grb285

I know. It's typical of LBS to spout crap like this. How's the man going to enjoy riding with this fear of his sled falling apart under him? Some of the worst advice I've ever heard about bikes has come from bike stores. Not all of them, but choose your LBS wisely, especially if you rely on them to service critical components like forks and brakes.

What bike is it? I had something like this on one of my full suss frames. I could never find the source of the creaking. Also sounded like a crack (whatever that sounds like?) Did everything from remove the BB, change seatpost, bearings etc. Eventually we found the issue. It was the rear deraileur's cable. The cable had an aluminium end cap that would rub and creak where it met the frame. So simple. Greased it and never heard the sound again. Check things like that. A dry weld sounds like LBS to me

I normally keep a printout of this in my wallet for that, haha! http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/e05ddf60574606562061562fec498be1.png

I'm currently cross training with trail running, and circuits & weights at the gym. Besides this, what else can be done? What are you guys doing for training? I'm feeling like I need to be dirt jumping again perhaps. There's so much that needs to be done to be an excellent performer. I'd love to know what everyone else is doing. Your routines, diet plans etc. Also, this is with DH/Freeriding in mind, I'm not looking to win stage races or do XC.

1st dibs on that bike. EFT'ing the cash right now

Are you using any body armour? I find this helps a lot. Decent knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards etc. It's no good avoiding crashing, it's better to get comfortable with it, and the pads make the outcome much easier to deal with. Some mates egging you on is a HUGE help too. Who wants to look like a little b*tch in front of their mates now?!

Is this your blog? Tried the contact link, it says "access denied"?

A Hill In Spain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdOlkadn4E4 This actually deserves a thread of its own. As one commenter says "wtf? no one teach him the laws of gravity?". Such a great rider.

I started riding and racing in 1991. Things were different back then. We all either had SPD shoes or toeclips. Even for the 'trials' they had those days. I've seen my arse so many times from being clipped in, and doing things like flipping off the back of the bike on a technical uphill, and not getting unclipped, to things like seeing my face at traffic lights. On the other hand, being locked in is a good thing if you want efficient pedalling and safe footing on descents. I have both options. A pair of Crank Brothers Acids for trail riding (with SPD shoes of course), and 5050 flat pedals for DH and more rugged stuff. It's as simple as hauling out the wheel spanner when I need to make a change. Here's the thing though, I think it's really important to learn how to do things like bunny hop and drop off, manual etc with flats. Too often I see people relying on their feet being clipped in to lift the bike off the ground. This isn't the best method at all. If you have some decent flat pedals with pins, and some good shoes like Five Ten Impacts, your feet are not going anywhere. It's as good as being clipped in, with the added advantage that if you stuff it up mid-air, you can get away from the bike. I like all of the options. If you can afford it, get both. Check out the Crank Bro Candy. They're well priced and will last you years. And when you are clipped into your bike, the trick is to commit to being clipped in. A really bad habit I see is when the going gets tough, guys (and gals) unclip their feet so they can dab if needed. This is worse than being on flats and many a foot has slipped off this way, causing a crash. Learn to trust your skills when it comes to rock gardens or technical uphills. If anything you'll find the perfect balance between cadence, gearing and momentum. Hope this helps a bit.

Guys, a huge apology from my side. My better half's just informed me that the wedding we're going to is tomorrow, and not Sunday I'm gutted. So there's another space on the band wagon. Sorry again guys. I was looking forward to getting my hands dirty.

I wouldn't worry about that. I've had both models and they are both excellent choices, but very different bikes. You need to try and test ride both and decide if you go that route. If you're going to be mostly riding trails with the odd DH mission here and there, a couple jumps etc, go for the Teocali. It can handle a lot of abuse, but it's lighter than the Khyber. You'll be able to spend longer days in the saddle and cover greater distances. If your riding errs more on the side of FR/DH with the odd hill climb here and there then Kyhber it. That deal on Obike looks excellent, especially for the Khyber Super. Besides the wheels, which are good albeit a bit heavy, the parts kit looks awesome. For R13k it'd be hard to beat, and thats still got a warrantee on it. A second hand bike has none.

Not too sure about that. Any links to photos or stories of these types of failures? Didn't look like Chris could break his, and that's the old model. The 2011 version has the tapered head tube and quite a few mods on that. Mongoose has a decent frame warranty regardless, as do most high end bike builders.

