KevinG

I use a solvent and then rinse with normal garden tap.

That's why I bought them. Good name and all. So why did my freewheel body fail? That's what I gotta figure so it doesn't happen again.

I recently purchased Shimano XT wheelset from CRC. I used them maybe four times and had my bike serviced for Karoo2Coast. The bike shop informs me the freewheel body needs to be replaced. Apparently the bearings are gone. After about 120k's of riding. Surely these things last a bit longer than that? They say the damage could be caused from cleaning the bike. I don't use high pressure to clean, so how am I supposed to clean the bike? Also no warranty from Shimano 'cause I bought through CRC. I have to try claim from CRC? Is this a common problem with Shimano hubs?

I see on the downhill thread there are a lot of tracks being built on Signal Hill. Are these extreme DH tracks or can they be ridden on a normal XC DS bike? Can you start at the bottom, ride up and bom down the single track? Where do you start?

Ang how long will it take to get here after date of payment?

Does anybody know what I would be paying over and above the advertised price from CRC. If eg I buy a set of Shimano XT wheels @ R2935 including shipping, what other costs must I allow for? Duties, VAT etc. If this topic has already been thrashed on the hub, where can I find it?

I got my price from Cycle Factory as well for the Mercury 1 @ R16500.

I got a price on a Mercury 1 of R16500, but that's not the top of the range with XTR unit.

I have been looking at buying a new Giant Anthem X1. While doing my homework I discovered that I can get a Silverback Mercury 1 for almost 13k cheaper. The only difference in spec is RoxShox Recon vs SID and the Anthem has XTR RD and the Silverback has SLX brake levers. The rest is the same: XT wheelset, XT crank, XT FD, XT Shifters and Fox RP23 rear shock. Is the Giant that much better to warrant a 13k diffrence in price? Who has a Silverback and what is your opinion.

What time is the night ride in Tokai on Thursday's? Keen to join.

I recently changed from a Suntour fork to a Fox and had to get an adaptor to fit the XTR caliper. Shimano had none in stock and aparently don't make an adaptor for a 160mm rotor (that may have changed). You have to change to a 180mm rotor and I managed to get a Hope adaptor and 180mm rotor which solved my problem. But the excersice was not cheap.

I want to do a mtb ride from Kloofnek to Cape Point off road as far as possible and need some directions for some sections. Can anybody give me directions of trails or tracks to follow. Kloofnek to Rhodes Mem and Tokai to Redhill I have but the sections in between not. Obviously I will have to use some tar to link the sections up. Any advice?

According to the Fox manual you should lock-out on firm terrain and climbs for better control. Less bobbing and sag on the uphills. I frequently use the lock-out and get better control on the front wheel up steep climbs. Set the lock-out blow-off threshold so that when you forget to unlock or hit bumps on the acsent, the fork will still be active and "blow off". All this according to the Fox manual.

Yes excluding flights

I got this from a mate. Interesting Hi there Thought I send you guys this for interest - its a comparison of international stage race costs which I did not that long ago. I tried to compare like with like based on race entry fee, food and accommodation/logistics. I did not take route organization, international race status etc. etc. into account?.. all costs are 2009 costs, except for the Epic 2010 line? The Cape Epic is still a really good deal plus good value for money .. and is very well organized (don?t know that about others and is the only one which has UCI recognition I think.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The SA races such as Imana and Swazi are not really comparable? but added them anyway?.. Extra Costs IncludedRaceDaysCurr.Per RiderAccom.Food/Bag shuttleRateZARCost p.dayBreakfastLunchDinnerAccomodation OtherCape Epic 20098ZAR 8 400.00 1 8 400.00 1 050.00 x - x Tented Race VillageBaggage shuttleBag etc, Tshirt etc Cape Epic 20108ZAR 12 600.00 1 12 600.00 1 575.00 x x x Tented Race VillageBaggage shuttleBag etc, Tshirt etc Trans Alps8Euro 625.00 140.00 12.84 9 822.60 1 227.83 x - x basic - in hallsBaggage shuttleT-shirt, photo packTrans Germany7Euro 550.00 140.00 12.84 8 859.60 1 265.66 ? x basic - in hallsBaggage shuttle Costa Rica4USD 999.00 10.19 10 179.81 2 544.95 - - - - Baggage shuttlebike wash & mechanics?Costa Rica4USD 1 299.00 10.19 13 236.81 3 309.20 x x ? 4 to 5 star hotel (sharing) Baggage shuttlebike wash & mechanics?Trans Rockies (basic -own tents & support)8USD 1 650.00 10.19 16 813.50 2 101.69 - - - - - - Trans Rockies (epic package)8USD 1 850.00 10.19 18 851.50 2 356.44 x x x Tented Race Village Baggage shuttle Bag etc Trans Rockies 3 day Solo3USD 599.00 199.00 169.00 10.19 9 853.73 3 284.58 BC Bike Ride (Team or Solo)8CAD 2 250.00 8.06 18 135.00 2 266.88 x x x Tented Race Village Baggage shuttle Bag and lots apparently Terra Australia (www.terraaustralismtbepic.com)7AUD 799.00 350.00 210.00 6.50 8 833.50 1 261.93 x - x - Baggage shuttle at extra cost TransAndes6USD 1 450.00 6.50 9 425.00 1 570.83 x x Tented Race Village Baggage shuttleT-shirt, photo pack Australia Alps to Snowies *(No accom.) (www.alpsepic.co.au)5AUD 495.00 6.50 3 217.50 643.50 - - - - - - Alpine Epic New Zealand (no tents etc) (www.alpineeepic.co.nz)5NZ$? 895.00 5.15 4 609.25 921.85 x - x Camping rights only Baggage shuttle T-shirt and goodie bag & kit South African Stage Races Sani to Sea3ZAR 3 225.00 1.00 3 225.00 1 075.00 xxxTented Race VillageBaggage shuttleT-shirt and goodie bag & kitWines to Whales3ZAR 2 500.00 1.00 2 500.00 833.33 xxxTentsBaggage shuttle?Swazi Extreem3ZAR 2 600.00 1.00 2 600.00 866.67 xxxHotelBaggage shuttleT-shirt and goodie bag & kit & Bike WashImana4ZAR 4 000.00 1.00 4 000.00 1 000.00 xxxHotel (but cramped)Baggage shuttleT-shirt and goodie bag & kit