Wez-O

Jens, what a lad!!!

Anyone riding in the charity groups from 8:18?

Wow sounds like an interesting race. I'm also doing this one just for a bit of a leg spinning (hopefully on the bike not off it).

How does entering for a charity work then? I entered under a friends charity this year and I'm only starting at 8:18, hoping that there are some decent riders in the group at least in the 3:30 time bracket. Should I not expect much from such a group?

I'm all for the many mountain top finishes and less Individual TT. With this in mind, perhaps Sky will have to back Froome over Wiggins. BMC should defninitely back Teejay over Evans as well. Contador must be strong favourate but one wonders if Andy Schleck can get back on track by then to offer a good challenge?

I suspect that these are riders who entered the 94km race and cut over to the 40km race course. If that's not the case, I suspect there to be at least six new South Africans in next years Tour de France and Tony Martin and co are in for a good hiding!

Agreed, I had to swerve for a few cars and a mud slinging truck on the stretch just before the finish line. Otherwise a great race and super experience.

Or a carb loaded beer or two!

I'm in, 94km. Out of interest, how would this 94km race compare to say the 94.7 Cycle Challenge?

If I had a wife like some of my buddies wives, I'd spend even more than 10 hours a day on the bike!

I'll be there for sure! Last month was brilliant!!!

See you all at Dunkeld!

Although I do agree there are many pros about going tubeless, I was recently on a group ride and one of the guys got a rather bad puncture on a tubeless tire. It literally took them about half an hour to fix it after several puncture plugs didn't do the trick and slim had sprayed everywhere.

Great, See you there!

That Vida 1 does look an awesome bike, but aren't they going for around R17,000 plus?

After all these years, Victorinox is still meant to be the pick of the Swiss knives.

Thanks guys! So in a nutshell 2012 better shocks, 2013 better brakes

Hi All, I'd be interested to see what your opinions are here and which of these you suggest going for. The 2013 model is about R1,200 more expensive and it doesn't look as though the specs warrant that. 2013 http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-za/bikes/model/xtc.29er/12784/59384/#specifications Frame Sizes XS,S,M,L,XL Colors Black/White/Grey Frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminium Fork RockShox Recon Gold TK, Pushloc lockout, QR15, OverDrive 2, 100mm travel Shock N/A Components Handlebar Connect XC, 19mm rise, 690 x 31.8 Stem Giant Connect SL, OverDrive 2 Seatpost Giant Connect 30.9 Saddle Giant Performance MTB Pedals Nylon Platform Drivetrain Shifters Shimano SLX, 3x10 speed Front Derailleur Shimano SLX Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, 10-speed Brakes Shimano M446 [F] 180mm, [R] 160mm rotors Brake Levers Shimano M505 Cassette Shimano HG62 11-36t Chain KMC X-10 Crankset SRAM S1000 22/33/44 Bottom Bracket GXP Press Fit Wheels Rims Giant S-XC2 29 wheelset Hubs Giant Tracker QR15, sealed cartridge bearings Spokes DT Swiss Competition Tires Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance Folding 29x2.25 2012 http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/xtc.29er.1/9031/48895/#specifications Frame Sizes S, M, L, XL Colors Black/Silver Frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum Fork RockShox Reba 29 RL w/ 15mm Thru-Axle, OverDrive Steerer, 100mm Travel Shock N/A Components Handlebar Giant Contact, Flat 31.8 Stem Giant Connect Seatpost Giant Connect, 30.9 Saddle Giant Performance MTB Pedals N/A Drivetrain Shifters SRAM X7, 3x10 Speed Front Derailleur SRAM X7 Rear Derailleur SRAM X9 Brakes Avid Elixir 5, [F] 180mm, [R] 160mm Brake Levers Avid Elixir 5 Cassette SRAM PG 1030 11x36, 10-Speed Chain SRAM PC 1031 Crankset SRAM S1000, 22/33/44 Bottom Bracket SRAM GXP Press Fit Wheels Rims Giant S-XC29 2 Hubs [F] Giant Tracker Sealed/CNC w/ 15mm Axle, [R] Giant Tracker Performance, 32h Spokes Stainless Steel Tires Schwalbe Racing Ralph, 29x2.25 EVO Folding TL Ready

Entered for 2013 myself. My first one, I absolutely cannot wait!

Shame, this is really sad! Shows you that there are things that are far more important than a gold medal, like life!

Yes, and I'll also say this... Anyone who knows history will be able to tell you that following World War 2, both Germany and Japan had to rebuild totally devastated nations and yet in 20 years (infact less) both were once again world superpowers. There is no excuse for the ANC's Incompetence!

Thanks! I presume this is UK time in which case we are +1. Surely Wiggins must be favourate after his TT performances at le Tour. Hoping Cancellara can overcome his injuries and take it though.

I thought there were even a bit more. Great turnout indeed.

Cancellara passed fit for the TT with no broken bones

Yeah I wish!