Squier

I went from a 26" hardtail to a 29er Dual Sus and I am loving it! Getting all the perks from a DS and all the perks from a 29er is just unbelievable... I won't get involved in the 26er vs 29er debate because I have to admit that I still can't quite make the distinction between the new benefits from the DS and the new benefits from the big wheels. Everything is still a bit blurry at this stage (I've only had the bike for a week) but I'm still in a state of disbelief. This thing floats up rocky ascents, fly's down the hills and is super comfortable. Now I just need the legs to go with the bike...

Can't do without! I need to be able to change my hand position.

The GT Avalanche 1.0 is a good entry level bike. I think on the Karakoram you're substituting better components for bigger wheels. If I'm not mistaken the Karakoram has some Alivio components. The 29er wheels is a nice to have, while good components is a must.

Mark, I think I saw you there! We're you the guy in the white Assos? Anyway, must agree with your review. You have to kick a bit harder when you start a steep climb but once you've got momentum you're flying. Will do a bit of a write up on my new steed under buyers guide...

Just picked up my Silverback Moda 29er Full Sus this week. Nothing compared... I wasn't set on getting a 29er but was looking for a full sus bike. For the same price of the Merida, Scott, etc. full sussers with the same components I could get the Silverback Full Sus 29er. It just makes sense!

Don't know, but should be similar. Last year we rode the 2009 route in reverse, with a couple of changes here and there. Profile wise it should be roughly the same.

Winning time on the 35km was 1:15 with the last rider coming in exactly 3 hours later. 3:19 winning time for the 80km with the last rider in at a tad over 7 hours.

Ok, so the time has come for a new bike, I'm just still undecided of what I'm going to get. Choices: Merida Ninety-Six 1200-D - http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_za/bike/2011/22/MTB+Full+Suspension/NINETY-SIX+1200-D Scott Spark 40 - http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/product/10023/55381/217930 Silverback Moda Two Nine (29er) - http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011/moda.jpg All three bikes are similarly spec'd with the Merida running SRAM X.9 and the other two Shimano SLX/XT. What puts me off of the Merida is the Manitou front shock (I hear maintenance is a pain). The Silverback currently has the edge because it is a 29er, but it's not a great looking bike. The Scott is a 26er but I enjoy looking at the bike more than the Silverback. Component-wise they are equal. Prices are pretty much the same as well. Am I just being superficial? Should I just get the 29er? It seems like the logical option, somehow I'm not convinced...

Dude, I wish! On my left was a deep storm water channel (which was empty) and on the other side the road. I had nowhere to go... except down!

Yes, I know but I got a sweet deal on the Sidi's... Hehe! Like I said, panic mode set in. By the time I realised it was too late. I wouldn't have had time anyway, but getting the bottle in on the back wheel would've been difficult... Jumping was my only option, there was no time for anything else. I fell less than 10 meters from the intersection - c/o Hans Strijdom and Olympus. I seriously don't know how I could have handled it differently... Even in hindsight, I just don't know.

Been there, done that. I'm not going back again. My business will go elsewhere.

Seriously, it's mechanical disks (problem 1) and it may be due to the cabling. I had the same problem (to a lesser extent though) on the argus mtb race and I was able to fix it by adjusting the cable tension.

It didn't work. I would say that was my main problem.

