walkerr

Would make for an interesting change - but they'd have to eat the current website wording: Route Map The 2013 Cycle Tour route map will be loaded at the end of 2012. No major route changes are planned. Watch the press for details.

Shame - at least it'll make that sub 4 easier, but also less "earned"

Don't know the RC3000 geometry but most compact road/race frames will take a 25mm - some you can squeeze a 28mm on, albeit if they have short pull brake calipers even with a 25mm you may need to put the wheel on with tyre uninflated. Anything bigger very doubtful.

Used to swear by Gators despite the weight and difficulty of getting on/off to fix punctures. I went to GP4000s though for lightness - they're damned pricey, but they've proved as tough as the Gators so far, much lighter and easier to get on/off. It's not rated as a commute tyre I know, but it has proven durable on all sorts of bad roads. I also have a set of GP 4 Seasons which are rated much more for all year / commute type use - also pricey, and I had to order from UK. I'm not convinced they'll be that much tougher than the 4000s, even though they look chunkier. They do go up to 28mm tho if your frame can take, which makes for a more comfy ride.

I have a B17, ordered from SJS Cycles in the UK, and mounted to a lovely USE Alien Ti seatpost. It's a thing of beauty, although have yet to put any serious miles on it. It was bought for long distance audax rides(200km and up). Currently doing 100km+ in build up to DC, so am riding my everyday Spesh Romin. Just one note (others may have advised this too, didn't read full thread) - this isn't a saddle you just put on and ride. It needs to be adjusted, and ridden in. For the riding, you need to apply their Proofide saddle cream initially and a few times as you wear it in and it softens to the shape of your sit bones (or your sit bones shape to it, I'm never sure which really happens). So expect anything from 100km to 500km of hard/uncomfortable riding and don't judge whether it's any good before then. If that sounds like too much work - you don't want a Brooks!

If you are a pro or serious racer, there probably are some significant differences - and which is better will also depend on the terrain of the trail or race you are on. For the rest of us mere mortals - it's not about us, it's about marketing. If I have a fairly new/decent 26er, then someone is going to struggle to sell me a new one. Come out with a spanky new 29er and get some hype going about how much better it is, and I'll be tempted. So now I ended up with both, and the manufacturers are stuck again - how can they sell me another bike. Aha, the 29er is "better" for more most times, but sometimes it feels a bit big and clumsy. Come up with a new 27.5er and get the same hype going that it is going to be the "best of both worlds" to try and make me part with cash again. Call me cynical - but for an average rider, you'd be better spending money and time on more training and riding more. Skills and fitness will be your bigger limiting factor than the spiel of marketing depts about the perfect new bike. Of course - I love a shiny new bike as much as the next person, and it's easy to get me tempted. So none of this means you shouldn't go buy that new machine with your SARS refund, and also keep your favourite bike brand in business, which is undoubtedly a good thing. Just recognize that your real reason is about lust for that new piece of bike porn, and you won't get any buyers remorse when you aren't suddenly twice as fast.

Nah ... they'll be back to k*k again soon. We got in before the staff arrived this Monday and had a chance to mess things up

Warning - that is your unique link. Only usable 1 time - anyone wanting to try it, you have to go back via the RHCP site to get a new dynamically generated link to the Q

Nice !

Went to RHCP web site - they had a Pre-Sale link which generated a uinque code and put you into a special pre-sale Q on computicket which opened at 9am. Total fluke I looked - after we got lucky getting early GC tickets via the LPU special ticket access I figured I'd see if RHCP had something similar.

Why thanks ....

Flipping heck - golden circle for Linkin Park, and just got them for RHCP too. We get no international acts for ages, then they're all coming. Bring it on!

