Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

I've just ordered a "sparkle magenta" Bell Faction to replace my KO'd lid. Awesome.

I thought you were in accounting 'co you sucked at math?

I remember when I went to Cape Vidal with the ballies way back when... First we were charged by a wildebeest, and had to scramble into a passing ranger's bakkie, then later that day we were charged by an angry mother hippo. One of her young must have been between her & us, 'cos she just submerged, and we started walking back to the trail after we didn't see her surface. We got to the treeline (this is at the lake itself) and just heard splashing, followed by grunting and heavy ass footsteps. I don't think I've ever run that fast in my life - before, or since.

Damn, you can really see how *** the tyres were for grip back then! See how none of them went up onto the berms in the last sections?

Both. Helmet mounted is very useful for when you want cars at intersections to know that you're there. Direct it towards them and they can get a bit dazzled, but then they know you're there. Obviously don't shine it directly in their line of sight, just so that the car is lit up. Also good for going through dodgy areas where, normally, the bar mounted light would not light enough of the periphery. Directional light from your helmet is fantastic to light up the bushes & sidewalks. But a bar mounted light is a must.

yep. Just like that. Except the "S" stands for strond-stirrer

crock of squirrels. They're a mad bunch, always chittering and running away with other peoples' nuts. That's just wrong, in my book.

damn, that looks FAR better than the clunky-ass 310XT. It might even look more normal on my wrist, on which the 310 was bordering on stupendously over-sized, and I've got big wrists! (the strap on my 310 is fastened on the 3rd last hole when on my wrist)

Not really, mate... I'd cut the steerer to my specs, so that it fits the bike. I wouldn't cut it to take into consideration possible resale value or if it's going to fit a large frame... Resale values aren't that great on forks anyway. Plus, there's a safety issue if you leave too much "stack" at the top, above the stem. Cut it to fit you, not somebody else, is what I'm trying to say. You will always find a buyer, but it might take a bit longer.

There are specific forums for this kinda thing, guys... Get a room!

I'll also go back to specialized for my next pair. I had a pair for 6 years, and they were superb. Gave them away to one of those charitable cycling organizations, cos the only thing wrong with them was a crack where the top section creases when you walk. The crack was just superficial, and if I hadn't been looking for something stiffer, I would have kept them. Spez all the way...

Ja, bro - I learnt enough whilst building my DH bike. Looked high & low for bargains, and found them too... Found that the brakes / wheels / bar / stem etc can be bought for a WHOLE lot less than you think, if you're prepared to go for something that's a year or 2 older, or is 20g heavier than what you were initially looking at. And there's no reduction in performance...

One says "race" the other says "team" Runs for cover...

Which just goes to show how open to interpretation cartoons actually are... I think if he were praying, and the religion aspect were meant to be included in the cartoon, that there would have been a Michaelangelo type interaction with him reaching out in to God in order to beseech him...

Darwin award nominees...

Which, once again, has nothing to do with his religion. The pose denotes pleading, begging even. Even if he were praying, who is to say which deity he is praying to? What I get is "please please please on bended knee I ask you. I shall even go so far as to beg, and go against my beliefs of maintaining a strict gluten free vegetarian diet in order to get your sponsorship" Nothing to do with religion.

Has nothing to do with his belief in a veggie lifestyle/diet...

Ordered thursday before last, payment was processed the next day, and they close for the weekend. The lights were collected from the supplier last thursday, and they were sent to the Hong Kong post on Friday, and the current status is "posted" I anticipate another 10 days to 2 weeks before they are delivered, but I could be wrong. I'll be very happy if I am wrong and they arrive by the end of the week, but that's not likely.

I'm afraid not bro... It laid the smackdown on me again yesterday, and I haven't stopped coughing today. Not cool. It's a strong one, this bug!

One q - why are you going for XTR when something much cheaper will work just as well, and not be noticeably heavier? You can pick up the NEW XT - which is pretty much the same as last year's XTR, but enhanced a bit more, for a helluva lot less than XTR. In addition, CWC have the Avid Elixir CR's for R 3,300 front & back, incl 160mm rotors. I have the Elixir 5's, and they're more than powerful enough to stop me (as a big fella) CRC also has the Elixir R's for R 1,800 odd for the pair... Very good brakes. Also - the Formula Oro K18's can be picked up for R 1,376 for the set. Older brakes, but still VERY good. That'll give you the opportunity to spec some braided hoses, up-rated pads & rotors as well as a better wheelset with the money that you'll save. And then you'll have a mixture which would be far better than if you just went for the XTR's or Hope X2 Races. Here's the link for the ORO's. My link Just don't be lured into buying the top-line of everything because they're the "newest" or "best" when they might not be. On the matter of wheels though - if you've done DH you'll need something strong, and then good hubs as well. I'm not that clued up on wheels, but the savings above could be re-diverted to a better wheel spec for better strength & weight. Have a look at CRC's / CWC's build and buy options. If you build a wheel on CRC, you'll probably find you can get a VERY high spec of wheel for not a lot of money. My 2 c...

I'm hopefully gonna have smashed the flu bug and go out for it tomorrow...

Ask Capricorn about Saint... 1 word - DROOOOOOOOL!

I'd go for the heckler.... I reckon you can build the bike up for less han 13k, if you're not going to go for xtr/xx or other top top end components. Fork, you can get for under 5 k My link My link And wheels can be built up for under 3k. Brakes - 2k for good ones - new xt were going for 2,200 at cwc recently, and you can get a set of avid elixir 5's for 1600 at crc (only difference between them and the elixir cr's is the contact adjustment and the tool free reach adjustment - exactly the same internals, and if they can stop me, well then....) That leaves 3k for odds & ends such as a short cage slx derailleur, casette, shifter and cables. Then the bar, grips and a headset & stem. Tires can be bought for less than 600 if you shop carefully, and then a saddle & pedals are all you need. It mit come in at slightly over the 20k, but seeing as youre doing it over time, you can justify that to the mrs... Plus, you'll have a bike that is built to your specs, amd that you built. I think that's worth more than buying it off the peg....