Fleming

Before you all jump down my throat, I know the date is wrong in the picture.

I have a Animal W001 that I got some time in the 90's. I changed the Velcro strap for a metal one. Its pretty old, serial number 76. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/2011-11-22185326.jpg

A few shots from the VW Rally in PE this weekend. http://api.ning.com/files/g97fKpliHYB9jV8kqSk4-6sDRYjzIyXA9DjI30SxiLzyFyd2lCdeFcbZuXw4-lapdVoFSlPpg8LncoTCpOCiw6y9d09hYJBf/P7150265Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=463 http://api.ning.com/files/fXFjcZ9Zq7jY4uJZ8ls2uHCAvNXiOfTp1MA**jhYFd2m7y3JrzkxfqeS*8Esx4vAIoIBi-HxfohaARNab4N0zetG8UOJFrMN/P7150248Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=403 http://api.ning.com/files/BHlm3PeJfSaVoOggTxpypp5utq3ApEMgdRcFroG*kJKobkSFjsK1u1jaXdpul4gRYQxivizxwG2vYsr6MInmhJ1vfyBeQCY5/P7150290Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=453 http://api.ning.com/files/j9Jw9axSds3-YAxtvrxQ*lcOJhIMueRANEjFudO-ovF9HBVo0xjJ2iHncoVHHr*Tj6bY*QsDWocZpPHY26TS3Y2BZ-HH4rnv/P7150276Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=425 http://api.ning.com/files/fe*uqyi2aC6GPGXsm2l0WLl71t1g8bLM400iM5iWXQXUYkbRd8iylM*ZqmaxTc3wqPxMgxjN0xJCbuXDfMTMhMl4s6YuJEfg/P7150277Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=441 http://api.ning.com/files/rkHsAJAEvaJKDk*I3NrhHu182BdhpH6BkBJc2jgvSrsv*W8XxH-2422NpkPqOL0QFYIm7KLh3jVjmb*yipcM*IdHiAXCls5-/P7150301Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=568 http://api.ning.com/files/UaMwke8y1GCmQ*NgF9bFtrTPIABT1ACMNUwujolVja-Hy5NsUk68ZFFR2EnfLJQ4jZ0XJjEnuroI3J7EaxDEAkIzpvkv*MBH/P7150304Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=454 http://api.ning.com/files/YpL8ZRordOloH3b-5Zhb1MbW7k425DngKWJRojdcSdOOO5wRXHR3Qfc41RbwfiED0XRw-4kHubD5JbHY2PVa57TCYyfvlhHw/P7150340.jpg?width=737&height=461

Thanks. The bike came with a 27.2mm post with a shim taking it up to 30.8mm (or 30.9mm, cant remember)which made me a little nervous. Apparently it came like that from the factory which just seems dumb. I changed it straight away to a thicker one and threw out the shim. Havent had any problems and I weigh a little under 90kg.

Another Pano from Shark Rock Pier in PE http://api.ning.com/files/AzPxeYo82iSlEJRL7*8nmrosRcQdvIglhaIul4vcD4Pmv8iDOYCXfTti1A3md-jV3MYL4N3HO46ZInz8wfYZ6x81dIAPcb0n/Untitled_Panorama1Web.jpg?width=737&height=233 An HDR of Gamtoos Valley http://api.ning.com/files/XojZDVmuyYkJGdHwhzIOTkGgS34ubvbiswP2QCQh9-OgTi1CpKZMxzRCOtZzke*H/_7243872_3_4_5_6.jpg?width=461&height=600 Another from Gamtoos http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/Sunset1.jpg Something from a airshow a while ago, I have no idea what plane it ishttp://api.ning.com/files/eLhsOgT7mGSIAorOK93H3DyT6YWXM2l1uVcPrA29*X0u9Y3eGWMU9nLLMgZ7K6LvVOQUJmJ8LoSjHxxvT8GfjHlfDB8kiusk/Airshow.jpg?width=737&height=451 One from another airshow http://api.ning.com/files/kagHXlQMOowj7j3wdDI7ZS-pYiFC0mFs0RPuhvkksWgu2xzZ*ydL0SMigatI8hlm/PA250688Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=564

This is my ride. The name says it all: "Giant AC". I love this bike, they should never have stopped making them. People have used these bikes for everything from full on DH with triple clamp forks to XC. Depending on the model the travel was adjustable from around 4.5 inches to 6.7 inches(mine only has 5.3 or 6.7 though) This bike was given to me by a friend who moved overseas and couldnt take it with. It weighed 17kg's and felt like a trampoline with its giant branded rear shock and cheap Manitou 150mm travel fork. I replaced all the parts with parts from my GT Zaskar and bought a second hand Manitou rear shock. The SPV platform makes a huge difference to pedaling efficiency. Currently the rear is set to 5.3 inches travel but I am looking upgrade to a longer travel fork and will then increase the rear travel to 6.7 inches. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/P6050116.jpg http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/P6050118.jpg

Some wildlife pics: http://api.ning.com/files/An6JLLgbWyun8Ek0U7v5quYBKhGPQPPcLF3H46ZpHq2Q48fZJuqaYDvvt4a93yKV/PA177606mod1web.jpg?width=737&height=552 http://api.ning.com/files/T6cajD7HTurKeU5ZxMYIPgaRO9S5-Y-fEofj97yGYMnqSeKObc4-xGMXadsVPe*i/PA177557mod1web.jpg?width=737&height=597 http://api.ning.com/files/DmdcU*3gaprZTCeOJ750inFGPRx5oW8zqv7MKP71gCCpuDO97v1O1DF0GsHCS3Zh/_7053817Mod1.jpg?width=465&height=600 http://api.ning.com/files/7wNJnrB5YotFBb0atPSEy9ndcldtdbfvXWGXZYaA2OkcZGioO7LgPXzfTejNOxZK/_1065361Mod1.jpg?width=737&height=566

