[Cracked frame - how safe is this?]

 

Titanium may be "fringe" but I like it - and thats all that matters! If I wanted to ride a Toyota of bikes I would have gone with a Giant!

 

/quote]

 

 

Damn - I have a Toyota and a Giant

[The Ultimate 2x10 versus 3x10 Page!]

I reckon if you're a heavier rider 3x10 is the way to go. You'll need the smallest chainring on the steep and long uphills and benefit from the largest chainring on the front on the downs /flats. As Eldron says its about stretching the limits - 24/36 & 42/11 is indisputably wider than 26/36 & 39/11 - even if there is greater redundancy in-between...

[Greg Minnaar's answer to the 29er/26 debate]

But a cyclocross bike is a 29er.

 

 

[Style Man: Bar ends on a 29er]

I don't understand how anyone manages marathons / stage races without bar-ends?

 

Obviously I have them on my 29er, but then again my other style faux pas make the bar-ends look like small change...

[Brakes: XTR or XX]

R

1321085460[/url]' post='1529909']

I'd go for the new xt with the ice tech rotors. Only a little bit heavier than xtr, but cheaper too. If money isnt a problem, go for the xtr.

 

What he said...

[Sin to stick XT pedals on full XX bike?]

Absolutely nothing wrong with XT pedals - they just keep working. Pedals get muddy, banged into rocks and generally mistreated - I wouldn't get too precious about them...

[berg and bush "decent"]

They were smaller at 4:45 am. Fresher too...

[Steep Descending Switchbacks (MTB)]

Need some advice on MTB Tech skills.

 

Steep descent, out the saddle, weight well back, pedal horizontal.

Braking hard front and back, wheels almost locking up - Speed, very slow.

 

Rounded a left-hand switchback, ran a little wide:

 

1. Front wheel met a bump and stopped dead, sending me over the bars- slow motion.

2. Front wheel left the edge of the single track, washed out down the slope, lo-siding me slow mo."

Those Solly's Folly switchbacks were hectic - I think a little more speed is probably the answer - bit terrifying though.

[anthemX 29er]

Can you give the Anthem a good beating on the trail without fear of the frame breaking .... not gap jump beating, but I am looking for a frame that will last.

 

IMO - yes. I weigh 100kgs and it has taken everything I can throw at it for 9 months with no frame issues whatsoever. It did the Berg and Bush descent this weekend without a murmur...

[@#%$#@%#!! Delamination...]

Never experienced this delamination thing and I've used Schwalbe, Continental, Geax and Maxxis tyres so far - all with Stan's sealant. I normally only use the UST versions (or TNT for Geax) but I agree with WW above - how can it be so hard for each manufacturer to "approve" a sealant with their tyres?

[Handlebar width on a 29er]

I think it depends as much on the size of the rider as the size of the wheels. If you are very broad chested a wider handlebar would make more sense than if you were skinnier.

 

Have to agree with cptmayhem above - make really sure it's too wide before lopping big chunks off the end.

[2X10 gearing on mtb]

Back to the granny gear, no I am not Burry, although I ride the same bike as him, and unfortunately I don't do national XC races, but if I was stuck with an alu bike, I in all probability would have had enough reason to apply a tiny chain ring.

 

Why is it that the Specialized guys seem to have a such very high opinion of themselves and their equipment? Just because it's carbon and "Burry rides it" doesn't automatically make it superior. But I do hope the Kool-Aid is tasty and refreshing...

[Giant vs GM…]

That really was rich coming from GM - possibly the brand with the worst fuel consumption figures of all...

[Shimano Alfine]

I'm building an 11-speed one into a wheel and bike for a customer right now. You're welcome to come over and have a look at it and kick the tyres.

 

I've done several Rohloffs but this is the first Alfine. They both weigh a bomb though, even by my standards.

 

Thanks Johan - I mioght do that - I'll PM you.

 

 

 

Cheers

[Shimano Alfine]

I have the 8 speed, built into a DT Swiss 520 ( 29er) rim, works very well, very smooth, but it is rather heavy. Good for touring, commuting and general riding, not really for racing.

You can buy mine for R2500 ( complete, built in, as above)

 

Hi. Thanks for the offer but I'm not quite at the "Buy" stage yet.

[Shimano Alfine]

Thanks Citius.

 

Ja - there is definitely a weight penalty but with a decent wheel build I might be able to mitigate it somewhat. I'm not looking to build a superlight bike - more a tough (possibly steel) hardtail that I can use for general training and possibly some commuting.

[Shimano Alfine]

Hi - did a search but couldn't find too much info.

 

Does anyone have any experience of running a Shimano (8 or 11spd) Alfine hub on a mtb - more specifically a 29er. It sounds like an interesting low-maintenance hardtail solution that would save my (old and tired) legs from the rigours of a single-speed.

Cheers

[When your weekend ride gets messed up]

Fantastic!

[Top end groupset - what to buy?]

XTR

[POWERBAR SUPPLEMENTS]

Don't know about the bars but the drink just tastes bad.

 

PVM for me...

[29er UST Wheels for heavy rider]

Custom build something like: Hope Hubs, DT Competition Spokes (32 min), brass nipples and Stans Flow Rims

[Top end disc brakes - what to buy?]

Formula R1's - very light with fantastic power.

If you're going XTR for your transmission you may as well use the XTR brakes as well - I understand they are a giant leap forard from Shimano's previous offerings.

In my experience - anything but Avid

[Handlebar width - 29er]

680mm flat bar with Cane Creek Ergo bar-ends. I'm 1.84m and this set-up feels perfect.

[Babba's Lodge]

I love this race / series. There is a fantastic relaxed vibe and a fast route with a bit of sand-surfing to keep things interesting

[Spearfish is complete]

The mamasita looks just perfect (and reasonably priced too)