mongoose_dude

Hi guys... I am starting to get a bit more serious about long distance / marathon mtb things now, so I figured it might be wise to get a HR monitor sometime. Since I am totally unfamiliar with these things, I have a few questions: 1) What models (as cheap as possible - I don't have 2 grand for this thing) of HR monitors would you recommend for HR training? I would like one that has extended training programmes (multiple week programmes for instance) 2) Which of these models allow you to download data to your PC? Is this even a useful / necessary feature? 3) Is the whole hype about HR training justified? Does it really work a lot better than riding around without heart rate in mind? 4) I saw some basic Polar HR monitors on gumtree for 300 or 400 bucks... Are these sufficient? I really don't think I need cadence monitoring etc, but extended / structured training programmes might be useful. 5) It would be nice if the monitor I get also has a programme for getting rid of excess beer-belly and other such weighty issues. Which models would have these programmes? If anyone has more info (like a small introduction to HR training or some beginner's tips) for me, I'd really value it. Thanks!

I am also planning to buy the 96 3000D, and as far as I know it should be coming with the Magura Durin fork. I wasn't even aware that South Africa might be receiving a different spec line-up. Odd. Are there any of the 2010 bikes in SA yet? I can't find any shop with demo models etc. Please shout if you do find out about the spec! Peace

Shame... then some poor monkey has to read through 112397863171263 posts every day Guess it's a foolproof method though. Who are the admins of this forum anyway?!

Then go to bed!

I don't think I quite understand the allegory. In all likelihood our views just differ, and we should avoid by not arguing any more points (see my post above). Shalom!

Christopher, I would like to state again that I don't want to attack anyone's views. I apologise if my tone wasn't always appropriate, or if I used sarcasm a bit too heavily. Usually I do that to keep things a bit more smiley, but I realise that many people may find that offensive. I concede that people can gain much from their faith, and that to some it is a big support. As such, the aims of this post were honourable. Hopefully it is possible to see some merit in the things that I said, too. Sorry about "sabotaging the thread". I suppose it's in the nature of forums that people give their opinion about things. (In this case it was even asked for! ) But yes... Issues of faith seem to enjoy a higher ground, where people are always more sensitive / touchy. Guess I did not observe that duly. Again - apologies if I offended anybody or stole the thread to launch my nonsense (?) into the universe. Frail = good man... I criticised and he did not bash me for it. I shall try to cut off a slice of that cake.

I, for one, was not trying to be cynical. I just think that discussing issues of faith in a public forum is, simply put, POINTLESS. I am not judging anyone's persuasions. I am sure that if I stated mine, I would get fifteen billion people telling me that I will end up burning in hell. I do see that frail's idea is noble in principle, and agree with firewolf that spending a thought on things is a good idea. But do not try to convince people to pray or speak to some deity. Let that be every man's choice. Discussions about the value of prayer WILL turn into some massive argument. Cynics hate the faithful and vice-versa. My response: just don't open the religious can of worms. Advocating safety is another story. That is something I'd support fully. I, for one, will not rely on a prayer to enure that I don't hit a tree when I fly down a single track, and I'd appreciate if nobody tries to convince me that I should. None of this is said cynically or agressively. Let there be peace on earth and merry new year and many avocados to you all... Happy cycling

Can we not do something about these tossers who are supposedly selling macbooks and phones and stuff? OBVIOUSLY this whole story is a scam, and it's just not relevant for our forums. My suggestion: since this forum interface / engine makes use of IP logging, just block the IP of these motherf**kers and ban them. Any other suggestions? Sorry about the rage but this is slowly starting to make me pretty woes...

Hi Johan I never actually got around to fixing this issue properly... I have taken the poploc unit out again, and the spring does not look as lekker as yours above. The straight bit of the spring that goes to the bottom of the poploc (i.e. to the left on the pic above) is at a funny angle, and does not protrude very far (only about 1 or 2 mm) through the base plate / plastic ring that it's lodged in. How can I open this damn thing up to seat the spring properly once and for all? I'd appreciate your advice...

So - I have my sights more or less set on the 2010 Merida 3000D (aluminium version!). I have a few questions about the bike and its components 1) It comes with DT X445 rims on XT hubs. How are these rims? Can't find reviews for them anywhere. I assume they are not tubeless, right? Funny thing is, the 2009 1000D came with this wheelset. The 2009 3000D had Mavic Crossrides. What do you make of this? (perhaps a wheel-expert like JB would like to comment ) 2) How much weight does a tubeless conversion add? I assume I will have to do one of these 3) How does the Magura Durin 100 fork compare to other good XC race forks (Fox, reba, sid etc)? 4) I would need a Large or even XL. How much heavier are these big frames when compared to medium? I hope you will agree with me that this bike is really nicely specced for the price you pay! Unfortunately I will only be able to afford it next year - looking forward to it...

YAY! Seems that the blokes at my LBS managed to fix the rim... Six new spokes and a lot of patience. Hope it's stable and lasts. Thanks, MoreTrails... And thanks again for your offer with your wheelset. Good man! Have a good weekend, peoples. And to those of you doing Karoo2Coast: Good luck and I'll see you there!

? If this ends up being the case I suggest the following: ? 1. Send it down to the garden route' date=' Knysna area. 2. Get it to a hippy commune. 3. Get them to? make a?nice 26" dream catcher out of it. ? That's the closest you'll get to riding it again, in your dreams.? [/quote'] Indeed... Ai - that would suck epically.

Unfortunately I can't take pics right now - bike is at my LBS. If they don't come right, I will post some pics. I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to borrow a wheel from someone if things don't work out, so I should be ok for Karoo to Coast.

I know! Sounds like a bad porno... sh*t man. I have the worst luck on this bloody planet. F**K!

The whole bloody thing ripped out of the rim in at least 3 of the places.

Hi guys I have a pair of Mavic X819 rims, and managed to land so hard on a rock that I literally ripped 6 of the nipples out of the rim. It seems that some of the nipples snapped, leaving their thread inside the rim. Others might actually have stripped the thread of the rim. Any advice / ideas? I suppose one could get the broken nipple-threads out of the rim with a reverse-thread thingie... But if the actual threads in the rim are stripped, I suppose the thing is farkt! Ai - awesome timing. I'm a bit worried, because I'm racing Karoo to Coast on Sunday, and have to leave here tomorrow evening!!! Let the ideas flow...

Thanks, Eldron! That's actually an important poitn: I should test-ride whatever bike I am interested before throwing thousands of bucks at it! Unfortunately you're up in Gauteng, and I'm in Stellenbosch! I wish there were more bike shops around that have demo bikes of full suspension XC race bikes... Or more nice people like Eldron who'd be willing to let someone test their bikes. Although that's a tall order! I would think many times before lending my baby to some random stranger! So: any thoughts about where one can go to test some of the bikes y'all mentioned??

Top of the morning, chaps... Thanks for your replies! It seems that a lof of people think that 29ers are the way to go. What does a completely built Niner Air cost? What sort of spec is on that bike? Who are the SA agents? Another interesting conclusion of this thread (for me) is that clearly the Giant Anthem frames can actually survive beefy guys... That's comforting to hear, it seems I had the wrong idea about them cracking a lot. Good to know, since one can get a new X1 frame (2009) for about R11k.