Clinton1

Thanks guys! Buycycle does suck then but there prices are better on some items so I might need to do the order with each and see what I end up with.

And your shirt does not strangle you as a result of this? That is a lot of weight in your shirt. Although I wil look into packing everything into one pocket and see how it goes. Just seems to be that it might be uncomfortable.

Thanks for your response. It did seem a little condascending though so apoligies if mine comes across as a little rude but I'm jsut saying it as I think it. I see no need to go tubeless. I have only suffered one puncture in 7 months. Of course every man and his dog insists I go tubeless, on occasion throwing in comments like "noob" in an attempt to up the peer pressure. Until I see value in something I do not do it. Currently, based on my riding habits, I see no need to conform yet. There's a valid reason but then again those two things take up very little space. And from what I have read online many folks with tubeless carry tubes with them anyway so I'd only be saving on the patches? But of course at the expense of going tubeless. This is a rather stupid comment, if you don't mind me saying. No one plans on breaking down which is exactly the reason for carrying tools with you. You almost seem to imply not bothering to carry any tools which seems to go against what almost everyone else says about being self sufficient. Already said that I'm not a fan of putting too much in my shirt pockets. Food is fine because if you come off it squashes. I'm not really certain how damage to my bike equates to me being preoccupied with how I look? Well said Ben. To the rest, do you really carry ALL that stuff in your jersey just to avoid using a saddle bag? It makes far more sense to me having that additional weight attached to your bike rather than moving around with you.

There seems to be a lot of this "be cool" attitude that revolves around cycling. Everyone seems preoccupied with how they look. The marking of the seat post is the only thing that puts me off a saddle bag. But then using a camelbak for short rides doesn't seem right either. If we are going to go on about this cool thing, then I think a bottle looks far cooler...

I feel the need to argue but am far to lazy to check current pricing... however, when looking at getting things sent via couriers a few months back most immediately asked me to measure the item and give them these so they could work out the volume and charge accordingly. This was done by Postnet, and a few others whose names I now don't remember. In saying this, it also demonstrates that there are alternatives. I can almost guarantee that if I got on the phone tomorrow and got pricing to send a saddle bag I would get prices far lower than R80. As for the saving, that is not generously given but rather based on the fact that the online store does not have the overheads as a "real" store. The fact that many trade as "real" shops too is another matter. I am purchasing online and as a result they do not need a salesperson to deal with me or a shelf to display my goods on.

No one bought from them who can comment?

Well it's ok for me to have one then...

Cool. I am shopping for a saddle bag as we speak and cannot understand the issue with them. I asked as some seem so opposed to them that I was wondering how they carry everything.

I'd prefer not to ride with 150 other people. Not sure why we are giving "grory" to a king but if that is how you avoid bike jackings then I'm all for it (although it never seemed to work for you).

My shirt pockets take any food that I feel I need. Usually fruit. Form what I have read having tools in your shirt poses a safety risk when crashing. A multi-tool/pump stabbing can't be too pleasant? I've seen the duct tape but I really fail to understand why a tube duct tapped to a seat post if so much coooler than a saddle bag though Someone spends 10s of thousands on a bike and then tries his hardest to look minimilist by using duct tape. Unless I am totally missing the true and valid reason for not using one. The water bottle idea is cool but it would mean losing some water which would mean needing a camelbak which would resolve the issue anyway.

Sorry, I'm full of questions today I was just checking out ordering some stuff from Olympic cycles and noticed that when my order went over R500 the delivery charge dropped away. Do CWC and Buycycle also have a level at which the delivery charge falls away? I am often put off ordering smaller things due to the cost of delivery.

So I always see folks on here slagging off the use of saddle bags so I need to ask, how do you carry your tools etc? I am not a fan of Camelbaks which I assume is the one alternative (I am satisfied with two bottles in cages) so what else is there? I am looking at a spare tube, multi tool, tube repair kit, tyre levers, cellphone, cash, powerlinks, keys etc....

My problem with both is the delivery charge. It makes sense for more expensive items but makes little sense when you need things under R500. If I am wanting something for R300 it makes little sense to buy it online and have to add R80 odd for delivery (thus adding around 25% to the price!). I realise they might not be that interested in the hassle of selling the smaller items but surely these are items that sell quantity. They really should update their systems to take into account volume and charge delivery accordingly.

Which multi tool do you recommend for MTBing? And any suggestions of the cheapest place to buy it (preferably a "real" shop in the Durban area)? I have found a few online but with R100 delivery fee for a R200 item it makes little sense. I've had chain issues before so I'd prefer one with a chain tool.

Your dad is probably right and for most it would boil down to affordability otherwise we'd all have the absolute top of the range bikes. In saying this, however, at what point does what someone is paying for something reach the point where it is really not worth the benefit received? I always find this an interesting thought.

