Stain13

Surfer - how can you "replace" a 2008 model with a 2010 model? That's an upgrade. And insurance doesn't pay for upgrades. The idea with insurance is to put you in the same position you were in before your loss/ damage occured. So they will give you just enough to go and buy exactly what you had before at a market related price.

Hi Cactus - I was trying to find another thread where I commented and saw your post while searching. Just told the guys that I moved my houesehold insurance as I'm getting my most expensive bike insured for free. So all I'm paying for (in terms of my bikes) is my wife's bike which is insured for around R8000 - think it's something like R40pm. I'm saving quite a bit every month. Best of all is my bike is now also covered for races which it wasn't previously - I believe not many insurers cover you during races. The guys are also heavily involved in the cycling/ multisport fraternity in KZN which is why I thought to give them a chance to quote. PM me if you want contact details - you've got nothing to lose.

Hi Justin, Remember that there's no rule that says that it must be like that for all insurers. If your insurance decides not to cover races that is their decision. To me it makes no sense to have insurance that doesn't cover me in a race. If anything I'd say my risk of falling and damaging my bike is a lot greater when doing a race than when I'm just training. Obviously the insurers see it like this as well which is why they don't cover races. But then, I'm insuring for my own benefit - not for the insurance company's benefit.

Here is something you might appreciate. I participated in a Tri-Athlon series last year that was sponsored by a local insurance firm (I'm from Durbs). Seeing that they are actively involved in the sport I thought it suitable to give them a chance to quote on my insurance. Turns out that as a standard they insure your most expensive bike for free! So I got my bike insured for nothing and only pay for my wife's Scott Contessa which is valued at about R8000! BEst of all is my bike is even covered during event/ race participation which it wasn't previously. Oh and I got a discount on my total insurance premium as well. Send me a pm if you want contact details - it's just too good not to share.

Well I have to say I'm quite chuffed with what I managed to learn in just one day - thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge. Here's what I did: First went and bought a chain tool and that SRAM link that Mampara suggested. Then took the chain off - got it right first time! Ie. didn't push the pin all the way out. Took some WD 40 and almost soaked it in the stuff to get the chain nice and shiny clean (I know the WD40 is a solvent, that's why I used it to clean it). Then washed it with sunlight liquid to get all the WD 40 off. Realised that I need to get it dry fast so proceeded to use the wife's hairdryer on it (low heat setting just in case). Then measured the chain as shown in the videos you guys suggested. It's still in excellent condition so proceeded to take the bad link out by removing it's pin completely. Thought I'd measure the chain to see if it's the correct length (also as seen in the videos) and realised that it was still almost an inch too long - even with the one link removed. So I took another link out. I think the too long chain will explain why it always slammed against the bottom chainstay as soon as the road got a little bit rough? Not enough tension on it? Oiled it PROPERLY with White Lightning and then put it back on using the SRAM quicklink - what a pleasure to use! I then also managed to set my gears perfectly again, also using what I've learned from the videos. All in all I reckon you guys saved me a whole lotta money and I now have some skills that will be mine forever! Thanks a lot - I owe you each a big box of smarties at least!

Thanks a million!

Thank you so much for your assitance Mampara and Super mil. I love this site but it's the fact that experienced guys such as yourselves are prepared to share knowledge that makes it so cool. Mampara, I presume you know for a fact that the SRAM 9 speed quick link will work on my chain?

Can I just go into any cycling shop and ask for a quick-link or are they specific to the type of chain I have on at the moment? (Like any self respecting male I like to walk into my LBS looking and sounding like I know everything). I've read that they sometimes negatively affect the overall integrity of the chain - is this true? What will happen if I just take the "bad" link out and join the two links on either side?

If anyone can assist a newbie with some advice I will appreciate it. Whilst cleaning my beauty on the weekend I noticed what seems like a very small crack on one of the links of the chain. The bike isn't that old (2008 Merida TFS700D with XT setup.) but I suspect being new to the sport I might have manhandled it a bit more than an experienced rider would. It seems like the general consensus is that if you notice a crack in your chain, DO NOT RIDE as it is almost guaranteed to snap. What I want to know is which is the quickest, most cost effective and best way to fix the chain (hope these aren't mutually exclusive). Do I need to replace it or is there another way? Seems the bike shops will charge me around R350 for a new XT chain plus R85 to fit it - is this reasonable?