Eugene

Holdfast does exactly what Thule does. It transports your bikes quite safely. the Thule may look nicer, but why pay for looks. Then again, we are cyclists, we pay huge amounts of additional cash just to get the bike that looks nicer.

Why not look at the new Axis range (the new name for Raleigh in SA)? For R9 000 odd, you can get a bike specced with the new 105 groupset and wheels that are far better quality than any of the bikes mentioned in your first post. If you want Tiagra, you can get one for about R6 500. check www.axis-bikes.com Personally, I wouldn't go from Sora to Tiagra, the jump in quality isn't enough to justify the purchase of a whole new bike.

I didn't choose that font, the PC chose it for me. I just couldn't be bothered to go back and change it.

You can't generalise, I have seen MTbers doing exactly the same. But I have to agree, it is terrible. I was horrified to watch the some of the TDF riders on TV last year. They rode past what looked like a rather beautiful, scenic lake and at least 30% of the bunch tossed their disused water bottles into the lake. I can under stand them tossing it on the side of the road, because the spectators rush to pick them up, but into a lake

13kg for a full suspension is not exactly heavy. It's not in the super light category, but it is pretty respectable. It is at this point where the law of diminishing returns starts to take hold of your wallet. Cutting further weight will start to cost more and more. I would leave as is and as somebody else mentioned, start buying lighter parts as the old ones wear out. Unless of course, you want an excuse to upgrade (like the rest of us), then go wild.

It may not end up as cheap as you think. Don't forget Customs VAT that you will have to pay over before you can take delivery calculated at 14% of the cost plus 10% upliftment charge. Basically, add 15% to your purchase price.

I would go with the Giant option, but as an alternative, I was quoted R10 000 for a Silverback Space frame. Also CWCycles were selling Fontreist frames for under R10 000 at some point. Not sure if they are still available. ASG (according to their website) are selling Most Chall wheels for R2 200 at a shade over 1600g a set.

5k hill is your best bet. It is actually 7 kms of climbing from Seaview to Cows Corner. Just be carefull of the Sqatter camp. I had a big scare there when someone tried to grab me. Luckily, one of the other guys pulled him back. Otherwise Maitlands is a good option too.

Selous Scout...........were you a Selous Scout or just a name. My father had two friends (both ex-Rhodesian Rugby Players who were Selous Scouts). Probably the world's bravest, savage, killing machines.

also check www.eastcapecycling.co.za They have a list of organised rides.

Is this about the TDF or employment equity? http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mtn-qhubeka-targets-2015-tour-de-france

This weekend is the Herald and I'm willing to bet the start song will be that bloody Schumacher song with the reving engines. Same thing every year Give me Chariots of Fire anyday

You won't get better value for money. Just compare specs and prices. From my understanding, Probike severed their ties with Raleigh and simply continued under the Axis brand. You will notice that the Axis graphics are similar to last year's Raleighs. Looking at their advertised prices, it is difficult to justify any other purchase.

The only benfit of a tri bike is aerodynamics. The faster you ride, the greater the benefit. Unless you are a seasoned pro who can average 40-45km per hour, you are not going to get much of a benefit from a tribike anyway. As mentioned above, there are very few "non draft" legal races, so your use of a tri bike is so limited.

I won't put my neck on a block, but itr should work. Fulcrum is made by Campagnolo and for most part are identical to Campag, so it should work. If you are in doubt, go on the Campag website, there is a place there where you can ask technical questions. They answered my question the same day. www.campagnolo.com

I have bar ends on riser bars. It makes me look so cool.

I often drive to work past Walmer Township and you will not believe some of the bikes that come out of there. Most of them have been re-painted, usually by hand. I rekon Azonic is right, that bike of yours in Walmer Township and I'm willing to bet it is yellow or red now. I will keep an eye out.

I take back what I said. I did not even look at the sizes. The size 56 Roubaix is way too big, in fact, for a TT bike, the Aloha may be too big too.

The top one is a Fuji Roubaix. It is a road bike, the other is a Fuji Aloha and it is a time trial bike. Theoretically, the Aloha should be a better option for triathalons, but I would go with the Roubaix. TT bikes are limited in their application. They can only be used in non-drafting events. They are not legal in draft legal triathalons or in normal road cycling events. The Roubaix can be used in any type of event and you can easily fit tri bars to it. I stand to be corrected, but I seem to remember that those tri spoke carbon wheels have also been outlawed. Maybe Google tri rules and see if you can find anything on this.

Firstly, give the Tarmac some time. You will never get it to feel like your Roubaix, your body must just adapt. Secondly, I am willing to bet that you will not have any differeces to your time between the two. Many Pro Tour rider opt for the Roubaix in the rougher races (like the Paris-Roubaix). They would never do this if there was any compromise in their times. The Nashua cycling team use the Infinito frame, which is Bianchi's version of the Roubaix. So too did Robert Hunter. If Pro's can ride comfort orientated bikes, so can we.

You can buy those neopreen (I think that is how it is spelt) chainstay protectors that fit arround the chainstay and attach with velcro. Another option is that clear plactic film that they apply to the bonnets of cars. I phoned a place and they offered to give me some of their offcuts, but i never went to collect.

Just ride it...................it is surface rust. I have never seen or heard of a cassette rusting like that (at least not XTR).

Why a new wheelset, if your budget is tight, just repair it. You will be surprised as to the miracles that can be done ti bent/broken wheels. At the most, a new rim and spokes.

For many cycle brands a female specific bike is nothing more than a male bike, with some or other flower or pink stripe graphic, with parts that are female friendly. Female friendly parts are normally a slightly wider seat, a shorter stem and easier reach levers (to accomodate smaller hands). There are very few bike manufacturers that actually make female specific frames.

Those are pretty serious specs to be called a "starting bike" Air shock and full XT are normally found on high end bikes.