EigerSA

I second this, Safari were helpful and pretty affordable I thought.

320g is actually pretty fine. Remember that "brushed" look is actually scratches in the material, so you have to sand that out anyway. Just don't push like mad, let the paper do the work and use soapy water. As for cost, shouldn't be more than about R350 for frame and fork (powder coating). But if you going to get a respray, don't bother with sanding the frame, it gets dipped. Can't really tell in the photo, but I don't think that it's proper "brushed alu", I'm pretty sure it may just be a paint effect. this was started with 320 and finished with 1500

The brushed effect comes from the tubes being sanded so you could do it yourself but I would imagine it's a hell of a job, especially since the brushing runs perpendicular to the tube and not with it, could be done though,I'd save myself loads of hassle and just get it sprayed. As for the crazing, it looks like it's been plated with zinc or something and it's now starting to come apart, not saying that's what's happening, just looks like it... weird. Try sanding a spot there with 320 wet paper and soapy water, see whether it's just in the finish or deeper.

You're frigging insane. I doubt there's enough riders for a race that has categories (except fat b@st@ard for me), so why not a lapped race, maybe an hour plus 1 lap or something to that effect.

I'm at 108.8kg this week

If you riding 12-15km per session and managing 20km races, then you need to ride 35-40km per session to be able to ride 50km races. Can't remember where I came across it, but I read you should train at about 3/4 the distance you intend racing.

You could also use Shimano Alivio M411's The crank has a BCD of 104mm, so fits most rings out there. On top of that the cranks are cheap, and a little heavier than most, which also means less flex from the torque - and price wise you can't go wrong.

There's nothing wrong with liking more gears, or even less gears, but have you tried riding a single speed? At the end of the day as long as you're cycling, it doesn't matter what you ride, just keep pedaling.

http://www.facebook.com/shelldon.wells

I've never used discs brakes before, much less serviced them, and there have been a number of threads where guys seem to battle a little bit. When guys talk about bleeding their brakes I immediately get flashbacks of when I used to do that on my first car as a poor student! I was also asking about which is better, mechanical or hydraulic, those that have may be able to point me in the right direction. But hey, thanks very much for your constructive comments, really appreciated you taking the time out to help.

My brand new Christmas present shocks only take disc brakes and I've only ever had v-brakes. I can't help but think that hydraulic sounds like a bit of a pain since the brakes have to be bled and now I got to keep the right fluid. Or is it a case of mechanical brakes are the past and hydraulic is in? Please help, I got to order soon

Really good idea that, but at R250 each? I think that's a bit heavy.

Hi guys. Everyone who has given this guy money, please pm me with your full details, including amounts and dates as well as the banking details you deposited to, etc.. I'll take a drive out there with SAP and have a look around.

Unfortunately most bike shops here hire 'kids' that at right out of high school, or have not since long left high school. They get paid cheaply and this is reflected in their attitudes and knowledge. You can't really blame them since it's impossible to have a career in a bike shop in SA as you would in say the States. I agree with "urbanroyal" above, I personally will go back to a shop even if their items or more expensive if the service is right. If bike shops invest in their staff with training and salary, I'm pretty sure they'll see the benefits in sales. Just my 5c

Very nice

anyone find niel on facebook? I can't and I really want to see those pics!

That's fantastic! How about a report of some kind, and pictures? Did you camp, stay at b&b's?

got access thanks : This is excellent, well done

Do you not get a access request? my email shelldonwells[at]gmail[dot]com

I just 'requested' access.

Phone the shop and ask to speak to the manager/owner. Very often they have no clue as to what has been said to a customer. Better yet, send them an email with your complaint and point them to this thread.

Where you getting the rigid fork from? I'm using a steel fork and my wrists are starting to complain a bit, I would guess the carbon would soak up the knocks a bit?

Monday morning weigh-in: 109.7kg

How long is your seatpost? Perhaps if you find one that extends past the crack point into the tube you could probably ride a while more.

There can be only one... David "Tinker" Juarez! The man is a machine of note, the number of wins he has to his name, on both BMX and MTB is staggering! Check out his blog. More here at Wiki.