vaulter1

for all you that noted the exclusion of a full bike photo, one has been added - and on a couch no less!

for all you that noted the exclusion of a full bike photo, one has been added - and on a couch no less!

for all you that noted the exclusion of a full bike photo, one has been added - and on a couch no less!

@niterider: I actually pondered over color quite a bit and since the Manitou R7 MRD only comes in Red (unless you go big with heavier Carbon one) and I didn't really want a black Chris King (if you're going to show off why not be colorful) I thought I'd try for a subtle Red, White and Blue. The white is the "chromed" fork crown if you're wondering. @Dirtbreath: You're right about the Yeti turquoise (based on the 1971 Crysler Desert Turqoise - for bonus history points) but in my books there's really no better color for a Yeti.

@Dirtbreath: Thanks for the tip @Azonic: It gets addictive once you start using a scale. There's a guy on Weightweenies with a scalpel at 7.89kg but how much it cost him is another story...

@CaptainDura: I didn't keep exact track but got some great deals on the frame and parts (half the local price for the fork) so I'd put total spend at around 20-25k (much more with the recently tanked Rand though). Replacement value would be far greater I fear... @Dirtbreath: Nope - just managed to buy it in mint condition. A little pledge and elbow grease and it shines like new.

Are you just trying to lighten the bike up or are you trying to add a bit of bling?

The term "world-class" seems to be thrown around quite frequently when speaking of biking locations/parks lately. Well here's my 2c: We don't need a world-class bike park - we need good local parks first. Yes Whistler is awesome - you probably won't find a better park in the world. It has over 200km of trails, averages more than 100,000 visitors a summer but it also costs R500 per day to get into and is 1:30 drive from the city. now how many hubbers would drive to a local "Whistler" - I don't think many, given the predominant local riding style in GP - XC. Whislter is a VERY niche market - Downhill/lift-assisted. Noone speaks of the tons of safe, local, "flat parks" around the lower-mainland that the average guy can go to any time they please - compare "Toyota MTN Park" to those. Yes you have to pay for entrance here instead of it being a community run thing overseas but you also get the security factor that's needed here and the "right" to build in a central location. In an environment where you have to worry about bike-jackings, trespassing, overzealous council members, I for one am all for a local park that pushes SA one step closer to a more diverse MTB culture. That's the end of my rant - thanks for reading

@singletrackmind: My major problem was everyone else using 34's in front of me would shift into their grannies about 5m out from the start of the hills and slow down to a crawl. I couldn't get any speed or momentum going to carry thru. There were a couple of hills I had to hike-a-bike the latter parts as I couldn't keep a slow enough pace without a MTB cog.

Ok, if you have a digital watch, put the Schwalbe logo's at the W (west) & E (east) position, and the AM logo's at the N & S position. Directions? Maybe 'he' is a woman, yielding directions useless... 'he' is definetely a guy and would not stoop so low as to ask for directions until everything is finished... and mis-aligned. As for the Rear cog, I would have preferred a 27 in the Asishove race but other than that it works great.

@Azonic: Will take tonight and post @shaunh: They were originally lined up right but in the course of trying to get the beads to seat and tires to fill tubless they both shifted. Not sure if I'm up for another pump fest this soon but will sort it out when needed @BigBen: yep Dura-Ace 11-25 (60g lighter than XTR and cheaper as well) vaulter12008-10-28 02:11:27

Well this is what you get when you pair a mint condition 2004 Yeti ASR-SL frame with the best (subjective I know) 2008 parts you can source... Race weight 10.42kg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/1-1-1.jpg After the comments I got for not uploading a full image of the bike I took one this evening and threw in the couch in the background as an added bonus http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/5.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/8.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/3.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/4.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/IMG_5417.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/2.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/9.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/1.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/10.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/11.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/6.jpg http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr67/pole_vaulter1/7.jpg Hope you enjoyed... vaulter12008-10-28 11:25:17

There are also bike racks on public buses in most US cities, safe bike paths and lanes, very few razor-wire fences, decent respect for human life, etc. etc. There are very few things in SA that create an environment to foster "free bikes" either on campuses for students or throughout the town for everyone. We're years away from anything close. Aspen is definietely on the progressive side of the bike culture in states but even a "middle-of-the-road" local government in the US would make most places here look like a joke.

Unfortunately I don't think SA (more specifically Jo'burg) has the infrastructure to make a success of something like this. While it's a brilliant idea, there needs to be more public"acceptance" of safely riding a bike as a mode of transport. I'm not discounting the guys that already commute by bike but I think we're a long way off from bike lanes on most roads and a "safe" cycling environment. This (infrastructure not free bikes) is something that the government needs to spearhead and I don't really see them caring. Just my 2c...

Sorry for the multiple posts guys @Big H - just did a quick conversion on XE.com but YMMV

329.99 from CRC so with today's exchange that's about R5,100 (plus VAT) which seems a bit steep since the Advanced Mechanic Kit is only R3,700 for 4 fewer tools and a plastic box instead of a bag. I like the idea but I'll stick with my 10 year old park toolbox and workbench for now. You want the best tools, you have to pay for them

329.99 from CRC so with today's exchange that's about R5,100 (plus VAT) which seems a bit steep since the Advanced Mechanic Kit is only R3,700 for 4 fewer tools and a plastic box instead of a bag. I like the idea but I'll stick with my 10 year old park toolbox and workbench for now. You want the best tools, you have to pay for them

329.99 from CRC so with today's exchange that's about R5,100 (plus VAT) which seems a bit steep since the Advanced Mechanic Kit is only R3,700 for 4 fewer tools and a plastic box instead of a bag. I like the idea but I'll stick with my 10 year old park toolbox and workbench for now. You want the best tools, you have to pay for them

I'm having a hell of a time figuring out what size bolts are in an Easton EA50 Stem. I actually have the stem but cannot figure out how to measure the bolts properly - I know it's the diameter but my tape measure's a bit worn and I don't want to buy the wrong replacement bolts. Any ideas - M4, M5, M6?

I'm assuming you are referring to the mounting of the actual brake and not the disc (XTR splined etc.)? If so then you probably purchased an IS mount brake and not the post mount brake that the Manitou needs. The following should work for you: http://www.starbike.com/php/product_info.php?lang=en&pid=7169 not sure of a local source. If possible I'd try to swap the brakes you got for a post mount as adding adapters just gets annoying. Hope that helps with your question. vaulter12008-09-15 13:22:02

Bike 1: Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA Bike 2: Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA Bike 3: Golden, Colorado, USA Not to sound elitist but it does feel nice to know you're supporting the "local" builders/fabricators (and yes they are local for me!) instead of an Asian conglomerate. Now any of you downhillers riding a Morewood - Bonus points!

Anyone in need of a road bike check this one out (no it's not my ad): http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-sports-bicycles-fitness-2007-Specialized-Full-Carbon-Fiber-Road-Racing-Bike-Dura-W0QQAdIdZ72087787 I wish I were in the Capetown area right now vaulter12008-09-04 00:06:01

@XTC OKE: Don't know a local source but a group buy from here: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.aspx?Search=straitline+lever&x=0&y=0 would work out to just under R700 for a pair with free shipping... @singletrackmind: Looks like they do - Formula Oro is the third one down on the page attached