Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these bikes... Felt looks as if it has the better frame, but that's only because I can't find any info on the Avalanche frame. Avalanche has better componentry (M485 discs v Tektro Auriga Comp; 9spd Deore v 8spd Deore; Octalink Crank v OEM SR Suntour Pressed steel jobbie; SR Suntour XCR fork v XCM - both 100mm with L/O; ) If the frames were the same, I'd go for the Avalanche. I know they've been around for a while, and are brought in by Giant... does anyone have anything to report on the quality of the frames? The Avalanche comes in at R 400 less than the Felt, even with the better components. I just wonder if there's that much difference in frame quality of the Felt to warrant the increased price, or if it's all just down to the name... THANKS! cptmayhem2009-03-24 08:29:59

Disc disc disc disc....

hmmm... i like long pants & warmers for REALLY cold days - warmers, even though they're fleeced, do not protect against the biting wind as easily as long pants. Both together would be best. If you're talking about long lycra pants though (you get them), then the warmers would win hands down... they're lined, so you don't just have a 0.1mm barrier against the cold. If you're scared, take both. If you're worried about it though, get the warmers - alot cheaper than the long pants route. And you can take them off if you get too hot, or roll them down and commit a serious euro-rider fashoin faix pas in the process.

glad to hear it worked out better on the 2nd run! Dirt is king... even though i do only own a road bike... Saving my monthly earnings (or what's left of them!) to get a DS in a few months... then going to hit the trails properly (IE: NOT on my girlfriend's recently re-distributed MTB) Tokai Night rides here I come! Last time i went at night was last winter, with a woefully inadequate front light - bunked it on the first drop off on Mamba - couldn't see where the hell i was going. But damn, was it fun! Can't wait to get back out there!

I think that was covered by "sleep it"

that, and the fact that you can go where you WANT to go, and not fear a 2mm thorn in your path, or a couple of loose stones. Fact is, riding off the road is just more fun. More obstacles, more chance to hop them, and you get more training into your ride off the tar - more rolling resistance = more effort to go same speed. As for the tar eating away tires - yes, it does. Tar is alot harder (and more abrasive) than gravel/sand/hardpack and that has an effect on the trailing edge of the tread, in that it gets eaten away alot faster than it would off the road. Bottom line though - I do it because it's more fun. And it gives me more space to play in, rather than fighting for my 1m of road space.

Ronelle, as usual - awesome pics!!!

So THAT'S why Mnr. Badenhorst wasn't shown as a consulting editor in the last Bicycling mag...

not uptight... not loose either (anymore) just thought that if a guy wants to spend a certain amount on a bike, he's entitled to. Regardless of whether it'll make him faster or not. cptmayhem2009-03-20 09:15:05

me neither - at the moment. but should we lambaste the guy for doing it himself? No. Even IN times of economic strife - it's his decision. If I had the money to throw around, and had been saving for that particular luxury item, I'd also buy the damn bike. I say again - taking the piss a bit too much this time.

dude... not right. Just because a guy wants to spend 70k on a bike, and the rest of us can't, doesn't give us license, or reason, to be a hater and post a stupid topic like this. Just taking the piss a bit too much here.

Nipples.

you gotta be kidding... Mind you, in this world of never-ending litigation for the smallest possible oversight, i shouldn't be surprised. Doesn't detract from the stupidity of it though.

or get some rollers, buy a keyboard with a 2m long cable and plant that on your bars and surf while you ride... use a trackball for a mouse.

laptop on the handlebars...

of course - i don't turn my own. That'd just be strange. and only softly... softly turned nipples...

What? Breast warts? close as you're gonna get, Legend... Here you go though... oil coated, freshly turned, ready to be screwed.... NIPPLES!

come on' date=' name the child by it's name and say nipple again for me! completely awake and 100 % distracted from what I was supposed to do. what are your experiences with the 'stability' of different nipples in quick temperature changes Johan? Does it get cold enough in SA that you have to put 'booties' over them?[/quote'] no - but if you expose them to enough heat, they get bigger!!! Plus, the more you turn them, the tighter the rim...

could either be the oil (needs replacing and / or bleeding - much like a car's discs need to be done every so often) - or the pads are worn down to the point that the amount they have to move to make contact with the rotors is too much for the pistons to handle... possibly even both....

sorry for you mate... must be hard no - that was insensitive of me... have you tried bleeding them?

Do you REALLY want to ask that question? Here' date=' of all places? [/quote'] And to answer... I don't need to pump it... i get others to do it for me or, they can do this...

Do you REALLY want to ask that question? Here, of all places?

go for the cold kit then Staying motivated - hard one... just think of the crisp, clean air that you'll be inhaling on your brisk morning ride, and the good it'll be doing your lungs and nervous system... Plus, it'll wake you up like nothing else, and make you appreciate that shower afterwards...