EZRider

Why is it that guys that are "large enough" don't get messed with? I have also found that sometimes guys that are "large enough" sometimes push their luck because they intimidate us "normal" folk. Love standing up to those who try that nonsense - it normally gets them to back down becuase a) they know they are taking a chance and have been caught out and b) they wonder why a "normal sized" person would dare to stand up to them. Not you guys of course. And not all "large enough" lads are like this. but there is always one ..... Some of what you say is true: a lot of "big" men aren't that good in a scrap because they seldom need to get into one. I am naturally big and strong and I never fight. Partly because I am big and so bullys tend to leave me alone and partly because I am pretty soft natured and walk away from most altercations. Mainly because there is always someone out there with a 9mm and enough stupidity to use it. On the other hand, bigger men tend to have fewer complexes about their size and don't normally tend to be bullys (oh yes, idiots do come in all sizes but its not the norm).

No worries, I ride an alu full suss so I am not strongly opinionated on carbon either way. I hope your friend was an exception to the rule as my nephew, Dominic, really loves his bike! Mind you, as I said, he hasn't managed to break it yet. He is 15 and will be riding the Dirty Harry on Saturday in Stanford colours so if any of you are there give him a cheer.

My nephew just got himself a GT Zaskar carbon frame a few months ago and he races it super hard. He is 15 and takes part in all the school and regional XC races and if he hasn't managed to break it yet then they are pretty unbreakable! Mind you, he washes it every day... and it sleeps inside next to his bed... and I think it has some kind of blankie for when it gets cold.

A friend of mine has an almost brand new Trek carbon Elite frame I think he may want to sell. Okay, so that is a lot of "thinks" and "maybes" and "almosts"! How much do you want to spend?

So, you're a Barry (sometimes a Berry) or a 'whatever the one in Heidi was called'. Seriously though, I would get another but its way to hot here in Tzaneen for them. More of an Egoli type of dog.

It's weird how a post about a dog becomes a post about Lance. If he wasn't on the tour most of the hubbers would have nothing to say. Especially those who dislike him. Anyway, to stay on topic, cool dog. I used to have one as a kid until it got hit by a car

You should spend some time here in Tzaneen. The women farmers rule the roost. haha id love to spend some time there - not bacuase the girls choose their own bikes' date=' but because it's a stunning part of the country - i bet all those girls choosing their own bikes would know how to ride them as well - and know where the juiciest bits are [/quote'] Yeah, it is beautiful. Mountain biking heaven. I just leave my farm gate, pick a direction and go... The girls do know a lot. It's the curse of the internet. I tried to swap out my wife's Bontrager lite wheels with my old ones and that didn't get me very far

You have no idea But, like I said, its worth it. Must be something in the water here.

Probably are' date='..............let us know which one it is, cos the one I am watching,........ the "Le tour" is a complete yawner.! [/quote'] - Awesome individual timetrial by Cancellara - Team Time Trial very technical with plenty crashes - Leaders jersey decided by hundredths of a second - 23 year old Cavendish showing incredible performance and maturity. - Spinters team causes a split on a flat stage in the wind - Contador and Armstrong trading blows for team leadership - Breakaway stage wins. - Green, polka, and yellow all changing hands and hotly contested. Only the first week gone. I dunno, I'm really enjoying it so far. I was annoyed by the rest day, no racing to watch. Have to agree, I am really enjoying this Tour.

Thanks for the help everyone, from your answers I see there is definitely something wrong with it. I guess I will just have to send it off. Maybe my wife will let me ride her bike... probably not.

Thanks for the input. Glad to hear it is not supposed to lock but I can't feel or see a difference in stiffness between the settings. I was hoping for a quick fix as the LBS says they send it off to be serviced and that means I would be without my baby for a while I am pretty heavy, 103 kg, so the shock is pretty pumped up. Could that negate the settings dial?

Hi all, I bought my first full susser, a GT Marathon 1.0, thinking that the back shock could be locked like the front one. It is a Fox RP23 with a lever and a dial with three settings. Flipping the lever does nothing at all. Changing the dial doesn't seem to do much either. The shock just wont lock out. The bike shop said the shock doesn't lock out completely and isn't supposed to. A friend of mine has a GT Force One with the same shock on the back and it doesn't lock either. Is it supposed to lock? If so, am I missing something obvious? Any input would be appreciated.

Exactly, I am a new cyclist, only started in Feb, am 38 and was very overweight (124 kg but that has changed a bit!), and I managed to ride my first MTB race, the Big Induna, a couple of weeks ago. OK, so, I didn't win. Was never going to. Had a blast, finished and will ride it again next year. I don't know how it compares to road riding as I have never ridden on tar but I am sure that's just as hard, the road guys seem to go much faster and cover much more distance. Don't sell your bike, enter a race and have fun. It may be hard but it's not impossible.

It was my first ever race and I am happy just to have finished. Somewhere near the back but finished anyway. I loved the route, the scenery and the friendly spirit of the competitors but also found it strange that by the time I got to the water tables there was nothing but water and they may as well not have given the goody bag at all as I don't eat fizzers. I understand that they want to give the medal money for charity and am cool with that but at least give us the option. New riders like myself love to get something shiny for sitting on that damn saddle for nearly 4 hours! If they want to charge me an extra R 10 for a medal fine, I will gladly pay. Otherwise, great race and I will be back next year for more punishment and, hopefully, a much quicker time.

I went to the semi last weekend and it was so nerve racking that I am heading to the bush this weekend. No TV within 100 km!

I am sorry to hear about your nephew's accident. I can't help with any info but wish you and him all the best and a speedy recovery. Riding away from an accident like that should be seen as culpable homicide. What if the injured party had died and the person who caused the accident could have administered first aid or at least phoned for help?