#Roadie no more

Hi, I have been looking at the Lapierre Xelius 100 on Cyclelabs website so decided to go to the Fourways branch to look at it but they don't have stock and probably wont be getting 2014 stock. Does anyone else carry Lapierre?

I also started in Z group. Got caught up in slow traffic approaching Smitties but other than that had a good race. Managed a sub 4 - just!!! Once we crested Smitties and got moving some poor guy pulled over the left to eat a banana and as he pulled it out his pocket his car keys went flying across the road onto the dirt on the right hand side!!! I did alert him to what had happened, I just hope he found them! My chain came off up chappies while I was passing people on the right hand side and some clever dick screams at me to not stop there - where the hell was I supposed to stop!!! I agree with you on the loading procedure. It was a mess with guys pushing their way through before they even loaded the pen. I started at the back of Z group and still managed a good time. Other than the minor problem at the start, I thought it was a very well managed race and maybe it was just me but there seemed to be more water points and more marshals than before. The wind added a nice challenge but it was a welcome tailwind on all the major climbs! Well done Cycle Tour organisers.

It's quite obvious I'm in the market for a new helmet!!! I've done a little bit of research so far and I haven't found a minimum standard yet, just the manufacturers jargon. Would anyone know where I could find this info? Would UCI or CSA have something? So far, the latest technology on helmets seems to be MIPS. Can't remember exactly what it's all about but you can google it and there are a few manufacturers that use it. I will certainly have this as one of my criteria when I buy.

Hi Hollowman, Now been able to see the cross section of the helmet, the plastic is super thin and I at first also thought maybe the helmet was inadequate and I should be ranting how crap it is but then I doubt they test and design the helmets for sharp objects. My replacement helmet will certainly be a top of the range one though as I now have first hand experience as to how critical they are.

I hope I lose. I want this to be my first and last (major) scar!!!

Hi All, I am going to assume that I am preaching to the converted here and that everone wears a helmet when they cycle no matter what cycling they do! This is my story of how my helmet saved my life on Saturday and the main reason I am putting it up here is to show show how absolutely critical a good quality, properly fitted helmet is to a cyclist whether you are a novice, a pro, a mtber, a roadie, whatever. Please also pass this onto any family or friends you know that don't like wearing helmets cos they're not 'serious' cyclists. On saturday morning my riding buddy and I set off from Northcliff, up to the tower, down through Alberts farm then made our way to the botanical gardens. We came into the gardens and made our way to the top where Judith road and Beyers Naude meet. we went up the incline to the fence line of the Marks Parks fields and made our way along the fence. Just after the wooden bridge over the storm water I lost traction in the mud or on a root and my handle bar clipped the fence. I was thrown into the fence and at the particular point there is a concrete pillar with a U-bolt around with the bolts sticking into path where we ride. My helmet and the U-bolt made contact, bolt went straight through the helmet and with momentum just ripped through the helmet and of course my head, managed to not fall to the ground but before I could register what was happening there was just blood pouring out of my head. To cut a llong story short, Louis, my riding buddy and 3 or 4 other friendly cyclists helped me down the hill together with my bike where i walked to the dog entrance and met the ambulance and was taken to hospital. I had to go under GA to clean the wound and haematoma but i am well on the road to recovery and getting back on my bike. I have attached the pictures so you can see what happened to me and then you would understand what would have happened had either not been wearing a helmet or if it i wasn't wearing it properly. I would also like to thank the guys that helped me - never got the chance on Saturday.

Thanks guys. I've decided not to change my pedals till they break! Instead I'll put better pedals on my road bike - currently got spd's on.

To save weight I just need to eat less! I'm basically looking for better, longer lasting pedal and a nice looking pedal isn't such a bad thing! My current pedals are actually 520's that have taken a hammering in the last 8 months but still going strong.

I want to upgrade my mtb pedals. Got basic Shimano 540's at the moment. My options are Look S Track or Shimano XT. Can't find any comparisons so far so anyone with experience on these pedals please give me your comments.

Scott Spark 950. Just over R20k but you should be able to negotiate the price down.