NotSoBigBen

Thanks guys! I will try SwissVans suggestion for the next week or 2 and report back! MichelleH - the only spinning available around our place is at the local gym, 2 problems - you pay full mebership just to use the spinning class and they have limited classes meaning if you aren't there way early no chance of getting a bike!

One of those resistance ones you clamp the back wheel into. MTB XC training at the moment! Thanks!

Anyone have an indoor trainer program for say aroound 1 hour that one doesn't get too bored with?

I have SRAM on my Specialized FSR (X9 shifters, X7 RD and LX FD), I am very very happy with this combination. Great shifting, very predictable and little maintenance! On my Fuji I am now running that 'upside down - back to front' XTR rapid rise RD and still make the wrong shift now and then but it's getting better. I have XT trigger shifters with an SRAM FD and the FD shifts very nicely, better than the LX I had on there! Some issues to think about. You can't use the SRAM FD on all bikes as it is top swing and so some FS frames cause problems with mounting (hence the LX on my Specialized FSR FS). If you want to use the XTR RD then you must use the SRAM 'Rocket' shifters and not X series. This is because the X series and it's accompanying RD's have a 1:1 shift actuating ratio whilst Shimano has a 2:1 ratio. Hope that helps a bit! My son's birthday is coming up and he is going to the MTB XC nationals in Pietermaritzburg next weekend so I will be getting him some upgrades for his bike (FOX Terralogic Fork and Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic discs, yes the ones with the 'wavy' rotor!) this in turn means upgrades for me as I will get his hand me downs i.e. Magura Julie hydraulic discs for the Specialized, the one with the 210mm front rotor and the Rock Shox Tora fork he is taking off will replace my old Manitou elite on the Fuji which will also now get the Avid BB5 mechanical discs from the Specialized! And just because I can I will replace the 'X-Fusion' coil over unadjustable shock on the Specialized with a FOX Float R with propedal ! Whooohoooo can't wait, should all take place by the weekend all things being equal!

ewep I'll post you a quick GPS map thingy tomorrow to show you where!

Sorry Marius the Specialized is the SRAM equiped one and I surely would not have subjected the red rocket to this mornings torture! Nope that was on my Fuji HT with the Shimano goodies on. Not sure you want to place that beside your Specialized?

In Alberton, it is in the 'servitude' running through Brackendowns.

So I did it! Not too complicated but did take about an hour. Cleaned all gear outers with Q20 while the cables were out. Removed the grips by injecting some water under to make them easier to get off. Put all the new stuff on, grips back with hairspray. Cables and outers back and connect! Now to the ride this morning! Yes it does feel very strange shifting the 'other' way round, shifting up to easier gears does definitely feel quicker and smoother. By the end of the ride (1 hour) I was pretty much into it but not shifting correctly by 'intuition' yet, rather have to hesitate and think before shifting. It is not the most technical ride but I will be riding the Rietclei zoo farm course for the upocoming Gauteng interclub race on the 19th this weekend and then I will ride a few laps with each bike and see how it goes! On a totally dfferent note, we leave home at 5 and as you will know it is still pretty dark at that time. I do have a front light but even so picture the following :- Riding along a gentle downhill jeep track when I ride full on into a large tree trunk that some @#$%$% has placed directly across the 2 tracks. Wacked my knee a fair shot on the handlebar but other than that no harm done.Problem of course is that by the time I saw it in my bikes light it was too late to brake enough or even attempt evasive action. Now before the usual you should be careful on a jeep track, we have ridden it twice a week at least for the last 10 years and there was no 'obstacle' there! I get the impression that people do this and other trail stopping tactics to prevent Quads and motocross bikes from using them and making a noise (it is in a residential area!). Problem (for the trail jackers that is!) of course is that on the way back in the light we notice that the quads have just made a new path around it!

OK then I'll take the plunge tonight and report tomorrow after the morning training ride! Must be honest that I do like the SRAM 'X' push push shifting on my Specialized, just seems that the Shimano kit on my Fuji needs more TLC to keep it shifting 'crisp'! Never touched the SRAM stuff in all 4 days of the Sabia Classic in December, just a wash now and then! Must be honest though that I don't think that I ride any faster or slower using either so as the old saying goes 'if you keep it maintained and looked after most kit will do the job it is intended for'.

Thanks guys ! A lot of interesting discussion but hey no answers to my actual questions.

Have recently acquired a set of XT shifters (Trigger) and an XTR rear derailleaur at a very reasonable price. I want to replace my existing Deore shifters and XT RD with these but some questions come to mind :- 1) Will there be any benefit, i.e. will I feel a definite improvement in shifting performance? 2) Will it be a mission to adapt to the XTR rapid rise 'wrong' way round shifting? 3) What about when I jump between my SRAM X9 trigger Specialized and my now XTR upside down shift Fuji? 4) Is it worth the effort (1-2 hours I guess) to do the conversion? Much of this is of course hypothetical as I have spent the cash so will have to do it anyway but it would be nice to know if anyone has experience with this change / setup!!!!!