lone one

Stunning -

Erratic is a good thing - keeps you awake at that time of the morning Lately the pace has been unforgiving

Seen you on the e2e ride in the mornings (some times!!) the spray work looks good

If you so lazy then - Proudly, this was a blank frame and wheels. with my own designed paint work!Now do yourself a favor and look through the thread

thanks for the clarity! everyone to there own. - I must admit however your bike looks insanely cool

It can be if you wish it to be, however then you should be going the full hog so you can pull it off. A bike of that status should be running Sram Red or Di2 not an ultegra set. Personally i don't believe in counterfeits - however i know ALOT of other riders who have no problem with it. If it is fake, then just say it is my 2 cents

Is that an original S-works frame or a Chinese frame with s-works decals

if you are entering the sport and "worried the novelty will wear off" why not look around for a good second hand bike. You will get a much better equipped bike for that price range, or could even be left with a bit left over for the kit needed

Bought mine from HongFu - I have the 56mm Aero Rims which are the new 27mm wide profile. They not shown on the hongfu site, go view them on the UAMcycling website (its the same company as Hongfu) As i ordered mine without the UAM decals (you do pay less for this), they didn't ship the rim tape, skewers and brake pads as highlighted on the site. The saving on the initial cost off set this expense however. I had a problem with my front rim - it split quite badly - it was either a manufacturing problem or i can only assume it was the cars exhaust that melted the resin and led to the split. I had them for about 2 weeks, i sent a picture to HongFu and within 24 hours a replacement rim was in the post at no cost. I had to pay for the duty and the wheel rebuild though.(total +-R500) so not that bad if indeed it was due to my fault - but i appreciated the non hassle and customer service. From a ride perspective, they ride amazingly. They are stiff a little twitchy (but you get use to it) If the wind it blowing from the side, you can feel it pushing the wheels - but guess most deep suctions would suffer a similar effect. If i am completely honest and started over, I would have probably gone for the 40mm but still overall - i love riding on them and can 100% recommend them

Def go second hand, dont even consider new - if you can get a 29er good, 26er will serve you well however - I still thoroughly enjoy my 26er!! Shop around there are some very good deals out there (and on the hub) - esp on 26er's The kit adds up quickly - I have listed in priority the kit: - Helmet shop around you can get some good deals - (remember it is your head you protecting though!) +-R1000 - Saddle bag (if you going this route), Co2 bombs and adapter, spare tubes and tire levers - if you going saddle bag, stay away from the bags which only hold on with Velcro, slightest bit of mud and it will not hold. - +-R500 - Water bottle - get a good one, the cheap ones ALWAYS leak!! - or go with a camelbak if the budget allows - Bib pants - you can get normal riding shorts, however personally i find bibs alot more comfortable on long rides. I have found good value in anatomic or first assent - reasonable value for money. +-R700 for bibs - shoes/cleats/pedals - same thing shop around you get some descent shoes for under R1k cleats are about +-R100 (you need to make sure these are compatible with your pedals) - Shirt - i descent riding shirt makes a more comfortable ride - again anatomic, first assent, cape storm +-R500 Just the above is close to R4000 - so i strongly suggest get some good advice and make sure you buy right the first time around (this certainly dosent mean you need the most expensive). Suggest you buy the most expensive bike you can afford after taking the kits needs into account - its gets very expensive if you start wanting to change bikes

As much as all goods and services are affected by macro economic factors, Perishables realize these factors alot quicker into the market. So fluctuations in the rate of exchanges, supply and demand of farming pesticides, changes in seasonal climates which affect different factors of each items pipeline all play an immediate roll in the selling price. The fact some of these increased have been realized over the festive season is just unfortunately a timing issue, RSPs are handled via head office but the labour cost and disruption to reticket existing stocks in stores over a festive period is highly unlikely to happen - should new merchandise be delivered and a price increase is negotiated then the existing merchandise will be repriced, again some what unlikely over a festive season. Smaller non national retailers and small restaurants do def take a chance to capitalize on the holidays as it is easier for them to implement and control. Expect to see: Big increase in chicken prices -goverment is clamping down on imported chickens Increase in maze prices (this has a wide affect on many things) - late rains across the region have delayed planting Imported merchandise - especially out of asia is going increase rapidly as of feb, fex covers were bought at premiums compared to summer inputs and a big shift in RMB currency to US has impacted negatively. Winter last year on this winter coming - expect nothing less than an average of 25-35% increase in selling price This current summer on this coming winter nothing less then 10-15% @best The affects of etolls haven't even started to be felt on retailers! I am not in anyway posting this on behalf WW or any other national retailer! (Just have a small understanding of the market) If anyone wants to buy bike goodies do it before mid jan/feb - prices ain't going to be going down - however keep your eyes open as i suspect there is going to be alot of promotion activities across the board

I am keen, been a very lazy holiday and added a few kgs so need to. Ill only be back in jhb on the first, so maybe the 2nd and 3rd

very, nice! Where did you get this

yip thanks already entered the race on sunday, you doing it?

In Sedgefield till monday morning, anyone here and know some good routes to ride?

I can back Hong-Fu - Did my road bike frame and wheels through them. Service was excellent, had a problem with my front carbon clincher, sent a photo explained the problem within a day or two replacement rim was in the post to me at no cost.

I have not come across a co-op set as highlighted in these posts - HOWEVER i have many a time had to mission to find a LBS to assist with fixing small things on my bikes (transferring/replacing - cassettes, BB's etc) I can fix most things on the bikes, but the cost of some of the specialized tools often leads me on this mission. I see a multiple benefit for many of us out of this co-op set up and if other see this to, i suggest we start putting something together - thoughts??

Look through the Chinese Carbon thread - it will answer 90% of your questions

Normally about 10-14 days. My experience the delays are normally more on the SA customs side and then the post office.

With a budget of 10 to 15k you can pick up a reasonable new bike and probably quite a good second hand one. Look around don't rush into it - and make sure it is the right size to start with, pointless getting a good bargain but the size is incorrect. You many need to keep a little spare cash for shoes

with out any Vaseline

Specialized Turbo Pro's!! Not sure if you can buy them locally though.

we got a small group of hubbers on a whatapp group which all started in the same bunch, we met a few of them at the beginning. It was good company in the start chutes and enjoyed riding together - for a while.

Finally ready!

What time are all of you all planning on getting to the chutes? - i am keen to get to the front of the E bunchPM you numbers and ill start a whatsup group to keep in contact - i see the K group is doing so