Cassie

I agree on the DOT system possibly working on stolen cars (especially at border posts etc.) These are higher profile items.... But for the average Joe Soap in Putsonderwater?? I don't think so... I'm also not slating the Police either....they do try and most of the "problems" comes from their bosses etc. in any event. My point is: For stolen bikes and such...I'm not too confident that this system will ever work...perhaps it is beacuse there is such a low recovery rate on stolen bicycles...they keep in circulation (just have good look at what type of bikes the "general workforce rise with on your way to work??? There is no way that a wage earner could drive anything in the R4000 - R10 000 price range?? How do they do it...) It would be great if the DOT id system could be widely applied and checked in some sort of routine way (i.e road blocks??)

I'm interested.... Send JB a mail to keep me posted.

Mamparra...hate to rainon your parade....BUT the website states.... "Special viewing equipment allows the police to scan recovered items and to liase with Micro Asset Tracking SA to access client contact details. The database is accessible to the authorities on a 24/7 basis. " now where in SA will you get : (1) the SAPS to actually respond in a decent time to your stolen property?? (2) The SAPS to actually have equipment & training to do the scanning etc. I'd love to live in a society wher this would work...but alas...definately not in SA... Save your money and use it on chains & locks etc. etc. {more practical in our country where security is your own concern} my 2c worth...

Merida Merida!! I have recently bought a TFS900 and is as happy as a pig in the mud!!

as an outsider on this post...I must say that i'll take my bike to Mark for a service... One little complaint & 10's of good service!! Unless very specific details are provided...it sounds much like all the other LBS - some bad incident & mostly satisfied customers.... One must also remember - mecanics come and go - some start with little experience - and a couple of years later, they are experienced... use it...don't use it

Very interesting indeed! Had it all wrong to say the least... That's why the tubeless fraternity swears by their products, i suppose.

BUMP

I bet you they aren't... only weirdos have 2 legs exactly the same length. Lucky you' date=' you never get lower back pain while riding or standing around? [/quote'] SwissVan, I got new bike and had it set up correctly.....I still suffer from lower back pain (~12km into a cycle). LBS said that I might need to replace flat handle bar with a riser bar?? I know that I have uneven hip bones (according to chiropractor)...could this be the problem? And what solution do you suggest?

You guys should come ride in Somerset west...nooo problems that I know of so far!!

Enzo, what were your costs? Thanks Cassie

Ditto....I'm keen to learn more about the "behind the scenes" stuff of the Epic...Hmmmm facinating

He he he he.... What about drilling some holes all over the frame...in the non essential places where structural damage is limited? Personally I can loose 5kg's off my bike by just having a decent crapparooo!!

People, this isn't a foot race!! Therefore, equipment is involved. A large part of this race is about how one manages your equipment over the terrain...therefore if you make an error (by raming it into a tree...) you should suffer the consequences... At the end of the day - the winner should be determined by the person who managed his bike & the terrain the best...not just the one aspect of it. There should be no seconding! Maybe selected stations along the way that have repairs & spares...so if you decide to go too hard...then it is walking to the next pitstop for repairs and it might make one think twice before you throwing EVERYTHING into that next corner... I feel very sorry for Burry - but it could happen to any of the leaders.... Part of winning should also be about how well you managed your bike over this tough terrain... Cassie2009-03-26 04:49:39

Why do you need a card? Isn't a number sufficient? Or do you carry your card with you on all cycling trips.....like a drivers licence (and show it to the cycling police when they pull you over...) The only place I have come across this licence issue was last year at Knysna MTB, when I was asked to take a out a day licence (R30)...I told them to get stuffed!! Still raced & wasn't arrested.... Then again, on booking some races recently....licence number required.... So, my point is - why can't CSA just not email /SMS you a licence number (like all race entry numbers work)?? And send the licence card via posduif. I still do not see the point of having a licence for social cycling - league races might be different though, I agree.

My work colleague, a avid roadie....complains quite a lot about the amount of glass shreds he finds in his tyres. My question is: Is this perhaps a function of the tyre itself? i.e cheaper ones vs more expensive ones? His philosophy is to train on cheapies and race on his more expensive ones. He actually inspects his tyres after each long ride (with a magnifying glass and tweezers!!)...and often finds embedded glass shreds in the tyres...sometimes these would go on to cause punctures...some time not. Would the more expensive tyres perhaps not pick up glass as much? or which rubber compound is best to use? Any ideas & comments?

Sounds about right to me.... Depends on state of the frame in any event....whether scrathed or not?

Still got no answers???

Definately Chris Willemse...I got excellent service & advice from them... They are not even in my area!!

Even "normal" pedals with those straps would be sufficient...I rode with straps for almost a year.....no problemo & a bit better than just plain old pedals... Just keep them nice and loose for fast dismouts!!

Gremlin Some sound advice from these guys here! I've been in the same situation of late and had just bought me a Merida TFS900 for R13k. I had a good look at Full suspension - but on that budget you'l definately get bottom of the pile specs... The Hardtail i've got now is FULL shimano XT parts... I recon, that at a later stage I can easily "upgrade " and just build the components over onto a FS frame...in the ens you'll have a much better bike than initially with only entry level FS bike... Cassie

Can someone PLEASE explain to me why I need a licence??? Mountain bike one at that...not Road!! Maybe I'm just an ignoramus??? BUT I had enough of being screwed out of all my hard earned money!! I really do not see any benefit....

Last winter, at a race near Hermanus, muddy as hell...actually it was still raining at the start.... The starter dude - while we were waiting to get going - announces that we should "raid" our wives kitchen for some Spray 'n Cook to spray on the chains & cassetes... He recons the mud will not stick and just flies off.... Anyone know something about how true this is? How will it react to dusty conditions? In theory, it makes sense to me - would like to know if any hubbers has tried this before?