GaryP

Hi. Most every industry offers consumers some type of buy on credit option. Tyres and wheels, furniture, tv's, clothes, cars, etc. If Terence is into financing bicycles and he offers a competitive, trustworthy business, then great for him (and good luck!). If anyone can afford to pay cash for everything they need/want then great for you. I hope to be in the same position one day. However, until that time, I will need to consider credit options for items I need/want. If that is a bicycle then that is my decision based on careful consideration of my financial responsibilities.

Hey DJR, that sure is the Swartberg! Sister in law lives in Prince Albert with her Hubby and about once a year we visit and I get to ride it. Awesomeness, and highly recommended to anyone who hasn't done it. I find myself working 10 to 12 hours a day Monday to Friday at the moment with no real end in site.... Start at about 06:30 in the am and finish between 17:00 and 19:00 most days. However, I can make a plan to commute and do - have lights and gear to do so when it is dark so am able to ride a few times during the week no matter how early I start or how late I finish. I also try ride on the weekends too. Thus, I have to make time to ride otherwise I wouldn't and then, what would it all be for??? I LOVE TO BE OUTSIDE AN THUS I LOVE TO RIDE. Very lucky to also have a wonderful and understanding wife and kids and, for me personally, a wonderful, caring God too. Thus, again, we hear you FRAIL and please know you are not alone. Chin up dude and go for a ride. I promise, the world won't stop turning if you do :D

Take kvdp up on the offer! Nothing beats a cycle and a cup of coffee after with a mate...., well, almost nothing :-) Chin up dude, you are not alone!

Excellent nickc!

Hi Zappa. You get components in order of 'quality' (and cost) from Shimano (and other manufacturers) in this order: Deore<SLX<XT<XTR, i.e. XTR is the top of the Shimano range.

Thanks for the further explanation Wayne, understand your point better. Also would most likely pay 10% more at my LBS for peace of mind too.

Wow!! I, like the originator of this post, am still riding two 26rs and need some wheels for the old ht. Thus, these wheel specials caught my eye too. The first thing I do when trying to decide what to buy is do a google. From this search, generally speaking, the Easton EA90's are rated very good internationally. However, it is also very lekker to have local opinion to help make a decision, which, if available and constructive, I factor in too. But ultimately, it is my money that I am spending and I need to consider all the facts and make my decision. However, it seems that too often on the hub the facts get clouded by personal opinion, name calling, etc. For example, CWC says they are registered dealers for TAXC trainers. However, the TACX website doesn't list them as official dealers. Has the TAXC website been updated to include them? I don't know because I don't have all the facts. However, until I do have all the facts I am compelled to believe CWC because I don't see why they would need to lie about that. Am I wrong - maybe. Can I condemn someone without all the facts - NO, how can I?! Thus, if we synthesise the facts from these posts we see that some folk have had problems with Eastons and some haven't at all. That is exactly the same as for most other products I research. We also see, for example, that Easton EA90 hubs are not sealed which can cause problems when dirt, etc gets into them. Thus, it appears to me that, like with everything else I will ever buy, I will need to do my research and decide if, for the purpose I will be using the product for, the wheels, etc will suit my requirements. And generally it works too - I have a set of AM classics that are awesome! However, will everything always be 100% - No, because that is life and I can't get it right 100% of the time. Which brings me on to CWC - am I wrong in assuming that many of us are very happy with CWC's items, prices and services??? If I am wrong, then I am sorry and sincerely apologise. However, from my readings of past specials, prices and services, the general facts seem to be that CWC is a reputable dealer bringing us good products at excellent prices. Therefore, how can I complain of a bad taste in my mouth? Can I go around randomly dishing them.Would that behaviour be reasonable and ethical? Thus, like others here I think that CWC offers a valuable service to me and I will continue to support them just like I do my LBS's in the future unless some facts make me change my mind.

Rules are rules and if they are not upheld then why have them? I totally agree that they would likely not have had any affect on the overall result because the stronger riders did win and KE/DG were very worthy runners up (their mechanicals earlier in the race affected the result much more imo ). However, don't make rules you don't intend to apply to everyone and if you don't apply them be transparent, consistent and provide reasons for not applying them. And on the topic of Tread publishing the story - thanks, I like to know what is going on! If it Tread's sales at the same time, great too, nothing wrong with that!

