KDEE

Im flying a kite here, but in line with what a few have said already, it appears that wheels without serial numbers may have been suspected to be fakes. This ties in with the fact that the other boxed wheels were not confiscated.. Just my supposition though.. If correct this action would be the same as the copyright holder/authorised rep of international brand asking the police to raid a flea market stall and confiscate fake Raybans/Oakleys/Rolex/Disney product etc. Oustide of them being 'hot wheels', which I am not implying, the above scenario is the only one I can imagine that the police would be involved. Just to remind everyone.. A grey product should really be described as a knockoff of the real thing. A parallel product would be one imported by bypassing the official distributor for the country in question. The product would still be the genuine article though. KDEE2008-10-16 12:26:10

Dark clothes..... I scared enough riders last night when they only saw me at the last minute

I can just picture this....... KDEE standing in the bushes in the dark shouting.....'Looking good Nancy Drew'..... 'Styling there Bored Girl'........... 'Cmon MarkStockton'........ 'Faster The Thug'....... 'Very polite riding there Jules' ............'Yay for the hubbers' Im going to get very skeef looks and may get locked up...

Bruce has a real point, a general point. It wont apply to all who import and of course it would apply in reverse to those official distributors who do not give back up. Im not referring to CWC at all in this post. Bruce, perhaps this kind of post should stand on its own as a new debate. To others, read Bruce post carefully and see if there is merit in what he is saying..

Hey BG, I wasnt lurking, it was just dark Through process of elimination, I now semi know who you are and what bike you ride.. Next time i will clap and shout for you as well.... Although a voice in the darkness shouting 'Go Bored Girl' is going sound a bit daft...

Indeed, well written.. Dust wasnt too bad last night... although walking around doesnt create much dust though. Must admit, spectating kit list will include a buff facemask in future.. Point 2 applies equally well to those fat and unfit lads like me who still cannot give up smoking! KDEE2008-10-16 03:37:36

So last night I went to watch and give moral support to Nancy Drew. I didnt ride because, I am fat and unfit, have no lights and am scared of riding in the dark at this stage What a nice atmosphere and all round fun. Its impossible to meet anyone you dont know from the hub because it gets bloody dark out there! Observations.. 1. If you are spectating, bring your own light.. otherwise things like tree stumps and bricks will jump into your path when walking to various spots and you will fall down.... without a bicycle.. 2. Lights are a big plus when racing in the dark, 2 small lights are better than no lights. 3. Charge your battery before you get there otherwise you will swear for the entire hour because yellow light will just confuse you. 4. If you choose to ride without a light when there is no moonlight, make sure you are fast enough to ride behind someone with good lights... otherwise you will wander of the trail.... a lot. 5. The tree stump / barrel combo ramp/jump/ride over looks easy when you are watching... doubt if its that easy when you are riding in the dark. Refer to point no 4 above, if thats you, you might as well close your eyes and prey.. 6. One lightie decided the best way was to completely jump the above obstacle... a sickening thud of tyre and rim was heard each time he landed.. it appeared to be the slower line though as he kept overshooting the turn right after the obstacle. 7. The squatters/people at the bottom of the course sitting around a fire think the riders are mad... 8. When spectating, try and avoid standing at the exit of a corner in the dark... riders will get a fright when they suddenly see you and nearly fall of.. 9. If you fall of your bike on a flat section, dont assume there will be no spectator to hear you berating yourself for riding like a poofter.. 10. The hill along the fence is a lot longer than it looks... specially when you are walking and tripping over bricks and tree stumps.. 11. Riders with just helmet lights are the funniest to watch as the head goes one way and the bike goes another. They also look the strangest while riding in the dark as you can only see a light six foot in the air bobbing along until the rider is right near you.. 12. If something on your bike goes twcheet twcheet as your wheel goes around, you can be heard around the entire course.. This of course is good if you get lost in the dark.. 13. The two young race snakes who led from start to finish were indecently fast in the dark.. Aah to be young and fit again... actually just fit would be nice.. 14. Mtb riders have spare energy to swear... a lot ... when they are tired... impressive vocabs as well.. All directed at themselves I must say.. 15. Track left, coming right, rider on the right all seem to be acceptable forms of letting slower riders know you are coming past.. Passing in a 90 degree turn through a gate is going to lead to a sense of humour loss though... 16. Finishing in style always feels good, until you half wheelie into the rider who has just finished in front of you. All in all a very pleasant evening out. A nice evening for the family even with weather so balmy. Props to Rockhoppers for organising and getting Fast fuel to sponsor a end of ride drink and sachets. Fast fuel also supplied the lucky draw prizes. I will be getting some lights and be joining in and just generally being the last guy to finish..

In Weltevreden Park, have to phone Kevin for exact directions to the shop if needed.

