Scooterza

Hey all I have a Giant Trance X2 that I bought 2nd hand with Alex Rims - cannot remember which ones but something basic. Have done a tubeless conversion but they are still pretty heavy. I am doing the Berg 'n Bush 3 day ride in October and want to upgrade my wheels. My riding partner has a specialised epic carbon 29" so in terms of gear, I am at a bit of a disadvantage and don't want to be holding things up so any benefit I can squeeze out of my bike makes sense. A friend suggested getting XTR Crest Olympics. I see there are other XTR's as well - podiums etc - for sale 2nd hand. I don't have a clue what wheels might be a good option to consider. I was even wondering if I ought to consider a 650B wheel? Would this fit my bike? Bad idea? I dunno! But here are some bits of info that might help. I weigh 75kg I tend to ride the spruit in JHB quite a bit, northern farms etc, some small jumps and technical stuff and so on but mostly marathon type riding I wouldn't want to spend much more than maybe R3000 Any suggestions as to good rims to get? What about hubs? Any brands to avoid? I want to start scanning the classifieds for new wheels in the next month or two.

Hey guys I have this Most FP carbon saddle (a rebranded Selle Italia) and want to pair it with a Crank Brothers seatpost (shown below). Will they work together? http://www.aeobicycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1742 http://www.aeobicycle.com/images/MOST_Panther_FP_Carbon_Saddle.jpg http://www.crankbrothers.com/seatposts_cobalt11.php http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/components/seat-post-or-seat-pin/1291303557735-11612l3qyexor-399-80.jpg

Anyone been to CS the last 48 hours? Any signs up or have they closed shop already?

Thanks for the tips!

Hey all, I have a I-Beam SDG saddle on my road bike that is not bad - but like many weekend riders, after 2 hours I have a sore ass. I don't notice much flex etc but it's just not great in my opinion. In a moment of weakness I bought a carbon panther MOST carbon saddle (rebranded Selle Italia) that was on special a while ago. Got home and that's when I discovered/remembered that my post doesn't take a standard railed saddle! Doh! Having already spent just under a grand on the saddle, I am loath to spend a lot more. http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6197/6098940544_54d97e078a_z.jpg So now I am trying to decide if I will notice a big difference by forking out the R1500 odd to get a carbon seatpost or if I can get something like this: http://bicicletta.myshopify.com/collections/seat-posts/products/ritchey-wcs-offset-wet-white-seat-post-1-bolt If it's gonna make a world of difference, would rather fork over the extra R1K for a carbon post but if it's gonna make a 2% difference, I won't notice. What do you guys think?

Those Giants are very common (not cool) which means parts are easy to come by (cool). Prices are also not too bad. Can't really comment on the other bikes.

Whe ah da peektahs?

Anyone know if these things work on Android? I see lots of talk about iPhone but nothing about other OS's. Also, anyone know how long the CR2032 battery lasts? Those batteries are not cheap if you have to replace regularly.

Here's my baby. Not the most expensive bike around but I love her. She is a rich red - the photo doesn't do the colour justice. Not too sure of the year - 2006? Still in excellent shape - like to keep her running smoothly. Here's a slightly better pic.

Agreed and furthermore, some poor schmuck MIGHT have bought fake bars. In fact, I was surprised by the relatively muted comments (compared to usual "hub" style ). Nobody was flaming the seller or telling him where to get off. It was simply a query - are these fake? What the buyer SHOULD have done is reply in a "non-defensive" way and say that in fact they are real and give evidence. That would have made this whole thing go away. That's what I would have done. Hennie - by all means feel free to point out "suspicious" looking goods in future. There is so much of this going around and you might get some instances where a genuine item is labelled as dubious but rather safe than sorry.

Had a great ride this morning. Sorry nobody was there with me but the route proposed wasn't too bad. Peter Road was a bit dicey. The rest were fine. The mist was cool (figuratively and literally) but not great for visibility. http://www.strava.com/activities/98558220

Sounds like it could be good. Might be nice to vary it and perhaps try both routes proposed. I am only nervous about the lovely drivers that we share the roads with!

Grrr! Makes my blood boil. If you want to make your own home a mess, by all means go for it. But some (many) people are so selfish, they think nothing of taking a spot that they felt pretty enough to picnic at and ruining it for everyone who comes afterwards! Who would stop and picnic there now? I just wish I could get those people back and FORCE them to clean up. If only the world was always fair and good! I always chirp when I see it happening. Doesn't often help but MAYBE the ^%&%& will take a moment next time and engage their brains.

