Super_mil

I reckon Mitch Ropelato has had one of the more considered responses to date. Your victory on the 29er last year at the Pro GRT in Fontana and seeding time in Pietermaritzburg, caused a major uproar on the web. What is your take on all the drama? Did it ever! I was not expecting that. I like it though, it gets everyone fired up on the sport and gets them talking about it which I think is good; whether they're saying good things or bad things doesn't matter as long as they're talking about it. The more people we get talking about it, the more sport grows and that's what it's all about. At the end of the day though, wheel size doesn't matter. All I want to do is go have fun on my bicycle as I'm sure everyone else does too. I'm not having fun unless I'm going fast and the 29er allows me to go as fast as I want, so that's why I choose to ride it! Is it a true DH course if you can ride it on a 29er? Of course it is, you could ride a 29er down Val Di Sole or any of the tracks on the World Cup circuit if you wanted to. I'm not saying it would be the most enjoyable at some, but you could do it. That's why each race we have different setups on our bikes. Some races it's a couple of clicks or valving on the suspension, others it's shorter travel and bigger wheels. So it doesn't mean that it's not a true DH course; it just means you're running whichever setup you think is the fastest. The full interview is here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/29er-questions-mitch-ropelato-2014.html Considering just how good his seeding time was last year, on a borrowed bike and on the stock xc rims, it was an awesome performance.

I guess all will be revealed tomorrow during the track walk..

Me thinks the lower section of the vid (from 3:54 onwards) is inaccurate too. Looks like there are some new happenings out on the left...

Would you be asking these questions if it were a set of underpants?

http://vimeo.com/91269933

They have no bead system. The rim has smooth edges for added strength apparently http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10798426/p4pb10798426.jpg

Okay so I did a quick measurement of a new 9spd & 10spd chain last night. Off cuts of the two chains mentioned in the posts above. Pic 1. 10spd on top, 9spd below Pic 2. 10spd inner plate measurement Pic 3. 9spd inner plate measurement So it seems the inner measurement is very similar, i.e. the roller used on the two chains is similar or the same. So, the thinner (narrow) bit of the chainring would have the same sort of 'grab' on this section of chain. Pic 4. 10spd outer plate measurement Pic 5. 9spd outer plate measurement So, in the words of JZ, "This is where the difference comes!" 10spd is quite a bit narrower so there will befinitely be more 'grab' or friction between the fatter (wide) portion of the chainring on a 10spd chain. So on a 10spd system then you'd have less chance of dropping the chain over the equivalent 9spd set-up and thus more available wear available before things start to get too sloppy. I should have measured the worn 10spd chain for interest... I'll try to remember to do it tonight.

Well chain was swapped out for the new Shimano option and I had no issues on yesterdays ride. While the Spruit may not be the best place to put the setup through its paces, I did drop the old chain on the same route on Sunday. Gear changes were more crisp and while it's probably in my head, the bike was quieter and felt like 100 times faster (maybe even a 1000 times) Also, there was definitely no chain-foot slap felt at all. Bring on this weekends enduro

Gotcha Please ignore all my 9, 10 & 11 spd BS then EDIT I retract this!!!! See post #348 below

My thinking is that since the 10spd chain is narrower than a 9 spd, it would have a tighter fit than a 9spd, thus could wear slightly more before achieving the same tolerance of new 9spd chain, or is my thinking wrong? Is the x-sectional area of 9, 10 & 11 spd chains identical, in which case it's only the outer plate thickness that changes?

Ja considering that all the manufacturers claim that they are 9, 10 & 11 spd compatible, you should have a bit more life out of a 10spd chain, over an equivalent 9 spd system as the chain is ever so slightly narrower.

