Bicycle Supply Chain

Seat post and stem will be lighter in ally compared to the carbon counterpart. My bike: SAVE cannondale post 250gr, KCNC ally 180gr Bars can be lightened as some carbon bars are over 200gr. a decent one will be in the 130-160gr mark saddle? deceptive how these weigh up. my old gobi was 280gr compared to the more normal 150-180gr of today like SI SLR XC, Phenom etc. Wheels, I save 350gr on my wheel set. mostly in the rim/ spoke choice so on the above you could look at saving around 210-550gr But you looking at R5k plus for that

in for the Ultra with Eldron

did you race at xco at cascades last year?

I am hoping to go, if no injury, riding XCO 35-39 group.

Agreed, thought the Ultimate came stock with enve rims. But as far as stiffness, lightness and strength, Carbon fibre won't necessarily be the best. A tune hub, crest rim, sapim/dt swiss spokes will be lighter, the Citec wheels will be stiffer Stronger? depends on what you measuring For me, I won't spend 20k on CF wheels. will rather use ally rims with high quality hubs. If i didn't already have my wheel set and I was looking for an awesome wheel set, Citec would be at the top of the list. mike

Eldron was on road bike, 2:34 i believe Iron on geared MTB with knobs - 3:07 - punctured, Garmin was 2:58 Myself on a Momsen 329 Geared with knobs - 3:06 Mike

Big H, The fact that you call a tandem a full bicycle tells me you are unable to ride a "half bicycle" on your own without falling off, and the desperate need to "switch" people leads me to the following opinion. The reason you hate the rest of us is you feel inferior towards all of us and this is clearly displayed in your child like aggressive defensive attitude towards others. Whilst you might think you are clever and big, unless your name is another inferiority statement, you lack EQ. And if you didn't realise you lacked EQ, you probably lack IQ too, I will continue to ride my MTB bike and once again you have managed to thicken the brush by which most people paint "roadies" with. Which is unfortunate, because generally they very pleasant. It takes one bad apple (that hasn't fallen far from the tree) to spoil the whole bunch. I don't know or care who you are, so attack away as it will have little effect on me, however the person you switch, or the person that "switches" you, it will have a profound effect.

So you saying the spruit HAS technical stuff?

Dude could you not see I was pulling your leg in that post? All my posts have been warnings to others about experiences I have had, not ONCE did I say I would treat you like this. Some farmers are extremely aggressive, intact I have one or two as friends and their actions are from years of hassles and consequences of "trespassers" lack of respect for the property and they are just GATVOL. infact in my next post I invite ALL mtbers to come have a cold one at my house. Sorry if I seemed aggressive - it wasn't intended. Mike

I 100% agree, I hate mx bikes and quads on my farm, I do welcome any mtber onto my property, even welcome to come by the house a have a cold one. But all Mtbers need to understand the mountain and how twitchy forest owners get about "city" people in the forest and smoking etc. this is probably my biggest fear. we must meet up and do a ride in the area sometime. I am jhb based but frequently up there for business/ holiday Mike

Firstly - thanks I will do so, if it keeps you off my land, my plan works. Secondly: Would you feel pretty relaxed having a bunch of people smoking in your forest, with the potential of it being burnt to the ground and 30 years of waiting for your crop to mature and R20 million rand income gone? If you do, whats your address, my mates and I want to come burn some rubber and smoke in your garden, oh and with no respect for your property, sure you won't mind as you seem like a very nice person. Mike

Firstly you are on his private land and trespassing. He has every right to use his shotgun on his land. The fact that you are in the way is unlucky!!! Just as you would do if you woke up one sunday to find a bunch of guys riding their motorbikes and smoking on you property in jhb. Especially when they smoke and flick their stomps into a dry forest worth R20-30 million. I have had it done to me regularly by my neighbours cos they didn't realise it was me. Mike

We have a farm on the Georges valley road, near the letaba river bridge, below the dam wall Unfortunately we have had different experiences with both MTB and motorbikes on ours and neighbours farms.

Hey Guys. Just a word of warning to all those going there to ride. I am a Farm owner there, looking at the profiles / routes shown on page 1, Barfly did LOTS of riding on private land. The farmers are fed up with "out of towers" just rocking up and riding on private property. There have been a few instances where "out of towers" (Being hikers, cyclists, motorbikes) causing serious problems from smoking in the forests, destroying fauna and flora by riding where they not allowed, littering etc. Farmers are generally super friendly IF you have got their permission first. If not, dont be surprised if they ride you off the rode or have a shotgun stuffed up your nose. So prior to heading out, find out where the approved trails are (there are a few from magoebaskloof hotel, and who to get in contact with for permission if you wish to head off the route. There is a district road around ebenezer dam, and up to debegeni water fall that you can ride as it is public access, but dont venture off of it without permission. The plantations take 30years to yield and a few have had R20-30Mil worth written off to fire from people who dontcare and the farmers are fed up. I personally will lock someone up if i find them on my property. Remember this: what would you do if you woke up on a sunday to find a bunch on mtbers riding around your garden at home? Well, thats how the farmer feels. Happy riding and have fun. Oh, and take your climbing legs. if you do know the area an get permission, doing 1500-2000m in 30km is possible Mike

very comfy- better than my gobi xm durability still to be seen.

double post

Hi all I have a berg n bush descent entry for sale. It's the weekend of the 11-13th October. Inbox me or contact Gerry at 0836005772 for details Mike.

Hi All, I am trying to find a 680mm wide scandium flat XC handlebar. but all I can find is 580 and 600 in flat and riser bars in 680. Does anyone know where I can buy scandium metal bars in 680 flat? Thanks

What stem is that? Id like to get a lot lower on my bike Mike

Its about the only pic that starts to do it justice. Its flippen steep and I might even say its steeper than it looks in the pic Mike

using it as a base training ride for next year

I did the following and dropped almost 2 kg off my 2012 F3 C. crest rims with tune Hubs (1420gr) KCNC seatpost (still flexes to help with comfort) lighter ally bar (250gr vs 300 of the oem) dont like carbon bars and post Hollowgram cranks (saved 300gr) XTR shifters, brakes, front derailer and pedals Ikon tyres Gobi seat (heavier) total weight 9.6kg can go to 9 kg or less with the following sealant out - not the best idea xtr cluster and derailer (250gr lighter than xt) ligher seat (gobi is 230gr) could save 60gr carbon bar (130gr) crank pedals instead of xtr (100gr ish) sram over shimano drivetrain (around 350gr) total weight still to save 640ish grams Mike

Iron, Eldron, and i will be there too for some riding before Worlds Mike

I raced the nationals in 1997 on a full susser PRODUX (for those that remember it) and it weighed in at about 15-16kg. It was one of the few full sussers available - especially in my price range - paid R5k for the bike in 1998 I raced a mountain cycle (HT) with state of the art Manitou TPC front forks. it weighed in at 14kg. lightest I could get it on my budget Basic spec was: MC Frame Manitou fork flite titanium saddle mavic 317 rims with xt hubs. xt deraillers and gripshift lx crank IRC tyres LX V brakes Mike

Hey All, I really thought I would get someone to take my bait with my comments in this thread, but none did. I am impressed with the Hubbers.