Eugene

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.

It's a big pity, because they had some good bikes. On that subject, they have some really good bargains going on Obike. They have a Paramount 8 with Ultegra for R14 000 and R29 000 will buy you a Paramount 9 with Dura Ace 7900 and Mavic R-Sys wheels

Does anybody know what is happening to the Schwinn brand. They have not had any high end bikes for both road and mountain bike for the last two years. They seemed to have dropped the Paramount and Peloton carbon bikes and the Moab, which was their high end race mtb bike is only supplied with entry level part. They don't have any full suspension or 29ers listed on their website either, only entry level hardtails.

I've done a bit of research myself on 29ers and considering the price you are paying, I think you are getting a good buy. Most 29ers in the R8 k bracket are equiped with Altus/Acera. The Silverback has Deore 10speed. Silverback are known for their good quality at good prices. I would buy it if I was you. As the others above, I am a Momsen fan as they are also good value for money and they are proudly South African.

If the Specs are correct, I would say the price is good. Those are pretty decent, really lightweight frames.

I was told by a cycle importer that SA is the largest consumer of 29ers in the world.

Can I run a Sram 10sp chain with a Campag 10 sp drive train? I am sure you can, but just want to make sure.

They are compatible (although there was another recent thread claiming they aren't). Just fiddle and they should fit. It is acase of getting the keys to line up properly.

Saw an Alivo/Acera equipped 29er at Sportsmans Wharehouse for R7 500 not sure of the wheels or fork. At that price, you can do much better with a Momsen, Scott or Karokoram (GT).

http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/12/14/12-speed-road-11-speed-mountain-bike-kcnc-derailleurs-shifters-outed/

I bought my daughter the 20inch Avalanche Max when she was 7. She is now 9 (going on 10) and the 20inch is too small for her. If your daughter is 8, I would not go the 20inch route as she will outgrow it pretty quick, go for the 24inch even if it may be slightly too bike now. The Max is pretty much the same as the Cosmic in terms of spec and I think it is one of the better kid's bikes out there.

I would prefer the heart rate watch. As you mention, it can be used anywhere. Many heart rate watches come with a bike attachment or if not, they can be purchased as an aftermarket accessory..

It also depends on what you want to do with it. The Giant has a more comfort orientated geometry, meaning you have a more upright seated position and is designed for relaxing/long distance type of riding. The Raleigh is aimed at being a racing bike, giving you a more "forward" riding style. It will be less comfortable, but theoretically should make you faster. I agree with Sandro about the parts, the Raleigh parts are better, however, I doubt you will get a 10 speed bike for that price. If they are in a similar condition, I would take the Raleigh.

I am with Indwe Brokers and my policy is with Santam. I have yet to find a cheaper insurance and I have not had an inch of trouble with them. There are no payment delays and they have never quibbled over anything and there have been a number of claims. A car t-boned me on my 6mnth old bike, snapping the frame in 2. Other than the saddle, not much else was damaged. The bike cost and was insured for R18 500. To replace the frame and saddle (and the build costs) was R15 500. Within a day of lodging the claim, I received a call from a claims consultant who told me that they had contacted the bike shop and because the damage costs was so close to a new bike, they would be replacing the whole bike. R18 500 was paid into my account that same day. They also paid separately for my helmet and the clothes that were torn in the accident.

I really don't like the graphics of the AC 420's, for that reason alone, I would go the RS10 route.

Some time ago there was a thread on dumb things we have done, well I have my own story to tell. This morning I packed my bike in my bakkie and headed off to do the Steak Race in PE. I got to the start and discovered that there was no front wheel. I then remembered that I left it propped up against the bumper and must have forgotten to put it in with the bike. I raced home to fetch it, hoping I could at least join up with the riders as my house is close to the route. I got home to discover that some arse had helped himself to my wheel, it was in my driveway, right in front of the gate. It could not have been more than 15 mins from when I left home to when I got back. I drove the neighbourhood as I'm sure the thief would have been on foot and could not have gone far. If you are in the Lorraine/Kamma Park area and see somebody on a bike with an odd wheel, it is mine. It is a silver Shimano RS10 wheel with a Conti tyre. What makes it worse is that I spent R300 to rebuild the hub 3 weeks ago.

I was quoted R150 to have mine professionally polished and have the scratches sanded and removed. The lady advised me not to clear coat them. She said that if there is even a hint of an air bubble under the clear coat, the aluminium will start to corode under the clear coat and you get these funny marks that look as if snails have been crawling over. Mine already look like this. She said that I must just polish them from time to time and they will look perfect. I'm not sure if I want to heed her advise. I was thinking of spraying them with a tinted clear coat.

f the frame is 2006, then I suppose it is the older silver Rival. If so, I would say R12 000 is too pricey. Would'nt pay more than R8 000. If it s the newer carbon Rival, R9 000 is more realistic. I assume the bike is second hand. If new, then the price is fair. I have seen 2011 Scotts CR1s going for R13 000 with 105 brand new.

Tedibear, the Raleigh Nomad was made by Probike, who has since parted ways with the Raleigh brand. In the future SA will be getting the UK specced Raleighs. The Nomad is no longer available and you won't find any info as Probike has closed the Raleigh part of their website. The Nomad has probably been re-incarnated under the name of Axis. They say the Axis website will be up early next year

With the latest trend towards carbon, Canondale is probably the last of the mainstream manufacturers to produce high end aluminium frames that are still held in high esteem. Switzerland were the world leaders in watch making and technology. In the 1970s, they refused to embrace the latest digital technology and fobbed off attempts by designers to sell them their digital/electronic designs. The entire watch industry in Switzerland colapsed, something like 85% of the manufacturers went bang because the whole world wanted to buy digital watches that had alarms and stop watches. Isn't Cannondale trying to hang on to the old aluminium technology?

I know of a guy weighing in at 125kg. He has had a carbon Cannondale for the last 3 years without any problems.

Depends on the type of battery. Some must be stored completely discharged (NiCad), others partially charged at 50% of so (NiMh) or if my memory serves me correct Lipo must be stored fully charged. Best is to read the instructions.

I doubt, but it's always nice to get something new.

The Eurus wheels are much, much better, they are much lighter than the Sram nad probably have better hubs. However, the Sram is new and comes with a warranty whereas the Eurus wheels are second hand with a dent (how did the dent get there?). I'm not sure which Eurus you are looking at, there have been a number of them on the Hub lately, some of which are the older, heavier models. Also, you are going to sit with compatabilty problems with the cassette. You will have to change the freebody to accept the Shimano cassette, meaning more money spent. Sram and Shimano are 100% compatible.