Cool bike, but it's not an AM by design. That Intense is a great great trailbike though. I think guys here are getting confused with the classification of AM here. To some it seems it means "Do it all" kind of bike. It's not. AM bikes are defined by their frame geometry (normally around 67 degree head angle), around 160mm travel front and back, high volume shock, dual chainring with guide etc. AM terrain is not all about going down hills, it's about jumps, big drops and slamming through river beds and rock gardens. I don't truly think there's the Swiss army knife of bikes out there yet, and it's purely because most bike's forms follow their intended functions. Sure, you can ride an 80km XC race on an AM bike, but would you want to? One could ride a DH rig too, but it would be like taking a pack horse to a derby. Rather, I think it's about choosing the best compromise between what you want to do. If I rode the Epic, I'd want a superlight 4 inch bike for the geometry. The long top tube and more upright headtube angle would greatly benefit the ride. Also, I see the Meta 5.5 mentioned here as a bulletproof AM bike. It's not. It's a trail bike. And a damb fine one. Used in AM terrain though it's not up for it. I've heard of two frames breaking from big drops. The Meta 6 is an AM bike though, and if you compare the two you'll see the differences clearly. Here's a great little clip of Chris Akrigg on Mongoose Khyber. The Khyber is a pedigreed AM rig. 67,5 degree head, 165mm front and back. See the type of riding it's designed for. http://freecaster.tv/mountainbike/1004024/khyber-session

It's getting really tiring reading your obtuse comments onetrackmind. I think you are being intolerant yourself. Firstly, since you live in Gauteng, I really don't see how this bears any relevance to you, but fair enough, people should be allowed to voice their opinions. If however you rode Tokai 3 times a week, I'd look at your comments with a bit more meaning. My mates and I have far more chance of being injured by some intolerant chop's selfishness than you do. NOBODY here said the DH runs are for downhill riders only. We all share them. I've got a bunch of bikes, and my mates do too. Some days we end up at Tokai on a 5" trail bikes and run laps on the singletracks for cardio. Some days I'm there with a fullface and DH rig, some days I'm there trail running. I've seen guys in lycra on hardtails enjoying the downhills too. Nobody has said they are not allowed to use the runs. I dig it. Everyone gets their bit of stoke riding down those trails on their own weapon of choice. It just makes sense that if you want to ride the downhills quickly, you'd likely want a beefed up rig, and some body armour. What has been discussed here, and agreed on, is that it's very dangerous having a bi-directional DH run. The reasons for this should seem obvious. We are merely being pragmatic. You on the other hand, choose to stir. Why, I have no idea? There are heaps of great bi-directional singletracks all over Tokai. I ride them a lot, and I'm the first person to move off the track when it's my time. Just so you know what a **** my mates and I are, we actually step off all of trails when someone is descending too, regardless of it being DH or not. For me, it makes sense that because I'm going up (as some cool guy above mentioned) we live for the downhill bits. That might just be me, and I'm fine with that. It does not make any sense for there to be any doubt about the rules of a DH run. I've ridden a lot of bike parks all over, and it's standard. A DH run is ONE WAY. How would you feel if some kid wraps his face around a tree coming downhill because he had to swerve to avoid you or some other intolerant fool who feels its their right to do whatever they like? I bet you'll be a big man explaining to his father how much of a hero you are. Personally, I've had enough now. Saturday we'll all be there, tools in the boot, lets all chat this through, work to make some tangible solutions and come to a final conclusion. Lets dig the holes for the "No Entry" signs as well, and get that rolling. Thanks for the comments everyone who's been mature enough to reason.

Omega Man, Thanks for heading up there to clarify the DH trails for everyone here. The berm on Vastbyt (DH3) is a huge concern for me as well. Why the need for these XC riders to go up there is so perverse it's beyond me. Pain or Shine, thanks for the input to this thread. I wasn't going to make any further comment as it seemed to be going nowhere what with XC riders up in Gauteng seeming to have no constructive input other than to stir. I'm glad to see this topic is back on track. I think it must be a high priority task to get proper signage on these trail exits. I know I came off pretty harsh in my last post, but thats the reality of it. The speed most of use drop into that berm leaves NO ROOM to work around someone riding up there. XC riders need to learn the ethics on the DH runs if they want everyone to respect them. If it's a cash issue regarding the signs, please PM me and I will make a donation. I'm also available to help craft these trails and if diversions need to be built, I'm glad to help. PM me again if this is the case. Thanks everyone and lets keep this moving forward in a mature, sensible manner.

It's pretty clear that there's some animosity towards DH riders. I'd love to know why. There seem to be a number of XC riders around here who clearly have a chip on their shoulders (one even in Gauteng!). We're going around in circles here and frankly it's a little sad that some people can be so obtuse. We'll need to see to it that the exits of the DH runs are clearly marked as NO ENTRY, however I agree that the culprits who ride up the runs know what they are doing. To those who choose to be chops, know this, I will never waste my energy confronting you about this in order to 'educate you', BUT you will come off second best if there's a collision. I will not put myself in danger by swerving off route and potentially connecting a tree. Most of us wear body armour and have heavy bikes. Your carbon frames will splinter and your lycra is not going to help you much either. See you on the trails.

