SpecialK

Count me in to at least start with you guys. Not promising that I will be able to hold on for long though By the way, I wish my brother would be willing to help me get a good time. So far so good though, managed to kick his ass on both Argus's and the 94.7 we both did. He'll be trying to catch me from H.

If you feel the need, join one of the many clubs in Joburg for a weekend ride, such as Club100, CycleLab, Complete Cyclist to get a feel for bunch riding. And then feel free to pick the guys (and girls) brains, there is a lot of accumulated knowledge. Plus a lot also do both road and MTB and canhelp you with the transition.

If you're keen to go out with a club, Club100 meets at Luca's at Rivonia Crossing just before 6:30. Distances vary between 60-100km

I'm sure I would have gotten used to it, but found a great deal on a second-hand 26" bike

I am 1.77m tall and never felt comfortable on a 29er. The bikes always just felt too big, and the advice I received while shopping for a new MTB was that if you are shorter than 1.75m, a 26" bike might be better suited. Be careful of taking advice of what is fashionable (i.e. 29ers) from people that do a different type of riding than you are planning to do. IMHO if you mainly want to ride on the road, rather spend the money on a decent road bike.

Oh, and the fit cost R590, plus a few bots and bobs extra to get the bike to where I needed it

+1 for the cyclefit guys. Super professional and they didn't charge me when they couldn't help due to an integrated seat post problem. Managed to sort out the seat post, took the bike back and its been such a pleasure to ride ever since.

On the SASeeding website. They aren't up yet, maybe by tomorrow or the day after

I nearly got taken out by a car this morning. Waiting at the traffic light, knowing there is a filter which should allow me to turn right safely. I did kind of expect the taxi in the oncoming lane to jump the red, not the black lady in her SUV. She did get a few choice words flung at her through the open window. The most response I received was a well-practiced shrug. Looks like its not only the cyclists who are colourblind

At least then I will be able to work on my swimming skills, which currently are sadly lacking

Entry done and dusted, for myself and the partner (he'll be much quicker) Now just to get it right to relocate to CT before then to save on travel and accommodation (and of course to reap the benefits of the Cape Town Lifestyle)

Found a bolt thats longer and all seems to fit ok, need to take it back to get fitted but I remeasured and have gained 18mm (2 extra, whoop whoop). There is still a bit of sideways movement on the saddle (rotational) but that will get sorted with a cast resin peg once the height is finalised.

Easiest and cheapest option, only just bought new shoes for the bike so I am not keen to do that - limited funds and all. I am off to hunt for a nut and bolt shop in Johannesburg today, will keep you updated on whether the solution works.

I have attached a pic of the clamp/topper how it sits on the seatpost, as well as the fastening mechanism, which is quite simple: bolt, spacer, and two shaped washers (for lack of appropriate terminology) which force out the steel ring when tightened. Hence my thinking if I can get a longer bolt and another spacer I could fasten the topper lower down in the seatpost, and add spacer to the top of the seatpost for extra support.

Option 4: Took everything apart, might be able to get away with a longer bolt and a few washers to lower the fixing point further down into the seatpost. Fingers crossed

Its not that simple, apparently. As soon as its not fitted exactly 100% and is out by a fraction of a millimetre, then the cap doesn't go on properly. We tried adding the spacer back, but with no luck, as the clamp on the inside of the cap is right on the joint line which is the weak point of the whole construction. I apparently have 3 options: 1. try find a carbon guy to lengthen 2. epoxy the cap onto the seat post but then no-one will EVER change the height of the saddle 3. retrofit a seat post

I'll give them a call tomorrow, see if they can help...

Should be, but I am looking for this magic "carbon repair guy"

It's a Karbona Zodiac Frame: http://www.karbona.c.../b-1-4-24-1.jpg I think the main problem is the cross section of the seatpost, i have attached a pic of the bit that has been cut off by the guy who originally bought it (apologies if the quality is not that great).

I bought a second hand carbon road bike with an integrated seat post (not the most intelligent thing to do), and when I took the bike for an initial spin, everything felt fine. In the meantime, I have started to develop a niggling pain on the inside of my right knee during long rides, so today I took the bike for a professional fitting. Surprise, surprise: the saddle is too low - along with one or two other things that need to be changed on the bike which aren't an issue. So my problem now is that I need to gain 16mm in saddle height, but the seatpost has been cut too low. When lifting the seatpost cap to its desired height, the fastening mechanism barely catches on the inside, so there is not enough stability for the saddle. A 27.2 seatpost does fit, but that would mean cutting into the frame to install a clamp and I loathe to go this route as I like the look of the ISP and hate the thought of taking a blade to the frame. Does anyone know of a person that would take on a carbon repair like this in South Africa? I have searched on the internet but could only locate people either in the USA, the UK or Australia.

Pacific Cycle Women's Oceanside Bicycle in Light Blue for 80k... What a bargain!

This is the best link I could find, website of the ID'er: http://cargocollective.com/vorwaertz - awesome video about the production of the 3D printed lugs on there too. It is doubtful that this would go ever be more than a once-off, but a girl can dream

Loooooove....

Correct, if you're only doing it for fun, just a CSA licence or a day licence will be enough. If you do two races a year, the day licences will work out cheaper, any more than that a normal CSA licence will suffice. (Even though if you live in Gauteng they hit you with another R75 for "provincial affiliation" which i have no clue what that means.)