Toxic

Typical Spanish rider! Majority of them dope... Never liked any spanish/Italian/French rider, and will never do!

I'am also 1.76 and had a 54 cm that where to big (at least it was a very entry level bike, which I use on the trainer now). Bought a 52 cm with 120 cm stem, and it is much better fit. I might go to a 140mm stem... saddle height is 73.5 cm

ry waarmee jy gemaklik is. as jy harde gat het ry jou HT

it is most likely in Olivenhoutbos....

Ive bought XTR pedals a month ago, they weigh 305g per pair. And my 7 year old 520 shimano pedals weigh 300g per pair. So there is no difference in weight. There is also not a big difference in performance of these pedals IMO. (comparing 2012 model XTR race with 7 year old shimano 520 pedals) the XT pedals will be perfect. Will get them next time, as the there is no difference between the pedals except the price.

Damn they ugly...

You have achieved alot with only 2-3 months to prepare for such a big event. Epic 2013 will be my first epic. already got an entry... but my partner dropped me already...so I'am in search of a partner at the moment... Already started training for it...

Bloody hell! Never supported any of these shops and will not either in future. They good enough for T shirts... that is about it!

My opinion, NO it is not going to work. It is like throwing a gate around corners! I'am 1.76, and ride an 18" or Medium. No bigger. Even 19" feels to big and clumsy (for me) With such a big frame there will be no standover height, which is a big problem.

Is there any other reason to consider these cranks, except for the weight advantage? Or is there anything that I should know about the existing crank / BB on the dale? Wheels? I'am trying to figure out which way to go with the wheels. I was thinking about the Mavic SLR (will be released in couple of months) or the Easton EA90 with a change to the front hub... any opinions on this? Would they be much better than the ZTR arch's that come with the bike?

I stay in Perth Australia, and the problem is there is only One Santa Cruz shop here. 70 km from my house, Went there and I could only ride the bike in parking lot. Can't really get a feel for the bike. Then I tried specialized epic expert (there are 4 shops in Perth) No stock till 2013, and the closest shop was also 60 km. Was worried about support on these bikes... (If I would need so, it would be mission) Cannondale has 8 shops in Perth, and with a shop in my local valley which had stock, and I negotiate a good price, I bought the scalpel earlier this week I hope to get it today, as they had to order the XTR brakes. Look, I wanted the Santa Cruz, It looks awesome, especially black with red decals... But I decided to rather go for something more race orientated. All I can say is, lets hope I made the right choice...

If she is going give it a hiding, then the scalpel 26'er might not be the best option. Especially if she is going to jumps etc...

If you want light weight, race rig, go cannondale... Santa Cruz is for "Cruising"...

Giordana... Buy them from CRC. Way cheaper than what you find local. Fits like a glove.

Geez, You guys are running wide bars. I'am running 560mm Ritchey WCS bars, for XC and Marathon events, on a 26" hard tail. I was told long time ago by an EX Pro athlete, that it should be as wide as your shoulders. I'am getting my 29er this week, so thanks for the warning. Otherwise I would have chopped it off to 560mm It comes with a 700mm bar... might take it off to 660mm, but will first try it out

PM Sent

Thanks for confirming that... More confident now. will wait for them.

The Mavic SLR's do look nice! I've got Mavic on my road bike, and in 4 years no problems, and even serviced any hubs, so they have treated me well.

I assume then, That you didn't have problems with them in the past.... then you are the right person to ask about the mavic's High maintenance? spokes / spares available?

the scalpel has 142X12mm rear. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=81559 maybe green one, as the bike is white green and black.

Is your's 29er? I can't find the Blunt rim on the Net in 29er.

Awesome. I was looking at the Easton wheels, but thought that the fact there was not a lefty option. it would not be worth it. Will re-look at this option. Did you buy the wheels from Omnico? Are you happy with the carbon wheelset? I was thinking about the EA90...

I was looking at the Chris king hubs on CRC, but no stock, so the next best option (I thought) was the DT Swiss 240s. I also didn't even knew about the project 321 hubs. They do look awesome. Will investigate some more.

I'a looking at a strong, lightweight XC wheelset for Lefty 29'er. I see that the Mavic SLR 29er will be launched in couple of months. http://reviews.mtbr.com/mavic-crossmax-slr-29-crossmax-st-29-and-crossride-disc-29-wheelsets/mavic-slr And other option I was thinking of was the ZTR Crest with Hope II pro Hubs or dtswiss 240s. Will both these sets be durable enough for marathon / stage races? Any experience / opinions on these wheelsets? Or maybe any other durable / lightweight lefty wheelsets that you can recommend? is Mavic high maintenance, and how is the support on these wheelsets when something do go wrong?

Agreed 100%. Shimano all the way.