El Scorcho

I'm running Ardents front and rear, awesome tyres. Not the best in mud though.

Westdene Cycles have the best prices in JHB in my experience. For service and honest advice, I don't really know, I've had good experience with Solomon's and Northcliff Cycles. Not really sure which is best from a complete beginner's point of view.

Cheapest new bike with an air fork that I could find was the Momsen AL651 Air (~R7200): - 650b - Suntour XCR air fork - Tektro hydraulic brakes - Acera/SLX groupset If 5k is your budget then you have to go second hand.

Yep, as I suspected - the top cap was too close to the steerer - got some extra spacers (and advice) from DaddyG and it's all sorted. Thanks to everyone that gave feedback!

I've been doing some reading and I think I'm going to find that the distance between the top of the stem and the top of the steerer is not ideal. This is something I've never really looked at when adjusting.

Hmmm, thanks. I guess I have a few things to try when I get home, I should be swapping out spacers this week anyway so I'll try the other suggestions as well.

Where would the extra spacer go? Above the stem?

Cycles Online are cool - bought a pair of grips from them this week, good prices, prompt delivery.

Note that it was my first ever ride with cleats - so maybe not the pedals fault

They do say that the cleats will "break-in" after a few rides, I've got a pair of Candy 2's and had one slow topple over due to not being able to uncleat on my first ride, but it's definitely gotten easier over time.

Nope ;( Didn't help, I guess I'll take it in to the LBS tomorrow. Thanks.

I did loosen the stem completely before I tightened it - let me try putting a spacer above the stem.

Hi guys, Recently changed the bars and stem on my MTB - took it for a test ride today and something felt a little loose. When I got home I held the brakes and rocked the bike back and forth and noticed the headset moving a bit. So I tighten the bolt on the top cap, and try again, same thing. If I tighten this bolt any more I might strip it - any thoughts? Something I can fix myself or does it need to go in to the LBS? I have changed bars/stem on my other bike recently as well, I don't have a problem with that bike. Thanks...

If you're willing to drive a bit further, SBR Sport in Sunninghill do runner assessments.

Extreme Lights are good, as are the products they sell!

Try Maxxis Ardents - bulletproof, lots of grip, and faster rolling than you'd think. Not the greatest shedder of mud though.

I rode there on Wednesday, still muddy...

I was quoted R5850 for the AL651 by Westdene Cycles

http://www.racetime.co.za/_results/2014/RaceTime-KIA-OverTheMoon_3-Feb2014.pdf

Awesome ride last night, just enough mud to make it interesting, great fun. I see this becoming a regular event for me.

I hate the bottom straps, don't ever use them. The bag does bounce around annoyingly though, if I get any air.

I've only ever tried two - generic Sportman's Warehouse lube and Muc-Off. Muc-Off works about 50 000 000 times better.

I was a little skeptical before getting my tubeless conversion done, but it really is the answer. just do it.

I'm in for the 30km. Maybe some sunblock? You don't really need anything over what you usually would use on a ride (don't forget a multi tool and stuff to fix a flat tyre).

This