Christopher Brunsdon

No really. For every extra link in your chain, your just taking < 0.9% longer for the chain to do a complete revolution and your only doing < 0.9% less wear per extra link. So say you get 1500km on a 104 link chain , then a 114 chain link chain should give you 1644km to get to the same wear. But since there are so many other factors out their, this is just purley academic so don't worry. Just religiously measure and maintaine your chain.

I would steal her

Guys, I'm locking this thread as we started a 2011 thread: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/94116-unemployed-hubbers-2011/

Parcel Force is Royal Mail - Its like SAPO with Speed Services. But I had not problem with the "Royal Mail" option, got my goods in less than two weeks. Tracked it on ParcelForce site till it got to Cape Town. Next day it was at my local SAPO.

Well if your coming into Somerset West after 4pm, you can pick up at my place.

Well you should always replace a chain before the chain wear exceed 0.7% and not wait for 1%. Time is no indication how when as various factors influence chain wear. I've had one chain last me 700km (3mths) and was worn to over 1% - more like 10%, then I got my current chain 6mths (2000km) that is till very happy. Very true as agreed by other Hubbers. Personally that is why I'm still on 8spd - cheaper chains & more durable.

I'm going to Franshoek Car Museam on Sunday and can drop it off if you want.

Give Eddie from Jaynic (Somerset West) a buzz, he has a lot of old stuff lying around. I still got an old V2 (2yrs old) with the bosses on, it might fit that XCM of yours. O, eddie is at: 021-851-4085 / 074-143-4803

Bump - we are still looking.

That schweet, I really like that. How did you make it?

Gels where just too expensive for me so I just pack in a peanut & honey sandwich. Throw in some AJ Muti Mix and I'm sorted for less than R10 a ride.

Yes they do, in the morning when you wake them up /end sarcasm. But seriously, cable stretch is one of my favourite urban legends along with chains stretching. Most of the so called cable stretch is the cable clamp bolt (whatever you call it) on the derailleur not being tight enough causing it to slip. This is what I understand too.

That was my situation a year ago when I bought mine. On the plus side its easy to sell it for nearly what one paid but then again having a cheap HRM is so handy once you start getting the Missus involved

Nope. The wear on the rollers is always on the entire roller and not just one side, also wear on the rollers is of no importance as it has no effect on chain wear. Even the pins (the part of the chain where wear is what is important) wears evenly as the chain goes through 720 degree turns with each revolution. Just keep the chain clean, correctly lubed and check the wear religiously.

I still say check the local guys before CRC. I've often found even my local LBS to be cheaper at times but CRC do have the variety that the local guys don't. Love my pannier from CRC and want to get another one now.

I've been getting parcels (purchases and gifts) from overseas since the 80's and I can only recall two parcels that where not opened by SARS - over 40 parcels in the last 25yrs. I only had theft from the SAPO during the late 80's when my mom would include one or two small items that the local SAPO staff would take interest in. Always knew it was them as they would say stuff like "Enjoy your birthday presents" when I would collect.

I have the Sigma PC9, the PC15 record max heart rate where the PC9 does not. Happy with it and its a great entry level HRM. I would say that if your not going for a nice Polar, go for the Sigma from Chris.

Scotch-guard is only effective as a water repellent and will not make your saddle water proof. Its more practical to use it on natural fibres. I use to be in the furniture trade.

The problem is my previous broker did not correctly explain to me the different levels of protection and what the real world benefits where. I was just tossing money at something that was not what I wanted but I'm sure it was what he wanted to sell me to boost his comission. The same happened with my wifes cover. After we saw another broker, we now have the cover we require and always wanted. But Tankman it was more a case of the broker being uselss vs the products he represented. The broker no longer practices.

From experience and not knocking Discovery, speak to a broker and make sure they explain everything to you correctly. My previous Discovery income protection was useless as the broker did not sell me the correct product. I switched brokers and am now correctly covered with another company.

@Tankman, but does Discovery Costal cover the services rendered by the ambulance company? I'm refering to the services at the scene and not the transport. I only see the statement of "If you need medically equipped transport, for example an ambulance or helicopter for a medical emergency, we will cover the costs from your Hospital Benefit, whether you are admitted to hospital or not."

I would just like the option of counter 2 counter economy mail with insurance. Its not that expensive and makes a difference. I regularly post items via SAPO and know the costs. One thing to be spending a couple of K vs wanting a R200 item that once delivery is added I could just as well supported my LBS.

Nothing wrong with SAPO, any delay should be customs. Then again my order was done on the 11th (2011-01-11) and it was already at my post office in Somerset West by the 19th. I just took the Royal Mail option and tracked it to Cape Town EMS until the 19th when a cryptic status hinted that it was dispatched to my post office.

Chris is awesome but I would like to see a cheaper delivery option for those cheaper deals.

Good point Grumpy. This bud of mine was also heli-vaced with his previous accident (its beyond a miracle that he survived that bike crash). In his case he was not billed, but one might get stuck in Pofadder and need an emergency flight to Cape Town - this happened to my boet in law who lives in Pofadder and ended up selling a house to cover his medical bills 2 years back. Some emergency heart surgery. He had no medical aid. His son had to race down to Cape Town in his Merc C-Class, full throttle, took them 5 hours of low flying (760km).