JacquesT

Thanks. Yip, removed the bad link. Sounds like all normal and i will just make sure i always keep spare links.

Hi guys recently the LBS replaced my chain on my anthem X1 as according to them it was badly worn. +- 1.5 years old (ridden 2x per week) After only a few rides on the new chain it broke. Luckily i had a spare snap on link and was away again in ten minutes. My question is are there different quality chains or are they pretty standard ? and secondly can i continue to use the chain with the repair or is this regarded as a temporary repair only? Is it likely that a chain can break after only a few rides? Should i be expecting the LBS to replace it for free or must i just accept as bad luck? Thanks

Changed from cross marks to rocket Ron (front) and geax mezcal (rear). Massive improvement in all conditions. My 2 cents worth.

Taken some time but finally got round to it. Replaced my front tyre (maxis cross mark) with a schwalbe rocket Ron and went for a ride in Tokai yesterday. What an improvement in the handling. By the end of the ride all my poor handling concerns were gone. Only concern now is that apparently the rocket ron don't last so well. Any comments on this?

thanks, will try a gedore.

Does a gedore spanner fit into the narrow gap between the pedal and the crank. My standard spanners are too thick.

Thanks guys for all the advice. Yes, i was turning the correct way and that advice regarding always pulling towards the back of the bike (handle up) is correct. Reckon will need to return said broken tool and try to find the BBB/Park/Pedros ones.

Anyone know where i can buy a good quality pedal spanner? (15mm with narrow head) Bought a fancy combo spanner and allenkey tool from cyclelab on friday and promptly snapped the head off the spanner when attempting to take off my pedals!!! I reckon steel should be stronger than me so think maybe the tool is not up to the task.

I weigh about 88kg. Front shock about 85 Rear shock about 180-190 Just as important is the rebound damping you set. On rear, ride off a pavement and the shock should compress and then rebound only once. Too much rebound and you bounce up and down a few times. I turned the rebound damping (how much damping or resistance to rebound)completely to max damping, and then added back 3 or 4 clicks of less damping. That seems to work well. This applies to both front and back. When i bought my anthem x1 the rebounds were hopelessly out and i found the handling on the bike was poor. Took me ages to figure this shcok setup story out.

Ok, time for a final decision guys cause i am getting confused here. Reckon i will go for the conti race king 2.1 (back) and conti mountain king 2.2 (front) Thanks for all the help.

I am sure you right sbout the mountain king front and the race king back. I prob just got confused. They are pretty expensive tyres at about R500 each.

As you say.....what works for you. I reckon I will give the 2.2/2.4 back/front combo a go and see what happens. Thanks for all the input guys.

What about the sizes? Will moving from 2.1 to 2.2 or even 2.4 up front make a big difference? Currently 2.1 front and back.

was going to ask which was which?

Not too sure, but i dont think i am leaning back, especially on fast sections. But will def try putting more weight on the front when i ride tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.

No particular affinity to maxxis. Just popped into LBS and the guy suggested mountain kings 2.2 rear and race kings 2.4 front. Any thoughts on this?

Hi guys Hope someone with experience can give me some advice here. I am currently running anthem x1 with maxxis crossmark 2.1 front and back. Tyre pressures about 2.1bar and i weigh 88kg.(anything less and i get punctures) I find the front tends to wash out on hardpack and dry dusty conditions. I am thinking of changing the front tyre to something else and possibly increasing to a 2.25 width tyre. I read on another forum somewhere that suggested a maxxis monorail for the front tyre. Is this the way to go or is there a better option? I also want to upgrade to tubeless. So will need to buy some new tyres anyway. Should i stick with the crossmark on the back or is there a better xc tyre i should be looking at? I have mavic tubeless ready rims. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Jacques

Hi Is this in relation to the front or rear shocks? My anthem x1 feels loose in dusty dry corners. The rear shock is set to the correct pressure according to the fox shock instructions, but i think there is too much sag. It does not bottom out though. Front shock has also been set according to the guidelines. Using maxis tyres. rgds

Recently went through the same excercise. Quite a confusing world out there. I settled on a 2009 giant anthem x1 and am thrilled with it although i am perhaps not well qualified to advise as i have not ridden that many different bikes. I got mine new for R23k which appeared to be a good deal at the time although i am not sure what you intend to spend. I am 87kg so not sure what the design limits are on the anthems. good luck and have fun choosing.

I always seem to get mud in my eyes when riding and so wish to get a pair of cycling glasses. Can anyone let me know what's important in choosing a pair, apart from fit and price of course. Any recommendations as to what really works? thanks

No change to tyres at this point. When they get tired i will go tubeless and look at the options then i think.

Hi guys just thought i would report back on this story having done some riding now after the changes. Huge improvement after changing the shock pressure settings as previously discussed. Bike is now fantastic and i dont feel nervous at all. Thanks for all the advice and help.

Thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated. I am riding tomorrow so will then let you know the results.

ok, so i have now checked and report back as follows: front shock pressure was 135 psi, and only getting about 5mm sag (5%) - too hard obviously. rear shock pressure was 140psi, and getting about 11mm sag (25%) - maybe a little soft. According to the fox manual they recommend about 95 psi for my weight (87kg) on the front shock, so i have now reduced the pressure to that. I have increased the rear shock pressure to 180 psi but still seem to get the same amount of sag. can't quite figure this out??? Probably a good time to now go and test ride.

thanks very much for that info. i will check what my exact setup is tonight and let you know tomorrow.