Borriz

Thanks. Everything makes sense. Suppose proof is in the pudding - need to get my bum on a LT and decide for myself. Just wish there were a few around!!!

I read on a review of suspension designs the one guy comments that bunny hoping with a virtual pivot system, like you find on Santa Cruz, is very difficult if not impossible. Can anyone please confirm or elaborate on this? Especially if you have a bike that uses VPP or similar designs! Ciao

I feel normal again after reading this. Thanks! I realised the biggest contributor to my lack of jumping and confidence with jumping is the high seat position on my XC bike. As you come down it comes up!

look they wore tights!

If you really want to spend the cash go XTR all the way, my view is that rear and front derailleurs take the second beating. First beating is cassette, crank and BB. So stick with SLX or XT on derailleurs. Cranks and BBs takes a hammering so SLX and XT there. You can go XTR on shifters, brakes and maybe wheelsets. All of this off course if money is an issue, if not go balastic and bling to the T. As for Spaz of Giant, or anything for that matter. Try every bike and decide for yourself. Don't read reviews, or do but with pinch of salt - who will slate his own bike? Personally - I'm deciding between upgrading 20,000km Anthem 1 or new AnthemX1

3 questions on last nights highlights. Why is that engineer firm using high pressure washers on the bikes? What is wrong with Yolandie and Cordes? See they are hour off the pace in the mix. In 2007 they were in top 20. Why did Knox give his bike to Burry? What was the rationale if Burry ended up waiting in anycase at the waterpoint. I still love the gesture, just asking rationale behind it.

I'm avid supported of Avid rims when their teamed up with XT or XTR hubs. But the bling ones like Crossmax, Crosstrail and the like really seems great. But I've heard they're not suited for heavier (weight and or aggressiveness) riders. Even read write up saying "heavy riders might ride spokes off hubs" in Mountain Biking UK Any advise? Should I stay with my combinations or venture to something bling?

I'm not planning on buying power meter and started interval training last week. Doing the Ride mag 8 sets of 4min and 90sec rest. At this moment I'm focusing on gear selection (middle front and 4th back)and cadence (above 110) and couldn't care about HR - as I push it to 92% for last 3 sets. But in 2 weeks time I want to start with power intervals. Can anyone recommend how I approach this? Wondering if somewhere I can find gear + cadence = power output graph Sorry if this question has been asked - which I'm sure it did - but can't find quick link to it. If any one can point me to it please do so?

There are 3 products I will never skimp on price with Polar, Camelbak and Oakley. I've had not a days problem with these products. They are a head above their competitors and sets the standard for all other brands. Had the same experience than Wallee with my Polar despite being second hand 720. I'm yet to find fault with Camelbak - no zipps that come undone, broken or leaking accessories nothing

thanks Cervelo You make very good point. Firstly I thought it wouldn't apply to me, but after carefull consideration agree that is possibly applicable. :-) Ciao

Bob is relative! Relative to your pedal stroke, relative to air pressure in shock, terrain etc. I tell you what. I've ridden the Anthem 1 now for 3 years and can't complain about the suspension design. Just service the pivots annually! The new X range is far more relaxed ridinig position and ability to hit bigger hits. I like the changes I heard from Splat. I wanted to upgrade to X1 but the orange one (UK based colours) but they couldn't organise me one. My blinging would have been Xt upgrade, Fox 100 RLC and Hope brakes. Was also looking at Chris King BB - all of this in Blue (to go with the Fox colouring)

So my question is - will silver XT hubs and silver (not sure if you can get them in silver) mavic rims with white spokes and blue nipples be to bling? Alternative is to do hubs and rims in black When will mtb wheels look like the white rim taxi wheels?

Take it on the chin and learn Kent. I would love to have fancy bling components and bikes, but I'll break them - too heavy and maybe bit aggressive on downhills. So make peace with your situations and alter you equipment, mindset and if possible routes. Don't make mistake all roadies make when deciding to go off road and buy a hardtail with as much carbon as possible. Spend a bit more cash and make peace with the weight and buy susser. You'll have tons more fun, components that last longer and a bike that can take the nocks. Chances are you won't need to sprint for finish in MTB race either - I'm still to find a bunch going over line in MTB race :-) Just enjoy whatever you're doing man!

