Griffin

Faceplant...if you are thinking of the 'berg just let me know and I can point you in the right direction. Have some good friends there who will happily take you around and show you some behind the scenes rides. One of them also owns self catering corrages so would be easy to ride from where you are staying. Or camp if you want. PM me for details

3 months into riding clipped in... 2km into MTB ridee.... I stop and wait for Jnr to catch up...and instead of unlipping I pull up to a handy farm gate to place my hand on and maintain balance.... Looking smug and confident I reach out...grab the top of the gate...lean to compensate..and the freaking gate opens !!!! Needless to say I fell over...legs up in the air and looking like a flightless fly ! Think the forest echoed with people laughing

I rode a lot of MTB events last year..and have made a point this year of only going back to ride those that I really enjoyed (and a few new ones). Some of the entry fees really are rediculous. This past weekend it would have cost me R90 to ride a 20km event with Jnr..so R180 for the 2 of us. Excluding petrol.

Always good to have some local knowledge and local riders with you..there are some secret spots that can only be accessed if you know where to go

Way to expensive. As the replies here say, we can get better quality frames/components for that price . The other thing to condiser is that you would be offering HT. You mention that the target market is casual with no real experiance/knowledge. I would think that they would be swayed to getting a full suss then, since these are also easily available in the price range. Selling a HT to a customer who has already heard of FS (at a price equal too or less than yours) is like trying to sell a CD instead of of a DVD...market advertising and other riders would already have influenced them to rather try full suss.

The GT Force 2 is a really nice looking bike that is very well specced..and like you say...the price that Omnico was offering them for made it an very very nice deal. I saw them on offer and seriously condidered getting my self one too...just couldnt find anyone to buy my sound system lol Whilst there are bikes that offer better "all round" capabilities, I cant think that you have gone far wrong with this buy. The savings alone make it worthwhile. Getting something that was more suited to your end goal would have put a serious dent in the bank balance. Also considering that you starting out now in the longer distance/stage race events, it makes sense to start with a bike thats more practical than aimed towards this catogory in particular. If the stage race bug bites, and if you deciede to concentrate on that kind of race, then by all means upgrade later. If not, and you revert back to the more common form of mountain biking (or a combo of both) then at least you got a steed that will handle both with confidence. Guess you could also swop out the fork to something more applicable, but that seems over board and might spoil the geometry of the bike too.

I would think that you would be best off using a slick on a roller..same as if on a IDT. The tread pattern of a MTB tyre just isnt suited to a roller and will affect the grip. Depemding on the type of tyre you are using, it could cause some extra wear and tear..especially if using a soft compound tyre.

Really sorry to hear that Chris..hope the bastards get saddle sores that never clear up ! Do you havethe frame numbers or some pics so that we can keep our eyes open ?

Yeah. Its easy. Train. Train.Train. Get sponsored by Merida.

And you think that buying locally gives better after sales or telephonic support ? LOL...ever tried calling a local supplier ? (not ness. bike shops..just a general comment)

Think anyone doing this event is worth my admiration. Whats up with the TV broadcasts though..I can only find 2 schedualed broadcasts (yestersay and today) on SS ?

I had a very similar challange with my Shim M485 hyd discs..eventually they were replaced under warrenty and that solved the problem. Hope that you dont have to go to this extent. Otherwise..how is your 120 going ? I have one in my sights for later this year..

Am also in the market ..but a a lower price spec! Have had a look at the Merida 120 TFS series...and am very tempted.

Ola Hamster.. Sounds like a great place to ride. Join us on www.mtbiker.co.za to promo the trails some more.

It really does depend on the type of race you doing and the distances. If you want to be CSA registered you going to have to join a club..but this is relatively easy. I have also only been asked for my CSA at very few of the races I have attended..H2H and Cowan House Classic were the only 2 out of 24 races during 2009. Then again..CSA should be getting much stricter in 2010..so make the effort and get a license.

Had bike serviced ? At a LBS or dealer..or a back yard mech ? Did this happen before you had it serviced..and did you mentioned it to them ?

Cool Bike stand..did it come with a free umbrella ? Give it gas...enjoy the trails

check clearwater trails Hannes...you can find the link on www.mtbiker.co.za

I have Shim M485 hyd discs with SH-RT53 rotors (160mm)and need to replace the rear rotor since I managed to bend it in a recent bail-over-the-bars. Its a center lock rotor.Does anyone know if i can use generic center lock rotor replacement or do I have to go Shim again ?

I was there..did the 40 km though. Enjoyed the ride..although some of the singletrack was pretty rough and bumpy. The course along the riverbanks was pretty nice though Glad the weather co-operated too. Heard some good things..and sure the field will be bigger next year. Hopefully the sponsors come on board ...

PM

I have started watching it more for the laughs I get than to actually see talent! Some of the contenders...ummm..lets just say their biggest (and only) fan is their Mom. I know I don't have talent.. don't need a couple of judges to tell me that However..chix with stix were impressive (good wrist action!)

LOL..I use one...keeps the worst of the mud off off drivetrain! Looks like a palooka but hell..its better than my xmas bonus being used to replace parts

Yup I will be at Mad Max.Can understand that its a little out of the way for you..luckily for me I am a lot closer lol. Also going to do the Exped on 22 Nov. Was hoping to ride in Hilton this weekend too but have had to skip it.

Thats Holla Trails out in Ballito..havent been there myself but I hear good things. If you thinking of doing Mad Max in Mooi River on the 15th let me know..am doing it as a social ride and not racing. Might be nice to have company