Next races are 25th of October and 1st of November. Race meet on the 1st Nov is to celebrate Cycle Fusions 4th birthday. Kevin has donated a Shimano DXR crankset ( RRP R4500 odd ) as the main prize for the Elite class. Plans are afoot for lucky draw prizes from local business in the area. Plan is to maybe also to give Moms and Dads a chance to wobble around ( not race ) the track to show the kids we remember how to ride a single speed bike Photos of the track are here.... https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=31488&PN=1 Info below is copied from older posts. The Chapel track in Weltevreden Park is a feeder track for the bigger tracks in Gauteng. Feeder track in that it has only 6 starting gates, the starting hill is not as high, the jumps are rideable for for the 4 yr old lighties and the track is only 260 mtrs odd long. My lighties ( 8 and 6 )started riding the track this year after we sold all our quad bikes and I am amazed at the improvement in bike control, sportsmanship and bonding that has taken place. The Chapel is on the grounds of a church ( The Chapel Church ) and as such is run and owned by the church. Kevin from Cycle Fusion just down the road has really worked hard to get racing going for the kids in this area. Back to the feeder part..... Some of the tracks in Gauteng are just too far for some parents ( petrol and time ), and possibly the size of the tracks and the jumps are just too much for some of the kids. Around about 30 of the kids have graduated to racing at Alrode, Germies etc. Track is ideal for all and Sundry on PnP specials, heavy BMX trick bikes, racing snakes lightweights and MTB for the older boys and lunatic fathers. Next race is next Saturday the 25th of October and 1 Novemeber. Registration from 8 to 9.30 am. Racing should kick of at 10am and is normally finished by 1pm ( depending on numbers ). Format is 3 heats and a final. If numbers are small for the class, then 3 heats and the final count for overall places. R10/20 entry fee, number boards available with small deposit. No trick foot pegs on bikes and at the very least helmet is required. Long pants and shirt are good.... Mine ride with motocross pants, helmet etc. Track is on church grounds so try and leave the beer for afterwards in the pub down the road. The atmosphere is very relaxed, very informal and fun, fun, fun. So after this long spiel, lets see many, many Dads and Moms who are not sure what to do with the kids in the north/west to come and try out the track. The track has a Skate park ( Metal half pipes, etc ) as well. Dads and big brothers are welcome to try the lunatic class... Ages from 4 yrs up get a class. Enough kids and the classes are split into novice and expert. Track is open for practice from 2pm to 5 pm Wednesdays and Fridays, and 10am to 4 pm on Saturdays. R10 entry fee. Small shop on site for snacks. Cycle Fusion ( Kevin ) - 011-679 5171 The Chapel Church - 011 679 3042 Track/Church is 3 John Vorster Road Just up the road from the PNP Randpark Ridge. Just behind the Shopping centre On Northumberland ( Rock Cottage intersection ) KDEE2008-10-15 01:26:05

For your 29er, a 24 inch BMX cruiser tube should work well if you go that route. Kevin at Cycle Fusion has some 24inch tubes with presta valves.

I am going to try... If Im not there by 8, Im hung over...

Colonel, we also won a world cup or two under the new flag I took your post as regards the flags as I assumed you meant it.. cheeky and irreverent

Thanks Mark, we might just join you on that ride.. No takers as yet, although I have just replied to the first post, so will give him a chance. Thanks for letting me know, will keep you informed..

Mark, when you say relaxed pace......

turtletek, I agree with you 150%.. very nice compliment to Richard. But if you read my post carefully you will see that I said that its a sad indictment on CycleLab that you have to go one person to get decent service...

Why exactly does he have to prove himself over and over again 8/9 years after the fact.. So they fancy that they have better testing methods than they had in 99? If so are they going to retest all the cyclists samples over the last 9 years? The debacle surrounding the Landis case does not exactly engender a warm fuzzy feeling of confidence in these labs ability.. This obsession with proving LA took drugs is amazing.... Surely to goodness, one of the myriad others tests he had to take over the years would have found something... I cannot believe that every single random test over the years was wrong.. And yes, Im a big believer in innocence until proven guilty... Why do so many insist that some talent or success is not just genetic and or combined with blood, sweat and tears in training..

I will be honest here... I put mine on the way I think they look the best An they always go on the same way because I cannot abide the skewers being on diff sides of the frame.. I suspect that there are a lot more peeps out who do the same here than will admit.. Being honest again, I am far too slow uphill and in corners for all this talk about traction and grip to have an effect on my cheap ass Kenda Komodos.. The debate is fascinating though

Most peeps that have quads or m/cycles will have a tin of deodorant in the toolbox.. for a reason... Liberal spray on the inside of the grips and they will slide right on... and stick like crazy by the next morning.. They say its the alcohol in the deo... At last there is a use for all that Old Spice you got for Christmas and have never used.. Taking of? Sunlight/Q20 will work easily... just rinse them with hot water and dry of with old cloth.. Have reused grips many times with no issues. Of course a compressor makes life easy.. Not reusuing? Stanley knife!

And if you have a compressor, blow all the water away thats left in the nooks and crannies..... you wont believe where water will sit for hours and days Vacumm cleaner on the blow side also works... Hairdryer for the anal ones, but it might appear somewhat salad boy to your mates ( holding beer in one hand and hairdryer in the other ). If on the other hand, you happen to be a girl, then hairdryers are ok!

Cannot agree more HR, BBi and Sean. My son has Bmx bike for racing ( entry level ) and Scott 24inch MTB for riding. The difference that gears make up hill and down dale is remarkable..

My short answer.....Indeed they are correct as regards using the whole cassette with one front blade... Was taught way back when....... Top half of the cassette with small chainring and bottom half with the big chainring... A very simple explanation and Im sure others will give more eloquent answers, but you get the idea..

Pic above is of my two... serious grey hair material!