Konaman

Its just a pitty that a marshall messed up the halfmarathon race

The main things to look at - 1.wheelset - try and get set of 2nd hand ZTR wheels - Olympics or equiv (and make it tubeless with strips) or American Classic wheelset 2.Tyres - this add a lot of weight - get something like the non-tubeless Maxiss Monorail or crossmark and make it tubeless using a co2 bomb 3. try and get a 2nd hand Rockshox Sid fork or Manitou R7 MRD thats about 1.4kg 4. crankset - maybe 2nd hand XTR or XT and Eggbeater pedals 5. KCNC handlebar, stem and Seatpost

Just keep pedalling - you are 100% correct. 29" may be give a softer ride, but for Mr/Mrs Average Cyclist, you don't have to keep up with the Jones's and get a 29", unless you want to show off that you have the $$$ to spend. At a recent race i did the hardcore 26" guys called the the 29"ers, the "softie club". At the end of the day, its your decision if you want to buy into this "marketing game".

I think its not going to be a fight, its going to be a walkover!

Results?

Cycling SA must start a code of ethics, have a system in place to police it, and those regular offenders should get a red card and be banned from races or have their license suspended for a period.

I agree totally with a previous posting. Always keep a few extra spokes at home. When i get a new wheelset, i will go from shop to shop till i get a few loose spokes. Its sometimes not worthwhile for a bikeshop to keep a box of say +30 spokes, for every single wheel type and sizes, for that 1 day that somebody may arrive. However, the regular sizes should be kept. In these days and times i also suggest that you keep at least a spare chain + links, maybe 1 extra tyre + tubeless valve and sealant. I have helped out many people over the years over weekends , and then you sometimes battle to get the stuff back.

Has an Olympic team been selected? If not lets list the riders we feel should be selected for the Olympic games for both mountain biking and road cycling. It would be interesting to see if we get it right or not. There was a lot of talk after the last Olympic games, where the Hubbers commented that the wrong riders were chosen, as we did not perform on the road. What is your opinion? Team Mountain biking - Burry Stander and perhaps one of the top u23 riders that can represent us at the 2016 Games.

Read the comments below article - many motorist there also feel that cyclists do not abide by the laws and are idiots http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/bike-blog/audio/2011/dec/16/focus-podcast-roads-safe-cyclists I feel it must start with us cyclist first by getting our house in order, before we can attempt to change the mindset of motorists regarding cyclist. Most motorists here feel they have the "right of way" on our roads, and cyclists are just an irritation. What do you think?

