keith

Ok so I purchased the Shimano spd pedals and the Olympic shoes for my mtb on sat morning and hit Giba in the afternoon. The verdict: IT ROCKED!!! The pedals and shoes were awesome even though I fell off a couple of times from not unclipping quick enough Thanks all for the advice about the shoes and pedals! I am bruised and a very happy man, and a mtb'r

I am purchasing the shoes and pedals this morning and shall let you guys know on monday how many times I feel off my bike over the weekend

Thanks guys for all the posts! I'm gonna do it!!!!

Hey guys is spending approx R270 on new shimano spd pedals for my first mtb a good idea? Or should I save and get better? I'm planning on getting the cheap Olympic mtb shoes to go with. Am I making the wrong decision by going 'cheap' per say? Thanks!

So in other words a good rider may be as 'physically' fit as a TDF rider, but not as 'mentally' fit? This being due to talent and coaching?

How do things always become dodge here? Focus people!

At gym on the spinning bike I max out at 192 and average +-173 over 20 min. I find for me the closer I can get much average to my max the better. My resting HR is about 55. Why when you get older does your max HR drop?

PHAT stands for 'Pretty Hot And Tempting'. 'Peace Out' is in many ways old school!

But Azonic surely resting HR is not the only way to gauge?

Sean good one But I think you got a point about being confident with a challenge you have to face. So being 'fit' is also a mental thing I suppose?

Hey guys maybe this has been asked before, but how do you define being fit? Is it a combination of resting, max and average HR? Does weight have anything to do with it? Frequency of exercise (as in how often should one?) How would I know if I am fit, or is it just a general term applying to many things? Is there guidlines to know if you are 'fit'?

Very true on the pricing! It seems the name adds another grand onto the bike alone on entry-level bikes (found this out for myself).

After being here for a couple of months I've noticed that brands such as Cannondale, Bianchi, Specialized, Giant, Cervelo are all very popular, but Trek is not. Is this because of fashion trends or are Trek bikes inferior for some technical reason, or does it have to do with Lance? Was just wondering (no offense to anyone trying to buy or sell a Trek).

Mbaymike I payed R4400 cash for it. I also had a look at the Silverback Phoenix which was R4100 but its components weren't as good and its cable disk brakes weren't as good as the Mongoose V-brakes. By buying the Mongoose I can upgrade to hydralic disks AND have decent components- something the guy at my LBS pointed out and does make sense.

The thing about mtb is that if you crash its your fault cause you fell off or hit a rock or tree, but road involves taxis, trucks, cars. And I personally would rather fall off and hit a rock than get hit by a car.

....how mtb's have suddenly become more popular on the hub? Anything to do with all the posts of late about roadies been hit? Safety has become a massive issue on our roads. Maybe its just my imagination but a lot of people are looking for mtb's all of a sudden.

Shot for the advice Hog- shall keep my eyes and ears open for a shudder!

Thanks Pontent- shall make my way up there after a bit of practice! Tromps I paid R4400 cash, and Hog I'm not sure on the fork.

Anyone know any good trails here in Durbs other than Giba where I can use this beast?

Hey everyone thanks a million for your opinions but I ended up getting the mongoose- check it out in the photos forum under my new mtb!!!

Slowbee as soon as its not frikken raining!

Well slowbee after reading the review on the similar bike in Bike mag I decided to check it out. This one had full Deore- which other bikes in the same category (entry-level) didn't, also the remote lock-out impressed me. I decided the V-brakes on it (tekro) would be better perhaps than cable disk brakes- and I can always upgrade to hydralic. I rode another bike with cable and didn't even compare to this ones V-brakes. It also was a comfortable test ride- well impressed with the shocks!

To begin with Foe I'm riding the standard pedals- but shall get to clipless!

Thanks slowbee- I shall be become a dirty rotten scoundrel on it!!!

My new Mongoose Tyax Super, but without the disc brakes. Has Deore LX rear and Deore front, with Suntour XCR shock. I'm pretty happy for my first mtb!