Cornerz

Cos then you won't know if your shock needs a service

Worst that will happen is you'll have some oil leaking out your front shock - which it shouldn't - so if it does - get it serviced!

Thanks everyone for the feedback - seems like a solid deal. Can slowly upgrade parts as and when budget allows. Thanks!

http://merida-bikes.com/en_za/bike/2013/30/Full+Suspension/Big+Ninety-Nine+XT-M Hi guys, Does anyone have any specific issues with the bike above? Any similarly priced (mid 20K) alternatives? Thanks.

Thanks Flowta, it would seem that new frames are coming out with a 135mm dropout... not sure when that happened, but appears to be the case. Any opinon of flexing my aluminium frame by 5mm to squeeze the wheel in? Waiting on the agents to get back to me.

Thanks Flowta, so should i be concerned that a brand new Ksyrium *road* wheelset has a 135mm width?

As an alternative, can anyone with a relatively current frame, check what their rear dropout width is (inner face to inner face of frame). I can't find any reference to 135mm being a standard width. Thanks guys, Cheers.

Hi guys, I have just arrived home with a shiny Mavic Ksyrium Elite S wheelset. Just one problem - they are designed for a 135mm wide rear dropout, not my 130mm wide setup. Do i need a different axle (with a narrower spacer on the NDS) or is there a spacer somewhere that I can remove. Thanks, Cheers

Hi All, For all those still interested, I was the muggee... I saw a skinny looking guy (probably early 20's or late teens) quite near the bottom left hand hairpin just before the long first climb. He was just standing playing with his cell phone. I then headed off on the single track on the right hand side and by the time i came off at the top end, he was walking up just behind me so i was already on guard. He then started jogging up alongside me as I went left at the fork. I was extremely suspicious so was ready when he suddenly made a run at me to push me off my bike. I then grabbed him as he tried to push me, and punched him as hard as I could in the face, catching him just above his left eye. He then started to try and pull away from me. I tried to knee him in the face as well, but I don't think i really connected with him. By this time he was crying out for me to let him go. I pushed him away from me and he went running down the road, and cut down onto the hiking track. Lessons learned: Be suspicious of people that look out of place. I was very lucky that he was apparently unarmed If you're going to defend yourself, make sure you throw the first punch, and make it a good one If you see a young skinny guy with a black eye... punch the other one for me. Happy riding everyone...