Hi. The first thing I did was have the distance between my sit bones measured. Then, I bought two specialized saddles, the Henge for the mtb and the Romin for the road bike. I went for these specifically as they seem to be designed to be comfortable. Have to admit having ridden both many times that they are awesome saddles and very comfortable for me. Henge: http://www.specialized.com/za/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=64262 Romin: http://www.specialized.com/za/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=64279

Hey. Sorry to hijack but it seems I have Giant riders here to ask the question. I have the 2011 Trance X4 which is awesome. However, over time I would like to upgrade the front fork (air instead of coil) and wheels (as strong but lighter). The current fork is the RS Tora TK coil and I have seen this replaced with the RS Revelation. The other Trances above the X4 spec come new with a Fox F125.... I was just wondering what other Giant riders like yourselves would recommend. Thanks for your input and sorry again for the hijack!

The Amashova is, in my reckoning, more difficult than the Tour Durban although I am not sure compared to the Argus. However, if it helps, check out the route profiles of the Argus and Amashova here: Argus: http://www.cycletour.co.za/index.php/route/route-profile/ Amashova: http://www.amashova.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=10 The first approx. 16km up to Fox Hill on the Amashova can be unexpected , the middle is undulating and the last approx. 38km are down! See on the above website that the total ascent is 1160m. Hope this helps, G.

Hi. Totally agree about measuring the width of your sitbones first. I did this at my lbs before buying two specialised saddles which now fit so well! In fact, because it is such an issue for you, I would get as scientific as possible, i.e. measure your sit bones as accurately as possible (even go to the doctor to be sure) and then go as radical as possible, i.e. get a saddle that fits your seat bones but then exerts essentially no pressure anywhere else. You may need to go through a store like chain reaction cycles for this but if I was you I would not take any chances, cheers.

Hi. I have just bought the Giant Trance X4. Awesome bike at a very good price (well below your budget ) and would highly recommend that you look at it. Happy shopping!

Hi. I am so jealous. We have relatives in PA and last Saturday I started the same ride, only to have my chain snap an hour into the ride. Had yo turn around and free wheel back down the hill to cell phone range. I love the Swartberg and recommend this ride as a must. The views and the ride are absolutely worth it! And great pics too, love the snow ones!!

Just breezed through the posts here and I am glad to say that I am too poor to be able to spend +R30k on bicycles without making sure that I am getting what I paid for. If it was me and my money, I would not have accepted bad sales people or their product, and I certainly would not have left any bike shop without checking that I had received what I had asked for. Just simply couldn't afford to...

R20??????? WOW!

Thanks for the info. Everything looks really cool - just wondering about prices?? Cheers.

Hi. My LBS is Dave Wiseman Cycles in Glenwood, Durban. If I have something mechanically wrong that I can't fix, I like to take it to them as I have had good experiences where the work I have asked to be done has generally been done well. Their prices, imho, are also very reasonable and there staff are helpful - that's my experience, anyway

A fair market price is dictated by the price agreed by the buyer and seller - economics 101. If a significant number of people don't agree to pay the 'professional photographer' R50 per one digital photo the photographers will soon realise that a lower cost would be more appropriate for their 'professional' services. And anyway, do we really need anymore pics of our dirty mugs? ?

Techguy - educate me please! If I take my bike in for regular maintenance to my LBS and, because I do not know, assume that the cleaning and lubing involves checking all components that require cleaning and lubing including the hubs, then I am obviously not getting what I thought I was getting. Therefore, how often to I need to specify the service needed to ensure those things not covered by a 'wash and lube' get done presuming that I ride fairly often, i.e. approx. 4 ride a week? Thanks!

On this thread, for interest sake what are the most robust (i.e. bullet proof) hubs? Don't need to be light, just durable....

Just speak to Greg - I would be very suprised if he doesn't sort you out quick quick. Cheers.