[How Matt Beers became so fast - Interview]

14 hours ago, El Duderino said:

Was an excellent interview. 

What a cool interview and love Matt's temperament!!! 

[Stages Power Meters lay off entire workforce]

2 hours ago, The Ouzo said:

do staff work for free ?

do buildings cost nothing to run ?

is R&D free?

 

quoting material costs is being disingenuous, there are many other costs involved.

 

Are the companies making a tidy profit ? I'm pretty sure they are, but I dont think its as big a profit as everyone thinks.

There are plenty financial metrics in the business world, that tells you if each expense line items falls inside an acceptable level, and if not, shareholders will call you out.  Part and parcel of running a sustainable business.  So no these expenses are certainly not free. 

Point is, it certainly does not make sense for a push bike to be R250k+, nor does it make sense that a Richard Mille is $100k+

Good luck for you if your manage your business such that you can determine the product asking price based on being desirable. 

We all knew the bike industry was waiting for a sense check...

[Stages Power Meters lay off entire workforce]

1 hour ago, The Ouzo said:

a bottle of wine @ R200 is deemed rubbish, sell that same bottle for R2000 rand and all of a sudden its a brilliant wine and desirability increases.

John Wayne's sister is rubbish. 

For an East Rander, R200 a bottle is serious stuff.

[Cyclosport in Kuilsrivier - Anyone knows whats up?]

10 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

VERY sad to hear this.

Very sad indeed, they sponsored me and Pierre Smit in '86 when I was riding juniors.  I was very proud of the multicoloured Cyclosport jersey.  The shop has been in the family since!!

[Advice needed on MTB brakes]

1 hour ago, Steven421 said:

I've only received good service from CycleLab in Boksburg. You can speak to Mark in their service department.

Or Finish Line Cycles in Kempton...

[The Classics]

1 hour ago, Frosty said:

Most Monument wins (green being the most per event). These two (MvdP and Pog) have time and potential get to 10 each.

Seems surreal not to see Wout's name on the list

[DSTV vs Streaming to watch cycling]

3 hours ago, Rowl said:

Just to add another nail to the DSTV coffin, MSR is not being broadcasted this weekend???😶

Seems so, but massive Epic broadcasts and Tour of Catalunya

[Dopers suck]

Meanwhile....

https://www.news24.com/sport/othersport/wada-suspends-south-africas-doping-laboratory-over-multiple-non-conformities-20240305

 

[Giro D'Italia 2024: Chirps, Buzz and Updates]

4 minutes ago, lechatnoir said:

so much can happen between now and july, but yeah, he looks sharp.

Agree, you don't win the Tour in Feb, but a good start nonetheless!!

[Cyclists with a "Running" Problem]

On 2/21/2024 at 3:30 PM, Frosty said:

If you use Intervals.icu you can use my shared 0-5Km training plan, which goes up to 10Km in 14 weeks. I've used it twice before, and just started again after a few years of running hibernation.
 

I also had to start this running thing earlier in the week.  Will be working very long hours the next 2 months, so perhaps a run or 2 will help maintain the fitness somewhat.

Running is HARD on the (my) body!!!

I'm fine from a HR perspective, but the rest of me is shot, and I'm only running a 2.5 (16min).  I'm sure it will get better.

['ShimErgo' ... Campag Shimano mix ... experiences?]

On 2/19/2024 at 4:48 PM, NotSoBigBen said:

Right so .... on my weekend long ride I got to thinking.

How about trying that 'SRAMErgo' 10sp hodge podge, I have a derailleur. I also know someone that would surely have an old 11-3x 10sp cassette hanging around.

So I happen to see both my 'dealers' this morning over at my LBS The Workshop in Alberhoughton 

Grumpy did not disappoint of course, provided an 11-34 10sp cassette straight from the dustbin!

Big Wayne from Cape Cycles just casually mentions 'you'll need a hanger extender' ... how these okes know these things. I had one 😎

Anyway to cut a long story shorter, fitted it all and yes it works a bloody treat! I have also swopped that front 53 crank setup with a compact 50 and also a 'cool kid' Pauls Chainkeeper

Gone from a 1x8 53x11-32 (Campag 10sp shifter, Shimano 8sp cassette, chain and derailleur) to a 1x10 50x11-34 (Campag 10sp shifter, Shimano 10sp cassette, chain and 10sp SRAM RED derailleur)

Should be kinder on my old legs 😎

The workstand and round the block tests have been successful but the real test will be the next few rides!

