vanniri

No, I prefer speculation and fleeting statements - go race a road bike instead!

Insufficient lubrication can result in nasty first time experience

Sounds like an undercover government agent to me!

Real-world tyres adds circa 400 grams + pedals = tadd below 8kg Awesome hardtail - not the cheapest

Had the same problem as you - I spent so much time in zone 5 I had to create a zone 6 just to recuperate.

From hubbers? Post it for free + complimentary six pack and you should get one or two replies

+1 Metal pads have a place (wet nasty weather). Keep these pads handy if you replace them, when stage racing you might need them!

Will they apply lube at the exposure, err, I mean Exposium?

Read the interview with Avid representative (product designer?) on BikeRadar.com

Apart from the obvious benefits of getting a Powerbalance band... To compensate for the smaller frame on your Scott, you are probably using a 100mm or possible 110mm stem. The sensation you describe could be the result of this. To confirm this check the lenght of your stem on the Giant A possible cure will be to use a set-back seatpost (say 25mm) and shorten your stem by the same.

The bible also states the non-believers will tire themselves with multitude signs of the end-of-days (somewhere in Isaiah). Lighten-up, enjoy what God has given you. If you feel happy - rejoice, if you feel stressed - pray.

Reunion Island Freedom challenge route (not the race itself, I initially started mtbíng in order to study snakes/lizards/spiders and be in nature more, would like some of that back. Also want to visit with people on route with no time limits)

Ah, nice touch!

Looks very nice Long handles on the tool - lots of leverage Watch out - the BB cups do not require much tightening Will help with a BB which is very tightly done previously

Nice blog Having read your first two days: 1 - more road (tar and dirt) and less single track is good. Riding offroad is tough on your body and taps into your recovery resources. What you need is miles and time in the saddle to built your aerobic endurance, anything that limits this is your enemy. Once you have done the miles start incorporating more mtbíng to toughen-up your body 2 - Your HR is a high for aerobic endurance < 65%, unless you have limited time then < 70%. For me the cross-over point is 8 hours per week.

Great opportunity for the cycling community to invite this guy (very publicly) to one of the bicycle donation activities (recall a number of them - Cape Epic also have one if not mistaken), ask him to be the official person at the hand-over. Also send him a copy of the photo coffee table book currently underway by the two Cape Town guys or better ask him for a statement to include. Ensure the invite is public and very high profile

I found holding on to them during a steep incline results in too much nose lift, this results in losing control and moving weight forward to compensate which results in losing traction. I tend to get better feel/traction when holding the bar normally with elbows tucked lower than hands and pulling back and down.

For weight control do some 1 hour + rides with your HR kept below 60% for the first 10 minutes and > 65% for the remainder. Only drink water. Since it´s not very strenuous add it to your rest or semi-rest days. Beware of losing weight too quickly and do not attempt to loose weight the last week. Quit the beer/wine and if possible the smoking. Do mostly tempo training during your endurance rides (hills are your friend). Eat/use energy supplements during these rides. Prevent from binge eating when finished. Cycle mostly on-road during the week doing multiple hills. Consistent slow riding is the name of the game. Do back-to-back rides on week-end using mtb + long hours and distance + some hills (then take in the view of the vineyards producing the culprit getting you to this position) One positive: at least your training will be over quickly! Good luck

You refer to the Road vs. Dirt debate that got this started - I assumed you´re a roadie... Not being able to ride 70km if your life depend on it? Now I am wondering if you´re a cyclist?

I am guilty and have to confess this has been a long standing habit having its origins during my teens when I abused the car bonnet by regularly getting lateral with my girl on it. I used to refer to the resulting impressions as love dimples

I haven´t moved to 29 purely for financial reasons. Currently I have three bikes - a number of the critical equipment (wheels in particular, but also front shocks) can be shared amongst all three, resulting in me being always race ready (at least as far as hardware concerns).

During this week a guy on MTBR (Cannondale link) posted he had changed back from 29 to 26 after having four 29ers in a row. Reason: bought a 26 and found he is not riding his 29er. The post were followed by a number of respondents agreeing the same thing. Note: the post was not spark by a debate or anything, just a remark by this guy. I only noticed it since the timing coincided with our own 29 vs 26 debate.

Told my boss once I demand to work from home using my bed as office equipment or else quit the 8-5 life. He said to go ahead

I followed a different route when changing to a 2x9: The BB is wide (73mm vs 69mm?), i.e. you only require one spacer on the drive-side instead of the two on the drive-side and the one on the non-drive side. I swap the spacer to the non-drive side, although the Q-factor changed I haven´t noticed any difference. I suspect my left hip will be the first to indicate any alignment problem. Just completed an extensive bout of power training,(big gears, 50-60rpm) and no problems. With the above set-up chain-line is excellent, I do experience some chain-rub on front deraileur. To counteract this I dail the barrel adjuster on the fly.

I removed my granny 2 weeks ago, some 6 months ago I replaced my crank and since then experienced chain rubbing in my granny gear. Stopped using the granny and realised I was not missing it at all. Now have a 2x9, using 32 small. Don´t have the mountains of the WC (I am in Brasil) but my holiday home is in the WC, smack in the middle of mountains.