Tieffels

To all the Epic and Freedom Challenge veterans out there: <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> What is the best way to keep your undercarriage happy post ride? I know the deal about showering and chamois cream/speensalf and what not, but are there any other lotions and potions that helps during the recovery phase? Thanks

<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> JB, seems you have it figured out? I'm guessing the external crack propagated along the heat affected zone (HAZ) adjacent to the weld.. This might indicate that the frame was not heat treated properly. My money is also on the cup having cracked first, not sure why thought, forcing the tear in the head tube as stated above along the HAZ.. So my question to you is what does the (most) correct guess win?

First dibs, sending PM

How long do you want to ride? You can easily do both in 2h30. Start in eden, then do the bergpad out to the hangbrug, then hit Jonkers. But it will be difficult going the ride by yourself as there are no route markings etc..

I was riding a short very rocky section of singletrack just yesterday. The rocks are all fairly large and unmovable and towards the end of the section, if the line isn't perfect, and mine never is, I lose momentum and my front/back wheel just stop dead against the next rock it meets. Could not help to think what would happen if: 1. I did not suck so much at the technical stuffs 2. I had a 29er. Would be cool do repeat the section in a 29er and see.

Jip, it seems both the Epic and Stumpjumper 2010 ranges contain 29er versions, so the big S is backing the fad. Even have their own rims and tires to boot.chickenrun4me2009-11-26 13:54:56

We passed them at about 170km all in good spirits and spoke to them at the end aswell. I thought it was off, so they did it without me...

So what is the weight of the Brain then, and how much support could it possibly need? In my mind not a lot. Would like to see a side by side comparison of the replacement and the original chainstay see where the additional material went to understand the problem.

Pm me an email address, I can email you the polar 12 week schedule, we're basically doing that back to back. But yes, you'll need a HRM that tells you how much time you spend per zone.

Have to say it is very easy on the eye.. Toned down finishes will get my vote any day. General question thought: Is this the suspension setup that the XC market is converging to? Seems more and more frames have this general layout.

I'd imagine you'd be the first and only one in SA. He also makes these H-bars, weird looking yes, but I think he's on to something..

And then there is the Jeff Jones 29er Spaceframe. Comes standard with a cult following:

I have followed the thread with great interest, not only w.r.t. the issues raised here but with the way people raise them. I also wanted to post my 2c on the numerous topics issues, but I got to thinking why do that? Everything that could have been said has been said in the first 10% of the discussion, and then everything just gets rehashed and more personal. So I got thinking and eventually arrived at this position. Please, read and rate yourself, I'm sure this exercise could provide a lot of insight into the situation and ultimately ourselves. Are you in position A: Since the start of this thread my original opinion of the issues raised have NOT changed and if anything have just been reconfirmed, be it ANY or combination of these. 1. Cyclists are wankers 2. Drivers are wankers 3. Cradle residents are wankers 4. I'm a legitimate road user be it in a car or on a bike and I'm entitled to my rights. 5. A bit of mutual respect from all parties would go a long way to resolve the issues. 6. There are much bigger issues, why bother about this triviality in the greater scheme of things 7. Only certain entities are to blame, be it individual cyclists/drivers/clubs and these should be dealt with individually. 8. Group IQ is inversely proportional to the number of members, therefore I ride alone. 9. I'm an elitist MTB and laugh at your roadie issues. Let the cars and road bakes fight it out and lets see who's left standing. 10. The world is a man's urinal. 11. Whatever else has been mentioned thus far. Are you in position B: Since the start of this thread my opinion of these issues have changed, be it to any of the opinion listed so far or maybe any combination of the following 12. I'm now more aware of the concerns from the other camp, be it the users of the road on either the right or left of the yellow line (assuming either are where they are meant to be) and acknowledge their grievances to some degree. 13. I'm now more aware of the impact that my driving/cycling on other road users and will act accordingly 14. I will endeavour to educate others about these issues, be it from a driving or cycling perspective Should you be in position B, please indicate if you've made a positive (+) change or negative (-) change regarding your opinions of the matters. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> So the options are A, B(+) or B(-). I'm a B(+) Then there is a option C: The author of the post is a wannabe Dr Phil and should spend more time on his thesis than trying to philosophise on a public forum that is of no consequence

Like this as an example: https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=62100

Welcome to thehub and to MTBing in general. First up I'd say that frame would be to small. But taking a step back, and I've been through this process, ask yourself what you want from the sport. If you just want to try it out for now, dont spend any money just yet, borrow an older bike of someone (get in contact through a local club/bike shop) and try at least on a half decent bike. That Avalanche is frustrations waiting to happen and could kill your enthusiasm before the get go. And should you not like it, just return the bike with a sixpack of beer, no harm done. But if you liked running, chance are you'll be hooked on MTB, and then get used to the idea of spending big bucks. Again, I went the route of a cheap <R3k bike and with 3 months I was pushing the limits of the bike and then the fun sort of stops. There are a lot of baby steps you can take getting into the sport but it ends up costing more in the long run when you have to keep on upgrading cheap parts etc. and eventually you just commit to a bike that will sound expensive now. So get a good second hand bike that will at least hold up in races. You should get away with below R8K for a hardtail. Gear will easily go up to another R2K, but that you can do over time. My favourite advise to new buyers: get the absolute max figure that you are prepared to spend in your head and get used to the fact that you'll be spending double that, but it is well worth it.

