Racer X

I'd go for the Shimanos. Classic system thats almost indestructible .That said I also use Eggbeaters.

10 spd chains are slightly narrower than 9spd chains to accommodate the tighter ratios on 10 spd cassettes. Alot of Euro MTBers use 10 spd chains on their 9spd systems to save weight. I do not think you can use a 9spd chain on 10 spd cassette though.

Yup just make sure that you have a 140mm adaptor

The first bike belongs to Liam Killeen I went training with him a few times prior to the WC. Awesome guy and the bike is right up there as well.

Sorry missed that bit I agree with Edman buy an SLR, I love mine and have em on all my bikes.

Drop the pressure a bit more for increased traction. Best to replace a tyre when you no longer feel confident in it.

Sounds like blown seals. Take your shock to your LBS and ask them whats wrong with it, buy the right parts and get some suspension oil. Then head over to the corect fox tutorial and give it an overhaul yourself.

The lightest saddles come out of a company called Becker, full carbon round about the 45 gram mark, these will cost you a couple hundred Euros though. In all honesty I reckon a saddle is the one place on bike where you should consider adding weight, by this I mean that you should go for the most comfortable saddle regardless of the weight. Riding a slightly heavier saddle will make you much faster than if you riding a 70 gram carbon scalpel. Choose you saddle based on comfort and not weight.

I ride a Ti HT and must admit that I love it. True it may all be psychological but at the end of the day I reckon it's a far more forgiving ride than aluminium.

The new Conti Race Kings look like another good option for the epic.

Can I have the bolts once you are done with em?

What do you guys think of Pro-lite. There wheels in particular? www.pro-lite.net Allein - Super Light cross-country Wheelset Alloy welded Rim with Eyelet for maximum strength 2 x 4 Bearing system Triple butted Swedish Stainless steel Aero black spoke, Alloy Nipple T73 material. Front - 28 H , 3cross , Rear 32 H 3 cross. White Powder coating or shot blast black for added durability as an option Weight F: 742 g / R: 858 g (V) Nice big pic in white: http://www.pro-lite.net/images/stories/wheels/wheelsets/mtb/Allein-wh-huge.jpg Nice big pic in black: http://www.pro-lite.net/images/stories/wheels/wheelsets/mtb/allein-huge.jpg I can get hold of a pair for R 2995.00 Gavia-P55-MH, (Clincher) Front 50 mm / Rear 50 mm Weight - Front 828 g , Rear 1012 g (V) Nice big pic: http://www.pro-lite.net/images/stories/wheels/wheelsets/gaviacarbonclincher/gavia-p55-mh-huge.jpg These go for R 7500.00 a set. Just curious to see what you guys think?

Road or MTB, go Token or KCNC.

Eat well and train more or in the words of Ryan Trebon, "Eat less ride more."

Different bibs....yeah I reckon so hey, you could certainly give it a try. Spare saddles are not very big hey, I'd be surprised if you could not tuck one in somewhere. http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/03/35/mens_selle_italia_slr_saddle_men_reviews_929204_300.jpg Here's the link for the SLR

Selle Italia SLR. Next question? Some guys swear by the Fizik Gobi hey, its pretty comfy and fairly light. The new Tundra, by Fizik, is also due out soon, may be worth the wait. Another trick you can do is to take a few saddles along with you. If you rotate them on, say.... a bi daily basis you will be sitting on diferrent parts of your butt. Hope that sorta helps.

You bored Tim? I reckon you go get a lead pipe and stick it in his spokes, then, run away.

Make sure that dodgy mate of yours pays for the re-threading.

A nice little trick is too fill the thing up with lighter fluid once you have used it on your tyre. Seal the hole with pre-melted wax, DONT USE A CANDLE. Then chuck the canister into a fire and run like sh!t.

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I'll see Samma's "Expenisive" and raise him a "Very". Very Expensive

No definately, its is beatifull, I'd rather go for a Red braze on and a BTP braze on adaptor. Weighs less than half of XTR.

XC ONES weigh around about 1600 grams a set. I'd go for ZTR Olympic rims on XT hubs with Dt Swiss competition spokes, think you can get a build like that for around about 3.5 to 3.8K. Its super tough and is pretty bomb proof, should also weigh under 1600 grams. Lots of upgrade potential. You can upgrade the bearings, axle, free hub and skewers as they wear out or when you want to.

I don't reckon the front derailleur will be replaced soon, I mean the Rolhf, Spelling, has never really taken off. Racer X2008-09-15 12:10:36

I was not happy with the SB8's they rolled fast but had a very short life, 6 weeks and mine were toast, no more centre knobs, I slipped on every climb.