LazyTrailRider

Hah, in contrast I'll have to brave things with my skinny XT pedals (BTW, I've come to grow fond of our friend Mr Hill, in spite of the flat pedals thing, hehe)

Cap, I presume you're going to be rocking the Trance at the race?

So would I. Maybe my subconscious will persuade me at some point... My brother put together a brand new 26" Stumpjumper (140mm) with a brand new (old stock) Lyrik 2-step, EN521 wheelset and X9/X0 the other day for R30k. Compared to a just a frame, that's an amazing bargain!

Yes you should.

I did. You'd be surprised by how nimble and quick it is... Ideally, I want one of these sick puppies, but my sensibilities don't like the idea of spending R20k on a hardtail frame: http://cdn1.coresites.mpora.com/bikemagic_new/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Hard-Eddie-bike-171.jpg

OK, so I'm entered and will be joining you guys! Will also need some markers...

Oh please.

Just for that comment, I reckon I may just come out of retirement for a short while that weekend and join in the fun on my version of an enduro machine:

You can't go wrong with Atomlab Pimp DH rims either (on Hope hubs, as has been mentioned). They're massive beasts and could probably handle regularly rooftop hucks without issue. These puppies: http://www.atomlab.com/rimsplite.html

Nope, it's all about cooling. The slicers are there to keep the rotor "ice" cool...

SLX is good (I've had two sets), but XT definitely has more bite, a slightly better feel (the whole "modulation" thing), and is lighter. As with most bike parts, weight is a large part of the "better" equation though.

Yeah, I remember Brian Lopes and Mike King had this on their sleds.

To the fact that serious brakes aren't really needed in SA.

So, the GoPro shots in this one are quite, erm, interesting... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gyw6hlnIso

Yep. My point though was that if we never went down the multiple-ring complexity path, we would now probably have 1x11 or 1x12 right down to Alivio level. Current pricing is simply a function of how the market has developed over time.

Hmmm, I disagree. My girlfriend has just started cycling, and she's still confused about how exactly to use the front derailleur, especially how the "combinations" with the rear work. As a result, she just leaves it in the middle ring (seeing as I ride with XX1 cranks, I simply say "that's fine, I also leave my front as is!") In my opinion, it's actually exactly the opposite of what some people are complaining about. It's not a case of "why do we need XX1/X01/1x10". I believe it's a case of "why were we ever sold the unnecessary complexity of 3x10 or 2x10?"

Yeah, I know, I'm not coming with, but.... We got our tickets to get to this beautifully lush place today: http://www.urlaub-blog.at/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wellnesshotel-krallerhof-salzburg-leogang.jpg Rock on Leogang!

Yeah, Havens with I9 or CK hubs would be Killer. With a capital K. The Haven hubs look soooooo good, if only they (the rear one specifically) worked as well as CKs.

OK, so I finally managed to find time to do a proper ride and rolled down the full Cobra on Saturday. Loved it, it really does flow very nicely. Good work!

I own one for a reason. Do not be fooled by its looks, at speed it handles like a fully loaded Intense Carbine. Quite unexpectedly so. Anyway, back to Crow's ride!

Hmmm, I've driven both and know without a shadow of a doubt what the purist answer should always be.

Havens roll beautifully (and look @#ing hot), but their hubs are, erm, not that great. My rear hub keeps coming loose (apparently fixed with new models though) and the freehub has made that cringe-worthy slipping sound about 5 times in 600km.

One word. @#$ you. Oh wait, that's two words... Sorry, couldn't concentrate while looking at the pictures.

Front row spots booked!

Here I am at just under 3 years old...