I love public holidays, especially those that fall on a Monday. There’s almost no better feeling than watching the Sunday night movie knowing that you don’t have to go to work the next day. What makes it better is if you know that you are going to be on your bike on this Monday morning. The weather was perfect and we headed out to do our normal route in Pretoria East. On our way back we went over the hill on Hans Strijdom Drive and that’s when the fun started. Now, I have to admit that my brakes had not been at their best the last couple of weeks and were feeling a bit dodgy throughout the ride but after I negotiated one of the most technical downhills in the area I reckoned that I had at least enough braking capability to get home safely. This turned out to be untrue... As I knew I had brake issues I went down the hill on Hans Strijdom slowly, keeping the speed in check and making sure that everything was under my control. I was halfway down the hill when I realised that my speed was no longer in check and that at this point I had absolutely no control. I can honestly say that the worst feeling you can ever have on a bike is going down a hill, grabbing the brakes and... nothing!! At this stage I was in panic mode and the best thing I could think of was using my foot to brake the front wheel. Fellow hubbers, please note: This does not work and only left me with a massive serration in my brand new Sidi’s. The busy intersection was now approaching fast and I had one option... bail! I unclipped my left leg and tried to bring it over the bike... and the rest is a blur. I was lucky; I ended up with a couple of roasties, bruises and stitches in my leg. Still that moment rings in my mind... that moment when you pull your brake lever repeatedly with absolutely no effect. Big shout out to Hot Spot Cycles for the great service on my bike less than three weeks ago!

...and sorry about the hi-jack...

Has anyone here managed to ride up Onion Hill, the whole way up? That's just too hectic, we've tried and tried and failed. I've never even seen anyone do it.

Go to www.polarpersonaltrainer.com. Nice way to keep track of your training. Some Polar products use the SonicLink technology which uses soundwaves to send data. Not sure about the CS400 - Go to the Polar website and find out or go to "Send" (or similar) on your Polar and if it makes a sound similar to an old 56k modem that's SonicLink.

My wife and I both have CS300s. I use my laptop mic (the webcam mic above the screen) by hanging the watch over the screen with the watch right by the mic. This isn't the greatest technology ever but it does work... albeit with a slight hick up from time to time. Here's an old thread - I posted the same question a while back - https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/72452-sonic-link-how-does-it-work/page__p__1044396__hl__soniclink__fromsearch__1#entry1044396

We spin 3 times a week during the week and at times, when time is an issue over the weekends as well, do the 90 minute spinning classes on Saturday mornings. However, as a rule we are on our bikes over the weekends. My view has always been that spinning gives you great "bang for your buck" in terms of the workout you get taking into account the time spent on the bike. I've found that it really helps, especially with climbing out of the saddle. The downside is that I've gotten so used to getting out of the saddle when climbing that I'm struggling to stay in the saddle when I hit the uphills. On an mtb this isn't always the best thing. But, like was mentioned before, the onus is on you. You need to push yourself. If you don't feel like you're going to die after the spinning class you're doing something wrong...

The last week is always a tapering week. Any riding being done this week is only to turn the legs over. Therefore shorten distances and lessen intensity. You have to get some rest in your legs.

I share that sentiment!

Great! Now I'm hungry!

Today, I am embarrassed to be a South African.

That's just risky... avoid that mix up!

Nah, Contador didn't do anything wrong IMO. If Andy had a mechanical in normal racing conditions, i.e. just sitting in the peleton, they would've waited for him, but Andy was attacking and Contador was responding to the attack. That's fair IMO. I just can't see the UCI/WADA letting this rest. It just does not make sense. The effect of just leaving it is exactly the same as legalising clenbuterol in the sport - the president has been set. From now on every defence on a positive clen test (and not just in cycling but all sport) will be based on the president set by the Contador case. Look, I'm not a fan but I want to see the guy race. He is the best out there, no contest. I can't wait for the Andy Alberto duels on the slopes of the TdF (remember Alp d'Huez is included this year! ) But the ripple effect of this decision in cycling, and in sport in general, will be massive. What about Fuyu Li and all the others that are serving a 2 year ban for exactly the same offence. Put yourself in McQuaid's shoes? What message would you send if you don't appeal? Oh, and Andy in yellow in Paris? I would love that! However, IMO he'll attack AC on the less steep slopes and will gain some time as this is not AC's forte. They won't break each other on the big mountain stages so it's all going to come down to the TT again... but Andy knows this, he'll be spending the time on the TT machine...