SeaBee

Well, I haven't sold my road bike, but that's exactly why I've gotten a new mtb and is doing a lot more mtb'ing now than road. Was on the road only once since Burger, mtb'ing twice a weekend. And enjoying the heck out of it!

Quick question... I wore my number sticker for actionphoto at Die Burger. Photo's are up, but for the first time there are nothing that came out nice. Am I forced to take at least one - or do I simply order nothing from the site in this case? I don't want them to post the stuff to me and then have to return (or keep) it. Or is there a way to indicate on the site that you're not taking any of the pictures? What's the options? Surely some of you ran across this before...

Agreed with Gravity - with the amount of people not wanting to be around, plus extended school holidays, I think a lot of companies will have IT freezes over the WC period. At least partially. If they (and their end users) don't plan for it, they will be in for a bit of a surprise.

At "work"... with the seven dwarfs. IT... freeze periods... great. Will send Grumpy to go make me some coffee - don't want to miss it if the mountain (not the CT one!) does actually move... (Watch this space!)

Been there, done that... Draft-draft-draft. Know you'll be dropped at places and make peace with it - have the understanding they'll either turn around or just slow down a bit for you to catch up. Oh - and lastly: Miss your bike when you puke. SeaBee2009-12-25 22:32:41

In short, how do they stack up as a normal XC bike (maybe even relative to the 96)? I know they're designed as more extreme than my use, but they seem quite nice. Like the idea of their longer wheelbase, but even that is very slight. Also on the 96 - should I have any concerns with the carbon at the rear (on the alu framed bikes). As example to my confusion - on the GT side of life I got told point-blank to take the Force, which is the equivalent, regardless of usage. (And it does look like another awesome bike.) Sorry, don't know if this should be in the sub-forum of buyer's guide - if so don't shoot me.

Saw the ad of Ride before you buy, yeah. Considering it very much. It does clash with a road ride I was planning on doing. Thanks for the feedback, guys. Will definately venture over to some shops - just wanted some background before I wandered in there. And no, I did not even want to start stirring by throwing 29er vs dual suspension in there! Technical skill of a baby elephant, so I need all the help I can get! Not set on a specific brand by any means - the Stumpjumper comment was just wordplay - in jest.

Some seriously stupid questions from a roadie on mtb design. I have one, it's old. Starting to ride some more mtb of late and contemplating a more recent one. And I'm sure the more I look, the more of these questions will pop up. So I am expecting a lot of KVS comments, just bear with me... Looking at the web, I am completely confused by all the terms and types of mtb's. What's the diffs between e.g. GT's "all mountain" (Sensor range) and "Trail/Marathon" (Marathon and Sensor ranges, likewise Specialised has the Competitive and Trail versions, both XC, and their "All mountain" looks just shy of a downhill bike. That's just two manufacturers... Then also, what gets me the most is the curved tubes. Ehh? Looking at the same manufacturers, GT's Force looks great, yet the Sensor has this curve in the top tube. Specialised Stumpjumper has this curved down tube (?) whereas the Epic's is straight. Giant's curved both (on Reign and Trance) vs the Anthem. So what the diffs between the 3 of Giant - as example? Why all these curves? And then, why have two models with the same tubes curved? And then lastly - these different ways of mounting the rear shocks - what gives? Looks like that is dictated by manufacturer and not type of mountain bike, as I'd have guessed. The one exception I've come across being Scott, where the one range is mounted differently to the other. No, I have not even started looking at Merida, Cannondale and the rest yet - I am already stumped. Hmmm, so therefore the answer is clear, I need a Stumpjumper!

Just do a hard reset after the upgrade! My Sat ride figures was a bit weird after the upgrade, did the hard reset and Sunday ride was better.

Last time I did the Bouckartsoenen race in Paarl they also had these. I prefer the medals (my 3 y/o too!) - but it beats the living daylights out of Tour de Stellenbosch's sticker!

The little hair I have left is shaved, so I count myself as an expert! Buffs are great for cold. I just pull the darn thing over my ears, fold it backwards and get the helmet on over it. Stuff all 1001 ways you can hold and fold it.

Deepest condolences to the family. Also fail to see how this could happen where it happened. I use roads with yellow shoulders as much as possible, thinking you have plenty space. I mean, it's not as if it was that horrible little piece of road past Fisantekraal. Subsequently, and I can understand it, she-who-must-be-obeyed banned me from solo riding, after seeing the article in the Burger. Which sortof leaves me up the creek, but that's my prob.

