Squier

You won't find a 29er dual sus in your budget anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you intend to do long/stage races and spend long hours in the saddle I would go for a 26" dual sus rather than a 29er hardtail. I'm still of the opinion that a 26" dual sus trumps a 29er hardtail when it comes to comfort when spending long hours in the saddle, even though it's not faster.

I use to ride Racing Ralphs (non-snakeskin though) and had sidewall cut issues. The tyres were light but it just wasn't worth risking sidewall cuts every time I went out. I then changed to a Geax AKA at the back. It's a nice grippy tire and I have had no puncture or sidewall cut issues, however, it has worn pretty quickly on the centre part of the tyre (the part that is in contact with the road the most). This is partly also due to the fact that the tyre hates tar roads. Now, I know it's an MTB and shouldn't be on the tar, but I live in a city so riding to a trail wil always involve a bit of tar road riding. Nothing extensive though. I then decided to go with Maxxis Crossmark at the front and have to say that I am impressed. The Geax will in all probability be replaced by a Crossmark in the near future.

They expect the pitch to start detoriorating on day three. If we bat today until after tea we should have a lead of over 500. Then we have three days to bowl them out twice... which theoretically is very possible if the pitch starts playing along. If it doesn't we're drawing another test series that we should've won.

It’s a good idea and something that I would support. However, I would like to start something like “ThinkBakkie” or “ThinkBullbar” where awareness is raised amongst cyclists that they should think for everyone on the road. Ultimately it doesn’t matter who is right and who is wrong, the cyclist always comes of second best. We seem to get complacent on the road and even though we don’t necessarily break the law or make mistakes, we start to think of motorists as motorists instead of brainless idiots. I’m not saying that everyone in a car is an idiot and doesn’t follow the rules of the road, but when you are on your bike you seriously need to think of them that way.

So tragic! My heart goes out to family and friends, especially to Thereza's youngest son who, it seems from the reports, is starting matric this year. RIP

Keep us posted. Looking forward to see what you can make out of that "beauty"!

Bud, Kallis is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He has an average just shy of 60 in 150 tests. This pair he got in the last test was his first ever. Dropping him would be idiotic... especially for a test on his home ground.

Used to run Racing Ralphs front and back but they are paper thin, so after my fair share of sidewall cuts I went for the Geax AKA at the back and Maxxis Crossmark on the front. Quite a big sacrifice in terms of weight but worth it to avoid those nasty sidewall cuts. I'm not convinced by the Geax though. It hates tar ( I know, I know, it's a MTB and shouldn't be on tar but you still have to get to the trail before you can ride it so tar is unavoidable.) and almost all the tread on the centre part of the tyre has worn off. The maxxis just seem to be a better performer in terms of wear as the grip is pretty similar between the two. When replacing tyres I would probably put Maxxis on my rear wheel as well, therefore running the two same tyres front and back again.

Yeah, my boy is due in 3 weeks and 34 minutes exactly! Can't wait! Check out www.earlyrider.co.za. Top of the shopping list!

I didn't want to say anything... Please don't tell anyone.

I've had to bail of my bike when my brakes failed and there was only one way of doing that... and it wasn't fun.

Swissvan taking a stab at the puny mortals! lol :-D

A behind the scenes look at the world's largest online cycling retailer: http://mtbcut.pinkbi...they-do-it.html http://www.pinkbike.com/v/195823

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/26-vs-29-need-some-advices-693319.html

Found a translation on mtbr. Here's what they said: Before the test: Nino Schurter: Up to now I rode a 26" exclusively. As I am a rather small guy a 29" seems almost too large for me, as you need a special handlebar, a special stem... and I don't know if it really makes sense for me: such large wheels for such a short person. Erwin Wildhaber (Mechanic): For a small person it might not be ideal. You probably won't achieve the optimal frame geometry. Florian Vogel: During the whole winter I was riding a 29". I rode it in South Africa and had very positive experiences. Nino Schurter: Let's wait and see what comes out of the test; I will draw my conclusion afterwards. After the test Florian Vogel: When taking a sharp turn with the 29" you'll realise that it's more difficult, you have to struggle more. If you steer as usual it will take you further out (on the curve's radius). It's interesting. Q: And what about acceleration? Do you notice a difference there? No, I really didn't notice anything. I generally had the feeling that the 26 was more agile while the 29 ran more smoothly. Nino Schurter: On the 29" you notice that the wheel is larger, it covers obstacles - rocks, roots, etc - very smoothly. The downside surely is the weight, especially of the wheels as a rotating mass. When increasing speed you have to accelerate this mass and need more strength. I think in cross country, 26" will still prevail because it's a very dynamic discipline, you have to accelerate frequently. In marathon, however, I think that the 29er will become more and more popular.

Thanks Pezulu - +1 for you sir! My biggest worry is the Puffies. Most snakes will move away when they hear movement or at least give you some kind of warning before they strike, but with the Puffies you won't even know they were there until it's too late.

+1 on Van Gaalens. Best riding around, though you can get a little lost if you don't know the place. Rouxtjie, what's the distance from VG to Breedts?

In all the years of endless debate, this is the best comment I've seen! +1

Clive, when can we expect the photos to be up?

A little late, but PM sent! Thanks for all the replies!

I'm also waiting in anticipation. They haven't been this slow in the past...

More details please. I don't even know where the railway road is. This sounds like what I had in mind! Is it safe to head towards Bapsfontein?

We've done the loop over Klapperkop toe Groenies with the Johan Rissik drive rolling hills and back. It's a fun route and with two laps at Groenies comes to about 75kms. It's an option but I don't really want to do more laps at Groenies as it becomes monotonous. Instead of riding loops I'd rather ride to a point and loop back.

Hi, I'm looking for some detail on a relatively interesting and exciting 100km MTB route starting from Pretoria-East. Any detail will be appreciated! I know that I can get on the Delmas Road and do 50kms out and back but was hoping that someone has something a bit more engaging. Many thanks!

Strong team, although I don't really see anyone that will contest for the top step of the Tour this year... unless the Schlecks' TT'ing miraculously improve. I see Levi Leipheimer moved to QuickStep. Didn't expect him to leave Radioshack.