linnega

No competition. Cannondale CAAD5 was TDF quality alu frame. Trek 1000 series never had any quality.

http://www.whaspgel.com/whasp.html

I don't believe there will be any perceivable difference (or even measurable) in either aerodynamics or ride quality. The bladed spokes from Sapim are more durable according to tests done by Sapim (the Sapim CX-Rays are used on Campagnolo wheels): http://www.sapim.be/content/themes/img/Fatigue-test2.jpg

Same training schedule that I am doing although my short ride in is 30min and short home is 40min. Generally I extend the afternoon ride (Tues-Thurs) to about an hour to allow for harder interval and/or tempo riding. I find that riding easy on monday afternoon allows plenty of rest until the first hard session after the weekend (Tues afternoon). Also helps that although I sometimes do three hard days in a row, the rides are very short (50min to 1h15) so recovery is easy.

Material is only stainless steel and only from DT or Sapim. There are other materials, but these are only available from the manufacturers as complete wheels. As for builders, I haven't used anyone local for a while. There was an old geezer that used to build wheels for the pro teams when Dave Wiseman was a wrench, but I his shop closed. Used to be next to Peerless Cycles in the bad end of town. Last set I had built was at Shaun's shop (Power Cycles). Wheels have been good - still true and strong after 7 years. Most of the bike shops do build wheels - but you could just post up to Johan Bornman to build for you in Joburg.

BTW who do you want to build your wheels locallY?

Sapim CX rays are my choice generally. On the MTB has to be DT Revolutions (cause Sapim don't make the right length?) even if JB whines a bit about how difficult they are to build with. Never broken a CX Ray spoke. Broke a few DT Revolutions when I slammed the rear derailleur into the spokes. After the "rebuild" I had the new spoke break a couple times so sent to JB to build a new rear MTB wheel. No problems at all with that wheel.

Guess this is what happens when you have a meaningless logon: http://www.blomstervannerna.se/bilder/small.jpg

Heat buildup is only a problem if you plan on resting your leg on the rotor (Don't do it). Sintered pads last long and when you need to brake hard, the noise doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore. On one of the SA websites I saw it mentioned that sintered pads were "overkill for SA conditions", but all it takes is one very rainy and/or muddy day and your pads are screwed. I also assume he limited SA to Gauteng rather than somewhat wetter and muddier coastal towns and cities.

As a marketing example it doesn't even come close to USPS/LA/Trek. Bruce - probably right. Poor reputation American mass-producers to one of the most respected brands around. Fortunately the bikes have gotten better, but the real improvement pales in comparison to the quantum leap that Trek made in perception - particularly among big spending US buyers.

Its all about the moola...

I suppose that's the point. Jumping red lights is safer for me on my commute. Illegal is irrelevant - flashing red lights are also illegal, but like running red lights safety comes first. A prime example on my ride every morning. On NMR Avenue heading out of town, I usually catch the red lights at Jelf Taylor Crescent. By running that light when the cars from Jelf Taylor have cleared, I am able to turn into the next road before a stream of heavy traffic tries to overtake me, because there is a right turn light for the guys travelling the other way. If I wait until the light changes green, I am forced to clip in and deal with cars travelling between 60 and 100 kph in lanes that barely fit a car and bicycle. When a truck comes up behind me I move to the middle of the lane forcing them to change lanes as the lane cannot fit bike and truck. And for the record, you haven't ever seen me jump on the bandwagon someone dies on a bicycle. As tragic as it is, it is not related to this disucssion as most cycling deaths have been accidents - like being in a car, you could die on road.

By that logic a green light would imply that the intersection is safe which is obviously also not the case.

Credit Agricole have been with Look for a long time and Jean Delatour/Bouygues Telecom have been with Time for ages. A great marketing example is also B'Twin with Ag2R. They rode the Decathlon brand for a while, until Deacthlon decided to call their elite brand B'Twin. Much the same as MTN/Microsoft and Raleigh.

No - that's why you shouldn't jump a red light without looking first.

The road traffic regs don't specifically state that you can ride in the middle of the road. In fact they give no guidance. They simply state that all vehicles must keep left (ie in the left lane) and pass right, and that no vehicles may pass another in the same lane except pedal cycles (that may pass another pedal cycle) and motorbikes. The only roads that are not allowed to be ridden on are freeways which are defined by the access points (on- off-ramps only) and cannot have bus stops and other similar interference. Roads that have bus-stops, traffic lights, adjoining roads would all not be considered freeways and therefore vehicles with less than 50cc engines may use them.

Don't rarely have a problem with taxi's in general. Usually more couteous than other drivers.

As racist as it may seem, I have learned to be extra careful of Indian men of all ages. What the root cause is, I don't know. All I know is that there seems to be an additional aggressive gene there in a small minority. The aggressive behaviour is very similar to what you'd expect from pimply laaities that haven't grown up. I am often cut off in traffic. Most common is the left turning motorist - simple solution is to move to the middle of the lane and force the motorist to wait whether they are turning or not. Next most common is the guy that will pass you and then close the gap just before the next traffic light. Again solution is simple - just pass on the right.

He might be a moron' date=' but have you ever tried to tell a cop that? They ARE the law, period. And remember, (have to say this in Afrikaans, someone please translate this) die bewyslas l? by JOU. Hulle is altyd 2 en meer! [/quote'] Honestly, I have done so a few times. Mostly to friends that are not too much bigger than me, but also to cops that don't wear seatbelts, run red lights or speed in their killing machines. Often get a chance to chat about the example they are setting and people whose lives they put at risk when I am waiting for a traffic light to go green.

With all due respect (pun intended), thats garbage. Motorists do not and will not respect cyclists because our mere presence is inconvenient because roads are not designed with all vehicles in mind. You cannot change that by your actions. I do agree that you need to earn respect, and as soon as motorists as a group begin to earn my respect they may start to receive it. WW - you have it back to front. Pedal cycles are vehicles and therefore have a right to the road.

Ewep - the Metro cop you spoke to is a moron. A vehicle is defined as something that is propelled predominantly on wheels and has a driver. That would include all manner of motorised cars, motorbikes, donkey carts (which is why "predominantly" is included in the definition). The road regs refer to "pedal cycles" and "other vehicles" a few times as well confirming that bicycles are vehicles. The method of power (ie human, donkey, motorised or electric) has no bearing on the definition. Pedestrians have no right to be on the road at any time in terms of road regs, except at designated crossing points ie pedestrian crossings and traffic intersections. Obviously this is not always practical, but the notion that a pedestrian has a right is incorrect. As for the original debate about running traffic lights, I believe that if you want to stop at lights because of how motorists will perceive you, you are wasting your time. Motorists do not want cyclists on the road - their perception is already there and a few guys stopping at a traffic light will make no difference. Stop at traffic lights because it is the safest thing to do. If it is not the safest action then go through the traffic light.

Agree that visibility helps to an extent - but perhaps legalising the use of flashing lights would be the first step, before making them compulsory. Enforcement is not a problem - failure to use your light voids your insurance (and makes you personally liable for third party damages). Perhaps some strongly worded letters to the newspaper will help. My letter to the Tribune on Sunday seems to have helped a bit, but I'm sure it will be business as usual again in a few days.