TCRCARBON

Have they disconnected the nerve endings in your rear end and hands? Light - impressive but eish - an hour on a rocky race route and somethings gonna be sore. Give me 10 kg of epic 29er or even better 11kg of stumpy comfort any day.

There seem to be lots of stock issues. 2012 not in yet and some 2011 stuff sold out. Haphazard release dates, Tsunami in Japan, who knows. I have been speaking to LBS more closely of late and they seem to be "meeting me" with similar prices to CRC. I mail them a CRC link to what I want and see what they can do price wise. Have not ordered from CRC for quite a while. And they fit it for me and have local warranties.

With Specialized helmets.... the buck stops here!

Specialized Epic comp 29er can be sought out at just under R30k. Roval wheels Reba and brain tech with 2x10. Alu version of the epic winning frame. The giant is also good option but has heavy wheels which ay need upgrade later.

ANYONE KNOW IF THE DUTY ON A SECOND HAND BIKE OFF EBAY WOULD BE THE SAME AS A NEW ONE?

I'd like to line up in A Batch at the 94.7 wearing one of those..... Boras, Record, Red, Dura Ace and a recycled beer box on my nut! Bet I'd be the envy of all those race snakes!

What is the solution - cause there's about 100000 cyclists getting screwed here!

I am sure there are costs we don't realise which need to be factored into the equation - transport, accommodation, purchase and maintenance of cameras, sorting, indexing, emailing etc, and royalties to the event organisers in certain cases. The photographer also wants to make a fair living. I have more of a problem paying big bucks for crappy photos. I'm sure most guys would be willing to part with their hard earned pennies for that dramatic shot which makes them look like a super athlete.

I don't mind paying for good quality pics with artistic value. Action Photo however seem to take "bulk" photos - put a tape across the road and then zap zap zap zap as the riders pass the tape. All you need is a camera and cards with really fast write speed to keep up with the cash register. Oakpics have taken some brilliant photos for me over the past few years, where the essence of the day is captured so much better. They place themselves at points on the route where they will get the best photos, and consider the background, speed you are riding at that point etc. They produce photos I really want to buy, not just a keepsake to show I was there.

After my long ride I'll spin past the voting station up to my eyeballs in mud and cast my vote. If you don't vote you cannot complain....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jElwljxGGs Hitler reckons the 29er is the way to go.... as do I. I have gone from Anthem X SL0 to S Works 29er Dual and have noticed a big improvement in times.

It rides like a lilo!!

Took my 29er Giant hardtail with SRAM X7 on its first ride and on a ride with a 300m ascent was 2 mins faster than my previous best on my Carbon Anthem X Adv with XX components - 2kg lighter than the 29er. Am replacing the 29er hardtail and Anthem Adv with S Works carbon dual 29er. Keeping my Trance X Adv 26er for the fun stuff.

I agree on the Trance - I have mine built with a Revelation 120-150 front shock and it has 5" rear travel - weighs in at about 10.8 on the Carbon frame. The alloy frame is about 400g more - so a reasonable build under 12kg is attainable.

Could one of the 26 lovers please buy my anthem advanced. Me Specialized Epic 29er is due any day

So let me get this straight - after the brakes broke the bloke broke cause if the brakes braked correctly there would have been no break in the bloke to break up the team he was riding for.

A friend has just " interviewed" both these bikes and has gone with the Giant. He reckons the Silverback frame did not look the business. The Fox front end with thru axle and tapered steerer seems to make the bike more rigid. There seems to be a shift towards thru axles and the tapered steerers. Is the Silverback not still using last year's technology and in a year or so will start becoming obsolete - i.e. difficult to sell second hand one day. I have ordered the 29er with full SRAM X7 double ring setup and Elixer brakes for R15k. My mate upgraded his 29er to full XT before buying. Speak to the LBS and see what customisation they can do before taking the bike - may get spec closer to the Silverback.

I always give my LBS a chance to quote before I buy online. In most cases he more or less matches and some times is able to better online prices. I won't fight over a few rand but there are occasions when online price is half and it would be silly to buy locally. He understands that and appreciates the opportunity to quote. Bought a Revelation XX World Cup last week at R9k - CRC would have been R9.2k when VAT is added - and now the warranty is local. The moan gatte will probably go straight to their LBS to have the CRC goodies fitted and when they break still try get the warranty sorted locally... If you buy CD's - try: www.cdwow.com - they do make the local CD industry look like profiteers!!

Get Pfizer to sponsor the tour and may the fastest Multivitamin win.

We'll match any price basically means: We'll screw you for what we can unless you're clever enough to find it cheaper elsewhere....

Oakpics normally do the Xterra pics - takes a few days to load but generally they are very good photos. Not the Argus style pics.

Welcome to the family dudes!!!!

As an organiser of smaller events in our area we have found that a total lack of volunteers to help is forcing us to pay marshals etc to help out at rides. Where we could charge minimal entry fees before we are being forced to up our entry fees as well. With the road events it costs a lot to get referees etc to the event to meet with CSA requirements. Everyone wants a goody bag, medal, shirt etc and In a smaller centre where big sponsorships are hard to come by, it is really difficult to keep costs down. Organising an event like 94.7 cannot be easy. To close JHB down for a day for the cyclists to use is an achievement of note. I do think that the multi day MTB events are the ones really pulling the ring out of it. Our 2 day MTB event costs R350.00! You just provide your tent.... Takes place on 26 - 27 Feb in Newcastle district.

TIN OF COKE IS R14.50 AT A COFFEE SHOP IN GATEWAY

I have used stans - no hassles at all - found three large pieces of wire (about 50mm each) rolling inside my tyre last week.