check these bike IPhone gadgets on Chainrxn http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=61041 New I-phone stuff for bikes. Take cycling videos using your iphone, or use it as GPS, heart rate monitor and for cadence with special cycling software from Appstore . NC-17 iPhone 4 Bike Mount 2012 From 784.35 ZAR This is above all a functional product, a means to an end. In order to move forward with our stated goal of creating an e-bike tuning system we needed to create a serious bike mount for the dashboard, so we can run all our cool apps while riding. During the development process we thought about our roots in gravity sports and decided to make something these buddies could also use. Naturally the attachment to the bike gives up some style points for sturdiness but being able to use the camera mode forwards or backwards is awesome and it's easy to fix the phone at almost any angle you want without using any tools. We are really excited to show off this product so you can see what potential lies here. • Patented system • 3D adjustment without tools • Camera mode front- / backwards • 0°-90° supports landscape mode • X-Arms clamp force • Gravity sports proof • Integrated shock absorber • Total weight: 137g • Anodised Colour • For 25,4mm and 31,8mm handlebars • Compatible with iPhone 3G, 3Gs, 4 NC-17 Wahoo iPhone Case 2012 The NC-17 range of accessories offers this Wahoo iPhone Case with optional Speed and Cadence sensor NC-17 designed, developed and manufacture accessories such as the Wahoo iPhone Case which reads data from stride sensors, bike speed and cadence sensors, bike power sensors and heart rate right on your iPhone Wahoo iPhone Case overview: • Perfect fit for iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4! - Comes with two custom rubber liners to quickly adapt between phone types. • Water and shock resistant design, "storm safe". • Micro USB outlet for charging / data connection • We opted to keep the size as small as possible by offering an optional piggy back battery. Depending on software, the internal battery can easily last 4 hours. No need to build in a battery and all the extra size and weight that entails for the long weekend ride, just snap on our piggyback battery. You can even keep an extra one or more in your jersey. RAM ready! • Incorporates slide rail for mounting. • Comes with compact lightweight mount for road or mountain bike. Options in design for attaching to an arm band or quick removal from spin bikes or treadmills. • Many apps in development with partners. Our free Fisica Fitness App act as a nice bike or running computer and offers the ability to save and upload or email your data to the service of your choice. • Partner Apps coming soon will do many more cool things! • Fisica wirelessly connects your iPhone to your favorite ANT fitness measuring devices. With fisica, your phone, your favorite playlists, the best fitness Apps and real-time activity information are all in the palm of your hand - or on your arm, or mounted on your bike, or in your pocket. • Add Ant capability to your iPhone. Read data from stride sensors, bike speed and cadence sensors, bike power sensors and heart rate right on your iPhone! • The Fisica Sensor Case encompasses Fisica Sensor technology along with a water resistant protective barrier for your iPhone. • The Fisica Sensor Case comes with a mount that will fit easily onto your mountain bike or road bikes handle bars. • Will not fit iPod touch! • Includes: 1 Fisica Fitness Sensor Case • Please be aware that to use the speed-cadence software, you will need to buy an App from the App-Store NC-17 components are available from Chain Reaction Cycles, the online bicycle store for the amateur to the professional cyclists. The NC-17 range of accessories offers this Wahoo iPhone Case with optional Speed and Cadence sensor NC-17 designed, developed and manufacture accessories such as the Wahoo iPhone Case which reads data from stride sensors, bike speed and cadence sensors, bike power sensors and heart rate right on your iPhone • Please be aware that to use the speed-cadence software, you will need to buy an App from the App-Store NC-17 components are available from Chain Reaction Cycles, the online bicycle store for the amateur to the professional cyclist NC-17 iPhone Hub charger 2012 NC-17 Dynamo and Pedal Power charger This new improved charger Makes life easier, just switch, and your set. Includes settings, such as hub dynamo power or voltage. The iPhone 3G, iPhone 4 or iPod compatible. Charging starts at a speed of 15km / h+. Easy to see bright display and GPS usage is discharged, no longer the battery. The charger has a replaceable battery buffer, which you can exchange at any time. This technology prevents your device from draining at a standstill, e.g. at traffic lights or talking, charging stops and the buffer kicks in. The buffer battery is recharged by the hub dynamo, so the longevity of the Pedal Power's is no obstacle. With the pedal power charger, flexibility is key and your devices are always loaded quickly and safely. Specifications: • On and off switch Fully automatic, detects when you are not moving • 6 to 12V compatible with Apple iPhone 3G and iPhone devices 4, iPod Loads all GPS and other mobile devices or cameras (Adapter) • High Speed tested up to 100km / h • integrated under-voltage protection • Patented Efficiency Technologies

never use a bomb with the screw on adapter. rather get the one that you press on the valve. The screw on can remove the inner valve and even brake off the valve when it freeze and get stuck

You will need a 4x4 to pull you up the hills. just imagine how much energy is required to get these wheels rolling when stopping

All of you that can't handle normal bike size wheels - here is the solution

Rather go for the Specialized 29er as 2nd option. A friend of mine also got one for Epic - brilliant bike.

This is now available for those of you with Powertaps and rear Thru Axle hubs like you get on the new Specialized bikes. A friend of mine bought a new mtb powertap, and a month later a new Specialized Epic. Guess his excitement when the powertap did not fit on his rear wheel!!. This is now sorted with this new axle. go to http://www.wheelbuilder.com/store/Wheelbuilder-PowerTap-MTB-142mm-Axle-Conversion.html to order or contact the local Powertap guys

my verification - I usually invite this seller to my facebook account to see if its the same person before i make payments. If it is an expensive purchase, i will arrange with guy to take it to a bike shop, and i phone the bikeshop before paym.

