Alouette3

I much prefer the ride position and gearing of a mtb. If you use a mtb it might be worth your while getting some slicks, it makes a big difference on the road. I've used Continental Sport Contacts 26x1.3 and love them. Hey I might even ride the Argus on a mtb again, will certainly do some training on it.

My thinking would have been that cycling the clutch on and off all the time ( ie. After each ride) would put more stress on the friction band and where it quicker? That being said I had the band on my SLX snap after a couple months, was fixed my Shimano under warranty with no issues. Hope I'm the only one and it doesn't happen again.

Forgot to drop my post before coming down Vasbyt this morning and saw my @ss!

Shadow "+" has the clutch, plain Shadow does not.

Even the Giant brand droppers work great and they are cheap at under R2k. Problem is they only come in 30.9mm! As Patches said, you only realize the usefulness of a Dropper once you've owned one. I dreaded forking out the cash, but now I'll do it again in a flash! Changed my riding.

Friend found one cheap at Bridge cycles. Thanks for the help guys.

Looking at the possibility of getting a road bike to train and do the Argus on next year. Did my first Argus this year from the very back group in a 3h45 on an old 1992 Giant Cadex CFM2 mountain bike with some 1.3 Conti Contact slicks. It goes like the clappers, but I do tend to run out of gears quickly on the downhill, and feel its no the most efficient way to do things. Though the looks I get when passing someone on their R40k + carbon beasts going up Chappies on a my training rides are priceless. What sort of bikes should I be checking out if I'm on a budget. I don't know anything about road bikes, and what to look out for component and brand wise. Definitely will go second hand, and I don't want to go and spend thousands on a bike I won't be riding all the time, as I'm more into mountain biking otherwise. Still want something I'll be happy with, comfortable and that will last. Not opposed to building up a bike, but that will probably end up a bit pricey.

Go clutch. Those things are awesome. Replaced my XT RD M773 Shadow with the SLX Shadow +, bet thing ever. Never drop my chain now!

My Trance runs that setup. I've serviced the wipers etc myself with no issue. Fox even gives instructions for all the servicing. Just opened, cleaned and re-lubed my RP2 last week. 15 min job including removing the unit. As for the Fork, can be a mission prying out those seals, but much quicker and easier turning the bike upside down, and pulling the slider off the stanchions. Haven't need to replace seals yet, but I just lube them with 80wt Gear oil every couple months, or then it gets dry. Cheaper then buying that 5ml's of Fox float oil.

Seeing this one is gone, I might have a go at it any way, the worst that happens it goes back to the trash where it is destined any way. Seems a waste that the entire shaft etc. all gets chucked!

A friend of mine is rebuilding an old bike of his. It has a sealed cartridge BB system which is absolutely shot couple with Hollowtech cranks (I assume Hollowtech 1?) Where can one get one of these units, without having to upgrade or replace cranks? Is there otherwise the slightest possibility of cracking out the old bearing? I'm fairly handy and if its possible I should be able to do it! I'm sure someone has one in the back of there cupboard otherwise Trying to keep it on a budget.

Got my frame back. Very happy with the finish. Only problem is they went and blasted my Aluminium frame! Stripped it so nicely so this would not be necessary but they did it any way, which damaged my BB threads a bit. Its an old frame and fun project so was not too worried. Nice thing is they at least masked all the threads for painting.

I had it a couple years back with 2 water balloons thrown at me out of a taxi on Hout Bay main road. Luckily they didn't account for a thing called inertia!

Only ever run the 1.3, thinner tire equals less surface friction and more speed They still fatter then a road tire and have ample road holding.

Go for the Continental Sport Contact 26x1.3 Really great tires, and super fast rolling. We run then on our two old Giant Cadex, never had an issue. And you will feel the difference! Did the Argus and all my training last year on them.

Thanks for giving your time today. Was really helpful.

I dropped off a frame, fork, bars and stem at Cape Powder Coat this morning. R250 ex. vat. They will shot blast and powder coat it. Though I did strip all the existing paint with Plascon Removall. I'll let you know how it comes out when I collect later this week.

If you look on the site at "Complete Disc Brakesets" the avids are the only set pictured with rotor. I was also looking at brakesets earlier this week on EVO bike and was a little confused as to what is all included. The product pages just need a little more clarity, as simple as *no rotors included. But thumbs up naas to your offering a full refund and even better, the rotors at cost! I think he should return those brakes and get some Shimanos!

Myself and Porqui are interested. Thanks for the offer!

Walked into my parents room at 7pm on Friday night to find a guy standing there! He made his escape using the same way he got in... through a window frame where they removed a piece of glass, that space is only 22 x 26 cm! Had him by the legs for a while, half way out the window while his friend was trying to help him out (think his friend was to big to get inside!) unfortunately he got away! Strangely enough my Giant Trance was outside the front door, still drying after my ride and they didn't touch it!

So with the SLX using a single carriers for multiple cogs, this should prevent the damage to my freewheel body. Thus saving money on a Deore will cost me in the long run with a new freewheel. .. What's that going to set me back?

Removed my chain, redid my derailleur limit setup, replaced the inner gear cable and the rear 2 sections of housing and all is shifting perfectly on the bench. Shifting is also much lighter now Also removed a link from the chain as it was a little slack, looks like its length was big cog to big cog + 3 links and not + 2. Might be why I was having problems with dropping the chain till I put on the clutch unit. Thanks for the input guys. Interesting point made on the Deore steel cassettes biting into the aluminium freewheel hub. Anyone else experienced this?

When I shift up to an easier gear it doesn't always drop onto the cog it just continues on the same gear, so I need to shift up 2 positions at times and then shift on down.On the extreme high and low couple gears it was fine. I tried doing the setup again from the start but now its worse. I picked up some new cable and casing today so will try that. As for the cassette it will be the last resort, posted this thread just as a matter or interest for future reference. I checked the chain for stretch and its out by maybe 1mm over 12inchs, so within limits (3mm?? 1/8 inch). The derailleur is only 2 months old or so, SLX 10 Shadow +. My shifting has always been a bit stiff, even on my previous XT non + version, not sure why this is and the privious owner did say this when I bought the bike in November last year. 2012 Giant Trance X2

Currently got SLX all round except for a SRAM chain. Having problems with my rear shifting, so need to narrow down the problem... shifters, cable, housing, cassette, chain

When replacing my 10 speed cassette, how much difference is there in performance and shifting between the Deore and SLX. I know there is a weight saving but for the rest? I know some people go for lower range products as they sometimes last longer, this is at least true with the XTR vs XT