RossW

I really like the bonus of getting fit while doing the "commute". Nothing like sitting in traffic for even 30 minutes knowing that you now have 30 minutes less of riding time in the afternoon! Makes my blood boil .

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Turning the shock around and the "locking" bottle and Bos even has the "cheaper" bottle in there that I use. Good on ya mate

I haven't read all the pages but here are my suggestions - my apologies if I duplicate. With regards to fitting the bottle in the front triangle. If like me, you have a shock that attaches on the top tube ie Superlight or Zula, turn the shock around so that the can is closer to the rear triangle and the stanchion of the shock is towards your bottle cage. When you mention the seat post holder losing bottles; try finding a bottle which "locks" in to the cage. Meaning, the Specialized cage which I have on my seat post has a lip which locks onto the specialized bottles. There are other bottles (cheaper! ) which fit as well. I ride plenty of rocks gardens, ski jumps and rutted roads and have never lost a "locking" bottle.

Thanks for the great ideas everyone! Having some spare shoes at work seems a must and makes sense as they are the heaviest bit of clothing. I'm going to give the Camelbak Lobo "backpack" a try with jeans and shirt for the day (wrapped in a plastic bag for sweat defense). Will have a drawer saved for socks, undies and deo and FOOD! I will most certainly be doing the riding in riding kit - much more comfortable in my opinion even if for only a 5km ride on the days I do not feel like doing a 'long ride' before. This is going to be an exciting start to commuting. Luckily there is a company car for use so I really do not need my car to stand in the sun all day. Maybe in suggesting theses ideas to a noob commuter; entrenched commuters may hear of ideas to refine their system ....

I like your idea of driving maybe once and leaving clobber at work. Makes the backpack that bit lighter each day. Thanks Mampara! Although, I even dare to think that a Camelbak sans bladder could carry trousers and a shirt (in the bladder compartment) - I have the one which is one down from the Mule. I think I will be surprised at the distance covered Tubehunter if I were to do a longer ride each day. Will certainly lift the fitness level and get one used to distance. It'll be a minimum of 125km a week I have a great 'longer ride' which is about 24km and ends 500m from work - bingo! That bit is solved.

Hey, I've done a search and can't find the answer to my question thus I pose it to the hubbers. I live 5km from work and it annoys the hell out of me that I drive the distance. Leaving the cost of petrol out of this; the cost through wear and tear of starting and "warming" the car on the drive means that it does not reach it's efficient temperature before I have arrived - 7 mins in heavy traffic So the question to those who cycle to work: What do you wear to commute? I have a shower at work and I do at times do a long ride early then head straight to work so naturally I'll be in riding clothes. But those days when I just want to ride to work and back - what does one wear?

I'm in the same boat as you! I am looking at an Mbuzi but think Shova would be ideal. I'm just worried that having a bike similar (Shova) to my Santa Cruz Superlight may create a blurring of the lines. And when I say similar I mean going trail riding with mates stuff, obviously not racing similar.

How do those Manitou swingers work? Meaning of course, how do they ride, what is the setup like etc

The top end stuff is good. The rest ... well, I think the cheap components detract from a nice frame. The frames are very heavy in the dual-sus department. As said, the HT are nice. I actually bought one but then didn't get round to building it. Twas super cheap frame and weighed 1.9kg....not bad and yes, maybe a bit much for a HT.

The first Ascent MTB socks are magic! Will never buy a pair of Falke's again for riding. SteveCT, you will like, trust me They are so soft and comfortable.

+1!

I'm a hydrology M.Sc student in PMB, Big H. I couldn't have said it better

Do you use a Thule Pro ride 951 roof carrier? Asking because of the friction marks on the down tube at the pivot. Got the same thing happening to my Superlight ...

+1

You should be able to order the bracket from the shop you bought the P7 from. It's the same bracket I use the my M7. It was R70 for the bracket when I bought it 2 weeks ago.

I have the M7 and there is a handlebar mount for it. Solid and doesn't let go. Cars flash their lights at me if i have it in spot mode instead of flood mode. All in all cost me less than R450

Howick is also worth a ride and it's a neighbour to Karkloof.

+1

Blood VOLUME is replaces with in 48 hours but the red blood cells take longer to be replaced, hence the 52 day period between donations. Of course, I'm not saying it takes 52 days to replace the red blood cells - closer to 2 weeks. As you know, red blood cells contain hemoglobin which transports oxygen ... so you have less oxygen transport taking place thus you struggle doing moderate to high intensity activities. Some people respond differently and I am in the boat with you! You should be back to normal after about a week of rest.

+1

Yea, been in a good couple of times. I like what I've seen so far. Puzzled as to why there are so many entry level bikes with V-brakes. Or are those for the kids? Would maybe be a plan to have some Trek FR/AM bikes besides the trail orientated Fuel range. Cascades does have an awesome DH track you know. I was expecting a little more variety to be honest. What is there is with out a question good quality. A little something different.

Thanks Mampara. Finding it tricky getting any idea of sizing and geo on this one.

SC Superlight Front: Maxxis Aspen = 1.6 bar Rear: Kenda SB8 = 1.8 bar Rider = 61kg Run them on Stans 355's. On occasion, I've run them at 1.2 bar for smooth rocky climbs. I've dinged one rim but that was not a full perpendicular impact. Caught some building rubble side on.

No ideas yet?

Hey all, For all those who frequent the Cascades trails in PMB beware. Yesterday men attempted to bike-jack/mug two guys riding in the early morning. The area to be aware of is up and to the right of the two table tops, above Muswell Hill and in the Stargazers vicinity. It's that "Christams shopping" time of the year again so please be careful. This area has been very safe for a number of years but alas, not for much longer.