madbradd

Hi Everyone, My company is currently building new offices, and one of the initiatives is to encourage commuting. As such they have included change rooms and lockers and such for employees, plus included an area for bicycle storage/parking. I'm a big fan of this and would like to see it being successful for our business. As such the solution needs to address a number of issues commuters may face. The parking lot is in a "Mall Super-basement" meaning that public have walk in access to the basement. Recently we had an employee have an Epic S-Works and I think a high end Tarmac get cut off his platform type rack! So a couple quick questions for anyone who might have experience with these things: Does anyone know of any bicycle parking systems which look attractive, have relatively high parking density, and are easy to use and obviously have a good lock facility? Would need to accommodate a variety of bicycle types and sizes. We would look at having the bike parking fenced off. Does anyone know of any access control systems which accommodate bikes? Like a turnstile or double gate? Basically you want to limit the possibility of "tailgating". As a commuter, what else would you like to see associated with your parking?

Hi Neg. I'm 105 to 110kgs, Used to ride 3/3.5 on my 26inch. Riding the giant P-XC2 wheels on my anthem, geax saguaro and aka 2.2s at between 2 and 2.2 bars now with no problem. I would seriously recommend going tubeless. Well worth it for grip and convenience.

Also does wonders for squeaky brakes!

I went for the giant. A little more trail than the Scott. So maybe look at what kind of riding you do to help make up your mind. I did chose to upgrade the crank and shifters though. Chat to your lbs if you go for the giant, worked out quite cheap - same price as two new tubeless tyres actually.

Good to know, I just entered Argus and 94.7. Verified by visa only came up on the 94.7 entry and didn't get an Argus entry combination mail...

Fo Sho! Rather be safer driving there than riding on the N2, and rather spend time in the Forrest than on/next to the road. Maybe just a Big Smoke viewpoint.... I dunno.

I'll admit that was a little worst case scenario. But I've still got to ask which mountain biker in plett knysna area wants to ride on a pavement when a few kms away is harkerville! (The red route is what gave me the mtBug) I'm just asking the question because sometimes people moan about things for the sake of moaning, rather than looking at a holistic approach to the problem. But on va ovva hand Darrin: I agree cyclists don't get thought of when these types of decisions are made, this just happens to be a bad example to moan about (IMO)

Quinton, "adding" a cycling lane or even a wide shoulder is not easy at all, nomatter where you are in the project. To just add a lane means bush clearing which mean environmental study. This takes about 2 years to do. Then there is new earthworks to accommodate the lane. The earthworks needs to support the heaviest load on the road, because trucks will drive in the cycling lane - let's not argue whether they should or shouldn't, they will and we all know it. Then there's the additional surfacing costs. Now remember that a municipality is a business. The business needs to have the project approved, which involves a cost study and various trade off options. Should someone have come forward with a "let's add a cycling lane" option it would have been looked at, quantified and a decision would have been made (not saying this did or didn't happen). But if you were in that position, making that decision, would you have said "yes let's delay the project, put in the environmental study which shows we will be widening the road and taking out x sqkm of vegetation and spending RyMillion additional budget So that the (insert number I'd guess approximately 50) cyclists who use the road for mountain biking don't need to a) wear their types down by riding on the tar for a bit, or B) ride next to the road where it's a bit bumpier? Wow that was a long question. Let's hope autocorrect doesn't embarrass me!

You have some of the most spectacular single/jeep track in the country.... why on earth would you want to ride on the public dirt roads?

Dammit I was about to ask if you could ride it on a 29er in Lycra with spd's!

I was looking at options for my 3 series. Specifically wanted access to the boot as someone mentioned earlier. For a platform I would have needed to fork out 8500 for the tow bar, then 9000 for the platform rack. For roof racks it was about 3500 for racks and then 1800 per bike, with the risk of driving my bikes into something while parking at home or in the basement at work. Landed up getting the Thule raceway suspension rack for 3300, takes 2 min's to attach to my boot, 1 min to take off, about 1 min to load my bike and about 3 miss to load 2 bikes, doeant damage the car, I have access to the boot and haven't seen damage to the bikes. That said if I had a shock under the top tube like a Scott or Spez, it would be more difficult than my giant. Also I ride an xl, easier to load than an xs. I would probably have gone for a platform had budget not been an issue, But I'm extremely happy with my raceway thus far. And you also get a 2 bike platform version But I can't really comment on it.

