Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

That's what the PPA is trying to do at the moment - get the grassroots development going. Unfortunately once the talents are identified, CSA has no further structures in place to foster the development... So they just go overseas, if the kids have the money, instead of being sent to centres of excellence like other countries have.

The lack of funding!? They get approx R 20m per year from Lotto. Which they squander on awards and back pockets, instead of using to further the careers of riders and support professional cyclists who need to go overseas to compete. ALL they wanted was PPA's bank balance. That's what it boils down to. What they (and SASCOC) need to realise is that they are there for one purpose and one purpose only - to foster development of already promising riders and to ensure proper representation at global events.

Although given your recent experience with the Spank guys... do you really want to give them another chance?

Oh, and I'd also go with Mercer, if it was my moolah... Custom bike. Just for yooooooo! And you'd be able to sit down with him and design it together. What's not to like!? (yes, I know this is appealing to your hands on approach, and mechanical brain!!!)

Listen to the Dave man...

Yiu are so right. As sad as it is, it's no longer common.

100% Taahir

Yeah agreed. For the moment though, parks and the sign makers are working to find a solution to the baboon problem and the signage while trying hard to stay away from the "cage type" enclosure which was used previously. No more signage is going up until a viable solution has been found. If it comes to the cages being the only viable solution then that's what will have to be implemented, but that's a last resort. Also - the new signs explicitly say "inspect first" on all the DH runs. Yes I know the baboons have ruined them now but that point stays. First time down and run you should be inspecting the trail anyway - common sense really

Deon and Duran built it together actually

Hey Dave, That was put there at the request of Duran and several other DH riders. It delineates the trail quite well and while it is on the main line it was put there for a very good reason - To split the Trails definitively and to provide another obstacle on the trail if you're taking dh2

That's not the 2014 Ferrari....

Lol! Yeah. That definitely would have made a significant difference. More like a 66 then, which makes a 2.5 degree difference between the 2

Sure he has a 6.6... but anyway: Fuel - 68 6.6 - 68.5

100% Of all the options available now - I'd say the best value is the SLX / X7 / X9 series of components. SO much trickledown.

Yeah. I mean, I wish I had more grip going up to haul my 100kg frame to the top. On my 26er. Oh, wait - no. I don't.

cheapest would be Deore or SRAM X5. Don't know the pricing, but there are some deals to be found.

Short answer - no it won't be difficult. If you go for a 24/36 front combo with an 11-36 rear you'll actually have an easier gear or 2 in reserve. That's due to the max 32 tooth ring on the back that you have at the moment. You'll have less top end, but your climbing will be easier.

Not great for the start of the season!

Ooooooi! I ain't no frikkin oompah loompa

Which area are you in? Southern suburbs? If so - try Trail n Tar or try to contact Dan Dobinson of iRide Africa. VERY good rider, and knows how to teach riders properly...

Ah. That's why they're cable actuated. For the dual levers.

Would be epic though.

Nah. Not enough vertical, mate. Shuttles would be a far better proposition. They were a proposition in Tokai, and still are - we're just waiting on official approval. Unfortunately it was shelved last year. But it's still on the table as a possibility in the future.

Nope. Hydraulic disc brakes actuated by cable link. The hydraulics are entirely contained within the caliper body. If you have alook, you'll see a master cylinder and a plunger attached there. Interesting concept, but I can't help but htink that there would be inefficiencies in the system.

Interesting...