100Tours

I'm not sure I should rant about our local franchipreneurs, but I am endlessley grateful to chainreaction cycles when it comes to finding the various bits and pieces that it takes to keep a bike up and running. I have a set of R1's (brakes) on my Lapierre and - as luck would have it - shook loose one of the mounting screws for the brake lever on Sani2c this year . The race was completed with some bloudraad broken off the fence along the side of the road (to the surprise of the onlookers I should add), but having completed that task and returned to Joburg I've turned to trying to find the correct screw to repair the damage. Here's where the fun starts. The LBS 'thinks' there is an agent down in Cape Town, but no one seems to know who or how to contact them (tried 2 major JHB bike shops who both told the same story, and I've been unable to come up with a number on my own). I waited patiently for some positive news for a week at first, but it seems I gave up at the right time because I'm still waiting. Anyway, never fear - chainreaction to the rescue. The spares are on the plane - with a set of new brake pads because it seems no one stocks those either - and I guess I'll have them by Wednesday. Long and short of the story though is who is sitting on this franchise/agency (and why are they sitting). Is the South African market really too small to support distribution for these guys? (in which case, isn't the 'net great, otherwise we'd all be using Shimano). Or do they just need some encouragement to promote their product. Anyone know who does Formula products, please give them my encouragement..

My 2c worth - There are few traffic offences that merit the death of the person breaking the rules. yes you shouldn't break the rules, but everyone's number 1 concern is surely not killing anyone, right? I'm a pretty careful cyclist (imho) - but just for the record perhaps you could list out the road sins you consider bad enough to mow someone down for and I'll be sure not to do those things. I've had enough of the gross intolerance South Africans show each other. And this is not a global phenomenon - we are not doing ourselves any favours here.

The stem on the Cove is too long. it rides best with an 80mm stem and a 140mm fork

Lie on the couch and ask someone else to take your shoes off?

Just received this from the Rhenosterspruit Conservancy folks. Not good news. - - The future of Northern Farm, bordering the Rhenosterspruit Nature Conservancy, hangs in the balance. Joburg Water has given notice that all farming activities must be terminated within the next few months. That involves selling the 2 000-strong herd of Bovelder cattle, all the farm equipment, including nine centre pivots and other irrigation systems which presently irrigate 350 hectares of grazing, mealies and other crops. Some 70 contract staff are being laid off. The reason given is that farming is not part of Joburg Water's core business. Joburg Municipality is touted to take over but it is unclear how Northern Farm will be utilised in future. About 20 megalitres of water from Northern Works' sewage treatment plant are presently circulated through the farm's dams before flowing into the Jukskei River. A major issue is what happens to these dams, wetlands, water courses and extensive irrigation systems through which this water flows, without regular upkeep. Notice has also been posted for an application to deproclaim the Diepsloot Nature Reserve which was proclaimed in 1960. This nature reserve includes both Northern Farm and Northern Works, on both sides of the R114 and the N14. There is also an application for a major housing development south of the N14 highway. The public has until March 18 to put in comments on both these applications. Send comments to Samantha Bush of Nemai Consulting: samanthab@nemai.co.za. Ask to be registered as an Interested & Affected Party (I&AP) to ensure you are kept updated. Apart from agriculture the farm's open spaces and trails are enjoyed over weekends by thousands of mountain bikers, birdwatchers, hikers and horse riders. About 300 birds have been identified on the reserve which is part of SA Birdlife's birding route. A full Olympic standard equestrian course is used for annual shows.

rock and roll. blue for mtb, red for road. You must follow the instructions for applying the lube though - i.e. wipe the excess lube off the chain, then it is a fantastic product.

Best use for these I've seen was to whip up an emergency field dressing using the injured cyclist's sock, spare tube, and a zip tie to hold it all together.

not the first time I've see a cracked head tube on a bike of this colour. (maybe it's that celeste paint job.. hmm). The other crack started as a vertical crack on the head tube, then turned as it hit less worked/welded metal. Local agents said something about phoning Rome.

if you get onto anything steep you're going to want the bigger rotor. 180mm has so much of stopping

Did the fowl jump or was it PUSHED?

I switched over to a 24/34/48 front chainring setup not so long ago. Was quite a cool change

I've progressed from rubber rim strips to the plastic ones (who-oa, I hear you say ), and it's been a good move: much easier inflation, tires stay put - and I'm running 2.25 non-UST tires. The plastic strips use UST-style removable valves (the ones with the rubber block on the back) and as long as you're careful when you do the install they are completely hassle free. Mine run on OKO sealant right now. Stans is good, but it does make a mess inside the tyre.

this thread has hit 18 pages...

The implication of what Johan is saying is you most likely have a leak somewhere. Check the connections on brake and lever for signs of leaking and replace the olives if you find signs of leaking (the olive is a piece of soft brass that squashes up against the cable to make a seal - should be able to get a new one from a bikeshop for a few R's if needed). Check around the top of the reservoir for signs of leaking around the rubber diaphragm too. if this is the problem set the brake horizontal, open up the reservoir, clean around the seal and replace. Again if necessary you can probably buy a new diaphragm from the lbs.

yes - if you're working with carbon you really need someone with a torque wrench to set it for you. The other way is to tighten until you hear a crack and then back off half a turn...

My choice after 2 Epics is the Rock and Roll blue. You must follow the instructions for putting it on the chain otherwise it gets gooey, but once you've got that right it is the only all-day lube out there.

The spring is fixed - i.e. you can't change its tension, but if you're do want to tighten things up, then there's this thingy callled a B-tension adjustment screw.. don't know how to explain exactly where it is except to say you access it from the rear of the derailleur and it faces onto the little bump on the dropout on the frame. sorta behind and above the cable tension barrel adjuster in the picture you've given. Give that a few turns. it will make the derailleur sit closer to the cluster

Do what cptmahem said - that's the best method for setting the chain at the rear. Next, have a very careful look at the orientation of the front derailleur - if it is not 100% parallel to the chainrings you can have rubbing problems as you describe. Experiment with moving it between the 5-to-12, 5-past-12 'o clock positions on the seat tube and see if this helps.

Maxxis Monorails - better cornering than crossmarks and similar low rolling resistance.

the shock - will do more for your riding

most slime tubes have a removable valve core - look for flats designed to take a spanner on the sides of the valve-cap threads. unscrew the valve core, let all the air out, and then screw the core back in when you're finished. much quicker.

on a road bike.. Do they ever get tired? I'm using a 7year old chain and cassette and I'm not experiencing problems. On my MTB, new cassette every 2 years or so.

umm, no? my centrelocks are solid as rock.

I had a similar thing happen to me when someone had a go at stealing a bike out of my garage. He picked a bike without pedals - I woke up, chased the guy briefly, and then had to laugh to myself as he jumped on and only then discovered the only place to stand was right back on the road. Poor chap musta hurt his n*ts I think.