I paid 25 for the anthem x1 with a crank upgrade, shifters upgrade (both from slx to xt), tubeless Tyre conversion and geax tnt tyres plus a few on the bike extras. Also you should bring able to pick up discounts on the 2013 bikes soon, so I reckon they could knock a few thousand off the anthem x4 price, or at least throw in a set of tubeless types. I got phenomenal quotes on the merida from finish line cycles in kempton park, But decided to go with the giant as it was a bit more upright. Also look at the specialized camber, they didn't have my size at the time and weren't expecting stock for a while. Tried the epic - great suspension But I wouldn't have been able to last long hours in that riding position. Camber is a little more relaxed, But not too trail focused.

Hey goose. I'm 193, and heavy too, and ride an xl, you may need a 2xl But there are very few that make them and usually if they do it's a slightly more compact frame anyway. Also got a lower back issue from rowing, so find that the less "racy" bikes are more comfy. Just finished a 230km single day event on a 29er dual sus with no lower back pain - so would highly recommend going that route. My suggestion would be to spend the money now, if you don't enjoy it you'll be able to sell it on here for a relatively small loss. If you buy the wrong bike because it's a good deal, you won't enjoy your riding.

Carbon allows designers more freedom to make the frame strong in places it needs to be strong, and light where it doesn't need to be. This is purely a function of the manufacturing process. Then over and above that designers can design flex into certain sections as well, or additional stiffness. It is important to consider what your needs are, and what you're looking for. I'm a big guy and wanted a more comfy ride than my old alu HT, so looked at some "more flexible" carbon HTs and alu full sussers. Went with the full sussers, But do find that most of the carbon HTs I've ridden are very responsive. That said the most responsive bike I've ridden was my old Kona Kula made from Easton Ultralight Race aluminum.

14:56 for a 1st time mixed team. Happy with the result, we were expecting 17ish. Congratulations to all who finished, and oh what an epic ride!

Were on the road from joburg right now, between bloom and colesburg and I'm uncomfortable. Just realised that.we'll be on the bikes for about twice as long as we're in the car!

Mtb - left rear right front Road - right rear left front but I just pull on those as hard as I can with both hands anyway.

My lbs quoted 1000 inclusive of 2 geax tnt tyres - aka and saguro. I figured that that was fair otherwise would have done it myself.

Anyone else use the efs liquid shot? Find it works really nicely if you just sip it, and find it lasts surprisingly long. Usually got camelbak full of water, bottle of juice (efs drink) then a liquid shot, dry wors, some salted baby potatoes and a peanut butter and jam sarmie. Long rides the rule for me is drink every 15mins, eat every 30mins - just a mouthful or 2. If I use bars I like the jungle oats nuts/banana/berries, or the woolies breakfast bars. Short rides is a bottle of water with one of those electrolyte tabs (zero highs) I must say I find post ride recovery nutrition has helped a heck of a lot though.... don't get home with "the thirst" or "the hunger". Again efs for me - ultragen but it is a bit pricey.

Anyone know how to load the map they provide onto a 910XT? When I follow the mapsource instructions it says that it finds he device but it doesn't have the capability. Can it be exported directly to GPX? I've also searched on Garmin connect but only find the 2012 course loaded.

One of my Co workers had his mtb and road bike stolen off his car at work. Was on a Thule eueoride or similar style rack. Cut through the straps pinched the bikes. This was in a secure parking lot with monitored cctv! Lost an sworks epic and a tarmac sorts. What happens to all these bikes? Anyone ever seen a suspiciously pricey bike being ridden by someone who probably should have bought some bread instead? And if you do, anyone know what course of action you can take? (Legally)

Thanks for the responses guys. Thanks for the offer majestic, I'll let you know closer to the time.

@dirtgirl I know she needs to drive around and meet us on the other side, just would prefer if she had a Co driver. I assume there will be a bunch of cars leaving willowmore and driving to the checkpoints (1 or 5?) at Roughly the same time though. Anyone got some advice for a driver then? Is it necessary to have a co-driver?

Unfortunately one of our support drivers is not going to be able to make it down to the race. I'm now a little worried that my darling girlfriend might drive the Disco off a cliff and wanted to know if someone might have a spare co-driver at the event.

Well glad you're OK bud. Hopefully you don't stay nervous too long - too nervous and you're jittery and become a bit of a hazard yourself. But once the nerves have settled you'll have some good awareness to help you get home safely.