Let's talk specifics - what routes do people think would work? Could do out on Ysterhout, left on Christiaan de Wet, out to Hendrik Potgieter, over that road (I hear that road is dangerous) onto Paul Kruger, Nic Diedericks etc? When? Wednesday mornings are good for me. Afternoons are out. I could do weekends though frankly, would rather ride further out of JHB if I have the time as is usually the case on weekends.

Good suggestion. But for me the biggest need I have is help with a short list of the top few bikes to think of getting. I think there's only a small chance I might convert to 650B but if there are perhaps 2 bikes in the final shortlist that I really like and the one can convert, that will clinch it.

Thanks DJ84, I actually have the Lector in my sights.

Hi guys, I am on the hunt for a new MTB bike. My Merida Matts is seriously long in the tooth and needs to be retired to doing less of this: and more things like this: I know a bit about bikes but to be honest, the world of MTB is confusing to me. Airshock, Rock Shok, Manitou, RP23, Scott Spark, Scott Scale, Giant Anthem, Giant Trance, Merida, Santa Cruz, All Mountain, Cross Country blah blah etc. So here's what I do know: RIDING STYLE - mostly 20 to 50k's, with the odd 80km distance thrown in. Multi-day racing MAY happen but not often. Mostly it's a Saturday morning ride. I ride the Braamfontein Spruit, Northern Farms, Single Track where possible. Enjoy doing small jumps and riding tricky lines over roots and rocks, up steep hills with a sharp turn at the top etc. I do race, but not to win - I race to enjoy pushing myself. And it's not often either. BUDGET - Whilst I don't have a 100% fixed budget, I don't want to go much beyond R10K and preferably more like R8000. If I find the absolutely perfect bike at R12K, I will find the money. But R25K is not possible. BIKE WHEEL SIZE - As I see it, a 26" bike offers so much better value in the price range I am working in. I am 38 years old and so a full suspension makes sense to me. Might be nice to get a bike that COULD be converted to 650B later. For the guys who understand what's what, can anyone suggest a few bikes to look out for? What are the great bikes from the last 3 years or so that might be worth looking out for. Eg it seems the Giant Trance range is considered a good option. There are just so many bikes and I don't have time to drive all over Gauteng test riding them all, so if I could just shorten the list to a few bikes, that would really help me out. Appreciate your input! Cheers

Any other comments? Really appreciate any feedback!

Agteros, I live in Randpark (not Randpark Ridge) and I would be interested. Not sure about every week! My neighbour is a fanatic rider and often rides. He is super strong and I know he does ride with others. I am a 26km/hr rider - maybe 27 at a push (or in a week or three). But yes, I would be interested! Might have to motivate myself a bit to get up that early - eish! What route? Not sure what E2E means.

Thanks Richie! Thanks for your input!

Hey all, I am about to step into the world of dual suspension having ridden my Merida hardtail for the last 5 years. I am on a budget of around R8K (could stretch a bit) So I am weighing up a few bikes: 2009 Giant Anthem for R6.5K http://www.gumtree.co.za/cp-sports-bicycles-fitness-in-bryanston/giant-anthem-x1-544675927 These giants seem very popular and get good reviews. ?2009 Gary Fisher Hifi Deluxe (front shock needs a service). for R8K https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/69822-gary-fisher-hifi-deluxe-19-large-26er/ 2007 Santa Cruz Superlight for R10K https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/65189-santa-cruz-superlight/ (Worried this is quite old but like getting a bike that is less commonplace) Ghost Lector for R10K https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/67451-carbon-ghost-lector-7400-26er-in-great-condition/ Based on the front chainring, bike has done some work. Any thoughts or opinions on these? Should I run a mile from any? I am 5'11" so on the cusp of medium/large frame. I tend to ride trail rides, single day events, riding along the spruit and northern farms - that type of thing. I do enjoy jumping (nothing hectic) and tackling the trickier technical bits. Any input is appreciated. I hope to ride both shortly.

Well that's pretty impressive. You made sub 3 by a country mile!

Jeez - Top Billing and Jeanie D especially but basically the whole show gives me a rash! Wow! Talk about annoying. Bunch of LOMBARDS (Lots of money but a real d*&s). I detest that show!

Don't they say that a good starting point is 30% off the new price and then 10% per year thereafter. So if it's a 2012 bike that sold for R13K, it would be: Less 30% R9100 Add in perhaps R1000 for extras (I am afraid I don't know what the add ons would be worth) But then there's the hectic drop in value of 26" bikes. Bikes are dropping in value like mad. My guess would be around R8K to R9K.

I would agree that in this situation, simply joining is not cool. But a guy belting it in TT position riding solo - hooking onto his wheel for a few k's - is there really a chance for a little "hey how you doing? My name's Mark...Cavendish"?