The Saint

Good bike I had one - very light frame - think the release date was 05 or 06

When I Look for a bike size to fit me I always measure the effective top tube length (center to center). Some manufacturers use this as the bike size others use the length from the Seat Tube to the bottom bracket. Some manufacturers just have their own idea about sizing.

Train more, if you are already doing the correct amount of training up your salt intake

Burning lungs are a sign of exactly what you are doing - hitting the max so in effect you answering your own question

Saw one of those delivery motorcycle guys get nailed on Friday on Trichardts road Boksburg he was ok he just had a few minutes nap on the side of the road. Helmet also came off cause it wasn't fastened properly.

If you are sick it is your bodies way of telling you "I've had enough I need some Rest!!" Some will give you the above and below the chest advice but your body does not get sick because it wants you to give it a pounding - Don't do anything until you are fully recovered - nuff said

See now here is a good post. I would like to add to this. These guys are answering questions before Federal Investigators and the consequence of lying is jail time. Now if it is later proved they they were lying about Lance and their knowledge of Lance taking PEDS then they will be subject to jail time - so ask yourself why would they lie about it? I would have to conclude that with this in mind the whole book deal money making theory is out the window. It is more like I am going to tell the truth because I don't want to go to jail for Lance and whilst i'm telling the truth i am going to make a few bucks out of it. The reason they have only mentioned Lance is because the investigation is only about Lance

I'm sure they practiced riding on their Mountain Bikes before taking part - Wasn't this what the original post was about? A roadie who had never ridden MTB before was inquiring as to weather he should practice riding the tech stuff. The answer is yes. Not sure how many forests and single track you ride on when you are on your road bike but I really do try to stay away from it when I'm on mine and was merely suggesting that beginner MTBers practice this skill. See the comment for what it was ie MTBing has technical stuff involved in it and needs practice to develop the skill where as road cycling is more point and ride not to say that roadies cannot ride their bicycles (which I never said by the way) but it is two totally different styles. Each discipline has its own forms of techniques which need to be developed. Hope this clears things up a bit for you and allows you to understand that there was no clear insult involved at roadies and their ability to ride their bikes - I'm 1 myself

Which bit do I need to tell him the bit about he should ride more technical on his MTB or the bit that he needs to point his road bike in the right direction? I got him on twitter so I can do it quickly for you. It's really no problem.

Yes you need to learn to ride the technical stuff without a doubt. It is part and parcel of MTBing and MTBing is where you really learn to ride a bicycle properly unlike in road where you basically just need to point the bike in the right direction

Interesting outlook you have there Mr Smith, yes I agree with you blame the shop because you don't have proof of purchase or proof of repair or proof of whatever you are trying to say, nothing like not accepting responsibility. Do you perhaps dabble in Politics from time to time because if you do I suggest you take it up as a full time occupation, you'll be very good at it.

I'm 68kg and run between 2 and 2.5 bar find anything lower than that I have problems on the flat hard stuff with getting the speed up and anything higher than that the bike slips too much on the wet stuff or is hard to handle in the sandy stuff.

The USB port on the PVR is reserved for future use and is not going to work if you shove a memory stick into it. As stated above TV Card or DVD Recorder is the only way you are going to be able to swap that porn.

I also cannot find any weight restriction on the manufacturers website with regards to this rim. I think Dragon Sports are the agents for Alex why not give them a call and see what they come yup with?

I think Mampara may be on the right track here, take the wheel in and get it rebuilt

Is a possibility - what rims are they?

You not maybe too heavy for the rim? Check that your rims don't have a weight restriction.