My method for the last 5 years: I add about 50ml every 4-6 weeks using a 50ml syringe that i got from a private hospital, and a inject it through the valve hole, where the little valve was removed with pliers prior to that.If its a new tyre, i would add about 120ml. I have learned over the years that you DO NOT add sealant by opening a section of the tyre, unless you are using genuine tubeless rims. The non-tubeless rim strips can very easily be disturbed or moved when you add sealant, and then you will have endless problems. I also remove the wheel from the bike and either hang it up, or put it flat to ensure that the airtight seal between the tyre and rim is not disturbed. A hand or foot pump can then be used to inflate it again with ease. I replace my tyres about once or sometimes twice a year and would then carefully remove the tyre not to disturb the rimstrip, and also clean the inside of the rim with running water and dry it before adding the new tyre and slime. This method works for me, and it takes 5min to add new slime. I have used many different types of sealant but the best and most reliable has always been Stan's. Other tips - always top-up sealant before big races and replace a tyre when the outside seems to start feeling "soft" - not rigid anymore. I always keep an extra tubeless valve (that can be opened) and at least 1 wheel length of the yellow sticky Stan's strip to put around spokes for just in case. I don't like the permanent strips that is not sticky as it moves around to much One other very important tip - never use the CO2 inflation (bombs) adapters that screw onto the valve. They freeze onto the removable valve and when you take it off, it will also remove the valve and deflate the tyre in the process. - Then you are buggered in a race because you will need pliers to put the valve back. Get the type that you press on the valve, to release air. Be careful what sealant you are using, as some can permanently damage the rim through corrosion.

I saw this in Daily Dispatch paper from East Londen - be careful around there!Its hectic Gang robs rider of bike on road to EL airport TWO East London cyclists chased a group of armed robbers after their bikes were taken on New Year’s Eve. Brad Boonzaier and his friend Warwick Attree were training for Ironman early on Saturday morning when they were accosted next to Orange Grove informal settlement near East London Airport. Recalling the incident yesterday, Boonzaier said that at around 6.30am he noticed two men at the side of the road. One of them tried to knock him off his bike by putting his foot out. “At first I thought they were pedestrians and even when the one guy tried to knock me off, I thought nothing of it. I thought it was just two naughty youths,” said Boonzaier, who was cycling alone at that point. Boonzaier said he then met up with Attree and after turning at Igoda bridge, the two cycled back together. On their way back, Boonzaier was cycling about 10m behind Attree when four young men started attacking the first cyclist. “They threw a rock at Warwick, which then made him crash. Then they hit him with pangas and took his bicycle,” Boonzaier explained. Attree, who had a cut to his head, followed the young men into the township and to a shack. Boonzaier, fearing for the safety of his friend, cycled behind him. Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Boonzaier said in hindsight it was perhaps a bad idea to follow the suspects. “Going in there was not very wise. But Warwick went in there first and I did not think it would be good for him to be in there by himself. So I sort of went in there as backup,” said Boonzaier. He said when he got to Attree, he found his bike at one of the shacks and the two of them immediately left the area. When they arrived at the main road the four youths reappeared and attacked the cyclists. Boonzaier said they started attacking them with rocks, pangas and planks until someone from the Airport Lodge yelled at them to stop. “They were really coming at us. I had to use my bike as a shield and, as a result, it has been damaged.” The two then ran to the Lodge for safety. Boonzaier said despite the incident, he would not stop training on that road. “The next time I use the road I will have to be armed. The road is safe traffic-wise and it is great for training so I will not stop using it.” East London police spokesman Lieutenant-colonel Mtati Tana said police were called to the scene but no case was officially opened with them and no arrests had been made. — siyab@dispatch.co.za

I understand what is about and i know that we cyclist all get worked up emotionally by incidents like this, but perhaps the guys must just wait for feedback on the real cause of the accidents, before getting so upset. It can also happen to you and me that a cyclist swerve right in front of you, and what then?

