MintSauce

That's absolute BULLsh*t!

You don't actually use the housing, but what I know as a cable housing end. The only decent pic I could find is of a metal one. You want a nylon/plastic one which will be black. They normally fit over the end of the housing after cutting to protect the housing from dirt ingression. Just cut off the side with the tiny hole(where the cable would slide through normally) using cable cutters/scissors/pliers etc and then use the remaining loop to thread the cabletie through. Hope that helps!

A good friend of mine just moved back to Amsterdam after being in SA a few months. He moved back for the woman.....just kidding, although a specific Dutch lady definitely had something to do with it. However, the prevailance of dutch ladies commuting by bike was one of the main points of his argument in trying to convince me to move there....it was hard to say no. He also commutes, but mainly on a fixie or cyclocross bike. He says being back there reminds him of how crap it is to commute on SA roads. Sometimes he feels bad for cars giving him right of way and then realizes that that's how it ougth to be everywhere!

Try getting a grub screw....like an allenbolt without the head. Haven't tried it but if you can get one that fits it'll look nice and clean.

If I understand you correctly, you mean rotating the whole clamp so the lever sits at the back...? This would mean that the slot on the clamp and the one in the frame are not aligned. Not sure if this is a good idea. I would think that for the clamp to hold properly they need to be aligned as those slots need to close to some degree. If they're not aligned I suspect the clamp won't be able to tighten as much as is possible and this might actually cause slippage. At least that's how I see it. Besides that, the levers that I've seen are generally not very small and in most cases actually protrude even more when turned sideways....depends on the make of course

I suppose riding style also needs to be factored in. If you just cruise the descents it will be a bit of a non-issue. If you're hammering them and jumping over rocks and roots and need to sometimes get as much air as possible to clear obstacles, it becomes a necessity. In those instances the saddle just gets in the way of you lifting the bike as high as you need to and that means the obstacle becomes unrideable or you crash. It's simply a matter of what the individual prefers. Bottomline is if you need the adjustment then for sure get the QR. If you're not going to use it then the allenkey type is the better option. Johan, the zig-zag gouges in the post....is that not perhaps a post that is too tight or just not well lubed? Perhaps a frame that the seattube isn't quite the correct size? Just wondering...I use a Thompson that is the correct size as prescribed by the manufacturer for my frame and when I release the bolt the post drops into the frame under it's own weight.

If you tighten a quick release post properly it won't slip. At the moment I run an allenkey clamp because I never lower my seat. Just too much hassle. Even a QR clamp will be too much hassle for me. However, having had some experience with an on-the-fly adjustable post, I reckon I see one of those in my future. Not on an XC bike, but on a longer travel bike(5inches +) and specifically for really technical and steep terrain it really makes a huge difference. So....my point being that if you're not as lazy as I am and ride difficult terrain then the QR is the way to go.

Ah yes....I'm also thinking of the other track you told me to listen to Tool's Disgustipated...."THIS....IS....NECESSARY / THIS....IS....NECESSARY......" MintSauce2008-07-11 02:37:46

The last downhill race I did many years ago we just happened to be listening to a Soundgarden song on the way to the race....can't remember the title but the chorus said...."I'm the one heading for the bottom and I'm riding you all the way" Also quite like Cake - The Distance Reluctantly crouched at the starting line, Engines pumping and thumping in time. The green light flashes, the flags go up. Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup. They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank, Fuel burning fast on an empty tank. Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns. Their prowess is potent and secretly stearn. As they speed through the finish, the flags go down. The fans get up and they get out of town. The arena is empty except for one man, Still driving and striving as fast as he can. The sun has gone down and the moon has come up, And long ago somebody left with the cup. But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns. And thinking of someone for whom he still burns. He's going the distance. He's going for speed. She's all alone In her time of need. Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course, He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse, He's going the distance. No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine, He's haunted by something he cannot define. Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse, Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force. In his mind, he's still driving, still making the grade. She's hoping in time that her memories will fade. Cause he's racing and pacing and plotting the course, He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse. The sun has gone down and the moon has come up, And long ago somebody left with the cup. But he's striving and driving and hugging the turns. And thinking of someone for whom he still burns. Cause he's going the distance. He's going for speed. She's all alone In her time of need. Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course, He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse. He's racing and pacing and plotting the course, He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse. He's going the distance. He's going for speed. He's going the distance.

Just pulling them off the phone....watch this space

Mmm....my setup also uses a cabletie but in stead of special moulded bits just some clever routing. Nothing special....but short of the Fox bracket it's the best system I've seen. Bikes at home....will take a pic when I go home and post in the morning as well

BigBen....what fork are you running? How are you securing the cable to the fork? I ask because Fox has a neat bracket. Not sure about other makes. I spied a neat little trick from a mechanic mate that keeps the hose well away from the fork and looks very neat. I use it on my Fox since the replacement legs I got don't have the mounting for the bracket....can take a pic if you want?

I haven't but have been meaning to since I read an article on him a while ago....will have a look for that one What's the title?

Don't mind the banter, but just wanted to say that seriously, he's probably one of, if not my favorite rider ever. A legend Can't wait for the first TdF mountain stage on Sunday

Also....can the decision be overturned afterwards...?

I'm no expert, but I agree that Sauser is innocent. I watched that clip about 20 times to see where he might've done something wrong. Interesting to note that Sauser wasn't on the podium for the champagne celebrations. What I want to know is, did the official have video footage available to him before making the decision...?

Minty how do we get to the new singletrack? I assume you know Canary Trail...? Starts just after the main entrance gate in front of that wooden house/storeroom on your left. There's a lower, middle and upper Canary Trail and the new trail runs off of Upper Canary. As you're on the last stretch of it just before you reach the road, the new trail will peel off to your right, effectively taking a shortcut up to the road and just straight accross. It is truly a thing of beauty! Only rode up it Saturday as I was with two beginners who were not keen on riding down only to climb up again. Cannot wait to ride it down. It's long and flowy with lots of switchbacks, all with big berms and the whole thing is littered with little jumps and launches of the trail features....you can see it was built by a downhiller!

Just be sure to ride the new singletrack....it's rather nice!

You shouldn't be asking us this question. You should be asking yourself....can I afford the XTR...? It's not about whether it's worth the price difference but rather about whether you can afford the price difference. Always buy the most expensive part possible. Screw the budget!

Dude....that is such a cool bike! What is it...?