Ja wheels and a garmin and some cranks

Just to be clear Cyclesure is now underwritten by Hollard so it is strange that Iam on R200 odd a month for a 25k bike and TNT is on 80 Bucks???? Makes no sense looks like I have some phone call to make

Yes the wording does seem to be a bit vague which is in the insurance companies favor. I think as with most claims it comes down to just how hard you are prepared to fight and how good you are in the letter writing department. Bankers, Lawyers, Doctors, Insurance Companies and Estate Agents, those are my top 5 on the be very careful when dealing with list. AKA The Big 5

From what I can establish is Cyclesure will not entertain any claim where there is latent defect to the bike via a manufacturing problem,damage to the bike due to bad roads or if your bike is stolen from anywhere outside or on your premises and is not locked or secured to some immovable object via cables, chains and locks. They will entertain the claim if your bike is LOCKED in your car, trailer or bike rack and that has to be secured by cables, chains and locks - bit ridiculous really. Wonder if my Thulie lock on my bike rack is "approved". Anyhows if your bike is stolen whilst locked in or onto any of these objects there must be forceable entry - that is the criminals mush have broken some other **** to get to your **** before they will entertain the claim. As for your bike being physically stolen from inside your garage or house - well who knows?

Here is the policy wording 5. theft, loss or damage to unattended property unless secured to an immovable object, vehicle or trailer by an approved lock and cable or chain or locked inside a vehicle or trailer and entry and removal is accompanied by violent and forcible means; 6. theft loss or damage to property whilst in transit by road, unless attached to a vehicle or trailer with approved locks and cable or chain or locked inside a vehicle or trailer and further provided that the cycle carrier is securely bolted or locked to the vehicle or trailer by an approved lock and that theft, loss, removal or damage from a locked vehicle is accompanied by violent and forcible means; 7. theft of wheels whilst the Pedal Cycle is secured to a vehicle or trailer carrier, unless the wheels are secured by an approved lock and cable and or chain, or locked inside a vehicle or trailer and entry and removal is accompanied by violent and forcible means; provided that: 7.1 an approved lock shall mean any SABS approved close shackle lock; 7.2 an approved chain shall consist of a minimum of 12mm in thickness; 7.3 an approved cable shall consist of 12mm RAVX cable with lock; 8. theft of the Pedal Cycle from any place to which the public has access unless such Pedal Cycle is secured by an approved lock, cable and or chain as described in 7.1 to 7.3 above to an immovable object, except whilst the Pedal Cycle is left at a specifically designated secured area provided by the organisers of an official event; 9. vehicles, motor cycles of any type including scooters (excluding battery operated Pedal Cycles), three wheeled vehicles, quad bikes, golf carts, trailers, caravans, hang gliders, aircraft and watercraft, including their fitted equipment and accessories I can't find anywhere in the policy where is states what the criteria are if the bike is actually in a room inside your house

Ronster probably the safest place in Jhb to ride in terms of traffic is Suikerbos cause there is none but this is no place for a beginner who has no bike skills. Besides if she doesn't like the hills then she is going to hate the mountains. Safety in road cycling really does come from numbers in this country. You either need to be in a big bunch or totally on your own. In your case being in a big bunch will be very unsafe so it will have to be on your own in some quiet residential suburb somewhere. I don't think you will find one person on this site that will recommend any particular road or route as safe.

With a beginner you need to stay really isolated but I'm sure you know that already. Personally I would keep her on the Mulders route you guys are doing already. When she gets to know the route her confidence will grow and she will become more comfortable. Taking a complete newbie out of their comfort zone can create an even more nervous disposition and all it takes is one crash for her to never get back on a bike again. As for the hills explain to her that it is part of cycling and getting up them should become a goal rather than a struggle. Hills are good and she will see her fitness and strength increase far quicker doing them. I think first and foremost she needs to learn to have confidence and control and only once you are satisfied that she can actually ride a bike then start to take her into new territory. Are the no quiet suburbs around your area? Maybe a few loops around your suburbs with some right and left turns which will force her to change gears when stopping and get the feet off the pedals. This will also get some stop start practice and bike control skills. You could also consider purchasing a set of rollers which will help with balance and pedal stroke skills.

K, how new is she, first time on a bike or some experience? Can she clip in and out yet? Is she able to hold her own in a bunch without panicking? How fit is she? How long a distance ride are you looking at doing?