EigerSA

I can't see how crank length would make any real impact on your ability to pedal harder, like longer length having more of a lever effect or something like that, mostly because you got gears! Any benefits from crank length would be so small as to be happily ignored. If anything I would say that crank length just helps in setting up the bike. Since all manufacturers have their own sizing guide, I guess it's just one more thing you could take advantage of in order to perfect your fit... nothing more!

Air pressure to me doesn't make sense since air can be compressed too much, that would give an imprecise feel I would think. Water on the other hand might be an even better way to go, if my std 8 science is correct, water can't be compressed. Hmmm... need to work on this a while!

Not just a song, but song and video (the girl in it just does things for me!!!!!) The song... Daft Punk, Harder Better Faster Stronger The girl...

I just bought a second hand frame which I'm planning on pimping to the max and want to hand-build a lot of the parts. One of the things I'm planning on is hydraulic brakes, but I got to thinking why not hydraulic shifting? Has anyone ever heard of this or read about it? And how practical would it be you think? And on a semi-related thought, can you get carbon fibre brake discs and are they effective (again mtb specific)?

No real bike shops? They fake, they move during the night? How did the derailleur break off and was the hanger damaged? Otherwise just order from a online-shop and start practicing you mechanical skills.

I'm assuming you mean "significant others" when you say "he/she"? There should be an option as to whether "he/she" is allowed to even touch equipment muddy or otherwise! Oh and another option for those who do not have "he's or she's"!

Although it seems pretty easy, not really the same. For one thing, a motor bike frame is "overbuilt"... it can afford to be big and heavy since you can just slap in a bigger engine or improve the engine that's already fitted. With steel bikes, lightness is a big issue, so the thinnest tubing possible is used, from 0.8mm to 0.5 (I've heard of a bike being built with 0.3mm!). Tubing this thin can't be banged around and/or welded the same way the "american chopper" boys do. Make sense?

On the size tubing you're going to use, the difference between oval and round in terms of aerodynamics is so small it's hardly worth the effort! If you do a bit of research (aka google'ing) you'll see that at the speeds the bike travels, taking into account wind resistance and wetted area, as well as blah blah blah... oval tubing is more a gimmick than anything else, sometimes just "looking fast" is more important to the marketing chaps than actually being faster! THere's so much more to the subject than just the tubing. Not trying to be negative here, but if you're serious about building the bike, then just build the thing with what you got available, or else you'll never get it off the ground. You can always learn how to profile tubing with your second or third build! Oh, and to answer your question, no... that tubing isn't available (to the best of my knowledge, and I've searched hard for it!) and would need to be imported.

Are the shirts just ordinary cotton t-shirts? Only reason I ask is because I've got a kagillion t-shirts, but I don't have a "hub' cycling shirt... what about getting a small lot printed up instead of just plain t's? Just a thought. Maybe FOX would be happier to know that their logo going onto a cycling shrit? Who knows, they may even decide to help out? EigerSA2009-09-02 23:59:30

It is made in the east, but then so is pretty much every other brand! Still looks like a beaut though!

A week of relaxing after hard training would nave done almost next to nothing to harm your fitness, if anything it would have been good for you. Just go and enjoy the ride!

The article argued that hardtails are being used simply because they are being manufactured, not because they are any better than suspension bikes. Apparently there's a trend in the States where hardtails service the entry level market and with only one or two models by each manufacturer, and the middle to upper segment are all full suspension... perhaps that's where the money is? EigerSA2009-08-30 12:50:49

I just read an article that claimed 'hardtails' were a dying breed even though a hardtail finished second on the 'leadville Trail 100". Granted the article is based on American buying powers, but I reckon SA isn't that far behind, so a trend of hardtails only may very well catch up here pretty quick! So although I'm a hardtail diehard, what does everyone else think?

If you've not trained enough for your race Saturday, then there is absolutely nothing you can do now, it's too late... so this week just enjoy some easy rides out, nothing too serious, that way you'll limit injury to yourself and your bike as well as keep those muscles ready. As for nutrition... I'm assuming it's a morning race? For 30km's just eat a banana and a yoghurt 20 min before the race (or oats, something really easily digestable!), that'll see you through. Remember your body needs to digest anything you eat before the race, this takes some energy to do, and since you have anough energy for about 60/90 minutes of riding first thing in the morning, it doesn't make sense too waste it on digestion (or taking the chance of an upset stomach). Pick a sports drink and aim for about 750ml per hour during the race, a little more if it's hot (be careful not too drink too much) and a little less if it's chilly. What race is it?

Butted tubing would be best, but since this is your first build, maybe just stick to the straight gauge, especially as you're welding for the first time! Butted tube has wall thickness that varies, so one end might be .8mm, mid way .5mm and the other end .8mm again. From a weight perspective the difference in a 600mm tube that's double butted or even triple butted I think would be negligible (spelling?). The only problem I came across was that the only tubing in South Africa I could source was round, whereas tubing supplied overseas could be purchased in an oval shape which is handy for chainstays and seat stays. I'm no metallurgist, but I don't think silver solder is strong enough for the stresses (I'm no expert with welding) TIG welding is the best way to go, just plan ahead properly and stick to the basics. There's a video on youtube of a guy TIG welding a mtb frame out in his backyard, very 'unproffessional' but it just proves that it can be done. Good luck!

For the steel, you need chromoly 4130. Speak to the guys that are involved in motorsport racing or home-built aircraft. I built a frame a few years ago (road bike) and am busy planning a mtb build. Keep us up to date and add some photos... good luck with the build!

Well first step is too strip the old paintwork down, first chemically and then by hand, getting rid of any stubborn paint flecks. Then you can start the spraying. If memory serves, you will need a primer. It's best if you can get a access to a compressor and spray gun, you could get from a tool hire place, nothing finishes better. Pop into your local paint shops, they'll give you loads of advice at to what paint, and even who could spray for you.

I ride to and from work three days a week (thanks to short time!) and it's the best part of my day! Not only am I saving fuel, but I find that I can't help grinning like an idiot throughout the ride, which is awesome as all the motorists I pass all look miserable as hell! I find I'm still the most cheerful person at work and I'm convinced it's thanks to the "endorphin high"! My route although is along 'M' roads, the verges are like single track at the moment thanks to major road-works as well as country side verges (wide and rarely looked after). Another positive thing is that I'm noticing a few more people out on their bikes as the temperatures warm up a bit. Been caught in the rain a few times, so I've now got a "frame-bag" with towels and all the rest so doesn't worry me at all. I just wish more people would join in.

I got the same problem, some b*stard post office member is now carbo loading with my samples!!!

I want one! Where you get it and how much?

Every week without fail I do the good son thing and have a meal with Mom and Dad. Lately though, it's become harder and harder to enter the front door... it's the smell you see, that smell of what's for dinner... I just cannot take it! Every week without fail, it's the same old thing, tired, bland "mac and cheese"! I sit there, chatting and catching up with the folks, and all I can do is daydream about the steers burger I'm going to get the second I walk out the door! Wait... she's coming back again... oh no, it's another helping!

Turns out the place is Sondor (as per Dirtbreath). The number is 0317002321 and they're at 7-9 Hawthorn Road, Westmead. Hope you come right!

I'll look it up at work tomorrow. Unfortunately I don't have internet at work so can only post tomorrow evening.