vanniri

I broke both a seatpost and the pedal insert on the crank started to loosen. Both lasted in excess of 1,5 years. Both my mistake: Seatpost - did not use a torque wrench and pretty sure I overtighten it. Crank - rode with an old/worn pedal resulting in continous slipping, i.e. pure abuse. I will buy carbon parts/frame anytime in future, no problem Bottom line: carbon failure tend to be more spectacular than alu/steel/ti - accept it. hightec materials (carbon and ti) requires more building skill than less hightec materials (steel) - accept to pay more. Alu might be a good middle-of-the-road option

I have no personal experience with GF 29érs, but US mtb forums tend to regard GF as the one brand most likely to break - have a look on MTBR.com In general regarding 29ers: getting the angles and chainstay lenght correct is much more difficult in a 29er, especially with the new 2x9/10 gearing trend. All of these problems are compounded when applied to a duely. My advice will be to spend on a brand very well represented in SA and with lots of R&D to backup. GF has the R&D, unsure about how well it is backed in SA? This week-end I went cycling with a buddy of mine on his new 29ér HT. He bought it from a German after the Claro Brazil Stage race - some boutique frame. What a disaster: ghost shifting, tyre rubbing on frame, awkward angles (short top-tube, long rake), etc.

You started riding to meet girls? - when last did you see a neon lycra claded man?

I remembered when girlie mags used to have stars to cover the naughty bits. In future years kids of today will probably think back to public newspapers only showing topless gilrs on page 3!

I have been living abroad in excess of 5 years. During all of this I kept cycling actively and attended various races on various continents. Did more than a few races in SA, before my departure and during holidays back home. In general I find racing in SA to be such a pleasure compared to other countries - very well organised, lots of off-the-bike activities, well attended, etc. In stage racing this is even more evident. In Europe organisers tend to only provide the racing, all else is secondary, Canada is also top-notch, Australia I have no experience, South America - more survival than racing (some people would call this a positive). The Brasil Ride and latest La Ruta is such a stark contrast to my experience in SA, thus motivating me starting this thread. Any other experiences or opinions? Do you agree or, do you think SA racing is over-organised?

I like these bands - they make an interresting conversation topic. As far as usefullness, they probably up-there with ipads The other day at a board meeting, (nogal UK listed company), I counted more powerbands than ipads - I couldn´t help myself cracking a joke about it.

If you intend to use your new wheels for racing and old one´s for training I would buy a new chain and use this with the new wheels and the old chain and wheels as a set. This way your racing set will stay smoothly much longer and you have limited need to service bike before race. If you continue as is: your new cassette will worn more quickly with the used chain than using a new one - since the cassette is more expensive the choice is obvious

I originally started using SPD´s (non-Shimano). Upgraded to Eggbeaters when they were initially released in SA, have been using since - at least 10 pairs. This might come as a suprise but if I have to start-over I would go SPD route - XTR to be specific. Reasons: Price - Eggbeaters are expensive, Ti-ones are over-the-top Cleats - expensive and have to be replaced regularly Maintenance - they need regular greasing (especially after 1 year of regular riding)Note: this issue might have been resolved with the new bearing design - I have only done a hand-full of rides using these so cannot comment yet. Stability - less platform = less stability Q-factor - the entry level models tend to have a comparative long spindle (only relevant if you are a serious racer type) I bought a new high-end bike recently - it came with 2011 Ti Eggbeaters. Considered changing to XTR, but decided against since I have to change 3 bikes and I have numerous spare cleats for Eggbeaters. Lastly, the benefits using Eggbeaters are: lightweight (even the entry level), ease of entrance, excellent mud-clearance and non-cyclist asking if you´re pedals are broken (after enquiring about the state of your Lefty)

In SA: 1994 - Bfn - Got my bakkie stolen - Hilux, should have known (2 weeks before it was broken into and i found a make-shift key broken-off in the ignition) 1996 - Bfn - House I was looking after (did it as part-time job during student years) got broken into - caught the guy, he is probably still walking around with my shoe up his arse. 1997 - Bfn - Same as above, only stole small stuff 2003 - East London - House of friend I was staying in got broken in while I slept, they stole my clothing hanging on the bed-end. Police said they use some type of burning drug? In Macedonia, Kosovo, Moscow and Zurich - stayed 4 years nothing happened. My bicycle practically slept outside in Kosovo during summer. In Brazil - nothing yet to me personnaly (2,5 years), but 2 of my friends bike-jacked at gunpoint, Only this week in the city (Salvador) I live in and what I have seen: 2 days ago a guy got shot twice in front of the buidling I work at for BRL3k (+/- ZAR 12k), been the witness to 3 robberies from vehicles caught in traffic jams, 1 police man shot at the T-junction from my apartment, heard what sounded like a gun fight in the park my apartment overlooks last night - don´t know yet what happened, 3 employees in the office (36 in total) victims of bodily crime this week.

