KDEE

What a great explanation JB, my dim and distant memories of Alan Van Heerden and my Dad discussing and changing sprockets 30 years ago is coming back to me. Once again, thanks for taking the time to answer a question that possibly I wont need to ever know the answer too, but found interesting/curious enough to ask. KDEE2009-01-15 02:20:11

Simplistically, clusters are separate 'cogs' that screw on.. ? Cassette is one piece?

JB, the ghetto conversion wont have that problem then? Assuming since the cut open tube is even all around the rim, the 'seating' area is the same.. Of course you understand what I am on about...

Mini hijack, for the ignorant like me... diff between cluster and cassette? Think I know, but not sure..

Im really pleased that Peter is recovering. After all, no one wishes a fall like that on anyone. If you re read many of the posts, you will see that Peters wife was directly quoted by the paper as saying that they were looking to sue... Understandable emotion at the time from her, but still wrong as far as many of us were concerned. I assume this did not happen. I tend to agree that many got it wrong by insulting Peter himself as it seemed fairly obvious that he was in no state to be thinking about suing anyone himself. I hope Peter recovers fully and rides a bike again. I also truly hope that he and his family accepts that this was just an accident, a terrible one for sure, but an accident nevertheless, and that they move on....

Donate it to this needy ( need full suspension form my fat ass ) rider... I will love it back to former glory

Cant agree more with Hog.. If a race actually offers diff categories to race in.... by definition there will be a first, second, third across the line... Give ALL the categories something.. even if its just a 1st,2nd,3rd place medal... Jeez, it doesnt have to cost a lot.. Hogs suggestions as to % makes sense.. I suspect that the underlying irritation is that although everyone pays the same entrance fee, there is no recognition.. I am amazed at the attitude of SOME here that really Vet ladies are of no consequence..... At our BMX track, every category gets something and more importantly, we start with the little ones and end with the Elites so that there is a crowd to clap the novices and not just the elites and bugger of home..

This from the latest email from Geoff, seems to answer many of the questions/suggestions we have had... Chopper (083 725 BIKE) has asked me to mention the GOLDEN RULES. I think this is because he is basically a nice guy who really doesn't want to activate the Laser Satellites to turn offenders to radioactive dust. Please be considerate of other Park users. This applies equally to those whose skill levels are greater than yours, as it does to those who are still taking their first wobbly pedal strokes. There are 7 new trails due to open in the new year at the Toyota MTN Cycle Park. If I could stuff them in your stocking I would, but think of them as a belated present when they finally arrive. LAUNCH PAD is a low to the ground and very wide beginner Freeride area. It will also have an Experts Only entrance accessed from SIDEWINDER that will thrill the super heroes. TREE HOUSE is an intermediate level Freeride area, making the cross over to more challenging runs, but without the consequences of a true Black run. SNAKES AND LADDERS is a full throttle Double Black Diamond area that will have great video potential for mere humans, and great fun value for "rubber people with great health insurance". EWOK has a Black run that will take advantage of all the huge trees and skinnies that the area abounds with. TWIN KOPPIES is self explanatory. Can you climb? ORGAN GRINDER TOO is what the mounds of dirt that are being pushed around in front of the Clubhouse (on the right of the Pump Track) will be when its finished. This is a KIDZ RULE area and nobody over the age of 12 is allowed, especially Terrance Casey and his 29er. This is probably the ideal time to mention that the Pump Track is for 13 years and over only, and that the idea is to complete a full lap without a single pedal stroke. Think of this as riding as if you were on a swing. The idea is to suck up the up face and push the down face. ROLLER COASTER is not finished. Even though the "Toyota Bridge" is in place, please be advised that riding this section by crossing from one trail to another across veldt or barrier tape will activate the battle satellites and you will be banned from the Park permanently. WETLANDS is only at 40% completion, and get ready for some educational stations from Samantha Braid highlighting the unique area these wetlands represent in "urban challenged" Joburg. And finally, the bloopers. Can you imagine the extreme level of stupidity required for a professional paramedic (who spends his working day at raod accidents treating other people's head injuries) to decide to leap upon a bike e didn't even own, without a helmet, cross barrier tape and enter a Black route, and then attempt a double gap jump. Speaking of stupidity, the statistics from the Toyota MTN Cycle Park show that there have been no incidents of injury reported by female riders. In fact, the only incidents that have been reported have occurred to male riders in the 35 to 55 age bracket. Typically these involve riders in groups egging each other on. My only question to these lemming-like optimists is "What part of EXPERT ONLY or CAUTION is confusing you". As that great modern day philosopher Clint Eastwood said in the guise of Dirty Harry, " a man's gotta know his limitations" That's enough from me. Keep the rubber side down.

