Borriz

I've got little bag attached under my seat that contains leatherman, sram links, small bottle of Squirt, patch kit, chain braker and puncture levers. This weighs very little and not a single item doesn't get used during a weekend - normally on pikes leaving their stuff at home cause they want to "race" or "can't worry about spares cause it adds weight". I also attach slime tube to my seatpost or frame - despite riding with tubeless - basically to get me home thats all. In terms of nutrition, just take your energy drink refills. All food is catered for beyond believe at Sani. Trust me it is in different league to Sabie and Epic. Non-riding spare - the box is your oyster! Last year I took my entire toolbox with and saved a fellow that broke seat post clamp. I would recommend some cleaning stuff as a minimum nail brush works like a charm to clean your bike - put some sunlight liquid and dilute it in bottle. Clean bike every day and sunlight also helps to clean chain. I've done Sabi twice, Epic and Sani and never had a mechanical problem primarily because of a clean and lubed bike at the start of every day. Dry lube your bike evening before and if next day turns out wet, wet lube chain before the start. I've just opened up myself to abuse!

So what is the ruling on flat vs raiser bars. And don't comment with roadie crap like raiser = no bar end! I'm wanting to know if they are helpful for technical terrain or not. I've always thought that they disadvantage you from a technical perspective and gives you that extra relaxation compared to flat bars. But now I see all the downhillers using them. My physics tells me it will relax your headset angle and allow for better positioning behind your seat on drop-offs. Anyone's views will be appreciated

I agree with all the core muscles and stretching that is recommended, will advise to include ITB stretches as well (gluts, hamstring and shoulder). ITB is never mentioned until you suffer from knee pain (on the outside of the knee) - then its to late. Ask Burry!

Another thought on the topic - The pressure on your hands might be due to under developed core muscles. Make sure you're not "resting" your entire upper body on your hands. Will be interesting to hear if you suffer from shoulder and neck pains!

No but I can be! I'm actually the Borriz that got blown up in the Bond movie Golden Eye Trust me cleaning and lubing happens quite often. Lubing every ride - even indoor training. Cleaning every weekend and proper clean with parafien about twice a month. What did the hollow pin chain set you back and how much riding do you do during a week? Just to reitterate - mountain biking not road riding! :-) Big difference in life expectancy of chain

did cross my mind, but more referring to toughness compared to XTR and the rest :-)

Any comments or reviews on the Race Face Deus XC (the limited edition)crank?

I want to know if there is a significant differance between Shimano and Sram MTB chains? I've always used Shimano but questioning toughness. In 1.5 months I've stretched my chain 0.75mm already. Is this normal?

Hey Doons You can PM me if you like or if these directions are not accurate. I stay in the Westrand and uses this as starting point. You can park your car at the Zennex garage on your way to Magaliesburg (where Hendrik Potgieter meets the road coming from Sterkfontein towards Hekpoort). You then basically cycle next to the road on dirt all the way down Hekpoort and do Breedts Neck and then come back. The nice thing about this route is the garage at the end of Breedts allows you to refill and prepare for the last 25km going up Hekpoort back to the Zennex garage - total ascent is about 1500m and distance 110km. Alternative route is to park your car at the Sasol garage (the big 4 way stop on the Krugersdorp highway from Pta) this will add a further 20 - 30km to the Zennex loop - nice big dirt shoulder on this road as well to keep you safe from cars. Route 3 is the extension of Breedts neck to loop around Buffelspoort. You do the Breedts ride and carry on till you hit the tar. Turn right and carry on for about 3-4km and turn right on dirt road. Cycle another 3-4km and turn left at BUffelspoort board. This will pop you out on the Rustenburg road. Turn left. About 2km along this road is a Spar to refil and stock up (people sell pancakes there). Then head out for about 6-7km on the tar until you get big Chicken farm on your left. Take the road immediately after this farm and head back to Breedts - this offers a nice long drag climb on uneven dirt/sand road. (You will join up with the tar road you went out on when you exitted Breedts.) You then do Breedts as normal. this route is about 100km with 1400m ascent. Hope this helps - if unsure just pitch up at the garage outside of Breedts from around 6-6h30. There are tons of guys leaving to do this 100km route. Ciao

my partner rode Marin Mount Vision during the Epic and had no problem - at the end everything is all relative. If you only know 12kg bike then your body will get use to it, it is only when you through your leg over a sub 10kg bike that you feel the difference. Last note from my side - I'm still trying to find proper reviews on this bike, but if you are looking for an all mountain bike look at Cannondale Rize. From the geometry it looks spot on to the likes of Rush and Scalpel - ie made for climbing with quite a relaxed headset angle - to accommodate the 140mm travel upfront fork. Evans cycles sell with and without lefty. The suspension design is similar to Yeti and Spaz Epic. Let us know which you end up buying and post some pics!