Depends where you are, the weather during the period it occured and material of cassete and chain. After riding, normal wear & tear on the chain/cassette results in very fine metal pieces. If the climate is condusive these will show rust virtually immediately. It is only superficial, as long as you wipe and lube it should not be a problem. In your case you probably stored the bike to dry before putting lube on the chain, sufficient time for such particles to develop rust. Where I live, Brazil - Salvador, rust is part of everyday life. I have a plastic mtb, the only steel is the chain. To prevent small amount of rust I have started removing the chain before washing. The chain is cleaned using a piece of rag only, if using water I would dry it in the oven or direct sunlight around noon.

Take note: using rubber tubes on carbon could result in change in carbon appearance. It looks like a misty/milky stain. Takes a few months to effect change.

Yes, didn´t we see this posted on thehub lately?

I have added a 3rd bike:

Use wet lube for muddy/wet rides. Squirt is probably the best wax-based lube, but for ultra wet wax just dont do it.

I recall Minnaar was/is chair/rider representative of some world body committee - probably Downhill. It could be of his influence WC - PMB, don´t know of the world champs - don´t twit...

Even in USA: Adam Craig and Todd Wells’ bikes stolen in Vegas - BikeRadar 30/09/2010 On Ireland: Check the news headlines, Ireland could possibly be the first developed nation to be permanently disabled by the turn in economic power away from the West. More than 30% of houses vacant..., My project manager has 4 houses in Ireland, sold one very recently. According to him it was not a good experience. I am certainly not looking forward to the power being slowly erroded in the West and moving East/South America. These guys are bound to do things differently and it will affect all of us. Luckily SA is well positioned as the perceived gateway to Africa.

You only leave the country you consider home as a result of: 1) To pursue a career 2) Better prospects for the kids 3) To escape the memories of something really bad I have been living away from SA for a longer part of my career than in SA, in certain respects life is difficult outside of SA (even in developed countries). When it comes to developing countries no single country even comes close to SA.

Fakes, sent me a private mail with your email address and I will forward you an article with all the basics nicely explained. Alternatively contact a coach (Maryke on thehub is apparently good).

Not a road cyclist, i.e. lack the emotional connection to the brand. I will, and do pay, for the best quality I can afford. Good luck with the brand in mtb´ing world. Sure looking forward to seeing one on the trail!

Colin H: on this forum it is bad for your health to admit to smoking!

You pay what you want to pay. If you can´t afford it you´re stupid to buy it, and it will come back to haunt you sometime in the future. The argument of me beating you on my R1000 Score special is irrelevant. Some people made a choice to put careers/work before hobbies, it is there right to buy what they can afford (and for us to buy on second hand market or wait for the technology to trickle down to more affordable models). Thanks to them (the big spenders) the manufactures are willing to push the envelope and spent on R&D. Personnaly I will not spent more than my after tax monthly salary on cycling (all inclusive - not only the bike) per year. Next time I see a uber sweet bike I will respond with a Wow!, the same way as I respond when a guy flashes past me when I am pushing really hard.

My advice is to sell your computer (or bicycle) on thehub and claim it is like new with only 500km on the clock

Integrated seat post! Very cool B) Yes, age-old weight saving trick!

Every time I visit SA I am suprise how "big-boned" we are! My old school buddies are convinced I must be sick since I weight relatively the same as back in school (odd 20 years ago) The other day I went to the US to visit some suppliers in various states - came away with two conclusions: Colorado is absolutely stunning scenic wise and US women are getting fatter (didn´t thought it possible)

Had mine for two years - no problems and are still as smooth as when I purchased them. Also look at XTR or XT hubs if reliability is your concern - I have XTR hubs on an older bike in excess of 5 years and they are excellent (I have serviced them twice - done myself since it is so easy with Shimano: old but proven technology)