SeanScalpel

Compared to the last two Nissan Tyger Valley races, this one was BY FAR the best one! Well done to the organisers! I was a bit curious about the 9AM start, but it turned out VERY well! I was actually thankful for the later start as it was quite chilli at 7AM The route was also awesome! I much preferred it (in reverse) to the previous years. I also didn't see any obvious places where one could mistakenly make a wrong turn and end up take a "short cut", which was great. As Woolf said, if this is the race to go by for the following Nissan races, I'm very much looking forward!

Here's my route profile of last years Tyger Valley, half marathon race: http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/SeanRademeyer/c0jlmqrh3pe0rbjh

Yesterday - 19 Feb - at Bubbas Lodge I picked up a Cateye Velo 8 cycle computer. If it's yours and want it back, let me know.

Thank you sir!

Here you go (45km profile): http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t234/SeanR922/TheHubSA/CradleProfile.jpg

Here's the route/profile I tracked for the 45km: http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/SeanRademeyer/55v6alv0vg7opfi3 Man, what an awesome route! Was tough as nails with +-750m ascent and technical downhills! At one stage I thought my brakes were going to spontaneously combust The views from the top of the two mountains were spectacular and the single track awesome! Can definitely recommend this race! It was also a relatively small event (probably because of the RWC) with I'd guess 200 people? I liked it though. Does anyone know where we can get the results?

I bought a Top Fuel 7 just the other day. Top Fuel = Light weight, shorter travel efficiency (90-100mm) for fast (race) cross country riding types. Fuel EX = More travel (120mm) and stronger (heavier) construction for general abuse/fun. Found this as well on Dirt Rag: Trek's Fuel EX 9 is designed for "extended travel for extended rides," according to Zap Espinoza, Trek's Product Manager. In 2005, Trek split the Fuel into two distinct product lines. The higher-end, all carbon Top Fuel line, with 3" of front and rear travel, is geared toward weight-conscious, high-level cross-country racers like those who follow the NORBA national circuit. I tested the Fuel EX 9 which is at the top end of the Fuel EX line. Relative to the Top Fuel, the EX line features slightly heavier but sturdier bikes oriented toward riders like me who prefer long rides and rugged backcountry terrain, but still enjoy an occasional dose of racing-induced adrenaline, particularly in single-lap, endurance type cross country events.SeanGT2009-05-14 06:10:01

Thanks na_vtec! So over the last two days I have been getting the bike ready for the Lion Man racing coming up this weekend. - Got two new tubes with racing valves that can unscrew and put slime in. - Decided to swop the front Bontrager Jones ACX with the Kenda Blue Groove I had on my old bike. The Bontragers are heavy offroad and the Kenda has less rolling resistance. Going to see how that works out. - Put some clear protective sticker/film on the bottom of the frame to protect again small rock and mud. - Fitted my speedometer. - Fitted saddle pouch. - Adjusted rebound to what I think is right on the fork and shock. Looking forward to putting my new bike through its paces this weekend!

Ooo, niiiiiice! Looking forward to seeing it in person on Friday! Congrats bud!

I'm 1.72 and recently bought a 17.5" mountain bike which is just right for me. Had to get a shorter (75mm) stem, but that was it.SeanGT2009-05-12 01:46:44

Thanks for all the great comments guys! I'm really chuffed with the new bike! A huge upgrade for me! @ Justin - I still have a few thing I want to do with the bike before taking it for a serious ride, but I know it's going to be awesome @ Brendon - Hehehe! Thanks man! I'm indeed very excited to tackle the Lion Man with this new bike, going to be the 1st real test!

Thanks guys! darnijl, I wanted to change my user name, but only found out now that I can't Would have liked to change it though.

Hi all, I finally decided to upgrade from my 2004 GT Avalance 3.0. The old GT: http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/27111fbb9b.jpg The new Trek: http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/d8bc7d5e65.jpg http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/4150731405.jpg http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/b5ebbc72d0.jpg http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ab3a1a0ff1.jpg http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ad239204d8.jpg Thank you for watching.

