EZRider

We ride and race XT here in Tzaneen which is, along with sabie, one of the muddiest places on earth and your statement is bollocks. Not only does the XT gruppo handle mud very well it is long lasting and much easier to maintain than SRAM. Use the gruppo in mud and mountains for a few years first and then make claims. I have nothing against SRAM, it's good equipment, it's just that XT handles our conditions much better.

Wiggins wins the TT and the race!

The Garmin edge 500 also measures vertical change in altitude and takes this into account. I just finished the Forest 2 Falls 70 with 1600 m total ascent and the GPS unit was spot on at 68,9 km - this was the actual distance measured by non GPS units too.

I'll bet you a cold one he podiums.

Have a drink for the Wiggo.

Is this even debatable?

Wig... er, Bradley looks good for the Tour this year.

I was going to ask you to organise 3 decent MX bikes for me for 10 k

10 k is minimum for a racing spec bike.

It's actually spelt rigid.. Not frigid with a d but without the f.

Ha Ha just pedal dam it!

More ridged? More mountainous? You forgot the most successful marketing ploy: bigger wheels!

Rain gave it to Geraint! Cav 3rd.

Bad news is that road works have foiled us in hosting the road race. Good news is that the MTB race is very much a go on 6 May. It's a fantastic and challenging 40 km route passing through the most beautiful natural forest magoebaskloof has to offer. There is a 20 km option for those wanting it a bit more relaxing and Tzaneen is only 4 hours from Joberg. Details on CycleLab website.

The Merida is an awesome bike. A friend of mine just finished the Epic on a Big Nine with no hassles whatsoever. I just bought myself a Merida 99 full suspension due to a dodgy back and I love the bike, very high quality finish and good spec from a manufacturer that makes frames for a lot of other brands.

I doubt it... Maybe on CRC!

Ha ha, more speed than talent can hurt! Stick to 3x10 if you like it. The new shimano 2012 XT group is really good in both 3 and 2 ring versions.

+1 on the shifting performance. Just changed to 2 x 10 and tested it up a very steep gradient. On my Merida 26" with a 36 cassette my cadence is not much lower than granny on my 3 x 9. River rat, don't think about the speed the gears will give you but rather your cadence on the climb. And if you are in your biggest ring front, smallest back and have a high cadence on the steep Sabie descents then maybe you should be in downhill!

Sorry Richard, but once or twice a week, while better than nothing, will never make you much stronger on the climbs.

Can't be the H, not enough !!!!!!!

Yes, before the wheel change. She looks very sweet, just waiting for a chance to ride her!

Weekend warrior - someone who spends far less time thinking about you than you have of them. You got issues with wealth or just your perception of the arrogance of wealth?

I got my Merida 99 yesterday. It's the XT-D version and I have upgraded with Crossmax wheels. The bike is very pretty, much nicer in person, just a pity that I have injured my back and have to wait a few days before riding!

I put a 11-28 ultegra cluster which works great with my standard derailleur, granted it's 10 speed. Just had to set the limits a bit and adjust the barrel away from the cluster. I also run a compact on the front but I live in Tzaneen so every way I go is up!