mtb_Josh

I would offer to get the stuff for you straight from england, but my father is already complaining about the extra 1Kg in his bag as it is... I've got a merida matts 40 at the moment - was all I could afford when I bought it. But I have a new frame - a bianchi lying in my room waiting for my new parts - bursary money got me that so I hope I dont need any textbooks anytime soon I'm not a weight weenie by any means, but my bike weighs a TON, so I'm trying to loose a bit of weight on it... going to have to do something about that horrible fork...but thats going to have to wait for next years bursary money I think the LX crank is quite decent. I haven't ever ridden it, but one of my friends has one and he is happy.

If you hardly ever fall then you should ride faster Had a look quick on CRC - the truvativ fived is going for R330 (without BB), so replacing chainrings on that is a bit of a waste of time... maybe look around on the hub and see what you can find, otherwise I would recommend Chris Willemse Cycles in Capetown - they have pretty good prices.

No problem! I dont know much, but I try! I'm quite lucky - I have family in england and my father is visiting them soon so I can order off CRC and not pay shipping and VAT. The crankset there is between R1100 and R1300 depending on exchange rate, specials etc. In SA I think it goes for about R1650ish. There is one on the hub that looks quite good tho - https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=60594&PID=905916#905916 The XT RD isn't too bad, depending on the condition... but I agree - with entry level cranksets it isnt worth buying chainrings etc - just get a better crankset.

Hey GT I'm in the same boat at the moment! I also have about R2000 to upgrade now and seeing as my chainrings are shot, im getting a new slx crankset and while I'm at it, I'm also getting a new FD and RD because the ones I have on my bike are very entry level to say the least. I would say you should 1st replace the worn out stuff (chainrings, cassette, chain etc) and then derailuers or whatever (I think your bike has deore if I'm not mistaken, which could do with an upgrade if you ride a lot)

Cheap and easy - get two brackets that are normally used for shelving, wrap the horizontal part in an old tube and bolt them to the wall!

I went to school with oscar - that guy does everything! Rugby, motorcycles, u name it!

Since I bought my bike (about 1000km off road ago) I haven't even had the need to remove the tires from the wheels. I have also only had the need to pump the tires about 3 times. All thanks to slime... ( or luck..cant be sure until I take a look at the tubes)

I think i have an answer for the tasting blood question. I am a med student but I didnt hear this from anyone remotely associated with medicine, although it makes sense to me... Here goes - the metallic taste that you taste in blood is actually the iron in the haemoglobin molecules in your red blood cells. When you are exercising at your maximum your lungs are straining to try transfer enough O2 into the blood stream and CO2 back out into the alveoli. Now here's where I'm unsure of the medical accuracy - during the straining, the membrane lining the alveoli may become dry and allow some red blood cells to pass through with the CO2 that they are carrying instead of just removing the CO2. These microscopic cells are then exhaled as a fine mist that you can taste... Now I'm not saying this is accurate, so dont take me apart, its just what I heard... Are there any real doctors that want to tell us the real reason?

oh, and my seatpost says 27.2, so im guessing im looking for a 28.6 then?

Hi Daft Vader. Thanks! that would be awesome! Its a bottom pull top swing (but a bottom swing should fit). Where are you situated?

No postage, packaging, vat etc. I have family in england, so im gona have it shipped to them (for free) and then my father will bring it back when he visits them later in the year I think im gona stick to 8 speed for now, otherwise i would have to change my shifters, break levers, cassette and chain...may aswell do a whole groupo then. The deore M532 is R660 on CRC at the moment... I think I actually might consider it... not as good, but I just dont think I can bring myself to spend R 2k on a R 4K bike...

wow, thanks for all the advice! I think I've almost been won over by the SLX... I'm planning to get the SLX RD at the same time anyway. The current crankset and FD are both Shimano. Not quite sure what model the cranks are, but the FD is M190...but as long as I'm spending so much already, I may aswell add a few hundred bucks and get a FD at the same time. The chain and cassette are both fine. The chainrings arent worn from doing too many kms, I think they are just seriously soft and I do ride rather hard The FD that I have at the moment is a top swing, but Im quite sure a conventional one would fit. Is it worth the extra R150? I just checked CRC and if I go for SLX crankset, RD and FD it will cost me R2000. Does that sound about right? This might be a bit of a stupid question but I just want to make sure - the crankset does come with a BB right? Thanks so much for all your advice!!!

thanks! Ja, I was considering the SLX. Dono if the budget will allow it tho...

Hi guys. I bought myself a Merida Matts 40 at the beginning of the year. I am happy with it, but some of the components are starting to take strain. The outer chainring is severely worn and the middle one looks as if its heading the same way. I honestly dont think its worth replacing the chainrings as the whole crankset is rubbish and has worn way to quickly. I know someone going to england in about a months time, so i am considering buying a crankset from CRC. Any advice/ideas as to what I should buy? And please keep in mind that I'm a student with very limited funds... And another thing i was wondering about: My bike is 8 speed, does it matter if the crankset is 9 speed? Thanks for your help!mtb_Josh2009-08-13 10:35:53