niterider

Have about 2000k's on mine so far, mostly offroad, including a few races. No problems at all. Mine came in at 1540g, which is plenty light. I think they're unbeatable at the price.

You're really gonna struggle to find 24-hole hubs. I would try one of the bigger overseas dealers - see what they can find in 24h. It might be easiest just to replace the wheels completely.

Met a cyclist on the road a few years ago. He was from Hawaii. Said on the road they always ride with pepper spray, otherwise the cyclists get assaulted by drunken locals (during the day!)

It'll probably be cheaper to replace the whole bike than do the upgrade. But I'm sure you could have a lot of fun dropping people on their carbon wonder-bikes in the mean time.

lurking the streets of jhb at night?

I think the centerlock rotors are also a bit stiffer than most 6-bolts. My XTR centerlocks are definitely stiffer than my Marta wavy rotors, which require occasional "tuning"

If it was stolen in woodstock its quite likely they'll be able to do something about it. The are far more cyclists NOT on the the hub than there are on it. And you can bet that almost every bike that is stolen is reported to the police. I have been lucky enough to have a stolen bike of mine recovered by the police, and I would have been pretty annoyed if no-one had handed it in after finding it.

That Specialized Roubaix looks like great value. Also have a look on eBay, for example... http://buy.ebay.co.za/buying/za/display/260220663544_08-Pinarello-Prince-Carbon-Team-Caisse-dEparg-Frameset

The only possible difference would arise from the slightly different efficiencies we have in performing the work. Some people's engines are more efficient and they can do more work for the same energy consumption' date=' or the same work for less energy used. [/quote'] I could be wrong but I doubt my Garmin would notice that, yours IanJ? Definitely wouldn't. You'd only figure out the efficiencies in the lab.

The only possible difference would arise from the slightly different efficiencies we have in performing the work. Some people's engines are more efficient and they can do more work for the same energy consumption, or the same work for less energy used.

JB, read the tests from http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html onwards. These guys do seem to know a few things.

Eggbeaters don't work so nicely with Sidi shoes. They're great at first, but then they start to wear ridges into the soles, and you get a lot of vertical play. Also the spindle length is longer than most pedals (except for the top-of-the-range), which was a problem for me and caused me an ankle injury. I went back to SPD's and haven't had any problems, but they're certainly not the lightest pedals out there. The Looks definitely look worth trying.

What's the spindle length on those? Same as SPDs, or a little longer like Eggbeaters?

8-12 hours per week is always a useful amount of training.

Wow. Well done and good luck!

Sliced my Force open the 2nd time I raced with it. The Attack lasted a little longer, but I wouldn't buy them again. GP4000 has better puncture resistance too. niterider2008-02-25 04:24:23

+1 for Vermarc - excellent kit and a painless process to get the kit designed. And it arrived on time. That's never happened with 4 previous orders with other local manufacturers. Why not contact the SA Vermarc agents?

Eggzacktly

No problemo. My point is that most people over-estimate the effect of weight-savings, when they'd be far better off investing in some deep sections to get more aero.

I think you're a little optimistic. Have a look at http://www.analyticcycling.com/ForcesLessWeight_Page.html A 1kg saving on a 5km climb of 5% gradient for a 70kg rider (@300w, which is about race pace) will only save you 7secs. You guys are all missing the point - aero is far more important than weight.

In Cape Town if your bike is too light you get blown off in the South Easter

Not irritating at all, they can sit as long as they like. What IS irritating is when they pass you and then slow down, so that you have to overtake them. Or when they come through and try to pace you for a while. If I wanted to be paced, I'd be riding in a group. Grr.