Running two gears at the back I see? Do you need the extra ratios? First time I've seen it, but then again I'm no expert.

Peach, that is one interesting parts mix you've got going there... Love the Magura hydraulic V-brakes though.

<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Well documented problem, almost guaranteed to happen on the older models. Garmin, from many other posts on here and the www in general, does not seem to acknowledge the problem, but it is design flaw. The unit spits in two halves basically and the connectors between the halves fatigue and since the battery is on the one side, bumps cause the connectors to, well, not connect and it cuts out. Remedy, 2 options: 1. Convince Garmin/Avnic it is their problem, you refuse to pay for another unit or "fix" as it will do the same and demand an upgrade to the 705. Will cost you a grand or two and will require serious attitude from you in dealing with Garmin, as gathered from previous posts 2. Fix it yourself: http://blog.mtbguru.com/2008/11/06/surgery-on-the-garmin-edge-305/ Will require basic DIY skills, but does not seem to hard. I recently bought a second hand unit knowing full well what to expect, and when the time comes, because knowing Murphy it will, I'm going 1 then 2. Good luck

To read mapara's mind: Those Ryder bar ends in the back would look so hot on this bike!!

And as I found out the other day, make sure you can undo the whole thing whilst out on a ride. Needed to fit a tube but could not loosen the nut to take the valve out. So finger tighten is more than enough.

General question to the Stan's users: Do you guys also get "wet" patches on the outside of the tyres at puncture holes that never seal up completely but just seep out over time?

Kulula ran a big campaign on this topic, achieved nought though. I would like it very much, so much sunlight wasted in the morning that could be used later..

Just to ad my first club ride experience which was with Cycle Labs in Fourways. Must have been about a year ago. (Note: I'm not a member of the club being based down in Stellenbosch so felt guilty exploiting a service I'm not entitled to.) So my buddy and I pitched up for a 6:00 MTB training ride one Sunday morning having left a night spot at around 3:00 am the previous night, or that morning then in fact. Needless to say we were in the early stages of a savage babbelas: nothing that a slow 2 or so hour MTB ride with some rich fat ballies with top end carbon fibre bike on the flats of Gauteng couldn't fix. My buddy borrowed my dad's already borrowed bike (pretty sure it had an elastomer shock) and all his kit. We had a camelback and a bottle of water between us. So as the hundreds of roadies set of I started eyeing out the MTBers left at the starting area outside the shop and I reassessed my earlier assumptions: These guys looked decidedly hard core. But so we also rated ourselves. With my last Dutch courage I asked the details of the ride: 3-4hrs they say. Good I say. So we set of at a serious pace and within a couple of km's hit serious singletrack. This was news to me coming from the Western Cape, I expected open roads and plenty of drafting. My buddy lost the water bottle on the first downhill. As the field spread we just tried hanging on the front group as we were hopelessly lost criss-crossing fields and road and rivers I never knew existed. After about an hour or two the endless muddy singletrack spits us out by Lanseria airport and we stop for a feeding spot. The guys start to pull out serious bars and dried fruit while we share the last remaining water in the camelback to fight the constant hangover induced cotton mouth. The group indicates the mountains in the yonder distance as our turning point and we set off on more leg destroying singletrack, cattle, farms, informal settlements and eventually we stop again for a group meeting. We've lost about half the group so far and need to make a call, the Epic guys push on, the rest turns back. I blew about a kilometer before the stop so I'm thankful that my silent prayers that were answered. I think we still had about 25-30 km back to the car but somehow I recovered, got the car and went back to fetch my buddy that blew on the tar coming back. We we're both shattered but loved every second of it. The club has a systems and the responsibility, I feel, is with me to understand it. We came hopelessly unprepared and we cannot fault anybody but ourselves. But we survived and much for the better. As they say "As jy jouself uitsit as 'n toffie moet jy beried wees om gekou te word". Also the guys from the club were awesome. If I remembered correctly a certain Neil led the ride but they all love the sport and are eager share their passion with you. With reference to the original article: I'm pretty sure the lady who wrote it benefitted more from that experience, mentally and physically, than from being coaxed along on months of fun rides.