Racer X

All shimano shifting and drivetrain parts are compatiable with each other

Eish......... how to start a fight, dare I say it...hmm...

Just pulling your leg Try train up a Jack Russel, bit smaller

Buy a St Bernard and get him to bring you brandy at the start line.

The standard Phenom is another option same basic saddle except it does not flare up at the front like a TT saddle, non gel version saves quite a bit of weight bringing it down to the same weight as an SLR XC.

Maverick Cycles stocks them, rrp bout 750

Rear tyres will allways wear faster because most of your weight will be on the back half of the bike, the something slightly less grippy on the back like a Kenda Short tracker. My 2c.

My dad had one as well. unfortunatley he had come straight off a Kona Lavadome, and the geometry drove him nuts, he bought a new Kona Kula frame last month and is now much happier. Still excellent value for money though.

Just done my bit too, will see what it comes to.

Hmmm... No Comment. If you want to improve your technical skills have a pint and then go down to your local DH track on your hardtail XC bike like me. Alternatively skip the pint and the DH track, take the brakes off your bike, put the volume on your Mp3 Player sky high and play something heavy, then, go ride your favourite bit of single track in the rain. Guaranteed to improve your riding..... and pain threshold.

I am with Minty when it comes to the cost of Schwalbe. I use Maxxis and Kenda, it just depends on what the LBS has at the time, they are both good, well priced and all are reasonably light. Just go for the tread pattern that suits you best. If all comes to the worst and you get really stuck, then go for Kenda's Nevegals, they may not be very light but they have been rated as the best all round tyres for the last couple of years now and have seen very few complaints. They also go from a wire to tubeless bead, one of which will suit your budget.

Alternativley you could keep the computer and your holder/platform and pass the bar and stem my way

The first person who had a site that I could find on the web that could teach me how to build wheels.....sigh.... RIP mate.

Keep everyone happy and go for Record, just think of it as a 100 bucks a year for the rest of your life.

70 odd grams a set

Yeah Johan is your answer, might stick his nose into this thread and help you out. Bomb Proof Wheels. MTB: Mavic XM 819 rims, hubs of choice and DT Swiss competition spokes built up 3 cross. Road: As above but use Mavic's Open Pro rim. Good luck

Hi Rod, I am quite interested in those KCNC bars and stems, if you don't mind me asking what did you pay per piece?

I'd just save up a bit more and buy a SRM

Rock, just set up 20ish % sag front and back and use your lockouts for the climbs.

I am a fan of the Karma, great all round race and training tyre. I go for the normal kevlar bead though to save weight. The Kenda Klimax Lite is a brilliant marathon tyre and the Maxxis Larsen Mimo is good in mud. My 2c worth.

I know from my own dealings with the Italians and some Extralite stuff I bought that they are very tempremental. They seem to take any problems with their workmanship as a personal insult especially the job producers.

Yeah I was just yanking your leg I focused soley last year on the Drifter Series and got a top 20 overall placing. This year I got sponsored by a world renuound chainsaw, mower etc. manufacturer with 3 other guys. Unfortunately the fools never checked with the Euro HQ and we got screwed over as we were not budgeted for. The team thus had to disband before it even began. Not sure what racing I'll be doing this year as it is my first year at varsity but hey who knows, got 12 marathons and the KZN classic series lined up so if all goes well....... Lastly, Mr Look - My dad has just seen that beaut on page one and with the 13th cheque coming up would like to know what build kits are available or if it just sold as frame set only?

Okay enough suspense, My sponsors have just dropped me cause they never worked a MTB team into their financial year. I don't spose a Mazda Drifter top 20 overall 07 placing would help, would it?

MR LOOK - Don't spose there is any chance of a team being formed with these babies in mind is there.

Point taken Chris, but in this instance you can't obviously apply that "logic," as you put it because both machines are reputable and will do the job. It comes down to personal choice and weather you want to, (or not) be different from every body else, hence my comment about the Merida being more unique.