CraigCCW

I recently injured my right arm and have got a severe case of tennis elbow, and unfortunately it is going to take at 6 to 8 months to heal. I have been off my MTB for about a month now, and rode again this weekend, only to find that changing the gears really hurts my arm alot. I have adjusted the gears every which way possible, but unfortunately the action of slightly twisting the wrist to change the gears really hurts my arm. I then thought what if I change the gears around, and put the front on the right shifter, and the rear on the left. It may take a bit of getting used to, but at least I can then continue riding pain free. Anyone done this before, any advice?

December last year I was in the market for a new MTB, and was seriously looking at some International online shops namely Jenson & CRC. I was also looking locally at CWC, they had some good specials at the time. In the end I went with a shop where I could physically see the bike, and actually ride it. Anyone purchased a bike via the internet, international or local?

Have to agree wit you there, that is a fantastic price especially for a Rocky Mountain, and its got some decent components as well.

I have a Saris Bones 2, which retails for around R2000. http://www.buycycle.co.za/en/accessories/off-the-bike/bike-racks/saris-en-2/saris-bones-2-cycle-boot-rack-grey.html Unfortunately it would have cost me R5000 to get a towbar fitted to my car, so I decided to rather get the Saris, and have been very happy with it since.

Silverback Sola 1, you won't go wrong, geat spec at a good price, some shops sell it for just under R15 000.

I have got a Maxxis Ardent in the front and a Crossmark at the rear, very happy with this combo, and they are very well priced for what you get.

Definitely agree, I cringe sometimes when I see what some 26ers are going for. You can always get a decent 26er second-hand, and then if you start getting into it, then you can upgrade to a new one.

It goes without saying, but do whatever you feel comfortable with. I find that on shorter rides I leave the Camleback behind (I can call the wife if I have a major problem), but on longer rides & races I take it with. I recently posted the following topic, which is similar to your question. https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/140497-to-camelbak-or-not-to-camelbak/

I have Maxxis Ardent front and Crossmark rear, and am very happy with that combo. Also the Maxxis are very well priced when compared to Geax & Contis.

I personally would not go with any "House" brands, rather go with you respected brands that specialize in helmets, i.e. Giro, Bell, Fox, etc. Alot of those brands use alot of their high-end technology on their lower-end helmets, and generally the only sacrifice is weight. You need to also remember that you are protecting your head, so you should not compromise. Nice Fox helmet, which I have got and am very happy with, more than R600, but well worth it. http://www.buycycle.co.za/en/apparel/headgear/helmets-en/fox-racing-en-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9/fox-striker-helmet-fox-racing.html Also Bell Slant: http://www.buycycle.co.za/en/apparel/headgear/helmets-en/bell-en-2-3/bell-slant-helmet-2013-matte-black-charcoal.html

Careful you may get all the roadies in on this debate, then we will really have trouble

Sorry, are we still talking about Mountain Biking or Rally Car driving

Agreed, I do miss my 26er, but will definitely keep my 29er, and get better at riding it the way it supposed to be ridden.

I am starting to realize that me saying "I am not trying to start a 26er vs 29er debate" is like starting a sentence with my wife that begins with 'Don't be cross but...."

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely try put some more of my weight on the front wheel. Soon the admins of thehubsa are going to start banning this particular debate

Thanks for the feedback, I will have to practice more with my technique on my 29er.

I know I did, it was not my intention. I am fully aware that 26er is significantly better for the more technical aspects, that is not debatable. I am just sharing the fact that this is the first time I have personally experienced the shortcomings of my 29er. I am enjoying it, I enjoy it alot, but its always nice to hear what others have to say and have experienced.

Maybe that's the answer, granted that is some of the twistiest singletrack I have ever ridden.

Sorry, don't mean to aid in your confusion

I am not trying to start a 26er vs 29er debate, but just wanted to share my experience. Upgraded to a 29er Dec 2013, and have loved it, I am 6ft 100kg, and really felt as though it helped improve my riding. This weekend I did a race at Northern Farms, and with all the twisty single track I really missed my 26er. My 29er really did not handle the twisty single track well, and I often ran wide, one such instance caused me to fall and wind myself quite badly. I got up and continued riding, but really felt that if I was on my 26er, that twisty single track would have been alot easier, and alot more fun. I love my 29er, but I do miss the nimbleness of my 26er.

I see Andrew Maclean finished 1st In 1h46m with an average speed of 25km, he is a machine. I had 4 falls today and only managed 2h 55m, but still really enjoyed the race, some really great single track.

I am also 6ft and about 100Kg (trying to get rid of some), and I recently got a Silverback Sola 1, it probably out of your price range at around R15 000, but Silverback also do a Sola 2 & 3 which are very well priced. Of all the brands that I investigated when buying my 29er, Momsem & Silverback were definitely the best priced for the equipment they come with. One word of advice, at 120Kg, you are going to need a strong set of wheels, so that may be one of the first things you look at upgrading. Thats for when the "upgradetitus" sets in, and trust me it will

Thanks alot, I just wanted an idea of how much climbing would be involved.

Sorry to hear that. I have only ridden a night race there, and have not done 45km there either.

I am doing the Northerns Winter Quickie 45km this coming weekend and would like a router profile for Northern Farms.