XCnewbie

Stans NoTubes list the following maximum recommended rider weights for their complete ZTR wheelsets (i.e. built on Stans hubs with their specified spokes in their controlled conditions): Crest: 86kg Arch EX: 104kg Flow EX: 113kg This presumably factors in things like some spokes losing tension, rim profile damage, impact loading during obstacle impacts etc. However even the best rim and hub can be built into a useless wheel by a bad wheel builder - spoke quality and tension is the most significant contributor to the wheel strength, as far as I can tell. The Crest, Arch EX and Flow EX have increasing internal widths (which adds strength), but another benefit of having a wide rim is that the same tyre will develop a wider contact patch on a wider rim than a narrower one. So instead of using a 2.4" wide tyre on a Crest, a 2.1" tyre on a Flow EX would probably result in a similar contact patch, with the advantage being that the wider rim is lighter than the wider tyre (especially in the case of a tubeless tyre). I am 94kg and ride Arch EX rims on SLX hubs - rock solid so far. If you are worried about being close to the limit, go up to a wider (stronger) rim - nothing like a rim folding underneath you to ruin a perfectly good set of teeth ...

Ya, they did a lot of different types of scans on the area before they let me leave the hospital, including a scan on the operating table after I went under to make sure I wouldn't bleed out when they removed the lever (I got to see the ultrasound with all of the arteries and veins pulsing later in the week). They said I was very lucky to miss all the blood vessels in that area and only have soft tissue damage. Even though it went through muscle, there was no real damage internally because it was a clean puncture as opposed to tearing.

I had an almost identical injury during a training ride at Northern Farm in January this year - rider fatigue (exhaustion) was mostly to blame in my case, was riding a longer distance than I could manage (trying to build up fitness after fracturing my left wrist in August 2013 also on a training ride which had me off the bike for almost 4 months) and wasn't concentrating on the singletrack. Managed to hit a large enough rock at a slow enough speed at a sufficient angle to whip the handlebar to the right as I sailed OTB, catching the brake lever (Tekro Draco) in about the same place in my right thigh as shown in the OP at enough speed to pierce all the way to the pivot. The rest of my week from there went a bit like this: 2 hours lying immobile in the sun to prevent spurts of blood from escaping the wound with my right leg suspended so as to not put pressure on the handlebar between my legs while my mates stripped the entire bike down as far as possible - not pleasant (wished for hinged brake mount!!). Another 2 hours to get into the ambulance and from furtherest point of Black route to Fourways Life, while travelling very slowly over the farm access roads until exiting the farm - wasn't a happy chappy by the time I got to A&E. 2 more hours until I got into surgery while the doctors and nurses discussed what scans could be done with the patient on a scoop stretcher with a steel handlebar between his legs, and new staff kept on tugging on or bumping the handlebar before realising it was still attached - serious sense of humour failure. 3 days in ICU after surgery with drain due to risk of infection. Another 2 days in general ward after drain was removed and open dressing started. 6 weeks of changing open wound dressing at home daily to allow the hole to close naturally while expelling any nasties (I owe my wife big time - sorry babe). Back on the bike now - apart from the scar, no issues. Pic below on day 3 just after removing the drain and cleaning up the area (excuse the spilt saline on my sheet cover). NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW

Some interesting reading: http://www.helmets.org/bicyclingmag1305.htm And the Bicycling magazine article they are referring to (for those who missed it last year): http://www.bicycling.com/senseless/index.html?cm_mmc=Google-_-Bicycling-_-Content-Story-_-helmets-senseless

I am seriously considering buying the 2013 Momsen X-AL because of it's really good spec (see below - apologies for the formatting) in relation to price, but I am apprehensive because none of the distributors have stock to test out. Basically I need to commit to a 50% deposit just to see it .... Frame: Race Tech SLA -Alloy 7000 Butted Tubeset - Internal Routing -Formed Tubing - PressFit BB - 142 x 12 Thru-Axle Rear Fork: RockShox SID RL 15mm Thru-Axle - 100mm Chainwheel: SRAM X9 44/32/22T Bottom Bracket: SRAM GXP PressFit F. Derailleur: SRAM X9 R. Derailleur: SRAM X9 Type 2 10 Speed Shifter: SRAM X9 Ball Bearing Trigger Brake Levers: Avid Elixir 7 Carbon Brakes: 170 Fr /160 Rr Cassette: SRAM PG1070 - 11-36T Rims: Sun Ringle Inferno 27 - 32H Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph SNAKESKIN Tubeless 29 x 2.25 Pedals: Nil Handlebar: Alloy Flat Top 29er - 680mm - 31.8mm Oversize Stem: Alloy 3D Forged Superlight - 31.8mm Oversize Seatpost: Alloy 3D Forged 31.6 Seat: Fizik GOBI XM Headset: FSA No 42 Alloy Taper Colors: Matte Black w/Red Details Chain: KMC 10 Speed Hubset: SRAM X9 15mm Fr - SRAM X9 142 x 12 Rr - 32h Spokes: Stainless Butted with Alloy Nipples Grips: Silicone Race Weight: 11.73kg ( X-Large, without pedals) Has anybody bought one of these or heard anything about it? I know that the brakes and rims aren't the greatest, but I should be able to manage - any other boegies in the spec that I should watch out for? I have also read that the rims aren't the easiest to get tyres to seat onto in a tubeless conversion either .... Thanks for your comments!

Thank you again so much for strapping my fractured radius on the trail and for those ice packs from your car to keep the swelling down for the drive to the hospital - casualty staff were very impressed with how well my wrist was stabilised when I arrived. Without your help, the fracture could easily have displaced which would have meant surgery etc. I consider myself very lucky to only be in a shoulder-to-hand cast for 6 weeks. You guys were the ultimate Good Samaritans, from your caring attitudes to your medical preparedness, and for that I am extremely grateful. Sincerely, the novice MTBer who unexpectedly and spectacularly ran out of talent on one of the easiest parts of the trail.