Borriz

I felt like Poena in Poena is Koning when I saw your lights "JEEEEEEESSSSSSS"

Ignore the disc brake comment. V-Brakes are very good. I'll rather upgrade the shock and wheels before touching the brakes.

I'm using Hope Tech 2 brakes. Awesome. But I think they might be heavier than Mono Mini's. Plus LBS bitched about the servicing - or rather changing the piston covers. It required him disassembling the entire brake. So if you can still get the Mono Minis go for it. As Mike's Bikes if they stock them. The last time I read and enquired the SIDs are made for racers aka sub 70kg weenies. So don't think SIDs will be recommend for you. Talk to Anton and Summit Cycles - he advised me on forks before.

Been cycling with Shimano for over 10 years and never looked elsewhere. The added benefit is the fact that you are compatible with spin bikes at gym. My partner uses Time and he struggled when it wasn't serviced. I serviced mine the first time after about 25,000km - its been a year now and still happy.

You're young! Go hard!

Thomo! Go for medium. I'm on the same verge but between medium and large. I bought the medium cause everyone said rather go smaller than bigger. 20,000km later I'm wondering if the large wouldn't have been a better choice. I do have a large now and the bike just handles better. If your saddle is to high then it throws you geometry a bit. But I agree if you want racy, go smaller, if you want comfort go bigger.

Correction! It is not Anthem1,2,3,X The AnthemX is a completely new bike. Yes more travel up front and back, but biggest difference is suspension design - i.e. back shock goes from horisontal to vertical. As for the geometry design - you won't believe it but the claimed twitchyniss on Anthem is real. The Anthem X loves climbing and because of the more travel you sit bit more upright and therefore your weight is slightly further back which gives tracktion. This though poses another slight problem and its when the slope increase quite a bit. The effect is that you need to lower your upper body to accommodate the "further back seating position". But this doesn't outway the relaxed nature during less steeper climbs. The Anthem is XC and fairly aggressive ito riding position. The Anthem X is more relaxed and with more travel you can do higher drop offs. The Fox RP23 makes huge difference as well. Have Manitou on Anthem and don't rate it. Make sure you service the pivot bearings every 8 months. If you hear a creek while you stand and peddle then it them! PM me then I'll send you picture of my "Snoop" - cause I look like a pimp on it :-)

I agree with all comments. I have Anthem2 and AnthemX at present. 2 different bikes and awesome in every way. The external BB should fit very easy. Remember you have spacers that you insert at the BB that will help with alignment - never heard of sanding bit to fit or line up. I run XT and XTR hubs, with XT cassette on XT and Chris King BBs and no problem with alignments. Sounds to me more a case of "gat jeuk"! :-) That is why I agree with The Crow. If you want to spend money look at R40k plus. Your current bike already set the bar and you won't settle for anything less than R40k. The riding that you do and the bike that you have is perfect fit. If you want you want to upgrade look at Reba Rock Shox or Fox and better wheels. Will make huge difference. I've done more than 20,000km on my Anthem and its still a bomb

I spoke to Paul Cordes some year ago and he commented that FSA has the strongest blades, but weak BB - for some reason. So I would recommend FSA if you can and then alternative BB. I want Chris King as it has 5 year warranty attach - mmmmmm. Bit of doh up front but if a BB last you less than a year you'll break even after year 3 as BB are about R750 now a days

Breedts neck's north face climb behind Buffelspoort is tougher than Hekpoort. Hekpoort is longer - think about 8km, and Breedts 4.5 or 5km but because of rutiness and state that it is in now much tougher because it is steeper in sections - especially first bits. Don't under estimate the earlier mentioned climb from Green Sleeves up Sterkfontein - lekker drag! Suikerbosrand is long but thats all. The tar allows you to find a rhythm. Best training ride is turn around at Breedts, do Breedts north face climb kick out at bottom of Hekpoort and climb up Sterkfontein - afterall they are all on the "same" road

I made a carrier that clamps to the bottom of my role bar and secures the front wheels via a little wedge action. It cost me less than R200 thanks to small pieces of scrap I had. I looked at all these options you guys listed but didn't want unneccessary drilling to my trunk or something permanent. It works like a charm and even had it rubberized - which doesn't work that lekker on things with sharp ridges. But I'm very chuffed with it. PM me if you like the pictures. I'm upgrading to double cab now and all that is needed is to open my flap at the back when transporting my bike.

