camelman

Frame and chain gets a clean Green wash. If the driveteain is full of wax I give it a scrub with a parafin and water mix. Then rinse. Stanchions regularly get a coat if silicone ook or the Brunox deo spray. Works wonders for the suspension

Do not wan't to disappoint all the Specialized haters, but I am on my second warranty replacement of my Marathon Epic frame. Both were replaced with new ones within 2-3 days, no questions asked. No why did both crack on the same spot....... (please don't answer that one).

Javi, maybe we can combo order this time and get a discount. Or you come visit me in CH and buy it there.

They should call it 650b. None of this 27.5" nonsense. My throat goes dry just trying to say it all. Coz 27.5" is a lie anyway. Its actually 27". And I am pre ordering my Stumpy evo expert. Any takers for a wagon wheel stumpy when this comes out?

It is not immoral, but certainly inconvenient. When looking in my blind spot, I might just strain my neck, thus making it impossible for me to drive and thus holding up traffic with my stationary car. Based on the above I think it is inconvenient to look in it. And there is no solid reasonable argument that will convince me otherwise.

I hope you don't look in your blind spot when you change lanes, as that will be illegal.

I have a 2013 expert and it came with a 32mm FIT Talas. The 32mm is the problem. I weigh 95kg and with a 10kg backpack the fork is a noodle even if not pushing very hard. If you wanna ride hard and are over 80kg, make sure it comes with the 34mm Fox. The. Cheaper models come with a 32mm RS revelation, which should be a touch better than the 32mm Fox. My bike is getting a black Rockshox Pike when I go back home to Switzerland.

Swissvan you know as well as I do the Swiss are not patient. They just RESPECT the LAW.

Specialized stores have the assometer to check the width of your sitbones and can advise accordingly. Trek have something similar I think. Worked wonders for my wife and for me after we got the measurements done. A comfy seat is a good seat and will keep you riding more and more. Do yourself a favour and go to a shop that do these measurements instead of giving you a saddle to try out because "it's woman's specific". A good manufacturer will offer it in different widths and models to fit your pocket.

Mtbr.com has just finished the review on 10+ trail/enduro bikes. Do yourself a favour and read up on the bikes you are interested in. The reviews are very thorough.

You will get a buff, I think. Works wonders for me. Even went skiing with mine, so not too worried about the head and throat. Seems my Gore softshell jacket will come out of the closet for the first time this year.

If I had to chose a Specialized trail/enduro bike for here in SA I would special order the EVO. Slackish head angle and a monster of a fork for a 120mm travel 29r, RS Pike. No wobbly 32mm Fox pool noodle on there.

Lying on my back. Eating pies and watching other people get stressed. Too late to worry now. Just keep those legs loose and the tank full. Last hill climb time trial for me today. Gotta beat the 14:25.

Go to a shop and try on every helmet they have there. Shake your head and jump up and down. Hit the helmet with your hands, top and sides to feel if there are any spots that could bother you during a longer ride. Dont look at the price as much as the comfort of the fit. I ride a Specialized S3 which is a great XC helmet, but maybe not the best trail/All mountain helmet as it does not offer a huge amount of protection behind your head. Otherwise the Specialized helmets are super comfortable and they have a huge range of helmets. I tried all, Met, Giro, Bell and Specialized and decided on the Spez in the end as the fit was great. Go try before you buy in the shop and don't let the salesperson sell you something more expensive, but less comfortable. It's your head, use what's in it while you still have

Did ours last week. Mailed it and it got taken off the "to do list" within an hour

Rode bits and bobs of the trail in Greyton when we did the red route on Saturday. That route was marked already. At Paul Cluver on Thursday I saw no markings however.

Fox/Shimano left and Rockshox right. Just so you cannot get confused. That's why. No rocket science involved. Thats for thru axles, so Shimano is contradicting themselves with your statement above.

Problem is that for many cyclist all logic and common sense get goes out the window when we pull on on our kit. While maybe 50% will apply common sense and logic the rest will use it as an excuse to speed over red lights. Then when they are run over they will be all upset as they had a "right" to do it. People will start running the red lights without looking left and right. That is the problem. As for thw turning left on a red, the same will apply. In the USA you are even allowed to do a right turn with a car at a red. Unfortunately you need responsible and law abiding people to make this work. Will not happen here in SA in our lifetime.

Yup, have that same issue although slightly less these days. Naturally my right foot is in front when descending so the left turn is the natural one. I consciously put my lefty in front when descending and feeling fresh, but it takes a lot of energy and concentration. This has also started to help my right hand turns, as my left foot is getting some front time. Anyway, when it gets rough I go into default, right foot in front. If you struggle with his, I have also found that instead of lefty in front, having your right foot at around 1o'clock also works ok. Then it's an easy swap. Right foot at 3 for left hand corners and right foot at 1 for right hand corners. Best advice is just to practice, practice and more practice. If you just practise right turns, at least you don't have to go far to practice, just keep going in a circle.

Some of my best races were done with a 4 Disprin dose before. Don't know if I was stronger or I just wanted to get it over with and go sleep off the hangover. Either way it worked.

For me: 2014 Epic marathon XL S-track carbon pedals Geax Saguaro 2.2 rear (needed a stronger sidewall), Ground control 2.3 in the front Full X0 groupset For the Mrs:2014 Epic Expert Small XTR pedals Fast Track rear 2.0 rear, Ground control 2.1 Front (both the control casing) Full XTR groupset and my carbon handlebars This tire combo sticks like glue and the rolling resistance is not bad for this combo. Very similar rolling resistance to the Rocket Ron/Racing Ralph combo, but with loads more grip. Ran these combo's back to back on two different wheelsets and decided to go with the more grippy one. I love flying down the hills.

Pyga or Camber. Stumpy has way too much travel for Stellies. Have one, will know.

Be careful. The Epic police will wait at the finish line and delete your gpx files before you have had you finish line coke. If you try and avoid them, you won't have a finish time and be disqualified. You have been warned. Epic Garmin police is watching you

Just did the Paul Cluver trail yesterday. Did the bulk of the black(except the part around the top dam) and then ended up on the Thandi loop by accident. Funny thing is, huge parts of the Thandi loop are in dire need of repair or trail maintenance. And I can see a huge amount of money has been pumped into it with specially cut trails. It also seems that no one is riding the Thandi trails as I only saw a lone bike track here and there. Granted some of the Thandi trails are a little exposed (ups and downs) and need a confident, skilled biker, but why is it not being ridden. IMHO linking Thandi and Paul Cluver is by far a more enjoyable and technical ride than Oak Vally, yet it seems it is not being used much. I know Oak Valley is privately owned and Paul Cluver/Thandi falls under the PPA, but it seems the trails do not get the same amount of attention that the Hemel and Aarde trails get here in Hermanus. Anyone know why?

Ride to enjoy as well, or make that your top priority. Put a backpack on and go for a 3 day tour with the bare essentials. Riding for enjoyment will do wonders for your skill levels because you are not in a hurry and can challenge yourself and do techie sections over and over(yes I sometimes do carry my bike back up the downhill and around the switchback). Something a lot more riders should actually do as skill levels are appalling from what I have seen.(putting the fire suit on)