Seems like a couple of you guys have got chips on your shoulders over DH riders. What's the beef? I think the solution here is simple. At the next trailbuilding session we'll have to look at NO ENTRY signs. (I assume you attend these, and do your bit to contribute "onetrackmind"?) I thought this would be easy, see what guys feel, make them aware of the dangers and we move on. As with everything in life, there's always a couple of chops who think they're entitled to it all. The DH's are purpose built runs. There are competition events on these runs. Guys spend a LOT of time building and maintaing them. Go look into the physics of trailbuilding. A unidirectional trail takes into account just that. By the way, I don't think my forks are over engineered at all. Maybe for you they'd be. For me, they suit my riding just fine.

Excellent point. If you're a hot young lady we'll definitely slow down for you!

This is all just hot air until you back that up with actions bud. I'm pretty sure a lot of the DH 'boys' will beat you on the uphills too and will smoke you on just about any singletrack of your choice. There's no room for aggro at Tokai. We all there to have a good time. LOUDMAC, please educate yourself on where the DH runs are, and be sure not to ride up them.

This is exactly the kind of person I encountered yesterday. NOBODY here said Tokai's not for everyone. BUT, the DH runs are ONE WAY routes. Lets see if you've got what it takes then if it's so easy to diss those who choose to ride the downhills at high speed. No downhill rider will ever run a "noobie" off the track if they come up behind them. The DH crew are some of nicest, least ego people at Tokai. Just don't be a total chop and think you own the place and can do whatever you feel like. The one way rule is for safety. Let's get the terminologies correct here: DH: A downhill route, designed and built for that purpose. At Tokai we have 600m of this (you can choose to not be a dick on 600 meters out of thousands?) Singletrack: most of the paths through the forrests, up them and down them. These are marked as such on the map. Fireroad: The jeep tracks running laterally as well as that which runs up/down from the main entrance.

Steve, the DH runs at Tokai are single way, downhill stretches. There's plenty of singletrack further up and around for you to improve your skill level. Nolipoli put it very well, there's enough going on when flying down a run to have to worry about a XC rider around the bend. There is no right of way on DH run. There is only one way. The runs at Tokai are marked as such on the map. You cant claim that there is zero guideline. There's a marked out map at the entrance gate. Have a look next time. Perhaps it's time to put up full on "No Entry" signs at the bottom of the DH runs. I'll gladly have them made up if the other guys agree to it.

There's no classification. We're all trying our best to have fun. The bike you ride doesnt make the rider. It looks like you are having a lot of fun up there, and thats what counts. Hope to meet you some time on the trails. This is exactly the kind of person who didnt move off the DH track yesterday. Edge, the routes are for DH. We tolerate guys riding up them though, just don't mess up the lips on the jumps, or skid around the berms. These take time to build. I don't "lay claim" to anything. We all share this place, and these DH routes are for everyone. BUT they are UNI-directional. That's for safety reasons. hahahahahahaa, that's brilliant! Good going man. Airtime is the best feeling, and the berm after that gap is perfect. I've been noticing a lot of rutted parts on the trails. Someone must be making a killing off selling tyres

Actually, the downhill routes are clearly marked as such. You failed to look at the map at the entrance. There are plenty of bi-directional singletracks at Tokai, and the few DH runs are clearly marked. They are NOT bi-directional. This 'aggro' is not unjustified. It's dangerous. I had just come around a corner and I nearly flew into these two. The first guy moved off the track. The &*$$@hole behind him just stayed put, and shouted at me to chill?? I was moving fast and if I'd have had to swerve properly off the track I'd have seriously seen my ass. I nearly did come off, but managed to stay in control and just carried on riding because I really didnt want to stop and argue with some $%^&head while I had adrenaline going. All I expect is that people don't ride up the DH routes. If they do end up riding up them, at least be on the lookout for guys descending and move off the track. As Jarek mentioned, these XC riders have also been messing up the lips on some of the booters. Now if they want respect from us, they'll need to reciprocate. I've done nothing to make their lives harder. I go there, mind my business, do my thing. Rules are rules for a reason though. Some people choose to ignore them.

Guys, the DOWNhill runs at Tokai are for riding DOWNHILL. This means that anyone who is riding DOWN has the right of way. That means if you are cycling up the downhill run, you move off the track. Down has RIGHT OF WAY. To the chop who didnt move earlier today, and yelled at me to "chill bru" as I flew past him, please get this into your head. It's a downhill run. I'm there on a downhill bike. My aim is to go as fast as I can. Thats what downhill riding is about. The fact that you chose to ride up this downhill is your choice. I have right of way. I'm not going to slow down for you chop. If I had to plough into you trust me you'd come off second best. The downhill runs at Tokai have one direction. You know how you can tell? There are no marker boards at the bottom of the trails. There are only marker boards at the trail heads. Please get right off the track if someone is sending the run. This is not a little 'greet on the way' democracy. There are plenty of fire roads to climb the hills on your hard tail or whatever. Thanks, Gary