Good post Hog, not the one above, but the previous Im selfish, I cant/wont/am too scared to ride NS stuff, so the park suits me as it is now. But then I cant ride there everyday, so will take me along time to get bored. I wish they would concentrate more on small kids. While the trails on not technical at MTN, kids under 10 and those on BMX bikes will battle to ride the trails. The coffee shop will draw parents, but only if they can watch the kids from the coffee shop. Myself, my wife and my 9 yr old can ride most of the trails together. My 6 yr old can ride some of the trails for a little while. My wife then wants to sit and have a coffee while the 6 yr old messes about close to her. I can then ride in peace, with or without the 9 yr old... And thats the thing, the park needs the business/money from the parents to develop the park. The Bmx track is worrying me big time. Hope like hell they build a smaller one for the smaller kids and non racing social kids. And hope like hell that when its open, I am going to be able to take my car down to the track. Most Bmx parents carry plenty tools/spares/tyres/chainrings for practice/set up. Dont fancy lugging toolbox/chairs/spares/umbrella/gazebo all the way down to the track! The parks got huge potential and I really, really hope it grows and succeeds. ( All suggestions/concerns long since passed on to Geoff )

Agree Vaulter, with much of what you said.. And I too will be back, I like it for a a quick 2 hours out of my day.. My concerns are more focussed on whether there will be a smaller kids BMX track and/or small kids riding area. Currently they all use the pump track.. Kids on small bikes will soon be using the coffee shop boardwalk to ride.... I have sent my feedback to Geoff and the lab, it would help if you sent yours as well, perhaps in a slightly diff format, with suggestions on how to improve/help?

'slower rate of price rise' Well said. Its something that I battle to explain to people. Worked for a major FMCG group for 17 years and we only had one price increase a year, in extreme years ( 2 ), we had a mid year increase on some lines.. That price increase took into account many factors that had come before and predictions of what would happen in the year forward.. Deep discounts on certain lines if the profitability was there in the year would take place to the retailers as well though.. Retailers like PnP, Makro, Spar, Shoprite etc would/will pass on discounts to the consumer that we gave, but they always kept the same margin....

Now if you are really keen on a Raleigh... Cajees Princess Crossing has loads of stock.... from the year 19 voetsek to 09 models... How this shop operates I have no idea.... Its like a flea market in there... Bikes and product everywhere in a constant state of unpacking... But I like to browse occasionally and see how many identical bikes have totally and wildly diff prices on them...

Raleigh Strike 20inch... RP R2249,00... I bought one a month ago for a mates kid from Linden Cycle at R1350.. Must have been old stock..... Pricing everywhere was around the R1400 mark.. R850 increase on a kids 20inch Mtb... Crazy man.. Silverback Eclispse 20 inch new stock is selling at R1750 to R1900... Going to be a sad Christmas for some kids!

There yesterday to check out the Bmx track with my 8 yr old. While I can see that the second straight will have two options.. one for the elites/pros and the other for the rest/lighties... Its a massive track with 2 of the straights ( heading back in the direction of the start hill ) being somewhat uphill. The amount of speed you will need to carry around that track is going to be significant.. Great to have a Pro level Bmx track that Sifiso can train on, but looking around yesterday, much money is coming from Dads and Moms with small kids... And there is no real place for them to ride if they cannot manage the trails.. The pump track is great for 10 minutes.. Hopefully they actually build a smaller Bmx track next to the current one as my 8 yr old is going battle to pedal his race Bmx bike up some of those jumps, never mind jump them!

Jeez Loon, Loooooooonatic is right. I rode that once and thats enough..... for ever!

ET, I take it you have actually spoken to the owners about the issue? Even if you get no joy, thats the place to start..

Great to hear. Read the other reports on the other thread as well. Although he was laughing and joking yesterday, it looked very, very eina.

Anyone heard from Ben this morning... does he have a headache of note.. have any of his teeth fallen out yet? Has he already been to the Lbs to buy a new bling helmet? Did his dog bark at him last night when he got home? Seriously Ben, that faceplant looked really eina, wish you a speedy recovery sir

If its a ghetto Uncle Ben, then get a new 20 inch tube..

Found one today, single key, no key ring or other keys. On the spruit path about 300 mtrs from the entrance to Emmerantia Dam ( wall side ).

Great stuff BBi, will say hi on the 6th of December.

If I stop and chat to someone who clearly looks out of place on a bike, offer him R500 or so for his bike and he accepts and then I could maybe get it back to its original owner.....? Is there something wrong with me then...

Ah Minty, now that you have spoken I see the light...... which one is cooler btw..

Thought as much. Just assumed it would be easier to take the velcro one of when you wash the bike and not worry about the crud stuck under the tube... Glad its not 'rebel' fashion thing then