Veloce

I fully agree with Johan and I really do love my XT wheels, the hub/spoke interface is a fanstastic design. I have opened the hub on my rear wheel twice now to clean the bearings and on both occasions the disk side has been rather mucky and the freehub side has been completely free of any dirt/grime whatsoever. I do not clean my bike with a high pressure cleaner and it hasn't been hub deep in water. The disk side seal just doesn't work as well as the freehub side. I will open mine up on the weekend and post pics of the different seal designs. Veloce2009-08-18 04:26:47

Unfortunately not. The cartridge bearing is a press fit and needs the hub to be machined accordingly.

I was torn between XT wheels and Fulcrum red metal 3's, as I could get them for the same price. I went for the XT's 'cos they are a bit lighter. They have a labyrinth seal that is supposed to keep muck out the bearings but I still think sealed cartridge bearings are the way to go. The seal on the rotor side of the hub is not very good and thus the ball bearings need frequent cleaning otherwise you run the risk of a ruined hub. I think the XTR has the same seal problem on the rotor side. However, having said this, the design of the hub is such that maintainance is a very easy affair and not too much of a bother. It just gives you more chance to admire those red spoke nipples and straight pull spokes that are so damn sexy. If you want it completly maintainence free, go for cartridge type bearings. Veloce2009-08-17 07:24:19

Such sad news. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

I pay mine in beers... but then again, I am my own mechanic

I was put off specialized 2 years ago at the Sani2C with the reps bad attitiude and their crap service. At the time, I was looking to get a tarmac pro roadbike and at a later stage, an S-Works hardtail. After this incident I got neither and will never look at a spez again. Ended up getting a Bianchi 928 SL which is far superior anyway . Veloce2009-07-03 00:00:52

Johan, can you please confirm the cost.

Lets not all shout at once!! The noise is flippen deafening!!!!

How many hubbers in KZN would be GENUINELY interested in attending Johans fork workshop should he come down? Johan obviously needs a few definites in order for the trip to be viable. This is really a worthwhile exercise guys!! Interested hubbers: VeloceTaps (location dependent) Mackiemoo Singletrackmind Fruitloop Veloce2009-05-28 23:51:58

Ahum, collarbone fracturing and TREE HUGGING are actions performed due to the offenders own free will to ride and have nothing to do with being accompanied by me.

Yo rich mark, anytime bud. That tandem was a blast!! Scooterza - I agree with you about the traffic getting a bit heavy as you approach Durban however it won't be easy trying to get your idea past 20 odd years of tradition. Riding through Golden Gate, now that would be fantastic!!

So this weekend was the GABRAN (Great Annual Bicycle Ride Across Natal) and what an event it was!! I did it on a tandem with another hubber as he had torn 2 collarbone ligaments and could not ride a bike on his ace. What a blast!! We could only do the 2 day event starting at Wagendrift dam to Midmar (90km) and then from Midmar to Hillcrest (90km) as leave was a bit of an issue for us. The official start of the 3 day event is at Little Switzerland, down Oliviershoek pass and on to Wagendift dam (120km). The whole point of this ride is to have fun and see how many beer stops you can make, especially on day 2 with quite a few pubs being on the Midlands Meander route. The best stop had to have been at the Bierfassel, we all descended upon this unsuspecting little pub and made a whole lot of noise. Every time a group of cyclists rode by (whether they were part of the GABRAN or not) the entire place erupted in a synchronised "HEEEEEEEEYYYY" ordering them to pull over and join in!! WHAT FUN it was!! And then there was the food! Every meal was prepared for you, so you just pitch and eat ala Sani2C. The quality of the meals was second to none, I am truly impressed at what the little "kitchen" team was able to achieve under difficult circumstances in order to feed a horde of hungry cyclists. The vibe on this ride was out of this world, everyone was so chilled and were joking along the way. We bumped into Adele Tait from Ride Magazine and true to her reputation she is such a friendly person!! This was 2 days (next year all 3) of cycling bliss, Thank you Dave Geoghegan for organising a successful GABRAN 2009!! Veloce2009-05-18 11:44:39

and me ! when is this happening? Yes, and you can show us your enthusiasm for the environment by demonstrating how one should hug a tree properly ...again

Is this ride still happening??

Johan, is your workshop going to come to Durban??

I've just measured my medium Anthem frame and got a top tube measurement of 575mm and an "Actual Frame Measurement" of 450mm. Veloce2009-05-07 13:00:12

I'd be interested in the Durban course as well as 2 other mates.

I've heard that the DH guys use spray and cook quite often

oi' date=' sorry i missed you. was busy the whole weekend. bored girl and jules can testify to that![/quote'] No probs! I realise you were very busy. By the sounds of things...very busy

More more more!!!!!!!!!!! Veloce2009-04-13 04:33:10

Okay so she doesn't have Boras but she's mine and I love her

I was standing at "the trench" when Greg came through. He took a totally different approach to the jump and didn't get as much air as everyone else. I think it paid off 'cos he looked flippen fast through that section!!! It was absolutely fantastic to be so close to the riders as they came flying past. Cameras can do this sport no justice, you need to be there and hear the sound of the bike getting air past you and that thump as it hits track again!

Cycle alley in Scottburgh or Cycle Inn in Toti CA: 039 9781164 CI: 031 903 4432

See you guys bright and early on the morrow!!!!!!!