dracaena

Lucky Bast.... :-)

The Sierra is on MY wish list for 2010. Will probably be purchasing it in the next few months. Would love to hear opinion of someone that have one. I have a definite soft spot for Silverback. Local and if you compare the components to similar priced bikes; you get more bang for your buck. Must admit I dislike Merida and Giant, but that is based on emotions and not quantifiable facts.

I bought 2 Conti tubes. Made the guys at the LBS loosen the valves. Got some WTF looks, but needed to be sure. Will add the Stan's to these tonight and run them. But since I also have another set, I'll try the syringe on them. Thanks everyone

Awesome. Thank you everybody. I'm going to try the syringe sans needle first, tonight.

Gansbay, what you are suggesting is a bit above my manual abilities....

The facetious comment was not meant for you. Thanks for your advice :-0

Thanks, it's off to my local friendly drug dealer for a syringe tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

Now this is a shocker! Actual useful advice! Thanks bikemonster! I will try that and come crying when it does not work. (And for those that need to, please look up facetious)

Let me get this straight: The sum total of the advice so far is, drill a hole to fit Schrader valves OR go tubeless. Thanks for nothing.

No, not the normal car-like one. It's the little bastard...

I bought a very nice Shimano wheelset, but it only takes Presta valves. After a previous buckling incident, I was very hesitant in getting the holes drilled bigger. When I got home, I realised that the new tubes have no sludge in them, so off to the shops for some Stans. R200 later(they only had the large bottle) Got home and realised I cannot add sludge to a Presta tube! Off to the shops again to get some Dr Sludge pre-sludged tubes. Got home, and the inner core was a bit stiff. I was not too fussed, since I assumed it's just the dried sludge that caused it. I pushed it in and out a bit. Tried to pump it up and the "Joy" continued. The air kept on escaping once it got to a certain level. I quickly unhooked the pump with the presta adaptor and try and close it before too much air escapes. I repeated this exercise quite a few times... BUT even when closing the valve the air still escapes. Basically on "close" air still escape. So it is not closing properly. I tried this with both tubes. Same thing. So, my tech questions are: Are these tubes just buggered? Is there a any way to get sludge in the normal presta tubes that DOES close? Any other advice? And please remember that I just forked out R400 plus on this little exercise. And please don't tell me to go tubeless. :-) Thanks!

Anyone out there (apart from Planet X staff using the Microshift MTB groupset? How does it compare with Shimano and or SRAM?

Is it true that you need to buy a 8 speed specific \ compatible crankset if you run a 8 speed MTB? I was also told that the Shimano Alivio is the top end of the 8 speed cranks. I was sceptical about these statements, but don't know enough to argue. Are either of these statements true?

I think DG certainly now have a huge fan base. DG you have the spirit of a true MTB'er. :-)

patience? what is that? :-) I know you are right, but I'll have to see if my self-control will be able to wait until next year. Lourensford is in 2 and half weeks. a new beast would have been so nice....

cool. I'll try to convince my LBS to let me try one out

any "big" guys out there that have a Schwinn Moab CS2? Never had a carbon frame before.

thanks Shimano 105. Is that the Mongoose model: Extra Light? I currently have a Tyax Super, so am fond of Mongoose, but always thought City Cycles overpriced. Have never done a specific compare though. And thank you "The Thug". I must admit a 29'er is quite an interesting prospect. I'll see what Kiwi can conjure up.

I'm in the market to upgrade and looking at spending between 10 to 15k for a hardtail. I was very keen on the Silverback Sierra or at a stretch the Silverback Michigan, but some guys on the Hub seem to scoff at these. IMO the Silverback bikes are very good value for money. I'm 1.86m tall and weigh about 90kg. So I need something very rugged. I'm not a weight weenie, but am rather looking for something that requires little maintenance. I need something that will take 40 km of dusty jeep track one day and then on the weekend the ruts at Majick Forest or the single track at Tokai. I'd also like to complete Lourensford this year cycling my bike and not carrying it. My current semi-entry level bike seem to be in the shop for repairs every other week. Some people suggested buying a second hand MTB here on the Hub, but I am mechanically illiterate. I'd rather buy something new and if it misbehaves I can take it back to the LBS and tell them to make it stop. For some reason I dislike Merida's almost as much as Nokia's and Celine Dion. So they are not an option. Anyone willing to steer me in the right direction?

bugger. Thanks Droo. I think it would be best to wait for the correct fork.

Good question. Any gurus out there willing to share their opinion?

awesome! Thanks.

I vaguely recall the guy at my LBS telling me they'll push through a longer steerer tube on a fork if the steerer is too short. This was while he was trying to sell me something, so I kinda tuned out. Now I'm looking for a v-brake compatible fork and the ones available have short tubes. So, now I wished I listened. :-) Is there anyone out there that know if it can be easily done?

I use a stationary bike as well. It is one of those GAME Trojan jobbies. It has quite a few exercise programmes, which I find great. Excellent for simulating climbing hills, etc. (Obviosuly not 100% like the real thing, but hey, I bought it for about R1500) I had a Giant IDT that cost about the same, but the noise and inconvenience just was not worth it. Never tried a spinning cycle, but then again I don't drink pink drinks.. So, my choice would be the stationary bike with either an IPod or TV. I also use the heart rate monitor feature on the bike's litle computer to keep me honest.

I am still shopping around for a upgrade to my Mongoose, but in the meantime the "fancy" SR XCR Fork is screaming for a service. It is bottoming out and the play is quite alarming. My LBS phoned Giant which service the Suntour forks and apparantly they dont have parts available. The exact same thing happened at the beginning of the year with my brother's XCM fork. They also did not have stock and we ended up buying a DART 1 from CRC for under a R1 000. (I see they are now on special for just over R500). Have everyone else had similiar experiences? Is this their way of forcing you to buy a new fork? Why take over the servicing of something if you never have parts? Enough ranting. Here's my question: What would be a good in between fork? Something that will be better than the XCR and get me through the next few weeks \ months while I shop around for an upgrade bike. I see CRC has two that don't look too bad: A DART 3 for about R1800 and a 2007 Tora for just over R1000. Are they good options? And are there any local alternatives for similiar price? Rock Shox Tora 302 Lockout 2007 From 1034.99 ZAR Rock Shox Tora 302 Lockout 2007 From 1034.99 ZAR