I'll put my money on it that she is stretched out. thus either shorter stem, or smaller bike. Core muscles, as far as I know, plays role in lower back problems. I've made change to 110 stem (from 100mm) and I've got a very slight tingling feeling between my shoulder blades. So maybe bike size is biggest culpret if its neck.

Hey Mampara I'm very happy with my build of 317s on XT hubs. I've also got 819s on XTR hubs. Both can take the punches I throw and I weight between 87-90kg and like to do technical stuff. I previously had 317s on Mavic hubs with 22 spokes and it failed me big time. So as long as you go 32 spoke, which is the aftermarket rims you can't make mistake. So in short 2 years on XT and 317s and no truing or rebuild required. I prefer the 819s because of the tubeless aspect - I don't like the tape and conversion kits - a beee-a--tch to take off on the ride as the strip attach to the tyre. I'm currently also running 819s on Hope hubs - gggrrrrrrgggggrrrrgggrrrrr

Hey GIRR Can you please tell us where exactly this happened? I cycle alone in the westrand quite frequently. So this is bit of a shock yet good information.

I don't see the problem with the 819 Mavics. I've put mine through its paces and not had to worry about truing wheels now for almost 2 years. Had 317, 22 hole Mavics before and trued it every month. I have 2 wheelsets on 819s and happy as a fat kid with cake

Boonen doesn't need a helmet - he doesn't ride he flies

Funny how since this post about the "pro" cycling without a helmet, I spotted 3 more on Tuesday. Keep it up guys!

Just pulished by StanLib "It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our most well respected and esteemed colleagues, Wandile Mkhatshwa, passed away in the early hours of this morning after a fatal cycling accident yesterday. " This is really really horrible news. The passion that he had and dreams of competing in the Cape Epic next year!

Hey I just heard that a friend of mine was killed yesterday while out riding. But can't find any news story on this and his place of work has got no detail yet. Anybody aware of this? He stayed in North Riding area. His name was Wandile - often cycled with the Mugg n Bean and sometimes Cycle lab mountain bike groups.

can you lick your elbow? or keep your eyes open when you sneeze?

Conti for performance and Maxxis for durability! I've tried Mountain Kings and they rock! But compound bit soft so wears quickly. On Crossmarks at present and bit different to Conti but getting use to it. Running TT larsons on front wheel. What I've learned is tyre pressure is quite essential. So play around before making decisions on perfect fit - my recommendation

Bliksem! Moer! Ag freaken hell tog! Why did I miss this? Sounds like a total revamped race from last year!!!!! 60km of single track - I would've been sitting with smile till next week! ok ok next year I'll be there. Will just book accommodation cause tent gets freaken cold in Rooiberg in June

HAd this in high school. Guys will do winter and summer holiday training. Buy carbon fibre running shoes and gets beaten by jean, sneaker and turned around cap wearing guys by 50m in the 200m sprint. Freaky! But then you have the likes of Gary Kirsten thats regarded as one of the best international batsmen but never had natural talent like Gibbs - but he worked on his weaknesses and become the best

Lekker nice! MAybe a Troy Lee designed saddle? Will pimp that ride nicely

I agree with Dukeblue. Definitely not more difficult than a day at the Epic. In fact. Didn't see anyone go down those steps. The again I didn't see Gregg Minaar at the start - so someone might have been brave or technically able to do it. Would pay a pritty dollar to see someone do that though! I really love the climb up Breedts - expected it to go for longer and enjoyed the rock face sections to the grass and loose rocks. As I said I just wished they informed us of the only water point at 11km. I was finished with my energy drink at the bottom of the climb (at about 1.5hrs) and that stuffed my day up 6 love.