While riding the other day I was thinking it may be beneficial for those who have experienced a bike jacking to share their stories so we can get an idea of the modus operandi of these thieves. When riding alone (MTB) I tend to stay towards the middle of any jeeptrack so that anybody coming out the bushes would have to travel further and give me time to react. It was while doing this that I wondered whether they do hop out the bush or whether they approach strolling towards you before attacking. I presumed the latter but would like those who have experienced it to share their experiences. I do know that uphills are meant to be more of a risk due to the slower speeds being travelled at. They apparently grab the back wheel resulting in your tumbling. Please share and maybe it can help the rest of us. Thanks.

I have always been lucky though in that my weight has always stayed between 75 and 85kgs. Or so it has shown when I weigh myself, which is not very often, so I tend to go more on how clothes fit. I never came anywhere near a 20+kg weight gain. But then even when "sedentary" I am rather "active" when compared to some. Another huge point I feel. I used to work in an open plan office. If I needed to chat to someone on the other side of the office there was only one option for me, get up and walk over there. It astounded me how often I'd be standing there asking what needed to be asked and someone else from the other side of the office would phone to query something. I also tend to pace while talking on the phone. I hate sitting down and chatting. Something small but all those small things play I part, in my opinion.

Online schedule shows 14:40 for live streaming.

Forget apps... use a website. iPad has a browser doesn't it? http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/us/live/aso/

Ah, the world according to Apple... instead of finding one of many decent websites, which probably offer in-depth coverage of the TdF, people now feel there has to be an app for everything.

Those numbers make for interesting reading indeed. I think the thing is that most of those numbers are aimed at folk who are putting in many hours at a time. Most people get very little exercise. And recovery times are not an issue as if they do 1 hour of intense exercise now it is unlikely they'll be doing it again for at least 24 hours. So should someone who only manages 30 minutes a day still be exercising at 65% or are they better off pushing 80%? Some people do not have the time to do 2 hours of low intensity.

Referring to professional body builders is just changing the discussion altogether. I am referring to "normal" people. To me it really is simple. Put in more calories than you burn off and you will gain weight. Burn off more calories than you put in (through exercise) or put in less calories to start with (through diet) and you will lose weight. I just think some people are too quick to take the latter option as it is easy to tell people you are dieting but not so easy to pull the wool over their eyes when it comes to exercise. You actually need to be out there doing it. After some comments made I did some reading online and I quite liked this: We all agree that a mix of both is ideal but too many (and again I am unlikely to be referring to many people who hang out on a cycling forum) people think a three week diet is going to help them with their weight issues. A lifestyle change is necessary. And increasing your exercise (or actually starting to do some!) is a great way to facilitate this lifestyle change.

I think we need to differentiate between two definitions of diet here. What you are referring to is a lifestyle diet change. When others refer to diet they often talk about not eating XY and Z for a period of time in order to lose weight. The latter is NEVER a long term solution in my opinion. Fully disagree with your percentages. If anything it is way too much of a generalisation. As stated in my personal case I can continue to eat what I always have but add in some exercise and I will lose weight. Yes, I agree we all differ which is why I suppose sweeping generalisations hardly ever work.

I think that is a big part of it. Most diets are hardly sustainable for eternity but once the exercise bug bites it is something you are likely to continue. It is for this reason that I still feel that exercise is the more important criteria for weight loss. You have probably pointed out a big problem. When I used to go to the gym I would see folks on the bikes pedalling sedately while reading the newspaper or a novel. They would not raise the slightest sweat. I don't doubt that many of them would moan to others about how they have been going to gym for months and they have not lost a single kilogram. I will add, for those who have an argumentative streak like me, that those 30 minutes of slow pedalling are better than nothing but don't expect major results. You have pretty much agreed with what I said although it comes across as if you do not agree. I still put exercise higher on the weightloss hierarchy than dieting. Most people already eat what they eat, if they continue to do so but add in some strenuous exercise they should see results. Of course, they do run the risk of then eating more to compensate for what has been burned off. But in my experience just the change in lifestyle alone results in you changing your eating habits. Instead of grabbig a pie before a cycle (I can think of nothing worse) I'd rather grab a carrot and an apple. I have always found this a little controversial. It is often mentioned in heart rate zone exercise programs. Exercise at 65% for an hour and you burn fat. Exercise at 85% for an hour and you don't burn as much. Seems to make little sense to me.

I'm sure on a forum such as this it would be like preaching to the choir but I often see discussions on other forums relating to weight loss. Inevitably most suggestions revolve around diet. Now, let me state up front, that I fully understand the benefits of healthy eating and how it can improve your overall health but I still think (know?) exercise is the way to go. Perhaps I should add "for me at least". I also realise I have never been overweight to start with so it might be easier for me to hop on a bike or run than a 150kg person. I used to exercise regularly whether running, surfing, hiking and the like but in the last few years, with kids, I have got a bit slack and I have noted my clothes becoming a little tighter. I then started riding quite a lot in November last year. My diet has not changed and I still eat what I want, when I want. Recently I have realised that most of my baggies are now being pulled in as tight as I can pull them and they still threaten to fall down. I often think that dieting is taken as the easy route, and the one that is easier to cheat on, which is why so many wanting to lose weight choose it over the exercise route. Just an opinion I felt liek sharing.