marinusg

Great write-up!

Just saying....

Probably 400 meters at least to the start (not really road...) - no idea how the other parking looks. I got there at about 07:10 and the purple was pretty full.

Really looking forward to Sunday, but will be taking some precautions. Parked in the purple parking for the MTB and while it isn't pure dust, there's a lot of unfriendly vegetation: Pulled about five of these out of my tyres at the start of the MTB and a load more out of my shoes and tyres when I got back to the car. The sample in the picture came out of one of my shoes - plenty of life left... Since even Gatorskins won't stand up to this, I considered some options: Wear slops and carry the bike to the start, put slops in Camelback and put shoes on. Get cleat covers and carry the bike. Put SPD's on the bike and wear mtb shoes - carry the bike. Put slime in road bike tubes (not keen). Ride the mountain bike.Probably go with option 3. Please be aware of the thorns - expect to see plenty punctures before the start.

Can't be sure on sealant type - got the wheels second-hand. Note to self: Start with fresh sealant...

Amazing what one finds inside tubeless tyres.Guess this is the downside of just 'topping off'...

Yeah - got a mail from Racetec - 6 minutes off all HL race times... Looks like GL and IL have also been fixed... Nice to know that these issues are resolved so promptly!

Thanks - it looks like the following has happened: GL: Racetec time = actual + 3 minutes HL: Racetec time = actual + 6 minutes IL : Racetec time = actual + 9 minutes I've logged a query with Racetec and will confirm the feedback if and when I get it. Might be worthwhile for one or two more people to lodge a query. Would hate for the same thing to happen for other rides...

Out of interest, anyone else in the low seedings (read gl / hl/ or il) seeing a 6 minute discrepancy between measured vs Racetec - i.e. Racetec showing about 6 minutes slower than actual...? Quite a couple of us tail-enders seeing this...

It certainly looks as though the seeding is pretty random (unless one has done some Racetech rides in the last few months). This does provide a sense of comfort in that there will be a good spread of fitness levels in HL. For those of you who rode HL last year with 'Owen's bunch' and finished circa 3:30 (in the top third of the field), we know it can work out OK. My real concern is that overtaking loads of slower riders is a safety issue in an event without full road closure. Basing the seeding on last few months worth of results is not representative and is a big safety risk IMHO.

Been doing much of the same review / asking the same questions - what I'm offering here is more for discussion, but hopefully it assists in your decision making process... I looked at these two write-ups: http://forums.mtbr.c...615-867809.html http://www.bikeradar...revealed-36475/ Looks pretty much like pad type is the difference with some smoother lines on the 615 (must admit I don't really care about weight - so haven't bothered to look) 596: 615: I have 596's on one of my bikes and, like you, have really enjoyed the performance of this product. On another bike I have a set of Avid Elixer 1's (don't want to make this an Avid vs Shimano conversation), but I've decided to replace them with 596's, because: I know what I'm getting performance-wise and feel-wise (love the shape of the lever - which appears to be consistent between 596 and 615); Prefer mineral oil to dot fluid; Keeps the pads consistent between bikes - doubt I'll ever need Ice-tech; They're cheap at the moment - http://www.chainreac...ke/rp-prod67246 Hope this helps

Wholeheartedly agree - can't see any reason why this was done. Really sad that this lovely section has been diminished.

Simple page not up yet - but got mine in SA: http://www.cotic.co.za/contact.php

Had some down-time due to an injury and decided to build a low maintenance machine. Opted for a 'Dingle' arrangement 34 - 18 and 32 - 20 at this stage. First 'easy' ride - really loved it!! Brings the count of Cotic frames in the stable to 3!!