Enjoyed the race - did not have a stellar time due to own rookie mistake. Apart from that, all was good. If you see a 2k traffic jam on the N1 - why not just drive past that turnoff and take the next one, ride though Paarl and simply approach the venue fron the others side? Only complaint I have was tha lack of loo's... they really did not clutter the place with them.

Forgot to ask - see the TPI is a bit down from gatorskins - 120 vs 180. Will that cause more sidewall movement/unstability? Better at back than in front, I presume.

Was advised due to lack of Gatorskins stock and initial web reviews looks good. Anybody of you have any experience with these tyres and feedback you'd like to share. Should I go with it or rather try and get Gatorskins (or alternative? - heard GP4000 is good) somewhere? Before the weekend's Burger, that is...

Spinnekop, - not quite so... In days gone by (before I got a 705) when I've had my 205, I used to pull my Garmin data across to SportTracks and "sync" it that way. So you can definately import .hrm files to SportTracks. Not sure what exactly you'll get, since I always used it in conjunction with data from the 205 -and nowadays 705 data.

Agreed with Tankman, you get all these features. If you want cadence and HR, don't go for the 205 or 605 (depending on whether you go for the older or newer models). I use all the software he mentioned, plus there's also (web-based) Garmin Connect, which is still improving, but at least an off-site store for data. And eval-ing CycliStats. If you're asking about Edge models rater than software - like I said 205 and 605 don't do HR and cadence, but everything else. 305 and 705 includes HR and cadence (some packages have them as optional extras. Edge 500 has been announced - not 100% sure of prices, availability and features.

Cycling kit seperate from any other stuff. Cold water, regular washing powder, small load in machine. But then I don't wear Assos, CapeStorm does nicely...

Train harder? Like was said - Train like you race and race like you train. I.e. don't vary race and training intensity too much. That includes stuff like cadence and saddle/standing time, where different muscle groups fire. If in doubt, start off easier in a race and do the second half harder. Side effect of ibruprofenis numerous - inclusive the stated kidney issues that can creep in. Amongst others stuff like water retention and blood thickness that can be influenced. Naah, I'll pass. Find another volunteer! (That's just my personal opinion.)

Agreed - stop, get off, give it a good stretch (and apply something cool if you have something handy) and then go on. You'll loose more time "soldiering on" than with the stop. The way not to do it: 2 years ago, Td Stellenbosch on a wet day... Crampstop tabs dissolved in my pockets because of spray from road. (Kiepie the village idiot always kept it in his middle pocket.) Started cramping badly in calves at 60k's, soldiered on trying to ride around the problem. My knees was so eff-ed that I could not unclip at the end of the ride - and walked like Frankenstein for 3 days after.

Very interesting discussion(s) on cramps last night on SuperCycling with Dr Swart. Some observations from my side: I definately agree with the research done on this. It's not hidration/nutrition/pills that stops cramps - it's the state of the muscle. I used to cramp badly and easily despite being hydrated, taking anti-cramp pills, the works. As my training has improved, my cramping decreased. On top of that I no longer take anti-cramping pills. I have felt the initial twinges of cramps on a couple of training rides of late, but that was when trying to do high-cadence work for a continuous time - something I am not used to doing (and obviously working on). In those unfamiliar stressed situations I get calve cramps - or the beginning of it. Apart from that, nothing in ages - touch wood! Table is open for discussion - what's your findings?

From what I see on racetec site, it was very badly attended - something like 240-odd riders?! Everybody gatvol of bad weather after the Argus? Or racetec not yet fully updated with results? If that was the case, I have sympathy with the guys organising this.

Jeez, also got me some of that Biogen recovery stuff - tropical. Man, they must have no tasters in their dept! Worst tasting experience I've had in a long time! Agreed, the high protein content was a big draw card for me as well there. Recovermax (from Cytomax) is great, and tastes wonderfull... as is their Muscle Milk. If I see a tub, I'll grab it - I'm done shopping around for recovery drinks! Usually available at Canal Walk - but that don't help you much!

Oakley sells the coating they use on lenses seperately. (Hydrophobic coating, or something like that.) Don't know how readily available - or how well it works when applied to other manufacturers lenses. You can maybe enquire at their offices. It's on Radars by default and it's the lenses I've had with the least fogging ever. Drops of water also just runs off - for once something working as advertised (for me, at least!)

Just bought half of Paarl's stock of ProAmino, they now only have one left. They did have some of the gel flasks left, did not check how much. Will try it this weekend.