Panorama from Shark Rock Pier in PE: http://api.ning.com/files/q456gdXhQaogVEv9faWt7WQmOLFh6jcsEMyWsyB14Wdw*5g*c*1luFiX*e-bT9v-/Untitled_Panorama2web.jpg?width=737&height=243 Made this from over 40 individual images that were taken with a tripod during a lightning storm. The images were "stacked" using software afterwards: http://api.ning.com/files/cgte-IjRrJXGHutqQa09yffjV7iLyu5QyXde-RPOZGevK5OUHclBBc-BPgvl9WdO5yTjNH*L-hYrasFzpmNgCb6LtavZpJtS/RainingLight.jpg?width=737&height=439

Very nice. I wish I had never sold my old Kona. Best hardtails ever.

Bike sizing is pretty difficult and a science that I don't profess to know anything about. I am 1.82m tall and used to ride a large which according to the bike manufacturers web site was right for me but I was never comfortable on the bike. I now ride a medium with a longer seatpost and a shortish 90mm stem and the bike feels great. It feels like an extension of my own body. Perhaps I am a freak with long legs and a short upper body but it works for me. You will also find that not all manufacturers size their bikes the same way. One manufacturers large may be similar to another manufacturers medium. All I am saying is that if you like the bike it may be worth taking it for a test ride before making your decision but only buy it if you are 100% sure because riding a bike that you are uncomfortable on really takes the pleasure out of cycling.

Leg hair keeps mosquitoes away. Why shave it and risk the itchies?

On my old 2000 model Trek 32-15 worked perfectly with no tensioner. Havent found a perfect ratio for my curent SS that I am also comfortable riding.

I havent cycled without a camelback in about 12 years. You guys are making me wanna try bottles again.

I am sorry but I have to ask. How can removing these allow the fork to go out of alignment? Both lower legs and the arch are cast as one piece. They can not go out of alignment unless they crack. The studs only purpose on this fork is to give you a place to mount the brakes. Perhaps you had a fork like the early model Judy's where the legs, and arch were bolted together and the stud acted as bolt holding the whole lot together.

Only time I feel it is fair to comment about the price on someones for sale post, whether by PM or otherwise, is if you are interested in purchasing the item. If you are not interested, then stay out of it. If the seller thinks the item is worth x amount, who are you to tell him otherwise. If the price is too high the item wont sell and the seller will decide to either keep the item or lower the price. Some people said they feel they need to protect those less knowledgeable from being ripped off. I don't buy that. The only reason you buy something secondhand is because it is cheaper than you could get the same thing new for. You generally have a good idea what the thing will cost new and if you dont, you do a bit of research. If you get ripped off by buying something secondhand its your own fault. Who here has actually been ripped off, price wise, on the hub. I think the number of people will be very small.

Will work with the front derailler but not the back. The SRAM rear shifter pulls more cable per click than the shimano ones do.

I thought that too but here is a pic of the LX derailer on the bike that I just cannot get to work. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/P1078688.jpg

Let me start by saying that generally I am pretty competent at doing most things on the bike and have been servicing my own bikes for at least 15 years. Until a short while ago I had a 2008 LX rear derailer on my bike that I have never been able to get the shifting 100% right on. No matter what I have tried it always battled on either the upshift or downshift and a little mud would completely throw it out. I know its the derailer because I have tried 2 sets of shifters and its been the same. I have also checked and neither the derailer nor the hanger is bent. Earlier I was trying again to adjust and thought screw it. I have a worn out 2000 model XT derailer in a box somewhere. I am gonna try that. I fitted it and first thing that I saw was how bent the thing is. No matter, a few minutes later and my gears were smoother than they had ever been with the LX. I cant believe it, the thing is so bent it just shouldnt work but it just does and it does it so well. Below is a picture showing how bent the XT derailer is. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/P1078680.jpg

Of coarse not. I will be in a silver VW Polo with a dark green Giant AC.

If anyone is interested I am going for a ride in the Baakens Valley tomorrow morning, probably around 25km. Leaving from the Elliot Center at 7:30. Anyone looking for a ride is welcome to join. reply to this post if you keen.

Finally got my ass into gear and made something myself. Its kinda crude and weighs a ton as its made from mild steel but at least it is plenty strong. Not worried about weight on this bike. Been testing it and so far it works great. Now it needs to be cleaned up and painted. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/P1028671.jpg

I would like to see this test done again but instead of going up a fairly long hill, rather do say a 100m sprint from a low speed. SteveCT said it himself in his initial post, the lighter wheels accelerate quicker. Once you are up to speed it shouldnt matter where the weight is on the bike, especially going up a hill where your speed should be relatively low.

My Ride. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PB288109.jpg http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PB288111.jpg http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PB288121.jpg http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PB288118.jpg

I quite like it but am not wild about the curved downtube. Makes the bike look like it has a beer belly or is pregnant. A straight tube would look much better.

Honestly, I would stick with the LX. Sure, the SLX is nicer but the old LX stuff certainly wasnt bad. It was actually quite good. I have a bike that is still using a set of 2000 LX shifters and never misses a shift. I would rather spend the money on upgrading other areas of the bike where you will notice the performance improvement. I dont know what bike you have but if it doesn't have hydraulic disc brakes that would be the first place I would look at upgrading.