Okay so I've been running a RaceFace Narrow Wide ring for sometime now. I had a good 600-700km's out of the ring before I dropped my chain for the first time. I've steadily been losing the chain more often and it now is becoming frustrating, particularly during events where dropping a chain costs you serious time, on a stage that is only say 3 or 4 minutes long. So, it has to be that either the ring or the chain is worn. The ring and chain combo currently have about 1000km's RaceFace 36t NW ring SRAM PC1031 chain Both were new and fitted at the same time (along with the cassette and Type 2 X9 derailleur) Drive chain is in general well looked after (cleaned & oiled after most rides). I've trawled the interwebs to see what kind of mileage guys are getting out of there chainrings and everything is very vauge. The reviews typically state 'hundreds of miles and still going strong'. Recently what I have noticed is that in rough stuff I've started to notice that I can feel the chain slapping my right foot (obviously I run left foot forward), but didn't give it much thought. I've measured the chain and the chain is still well within it's useable length (i.e. it has not worn beyond the 1/16th" mark). The pic distorts the measurement somewhat, but it is within spec. The new chain is a Shimano 10spd HG75. Then I looked at the lateral movement that was achievable by the two chains and the older chain has significantly more lateral movement available (as can be seen below), so I'm hoping this is the cause of my issues. This also makes sense WRT the chain hitting my trailing foot. I've fitted the new chain so we'll see how it goes. If it continues to drop then it could well be the chainring that is worn and may need replacing.

The enduro ones promise to make you quicker and are twice the price. If I were you I'd just go with the DH or XC option

What makes you think that? http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb9572281/p4pb9572281.jpg Regardless it'll fit on any fork. The only issue you may have is with Manitou's reverse arch (I only say his as I have not tried it on Manitou forks). AFAIK they are not 26, 27.5 or 29 specific either

Check out Shawswood Lodge.

If this jinx's me I'm going to break you Skylark, but on a MTB none. I did my collarbone on a motorbike and to date that has been the worst of it (Touch wood). I do tend to err on the side of caution with my riding though (and then kick myself for being such a pu$$y afterwards).

That is a good looking machine!

Hitting any jump on any bike should be a progression. Start small & work your way up. Trying to take short cuts or pushing too hard will put you in hospital. My personal rule is, if I can't visualize or see myself making the jump then I don't try. For me learning to dirt jump (at the Scout Hall) was probably the biggest DH advantage I've had. The jumps are small enough that the consequence of failure (and there will be failures) is not too drastic (although the place has broken people) and the lips are quite mellow for dirt jumps, but still have a decent transition. That 'base' for me has been excellent for moving my riding forward. Once you have confidence with your jumping and you start trying new progressive bigger/faster jumps it helps a lot to have someone who knows the jump to tow you in. Helps ease your mind of one more variable you'll be facing when hitting the jump for the first time. The more you ride and hit jumps/drops etc. the better your 'feel' for speed into a new jump/drop will be.

The Rat of the North found this one, so I can't take credit, but for those interested here is one of GM's practice runs. http://youtu.be/niWw9r2j-5A

Just ride the tyres you have. Preferably start the trip with a fresh set but, I wouldn't over think this too much TBH. If what you have really isn't hooking up then just bite the bullet and buy something there.

TLD sizing http://www.troyleede..._kneeguards.pdf POC sizing http://www.pocsports.com/en/content/view/Wheels_size_guide I've bought a number of sets of knee guards online successfully. I always choose to err on the side of them being slightly too small. They all tend to stretch a bit & there is nothing more frustrating than a knee guard that is sitting down by your ankle.

So Ryan Sandes & Ryno Griesel are busy having a crack at the Grand 'berg traverse. Looks like they are set to smash the record. "The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is the mother of all ‘Berg hikes. From Sentinel car park in the north to Bushman’s Nek Border Post in the south it’s roughly 220 kilometres across the main range. A trek that takes a strong hiker anywhere between six to 10 days to complete. Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel are planning to run it in less than three days. To rightfully claim the title they have to travel on foot, carrying all their own gear without receiving any form of support along the way. It’s just them against the mountain elements. Against the clock. You’ll be able to track them in real time right here as that clock ticks down and be a part of the attempt every step of the way." http://www.redbull.com/za/en/adventure/events/1331625638350/drakensberg-grand-traverse/live-map

That is some of the most stable head cam footage I've ever seen

Shot Nige, I agree with the points above. If anyone wants to check footage from the race yo can view it at Stremit360 The racing starts around the 2hr mark.

The kids name is Ike Klaasen from Cape Town. Definitely a name that will pop up in the future. http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10550250/p5pb10550250.jpg Yeah, Nige there were loads of communication issues & mis-information coming from CSA for the event. I read about the lighties issues on FB There was no sports class for ladies (Kath was told she had to have a full racing licence to compete) Someone from CSA told Alton (Gouws?) he had to have a full racing licence to compete (as a vet) Sean Schleubach (spelling?) there was no vet class and he had to compete as a sub-vet. A lot of oddities. Most were sorted on the day, but if I didn't ride due to mis-information from CSA I would have been grumpy.