Contact Don Buchanan 083-228-0145 from Johannesburg Mountain Bike Club. He organises the annual Dam2Dam ride.

I saw that the Cannondale Rize is available in SA. It looks great but the review in one magazine referred to a special shock that was designed for the Rize - this makes me a bit uneasy. Then it also refers to the Rize as being an all mountain bike. So I would like comments or reviews from you guys on recommendation between Rush and Rize? My head is leaning towards the Rush - but purely because it is recognised and proven bike and then obviously the critisism on the special back fork on Rize. Borriz2009-01-12 00:24:04

I suppose the question you are asking yourself is:"why oh why didn't I take the blue pill"

This answer will all depend on many factors. But remember that the make of the bike is one part of the equation. The components make-up the rest. The frame just pulls it all together. When it comes to frames - according to me - list your criteria on seat and headset angles. The reason for this is that it will give you an indication on ability to climb (seat angle - 73 degrees seems to be norm for XC bikes) and headset angle (72 degrees for XC, 68 degrees will be more relaxed and trail or endurance bikes) on responsiveness of bike. The suspension design and working is again personal preference and what you thing will work. My answer to any person wanting to buy a bike is budget and which bike looks cool to you :-) Interms of upgrading - all the bikes you mentioned are awesome canvasses for upgrading. But then again so is Ellsworth

I tested the AnthemX1 and it really feels different and more relaxed than the older Anthem (which I have). The added advantage to the upgraded Anthem X1 is the bigger travel and more relaxed head angle. I can honestly say I can see myself peddling that bike for miles at one go with that geometry. The Spark seems to be inline with most suspension designs (Spaz, Yeti, Cannondale, KHS, even Merida etc) and therefore should be great. Stay away from the Genius though. Specialized - I would like to have one but the price is an issue. To support the comment on back shock. All I heard from 2 friends that rides Epics - they've been told the brain shock must be serviced every 3 months. As an observer you will always get the colt followings if you buy Spesialized and Yeti. The Giant is mass produced by you never hear any bad reviews and the value for money can't be beaten.

I'm big Bontrage fan for back wheel and Hutchinson Bulldogs on front wheel. Rode this combination at Barberton and worked like a dream. The Bontrage is quite narrow so not just does it shed mud, but it leaves big enough gap between wheel and frame at wish bone.

Welcome to hell Bi-AH-Tch! I'm leaving Saturday morning....for Stilbaai and next week Friday for Outeniqua race in George. Who will be joining me for this 160km? Any tips on the Outeniqua race? I believe it to be gravel road with the pass thrown in early.

Go onto the SabiExperience website and make contact with Fiona or Mr Lowry. They should be able to point you to the right person or organisation as I guess you would need permit from Forestry. Alternatively you can go to Mankele mountain bike park. They've got various distance rides

From what I've heard the toughest races are - not considering weather conditions: Magalies Monster Magoebas Barberton I don't hang in Cape Town, but sure they will mention races like Seweweeks Poort

i spent $13 on an USA publication of Bicycling and to be honest if this is what's heading to our country then I'm buy Landbou Weekblad. It was shocking! I agree with spending more to buy international mags as they offer far more indepth knowledge and views with actual decision if product is good or not. My Fidie cents!

Pitty you don't stay in Westrand, could've showed you some new spots. There are guys on Spinman forum that cycle in the Woodmead area over Fridays I think. Check there

So in my attempts to widen/broaden my horizons I bought the "WEG" magazine and read about a trip from Volksrus to Drakensberge (think Cathedral peak or somewhere). Apparently 500km with 10 mountain passes. Now I'm thinking......wouldn't this make a perfect mountain bike stage race? Yes they did mountain passes aka dirt roads but surely their will be footpaths to convert to single track? I think I want to work for an events company that will pay me to go and survey this......any job offers?

Well in all fareness, I'm sure food, diesel and petrol prices went up by more than 10%! Last year June I paid R7 a litre of petrol, now I pay R12 a litre for diesel. Yes given the accommodation stays the same, but no-one can complain about lack of food and facilities. If you can do it cheaper then please go ahead. Stop moaning about it. Its up to you to decide if you're going to ride it. If your bike is less than R5000 then you have a point, but I'm sure it's not the case for 99% or that field.

Brandewyn het nie brieke nie!

I quite enjoy stage races and 2 man team setups. But having been on the receiving end of partner pulling out a week before Sani2C and having to ride in event, plus share a tent, with a "blind date" made my experience not as pleasurable. If you and your partner train together then the you will stay together during the ride 90% of the time. If you don't train together, then you get the scenario we experienced at S2C - teams splitting up. My view on why they make this team events is to bring the fun into it. If it ended up being an individual entry then it would be a race. Team events are more fun, with more chirping than an England Australia 5 day test match.