Forgot to mention Alpine Heath route. Don't think it is an official MTB route, but the climb at one point is so damn nice and technical. I'll spend R3000 for a weekend just to go and do it again.

I would love to join a group planning to do Waterval Boven - it sounds amazing. My top 3 Non race ride - Sani Pass - yes non technical, but you realise how much trust you place in your brakes when you pick up speed coming down Race rides Sabi X day 2 climbing up to 2200m (asl) in 40km Sani 2 C day 2 Heard only good things about Mankele - wil try it at some point in 2009

cool ideas and nice inputs. Thanks So now I ask. Is a bling bike a racing bike or a show piece?

So what are the generic rules when it comes to Bling-ing your bike? what needs to be colour coordinated, where do you add more colour and what is just uncalled for?

thanks, what price ranges are we talking here on these 4 items?

I'm looking for a durable combination hubs and rims. I'm very happy with the durablility of my XT and XTR hubs on Mavic 817 rims as wheelsets and would like to do the same with Hope hubs. Anyone that can assist or shed some light on what the corresponding Hope hubs would be relative to XT and XTR? Then what other rims are in the market with similar durability to the Mavic 817s that can be teamed up with these hubs?

While night riding 2 weeks ago we started discussing the possibility of doing a Breedts Neck night ride. Who would be interested in something like this and has it been tried before? We recon it will take about 4 hours and if one starts at 6 (during summer) then one would need lights for about 3 - 3.5 hours which should be okish for most battery packs. Coincide this ride with fullmoon and one will have an unbelievable scenery at the top of the valley and surroundings - might also help with a bit of clarity on the road.

They don't come cheap but Maxxis Larson TT's are good value for money as long as it is dry. Got over 2000km on mine. The Maxxis Crossmark is good all rounder and stands its ground when the weather and conditions turns wet. Think you can get both for about R350 - but its not tubeless. Friend of mine rates WTB and their not that expensive - think in region of R300

Bliksem! Bitching and moaning over crap!!! A mountain bike race that is to wet? Go do road rides if you don't want to get wet. Nothing in a goodie bag? Your bike is probably close to R10k, why kick up a fuss because you didn't get R40 worth of "goodies". I refer back to article in Ride magazine where they detail what goes into a race. Go and read it and stop criticizing people that go out of their way to organise events. It is thanks to comments like these that races will become a distant memory - cause who would like to venture into organising a race if this is the potential reviews you will get?

Friends of mine are very happy with the durability and performance of the Crossmark. I'm considering Crossmark at back and TT Larson on front. Can't comment on the Conti's you mentioned, but I raved about the Speed Kings last year, during Sani, but since then changed my view as I'm prone to punctures with them and the compound seems to be softer than the Crossmark. As I said I don't know the conti's you mentioned but I do think the Speed Kings are actually comparible to the Crossmark as they are both all terrain tyres

Thank you #pete# that was the answer I was looking for. Makes sense and adds value to other opinions I've received. As for the width of my bars - my flatbar is about 55cm. So with Spaz grips, bar ends, polar mount, shifters, brakes and remote lockout I can hardly fit my lights. As for baggies - I like them and went up Sani pass with them until I found bibs. I find baggies creeping up my legs and cutting bloodflow to my feet :-) I know I cant post questions and specify the reaction, but I've seen to many times how subjects get hijacked because of "cult followings" or preference and not factual data like #pete# gave. (I'm referring to debates like "which bike do I get?" ends up having debate on which bike is the best and almost 6/10 times it is Specialized vs Yeti vs etc etc and not discussing it on merit.) I appreciate the comments. The Minaar is Gregg Minaar. On the Collective you introduce all the riders with funny nick names or name and surname, but when it came to Gregg Minaar they just say "Minaar" :-)

My point about the comments like "bar ends on risers suck" etc. comes clearly from guys going up mountain by means of cars or ski-lifts. Do you honestly want to tell me you cycle for 5-9 hours with only one hand position available?????????? Similar question about bib shorts. Yes downhillers wear them cause they flatten the course in 5-12 minutes. Even The Minaar wears bibs in the Epic - sure he would've worn baggies if it made sense! As I said - I'm not looking for roadie comments. Roadies worry about what you wear and do on mountain bikes. Back to the question and observations - I've also seen the top guys opting for risers. My main concern is basically fitting everything onto the bar when its got the cink in it.