Hi cptmayhem, I'm 1.72m. Like I said, from what I could find, I should be looking at a 17-18" bike. I was just not sure if I should be looking at the virtual size or the actual size? I agree though, I'll definitely ride the bike first before buying. Going for the ride this Saturday. Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the replies guys! Appreciate! Am I correct in saying that I can always replace the Manitou Radium RL shock with a Fox RP2 if I liked to? XTC1, interesting about the rocker/link, I didn't look at that piece that closely, but will when I go to look at the bike again this Saturday. Can one replace that rocker/link with a 1-piece should it break? Can someone also maybe explain to me the sizes of mountain bikes when it comes to dual suspension bikes? I believe I should be looking at a 17-18" bike. This specific Trek has a sticker on that says 'Virtual 19.5", Actual 18"'. Does this mean the size is fine for me, or too big?

jughead_dave, I don't know the weight sorry. I did pick the bike up and didn't feel too heavy if that counts for anything. Would you also rather look at a lighter crank before a better front derailleur? Any other opinions about the Manitou Radium RL rear shock?

No other opinions?

I agree Solstice. I read a few reviews of the Manitou Radium RL rear shock and it doesn't seem too bad, at least has lockout and rebound. Could always replace with a Fox Float RP later? I'm not too concerned about the front derailleur for now. I'm going to try and see if I can maybe swop the Avid 3 for Avid 5.

Hi all, What are you guys opinions about the 2007 Trek Top Fuel 7? http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2007/large/topfuel7_titaniteblack.jpg FRAMESET Frame: ZR 9000 Alloy main frame; ZR 9000 swingarm w/90mm travel Front Suspension: RockShox Reba SL w/positive and negative air pressure, Motion Control, rebound, compression, lockout, 100mm Rear Shock: Manitou Radium RL w/air pressure, rebound, lockout WHEELS Wheels: Bontrager Select Tires: Bontrager Jones ACX, 26x2.1", 60 tpi, folding DRIVETRAIN Shifters: Shimano Deore, 9 speed Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT Crank: Shimano Deore 44/32/22 Cassette: SRAM PG-950 11-34, 9 speed Pedals: Shimano 505, clipless COMPONENTS Saddle: Bontrager Race Basic Seat Post: Bontrager Select Handlebars: Bontrager Race, 0mm rise, 31.8mm Stem: Bontrager Select, 7 degree, 31.8mm Headset: Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed Brakeset: Avid Juicy 3, hydraulic disc, 6" rotors Thanks in advance!

For those interested, I emailed Rock Shox USA with my dust boots question and they replied with: Hello Sean Over the years the technology in the stanchion material and making better dust wipers has allowed us to not use dust boots anymore. You will still will want to keep yours on because they do aid in protecting the internals from contaminations. Regards, Tim Jones

Do you by *** mean dust? Surely the boots will protect the shock against a lot of dust compared to not using boots at all? And if dust does get into the boot, that dust would anyway have gone into the shock when not using boots, both resulting in damage. With boots, it will just be a lot less dust (damage).SeanGT2009-03-11 07:48:27

Thanks SwissVan! Think I'll stick with boots, even though they look crap.

Hi all, http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbreview/Images/Products/product_357732.jpg vs http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbreview/Images/Products/product_357720.jpg I did a search, but can't seem to find anything regarding this. I have a Rock Shox Judy T2 that came with dust boots. My previous SR Suntour XC60 also had dust boots. However, it seems to me that all the new forks don't come with dust boots What is the reason for this? Was it perhaps found that the dust boots don't really keep the dust out and therefor not really have a purpose? A fork does look A LOT better without dust boots so perhaps manufacturers decided to leave them out? Thanks, SeanSeanGT2009-03-24 00:17:47