Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Sean, i think the correct term is "Kinesthesiologist" Edit - No, sorry - 2 different branches of the movement of the human body. Kinesiologist - Analyses the Movement & positioning of the human body Kinesthesiologist - Analyses the positioning and interaction of the muscles & joints in the human body, as well as the movement thereof My mistake. cptmayhem2009-05-16 06:40:24

Well said Fands & Velouria... peeps know what they're in for, and besides - it's a lot safer riding off-road in these conditions than on-road. I mean, they don't make "wet-specific" tyres for road bikes, do they? Plus, a bit of a slip in the mud won't hurt you - a slip on the road will. Us mtbers are a tough lot, and if i had entered, it'd be like the Argus was this year - no way I roll back over and catch more of a snooze - I WANT the battle scars, and I want to be able to say that "I DID IT" in these conditions. On the other side of things, they didn't cancel the MTB Argus, and it was held in FAR more dangerous conditions than we have today...

Doesn't affect me at all. It could be, though, that I am blissfully unaware of any detrimental effects... Anyway, my spesh BG shoes are awesome.... had them for 6 years, lasted 4 London winters, 2 CT winters and still oing strong!

dandelions. freaky little buggers. follow you like lemmings, just waiting to latch on to you with their evil little barbs...

still like number one - it's less fussy and a lot more simple in design... Saying that, number 3 is also pretty cool...

Dual sus definitely has an advantage over HT in that you don't have to pick your line as carefully as you have to on the HT. You can also last longer because of the rear shock has on the diffusion of the bumps in the track. Plus, you can go a lot faster and be more confident that the bike can handle that *little bit* extra than a HT can... Big drop offs, rocky descents where the HT would be bucking like a bronco would see a good duallie "living the dream", so to speak. Saying that, I am an HT guy - love my bike, and won't go for a dual susser just yet because: A) I can't afford a good one 2) I want to get my technical skills up to a higher level (which the HT will allow me to do a lot faster than a dual sus) so that if I do ever have a "moment" on the duallie, I can get out of it because I've handled a lot worse on the HT. As for the GT - it's a good looking bike... one of my mates own one and he loves it...

To clarify - watered down spec being the Rock Shox Recon SL and XT/SLX bits... 2008 came with a Fox RL32 130mm fork (i think - will check this weekend) and X9/LX bits So a bit watered down in some areas, better in others (upgrade on the crank, down on the Rear Der. and fork) The 2009 has the 1-piece swingarm linkage though, and they both have the RP2 at the back, and Juicy 3's on each end. Damn nice bike either way.

I don't think so. But the PPA number system could easily be incorporated into the existing (or old) one by having 2 numbers - 1 on your back and one on the board in the front, a la MTB races of old. One more thing to remember, but hey - you're used to the one on the front, and it'll probably stay there for a while, so why not?

Brilliant bike - a mate has one and I love it - so does he! Don't know what current prices are, but he picked up a brand new 2008 for around 16k... think they're going for 20k new for the 2009 model in watered-down spec.

dude, the fact that you have to use a saddle like that is just plain disturbing... Coat on.... Door falls off hinges...

and in terms of sizing? Who are they equivalent (or closest) to?

Pere - looks MUCH better! Definitely would put in an order based on those pics... Remind me, which manufacturer is it going to be with? Don't want to trawl again.. (too lazy, and I'm in the middle of a study session so don't *really* have the time to) Otherwise, WICKED KIT!

not Austrians? Couldn't have been a KTM then...

Hmmmm.... let me wonder... Year's supply of beer, plus fixed scalpel, versus a new scalpel that's gonna crack in a year's time... Yeah. I'd go with that as well. I was thinking that it's just by the cage - with the cable ties you're gonna use, you won't see it at all. I mean, if you put the 2 ties either side of the weld (which is, i assume, where they'll be going?) End of the day - you get to ride her again. And you can afford to buy a case on the way home...

kudos to you man... looks a bit untidy, but a HELLUVA lot better than having to fork out another 10k or so for a frame! Plus, it'll probably last longer than a new one anyway - and be stronger!

