTom, the Amsterdam-based navigation device maker, has a bit of an image problem on its hands after it was discovered that some of the data it collects from drivers was being used by the Dutch police to choose the best sites for speed cameras." Though I don't live in Holland, I'm getting rather fed up with companies that violate privacy.

Anybody know where I can have my CRKT fixed? Some screws are missing.

It's in Witkoppie Ridge, Roman Road. The entrance is in a little park with a slide. I believe the cycle track is open on Wednesday afternoons from about 16:30 and on Saturdays (14:00 I think)

That's the thing though. I always find that unicyclists look like somebody who really has to pee.

I agree with the others. I can't imagine riding without one.

hmm, ok. I guess I heard wrong.

As far as I know ASG are no longer the agents for Fulcrum.

Some of you may have seen my complaint about my experience with Fulcrum wheels on the "Exciting new store" thread. Essentially what happened was, I bought a Fulcrum Red Metal 3 wheelset from Finishline cycles about a year or so ago. In October last year my rear wheel got damaged and I have been struggling to have it replaced. When I mentioned this in the "Exciting new store" thread Finishline contacted me and they've been really helpful in trying to get the issue sorted for me, so for that I am truly grateful and impressed. Thanks to Clint and Ian at Finishline for their efforts. The problem though, seems to be with Fulcrum (and/or the agents for Fulcrum in SA). Based on what Finishline reported the agent doesn't seem to supply replacement rims as a rule. This may be a general Fulcrum issue as an online search for rims also proved difficult. The major online bike shops (such as CRC) don't stock them. Clint managed convince the agents to find a rim for me, however the agents want just over R 2000.00 for the replacement rim. That seems hugely excessive, considering that almost all alloy replacement rims for DT Swiss, Easton and Mavic cost less than half of that, at least online, not to mention that they are actually readily available, unlike Fulcrum ones. I can't justify spending R 2000.00 to replace my broken rim, so I'm basically giving up on the issue, and will instead buy a completely different brand should I decide to upgrade my wheelset again. I guess the bottom line, based on my personal experience, is that Fulcrum wheels are not a worthwhile purchase in the long run and It would seem more prudent to buy a different brand such as Mavic or Easton, even if the alternative costs more initially.

They're great rims. I just wish I could get mine fixed.

Yip, there's always two sides of the story. I'm only relaying what I've been told around October last year when I enquired about this after busting up my rim. Finishline told me that they couldn't get a replacement rim and that I had to buy an entire new wheelset. I told them that I don't think one should sell wheels if one cannot get replacement parts for those particular wheels. They said they'd try other avenues and get back to me, but I didn't hear from them again.

Thanks Ian, I'll give you a call shortly.

Really? I'll have to go to Kyalami at some stage then. I guess it could be the shops in the East Rand that just suck. I've tried Finishline, Tour de Frans, Cajees, some place in Kempton as well as Sweat and Gears and got no joy. Most of 'em didn't even bother calling me back. Finishline is particularly low on my list since they sold me the Fulcrum (*spit*) wheels in the first place.

I'll be impressed if they can get replacement rims and spokes for Fulcrum (*spit*) wheels, or atleast phone me back with an answer, unlike the other East Rand bike shops. By the way, if you're a Fulcrum(*spit*) rep and you're reading this... I'll find you...and when I do....pain....lots and lots of pain.

I also wear boardshorts over lycra. A pair of baggy MTB shorts cost R 800.00 Capestorm lycra shorts are R 250.00. Fox, O neal, Billabong, etc. boardshorts R 350.00. So I save R 200.00 Plus I can wear the boardshorts to the beach. The reason I wear boardshorts over the lycra is the same reason I wear boardshorts to the beach instead of a banana hammock. It looks more presentable, in my opinion.

Wow! If I could bunnyhop that high I wouldn't be looking for a replacement rim right now.

I bought a set of exustar pedals at CycleLab. It's pretty much the only semi-decent platforms I could find locally, but I'm quite happy with them. Shoes-wise, I use Salomons and they seem to work well. Never tried the FiveTens though, but I've heard that they're the best. I understand that using skate shoes aren't ideal because they have really hard soles.

Anybody know where I can get hold of one? I'm looking for Red Metal 3. Thus far I've been on the ASG site (ASG is the agent for Fulcrum in SA) and the dealers they've listed on their site in my area can't seem to help me. I've tried: Finishline Cycles CycleBoys Tour de Frans and Pro Cycles in Benoni.

There was some research done on this: http://www.mtbonline.co.za/info/mtb-tyre-rolling-resistance.htm The conclusion is: Anyone who wants to ride really fast off-road needs to decrease tyre pressure. The rougher the ground, the more pronounced the effect. In addition traction and comfort increase, too. Due to their thin and flexible structure, semi-slicks offer the best start-up values for minimizing rolling resistance off-road. With a reduction in pressure, however, the risk of a flat increases. And traction with the semi-slick is limited. So the answer to the question of which width is best off-road clearly reads 'fat tyre' both for superior traction and snake bite prevention. For cross-country-races and marathons involving only a small percentage of tarmac a wide tyre with low pressure is recommended. The most overestimated aspect here is the frequently criticized extra weight of the wider tyre. To accelerate a pair of tyres with an extra weight of 500 g from 0 to 25 kph in 4 seconds requires an additional 4.2 W power. On the other hand the wider tyre on a grassy surface saves you 15.5 W against a narrower specimen, and this at the low speed of 9.5 kph. Moreover the rolling resistance reduction has a continuous effect while lighter weight is only of relevance during acceleration.

Bad bikes when they die, go to a place where they are serviced by Cajees mechanics day and night....forever.

I can vouch for Thule Boksburg as well. Their service is awesome and so are their products.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iOMZu9rb2M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZLQ6svHCVc