I have seen it so many times on this site when a person gets killed, certain individuals are totally irrational about it. I hope you feel bad in that you blamed the police, without knowing the facts about the incident. Come on get a grip on yourself and refrain from being so irresponsible in future, because even those involved have feelings!!

I agree with Thastig. There maybe other factors involved that we don't know about. From what i can see it is a narrow road and every story has 2 sides to it.

My 2c worth Its great but I don't think the max distance should exceed 15-20km. In some European countries they don't allow them to race until they are over 12 or 14 yrs, as it has to be fun at that age. You don't want to put to much strain on the legs, as it may inflict damage to the bones later etc. WE already have restricted gears for the youngsters in road cycling, to prevent these types of problems to boneplates. CyclingSA also enforce distance limits in mountain biking, depending on the age of the rider. From their website i got the following: "Sub Junior and younger [14 yrs and younger] riders are not permitted to ride a Half-Marathon or longer." A halfmarathon is usually between +- 30-45km. http://www.cyclingsa.com/rules-and-regulations.aspx#41 My son also started cycling at a very young age, many years ago. I spoke to many coaches then and took the decision to stick to short distances. I hope this info helps as real talent should be handled with extra care, to ensure they don't stop before they are 16yrs for various reasons.

The following incident took place in East Londen yesterday morning. I received this email. The were lucky to survive! Dear fellow cyclists • • My husband, Brad Boonzaier and a friend cyclist, Warwick Attree, were attacked this morning opposite Airport Lodge, Orange Grove Squatter Camp. These savages attacked them with a huge plank and rocks, knocked them off their bikes. Warwick crashed and sustained facial injuries, Brad managed to stay upright. They ran off with Warwick’s bicycle but he chased after them, Brad followed carrying his bike. They followed the savages into a shack and Warwick retrieved the bike. They then were running back to the main road, with these bastards were coming after them chasing them with panga's. Luckily their screams were heard. The lodge guy shouted from across the road and they backed off.......but not very far. They were standing in the main road screaming and not one of the “locals” would assist. When Warwick called his wife they were hiding, waiting….. • • • The police arrived at the scene but - as usual - nobody saw anything. Bikes smashed, and Warwick has gone for stitches..... This could have been a different story if it wasn’t for the dude that shouted. I am sick of these savages. When they were waiting, another cyclist – Glenn Mann, returned to the scene in his vehicle. He had been attacked a few mins earlier, they also took a swing at him with the plank but missed his head and hit his bike. He chased after them too but they managed to get away. Whoever might be “connected” please help us to track these bastards down and stop them, or make examples of them. Had this been an international Ironman athlete or a lady athlete, it would be seriously damaging for our town. Thank goodness for Brad and Warwicks’ quick thinking and confidence. These 3 or 4 savages are ruining it for our beautiful town. Please inform your fellow athlete friends, and encourage them to not ride on the airport road alone. They would have killed Brad and Warwick for their bicycles!!! That is what our lives are worth to them! Take care – sorry for the bad news. Candy Boonzaier Cycle hq East London

I see Mr Julien Absalon also prefer his 26er for XC "Unlike many of his rivals, who are increasingly turning to 29ers, Absalon is still campaigning aboard a 26in hardtail and hasn’t shown any signs of making the switch just yet." http://bikemagic.com/gear/first-looks/julien-absalon%E2%80%99s-orbea-alma-g-team-hardtail.html

Any other sites where one can watch tips on how to fall when crashing. http://www.bikejames.com/strength/tumbling-skills-for-mountain-bikers/ I have torn muscles in my shoulder and cracked ribs twice in the last couple of years. I would like to avoid or lessen the chance of injuring myself in future, if possible! Any suggestions?