Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Entirely too much for my pocket... I'm going this way: V12man has a few sets, and Jason at Trailhead rates them highly, apparently. http://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1365 OR http://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1289 OR http://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1290 At $ 160 per rim, it's significantly cheaper than any other options. Other option is the LightBicycle rims. Build them up with some Hope Pro4's, and BAM.

I know... That's the one takeaway I got from riding Iwan's Hungry Monkey. The steering was just.... yeah. It makes it feel soooo much sharper and more deliberate.

NGHHHHHHH! Do not tempt me... That's what I'm saving for at the moment.

2 words. Jonkershoek. Wind.

http://45.media.tumblr.com/7469601972f65e2b2adb5f8aa5e846a5/tumblr_nda8fsYNKr1tfg6t4o1_500.gif

LOL. Yes. It's me trying to persuade myself not to spend any more this month...

Bloody hell, that IS a good deal. Considering the USD, that is.

Portly Schmortly. I've come to realise that weight is not always a good thing to lose on a bike. Up to a point, yes - but too light could also get you into a bit of trouble in our crosswinds!

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/182604-2015-giant-trance-275-1-carbon-wheelset/ ?

It's brilliant. Really is.

Agreed. I'm still pushing for a better scaling system. It's idiotic that base training runs and rides like this aren't counted.

It was earlier this week... It's how my wife's data pulls through

They've always said that they need data, and it's by no means a "skollie" way to mine it. This sort of data, from a life and medical insurance standpoint, is gold dust. They also said it in the launch. BTW - if you think STRAVA & Garmin etc aren't selling off the data they get from you... With this, though, they'll be able to track exercise & health data with their OWN client database far more accurately than they would be if they were buying behavioural analytic data from an unrelated 3rd party. Why the vehemence though? They've always said (as have we, here) that the metrics are likely to change with the points allocations, as they got more data... It's still easier to get points than it was last year, and if anything the benefits themselves have improved.

What about a frameset? Use all your existing bits. Something like a Transition / Banshee / Kona / Giant... Still reasonably priced, and you'd get a good bike for less than a complete new bike.

Good luck, man. I know - it's a helluva decision making process. Especially with the prices we now have too pay.

Oh, and between the alu Reign 2 and carbon Trance Advanced 2, I'd go Alu Reign all the way. Yes, carbon, but still - Only place the Trance trumps Reign is on the frame and brakes (Guide vs SLX) Reign has Pike, vs Sektor. PAM-2 wheels vs P-XC. Drivetrain is much of a muchness (X7 vs deore / slx) If I was buying now, with the same amount of cash, it'd be the alu reign all the time. TBH I reckon you CAN take the Trance to France, but the Reign would just be *that* much more suited to it, and everything else...

I ended up getting the Reign Advanced 1. Pre USD nuttery, when it was still approx 50k. And semi-affordable. For you, I'd definitely say the Reign is the better option, even if you put a Pike on the front of the Trance. It's burlier than the Trance, slightly longer and doesn't climb badly at all for what it is. What about one of the old new stock Stumpys or Enduros? If they're still around.

This one? If so, I have to agree with Nico. http://d2k6j1fqfkfmqi.cloudfront.net/_generated/_generated_in/bikes/models/images/2000/2015/Full_E_Plus_1.jpg

Who the F*** is Alice!

You're going to have to show me where, some day... Or take me with you and the boys on your ramblings!

No, it's just the "moderate" scale that has a different time allocation to the "vigorous" scale.

There you go. 65% is "moderate" so you got the points based on the "moderate" scale.

Brilliant, BRILLIANT vid.

Good to know it's happening with you as well! I was investigating this for a client of mine, and found his link wasn't active between MMF & MC. Activated it, but the 2 platforms aren't speaking to each other. Not even when doing a manual sync!

Moderate vs vigorous. What was your average HR?