Nell Kirsten

hi all - I have a 2013 Momsen AL329 with a SRAM S800 triple chain set in front. I want to remove this and convert to a 1 x 34T oval chain ring in front. My current cassette is a SRAM PG1030 – 11-36T and I want to know which way I should go to try and do this conversion for as economical as possible. Im looking at a 1x11 conversion but Im not too sure about how to go about this and what other specs I should be looking at. This is really a stage by stage build as I cannot afford the top of the range components, but my riding has come to a level where I need to upgrade but cannot afford a new or even a second hand decent MTB. Some help from you guys will be greatly appreciated. kind regards and reading attentively on all responses...

I've found myself in a spot where I am able to import frames and bikes from mainland China at cheaper than normal shipping rates. I am a big activist for anti-fake bikes, so my willingness goes as far as to do only no name, unbranded carbon bikes and frames. The only brand names I will do is the Yoeleo wheel sets and registered trade companies like Yava bikes, BKR etc. Would anyone be interested in something like this? Shipping would be around R600 from there to here with a 5% charge on duty for complete bikes, 0% duty on frames and the normal RSA Vat charge. I will take a handling fee. I have done quite a bit of research on this topic and I can honestly not find any fault or dodgy manufacturing with the companies that I have dealt with RE the no name brand frames. I have personally ridden on some FM 206 and FM029's and they feel amazing. Go and look at some forums and youtube vids. Im still sceptical of riding a chinarello or a fake Trek, but just cause they take the piss of the companies doing the hard work. if you know you want to spend R40K+ on a bike, then I would advise going for the original... just a newbie looking for lightweight bike?... why not an unbranded one rather for half the price? Would anyone be interested?

i wanted to show off my 25 year old Hansom that i found in my garage. it was looking rough. it somehow made the travels from primary school, high school, and moving house to eventually ending up in Cpt. I do more MTB-ing, but since i entered the argus last year, i thought this might be just what this old lady needed... a young man on her back! So i took the bike apart, had it sandblasted. i wanted that rough metal look, but after 3 days the bike rusted out completely and i had to re-sandblast. i then decided to prime, paint and seal. i was then going for 'gunmetal' look... not quite. Even so, i then took all the original parts, 105 groupset, Look pedals, Vetta saddle etc and tried to get this thing back together. lot of fights, long waits at bike shops and a second hand pair of Sora STI's, and the bike is good as new. The only other part (im still looking for an original if anyone wants to sponsor me) that is not orignal is the handlebar stem. happy with the outcome. will see if she still has the stamina to handle me after all these years. Look out for the old grey lady if you see her on the road on sunday...