Interesting comment on SA vs USA brands - one thing that has kept me on Hammer is that I know the USA food standards are much tougher than here, plus with it being a bigger market and very litiguous I would agree it's unlikely they could get away with dodgy ingredients or sloppy manufacture. Also would prefer to buy local, but I have had no issues with Hammer, and I did have minor issues on couple of local brands. Another thing to look at is maybe study the ingredient list - could be just 1 or 2 things in there your system doesn't like. While back I used to get bad headaches with any mix containing Glutamine. Did some reading and headaches are documented as a less common but known side effect. Stayed away from those, and no issues. Lot of mixes use Taurine also - generally a good thing for most people, but might be worth seeing if that or other things in there have a known side effect of upset stomachs. Final footnote is that I weened myself back to being able to use Glutamine by gradually using small amounts on it's own in plain water after gym or cycle sessions. So if you do find 1 culprit ingredient, you may be able to gradually build up a tolerance for it to minimize the effect.

Was also on seatpost hunt recently - but wanted a Titanium seatpost, which limited my options. Here's what I found: USE Alien Ti post - very nice quality, do in 0 or 10mm setback. The front of the clamp projects forward though which limited how far I could push saddle back. Have one on my Brooks audax saddle, and it's a very nice post. I also have a new/boxed one that have been considering putting on hub to sell (couldn't get my Romin saddle quite far enough back with it). Van Nicholas Ti post - also nice quality, with 15mm setback. This is what I'm using now on my Romin saddle and it's very sweet. Was a total b*tch to fit though - odd clamp that took two of us to get done and numerous tools! Only one I saw with more setback when looking was Thomson - not Ti, but 20 or 25mm mm I think - Rob

+1 for Hammer, and the note on dosing instructions. Have had bad experiences when I overloaded on dosage of some brands. Also .... I'm no scientist, but it seems to me like all of these have nice concoctions of sugars and stuff that would be a feast for bacteria. So every couple of weeks - I do a "deep clean" on my bottles i.e. normal soap and water, and then soak in a sink of water with Milton to kill off any nasties, followed by good rinse to get as much of the milton taste out.

You're too quick for the team I'm in .... but I'll buy your 6h legs if you are selling

Awesome story and great from CWC. Have just had great service from CWC (dealt with Wayne) getting me some Mavic rims, but this goes way beyond just good service. Major thumbs up

Looking to get some for wheel build, but they don't seem to be that commonly stocked here in SA. I'd also like to buy individually - they are pricey so I don't really want to have to buy 2x boxes of 20 just to build a 24 spoke front wheel. Emailed couple of overseas suppliers - but would be great if someone local sold them

Very nice - congrats. Gonna be a sweet ride for sure

Hope so - gone from hating it to loving it

Been there - done that. Sure I will again too

Yet - have had low BP occasionally after exercise (my BP is always a tad on low side anyhow). Doctor reckoned it was sweating and not putting enough salt back in. Steppped up my electrolytes, and specifically salt and haven't had a bad case since. My doc also suggested liquorice for just general times - that helps too, although I suspect a part of that could be an energy boost from the sugar in it too. I wouldn't rule out energy depletion from lack of fuel either - especially if it happens a lot, that is of course unless you know she's taking enough on board before during and after a ride. Last thing is she may have a bug. I was a keen skier when in Uk, but one trip I got an hour or two in and had nothing left. GP checked me over when I got home and found I had glandular fever. They'll check for that for sure tho if energy levels are low - it's one of the first on their list I think.

Ok - so I need to report back for the record. Massive double thumbs up to Heldeberg Cycle World and Omnico. They understood my frustration and have replaced the EA90 SLX wheelset with a brand new pair. No quibble or repairs this time, boxed and shiny new wheels. That part makes me very happy (they also gave great service on first broken spoke too, fixed and back in 6 days). I can't yet say whether the new wheels are more durable - but my LBS and local agent get a solid 10 for service. :thumbup:

Nice - busy downloading as we speak! I see that this site also has timed workouts which sync with the Sufferfest videos as long as you have an ANT+ dongle and necessary sensors: http://www.trainerroad.com/ I'm a bit vague on RPE, so what I like is they seem to put a VirtualPower dashboard alongside to help be sure you are working at the required level in the video. Will sign up for 30 day trial when my dongle arrives from Nivo and report back on how it is.

Great, thanks for feedback folks. Heard others recommend Spinnervals so will check that out too.