Delilah

Crossmark doesn't do well in loose stuff, sand or mud either. The center line of squares form an almost continuous line and that is not good for grip. Fast, yes relatively so. Grippy, not at all. +1 for RR + NN snakeskin combo It is comparable to Conti MK + RK protection combo, but lighter IIRC.

Thanks CarbonDual29er The Jagwire goodies have been ordered and they ship today. I wasn't really planning on using anything other than the stock Shimano cables...TheV-effect strikes again!

The build list is final, because everything has been ordered and paid for: Wheelset: Link 30mm wide XC/AM carbon rims in 12k gloss finish with red Hope Pro II Evos, red nips and black DT Swiss Revos. Schwalbe Nobby Nic Snakeskin 2.35 front and rear. Drivetrain and brakes: SHIMANO XTR 42/32/24 chainset SHIMANO XTR Rear Derailleur SHIMANO XT Front Derailleur Down Swing SHIMANO XTR Cassette (11/34) SHIMANO XTR Trigger Shifters iSpec SHIMANO XT 10 Speed Chain SHIMANO XT 6 Bolt Disc Ice-Tech 160mm SHIMANO SLX 2013 Brakeset iSpec Jagwire Ripcord derailleur cables in black carbon Jagwire Hyflow brake hose in titanium Cockpit: Easton EC70 low-rise 685mm bar Easton EA90 70mm 0deg stem Easton EC70 zero offset seatpost Fizik Vesta Kium saddle in black Hope seatpost clamp in red ESI chunky red grips Cane Creek Ergo II bar-ends (yes, yes, I know...) Headset: Hope pick'nmix black with red Hope Hed doc Fork: Black Fox 32 Talas 120 RLC Fit tapered with Kashima

Guilty as charged

Aaaah, you see these things happen when you have to wait 3-4 weeks for a frame. You get bored and start overthinking every option. That is my defence and I stand by it!

Three broken ribs and a whole lot of missing skin!

Oh, I've done one of those! (Just not on purpose... ) EDIT: Best place to buy Jagwire kits?

There is also a plain black one http://www.bikereligion.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/800x600/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/m/smallblkdlc.jpg

And the chain? Would you guys say it is too over-the-top?

That is a good-looking seatclamp! I'll keep it in mind if/when the Hope fails. Right now I'm contemplating the purchase of three additional items: 1. KMC X10SL DLC Red http://www.kmcchain.us/images/spic/DLC_Red.jpg Too much? 2. Jagwire Hyflow hydraulic brake hose in Black Carbon 3. Jagwire Ripcord derailleur cables in Black Carbon http://images.internetstores.de/products/1_18021033_new%5B1024x768%5D.jpg Yay or nay?

Lynette Jansen. She was a cancer survivor who started cycling 5/6 years ago, after the cancer had gone into remission, to improve her overall health and well-being after all the treatments and stuff. Cruel irony...

She was the riding partner of a friend's brother-in-law. It was a very sad and disturbing incident. Somebody cut in front of her on a steep decent. Trying to avoid a collision, she fell face first into rocks. That is why her helmet was of no use. Rest in peace Lynette.

Yeah, read about that issue in the customer reviews on CRC. Since the EC70 seatpost requires use of a torque wrench anyway, over tightening is less likely to occur. I decided to take a chance on the Hope seatpost clamp because it matches the other Hope goodies. If it strips, I'll just replace it

ROTFL!!! You guys are too funny A little more good news: my XTR bits will have nice carbon Easton bits to hang around with when they arrive. The CRC parcel finally came, no thanks to customs and strikes It includes: EC70 low-rise bar, EC70 seatpost, EA90 70mm 0deg stem, Hope thru-axle hub conversion kit, Hope headset bits, Hope seatclamp, carbon spacers and very importantly: red bottle cage bolts

Thanks for that, I needed a good laugh

Eish, I don't know what to think anymore. Isn't buying a bike supposed to be fun? Latest reply from CWC: Hi ****** I spoke to Chris and that deal was done over 4 weeks back where that frame was specially ordered when our suppliers still had stock and when I ordered the frame for you they didn’t had stock and that’s why we’re waiting such a long time and I understand completely your frustration and I ask your apologies for the inconvenience, but unfortunately it’s out of my hands as I want to keep you very happy customer and you don’t need to feel that there is something fishy going on as I can assure you that’s not the case, but will phone them first thing Monday morning to get the frame delivered to me! Hope you have a great weekend! Kind regards Wayne Now THAT is a really good question!

Yes, but so much harder to remain civil - something I intend to be for as long as possible if at all possible. Also helps to get things in writing

Mike replied and said he has a frame in stock. He cannot quite match the price, because the rrp went up recently. I'm VERY tempted to write off the difference though. Sent CWC an e-mail asking for an explanation regarding "that other build" but still waiting for a reply.

E-mail sent. I have had it, because clearly someone at CWC is full of BS!

I e-mailed them. Here follows the conversation: Me: Hi Wayne, I got the following info from a fellow hubber: "Well I have news for you, Omnico are sitting on tons of the newest CTD shocks, RP23 that came with the frame they delivered is no longer available from Fox/Omnico in SA. Tell them to hop on the phone to Omnico, speak to Russel and get a CTD. It's called customer service. " We are waiting for a shock that is no longer available? Best regards ***** CWC: Hi ***** We don’t get them locally as our suppliers bring them in from overseas so they told me that they’ll receive them on Monday so will keep you updated! Kind regards Wayne And in the meantime they've posted a newly completed 2013 Tallboy build that, strangely, has a rear shock installed!

Awww, come on guys. Give a girl a break? On 40km+ rides it really helps if you can shift your grip a bit. Also, I'm serious about the bar-ends being good protection for the bar. These saved my Ritchey Pro Carbon bar on a previous bike when I had a really bad fall in April. I ordered some similar cages from the same place that made the carbon rims. They are nice, but I still prefer the Cambers. Darnit. I'm not crazy about matt UD carbon. It scuffs really easily and attracts more dust than a Hoover. I think a protective clearcoat would look better too. I ordered a set of these as suggested earlier in this thread and applying them would result in glossy areas over matt. Yuck.

Try not to think of them as bar-ends, but as protection for a nice Easton EC70 bar The fact that they serve as an alternative grip area is mere coincidence

ESI Chunky red. Light and comfy. I love them. Yessssss! Cane Creek Ergo II AND Dum dum DUMMMMM.... A bottle cage! Blackburn Camber - trying to decide between red or black.

And people say I have OCD? Hehe! We'll have to see, someone else called dibs on the build before I even had the first frame! Very kind of you to offer your help and expertise, thank you.

But they ARE art