splat

Take your keyboard in as well. Or borrow some punctuation marks from BigH.

There seems to be a correlation between your typing and gears...

Wow, R10K. So many things come to mind from sensible to silly... You could get some tools and spares (tyres, chains, cassettes, cables and chainrings) and enter a big race or two out of town and make a short holiday out of it. You could put your bike on a diet and get some silly light wheels or replace your groupset and or bar/stem/seatpost and saddle. You could get a new pair of shoes and helmet and Camelbak and/or Garmin/Polar. You could invest in a coach/trainer and a program with a proper bike set-up to work on during winter.

Of the 3, I would take the Spark. Personally, I like the idea of 120mm travel over the other race snake 100mm options. You are probably going to get a hndred other suggestions now...

Looks like they have pulled the article. I get: Article not found http://www.bikeradar.com/images/not_found.jpg Sorry, but the article or page you have tried to access does not exist. -The BikeRadar team

Isn't the Rocket Ron a fairly race orientated tyre? If that feels like its got high rolling Resistance, anything with a bigger tread will feel like a herd of turtles through a sea of peanut butter...

A bit more to chew on: 2011 SRAM X9 and X0 components - First look http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/sram-x9-and-x0-components-first-look-25741 Shimano XT and SLX go 10-speed in 2010 http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/shimano-xt-and-slx-go-10-speed-in-2010-25297

Do you wanna see or be seen? I am seriously considering one of these from magic lights. http://www.magiclight.co.za/mj808-bike-light

Volcan vs Stumpy is a comparison of a 100mm race bike vs a 140mm trail bike. Little bit apples vs pears. Trek EX 8 ?

Cannondale Silk Road

Descending will be even more fun!

I think it was an alu steerer tube - whatever difference that makes...

I imagine your current fork would work of you got a reducer headset.

You mean the bit from the car park to the saddle?

That may depend on how much confidence you have in carbon spokes...

There was a similar discussion on Weight Weenies.com. They also discuss the vibration absorbsion and even bring tennis racquets into it! http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=68289&start=2610 2 comments I thought were funny: The zertz dampeners probably dont really do anything. There are a bunch of guys who work for specialized and a bunch of people who dont, that pop the little rubber things out. They all say they cant tell a difference. Recall the Colnago C40, one of the best riding bikes, no? The chainstays have a hollow point as would the Roubaix's seatstays...I think this is where the 'good ride' comes from. At any rate... And I think thee zertz insert is in there so consumers don't get freaked out about having a hole in their fork, stays, seatpost

Oh, 'Go out of here' and 'don't touch me on my studio'!

Once you start there is no going back. Ever. If anyone needs ideas or inspiration: http://www.pinkbikesite.com/tag/mountain/ At the risk of getting carried away...

How carried away do you want to get?

Hope Tech X2 - Pink

You get Milton's tabs (in the baby section @ Pick n Pay) Denture cleaning solution (also available in effervescent tabs) leave the bladder with a nice fresh taste.

Which ones are they? Is it at the right angle for you? They have a big range - difficult to choose the 'right' one. I use the GE1 Enduro and they have to be set just right or the anotomic bump causes more problems than they solve.

Ah man! That sucks. Hope you are insured and get mobile asap!