Looks sweet - I'm not a fan of pink myself, but it looks classy... retro, even. And I'm a big fan of retro... The 2nd one would look cleaner with "thehubsa.co.za" where it is on the 1st, under the "fromthecouch" logo... just my 2c... cptmayhem2009-05-08 11:17:45

What gruppo has the black one got? Looks like a triple in the front... And i have to agree - cut the steerer tubes...

I second the vote of confidence on SRAM, minty-boy. Brilliant kit. Just that the majority of people seem to think that if you don't have XT, you're not worth talking to and your bike's a pile of cr4p. For SRAM, I'd be happy with anything X7 and above... In fact, I'm going to be upgrading to X9 pretty soon, with an SLX or Stylo crank, I hope...

can also get a helluva nice Merida or GT for that price... Hell, the world's you oyster! And don't listen to all those people who say you HAVE TO HAVE XT - SLX is da bomb... there's a reason it's been given a gold star in the MTBR and What Mountainbike Reviews. Tough as nails, and just as light (okay, maybe a few grams heavier) as XT... Another good option is a Felt. Good value bikes, and good spec on them.

I now have some butter-flavoured popcorn sitting on the desk next to me... anyone got a six-pack they're willing to contribute to the cause?

Stay with CANON - no problems at all, and brilliant cameras. Got the 350D and works like a charm. And to make sure you get the perfect photo, every time, buy a good external flash - one that has a little-known feature called ETTL - Electronic Through The Lens. Basically has a look at your exposure, focus and available light, and then adjusts it for you to make everything look like a million bucks. Works like a charm!

go for the virtual size - shows what size it would be under "normal" conditions... as i said, my mate's was a 16" actual, 17.5 or so virtual and it fits him like a glove. He's 1.7 or so tall, and loves it. Good luck, and let us have the pics when you get it! (on the couch, of course)

Depends, how tall r u? i'm 1.82m, and my mate has a 17.5 (virtual) 16" actual and it was too small for me - felt cramped in the cockpit. If you're the same height as me, I'd suggest one size up, purely for that... HOWEVER - only one way to find out what the right size is for you - go out and RIDE ONE!!! you might have stumpy legs or arms and be a totally different body type from me... So go test both size before you take any advice about the size you should be on. As for the rocker, there might be a compatability issue with the size/width of the connecting rods etc on the newer version, but I can't tell you for sure. It'll also change the suspension dynamics if the arm is shorter/longer than the 2 piece. You'll have to check out the sizing before committing to the purchase (borrow someone else's 2008/2009, strip it down and see if it fits, then give it back with a good 12 year old whisky attached to it) But you're right in saying that you can change to an RP2 later on - just be prepared to pay out your ar5e for it! cptmayhem2009-04-29 23:05:34

a mate of mine - Farmgate - just bought the '08 model. What a bike! Fox RLC 32 (i think) fork, RP2 shock and LX/X9 gruppo. What a bike! I rode it on Sunday at Tokai, and was well impressed. For the money you pay (even at 2009 prices with 2009 spec) you're getting a good bike. Rides really well, and I can't say anything bad about the Reba at the front. Agree about the lack of an RP Shock, but the Juicy 3's are more than adequate unless you really want to shave grams. And if you want a better set of brakes, just get braided hoses and different pads/rotors. Will work wonders. What are they going for this year, out of interest?

SO TRUE!!! I don't know if it works the same for road cleats, but give it time. You'll find the pedal "loosens up" a bit the more you clip in & out, so it makes it easier. But as someone else said - adjust them so that they're on their loosest setting, and then get used to the clipping in & out. In no time, you'll be adjusting them back to where they were, wondering how you ever failed to manage in the first place.