P.S I have already been chastised by Grumpy about that '1m white cable that must double as a lock when I go the corner cafe' 😒

He did offer an elegant solution using a V-Pipe which I will pursue in the next day or 2

A proper bastard. 

The Yanks and Japanese working under the control of the Italians. With no infighting.  2024 is certainly weird!!!

[Giant TCR Composite 3 2013 vs Scott Speedster 20 2014]

9 minutes ago, Luqies said:

thanks...i bought the TCR and I'm selling the Speedster now so just wanted to make sure im moving in the right direction 😄

I' have a garage full of GAINTS, including 3x TCR's 2004, 2012 and 2020.  Never regretted the TCR's for a second!!

[Dopers suck]

On 9/12/2023 at 5:23 PM, Frosty said:

Saw the You magazine while waiting in the queue at Woolies last night. Couldn’t find the Ingleesh version online, but found die Afrikaanse een… why me?

Bad boy gets himself a 4 year ban...

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/springboks/springbok-elton-jantjies-given-four-year-suspension-for-banned-substance-20240118

 

 

[Peter Sagan retiring from WorldTour at end of season]

4 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

He sounds like pretty much every cycling friend I've ever known... Work hard... Play harder... he can come braai at my place any day 🤙😄

He's at the Lemmer brothers tonight....😜

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

37 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Yes you can, ideally with those fancy cable to hydraulic calipers like the ones from TRP or like I do with mechanical calipers

I must just add that if you decide to go with mechanical calipers, in my experience anyway they can be tricky to get just right and they do need adjustment quite often to keep that feel

And mechanical does not have the  better stopping power.  The TRP ones are good, if you can find them!! 

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

3 hours ago, Spinnekop said:

Maybe a perception?  Or just a function of which part you choose to use for the stat:
Having a quick look, I would use this section as the "north side" of Swartberg.
https://www.strava.com/segments/10601836

If true, then South side is easier.

 

I'm OCD, so the pass for me is where the gravel starts, to the top, which then adds about 5km at 2.1%.  Significant for old, fat and unfit ballies like me!!!! 

This segment.....

https://www.strava.com/segments/27176466

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

53 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

Using a formula I have picked up on another site:

Kinda useful in comparing climbs in general

 

Swartberg northern side (which includes the little downhill) would be an interesting number, certainly more difficult vs  south

[Cycling Rietspruitdam]

26 minutes ago, Andretn said:

Anyone cycled at or close to the Rietspruitdam?

You probably mean Rietvlei Dam?  You cannot ride inside the nature reserve....buffalo, cheetah, etc.  Plenty of smaller roads on the western side that are in a bad condition, but pretty quiet.

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

2 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

I've ridden up the whole of swartberg pass on the gran fondo with a 1:1 ratio (or 42 chainring and 11-42 cassette)

I've also ridden up most of it 40/20 with a SS gravel bike the year before. It's probably better having something easier but it's definitely not impossible. It's also silly to gear a bike for a race you will ride at most once a year, but probably not even that often.

Gear for what you ride all the time. That 45 minutes a year isn't the rule, it's the exception.

 

You don't count, being immortal and all...

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

31 minutes ago, RossTopher said:

my anecdotal evidence, i have a converted old giant escape, running fsa omega (48/32) and an 11-32 cassette. i did PA to Die Hel and back and didnt suffer (too hard).
the 1:1 ratio on Swartberg was fine, but it would have been nice to have a little extra in some parts.

i've never done the full swartberg, so don't know if it heads steeper from there

Wow, ok, the portion from Malvadraai to the top of the switchbacks many times exceeds the steepness from the other side, so to do that on a 1:1 ratio take some doing!!!  Hats off!!

Bearing in mind that for the GF you will already have a far bit off riding in the legs...

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

1 minute ago, Johan1983 said:

So what will you recommend?

For my MTB equivalent gear ratio you would need a 28x42 for the last 3km of Swartberg. 

Having said that, I've done Swartberg many, many times on a MTB, but never with a gravel bike, so not sure how the 1x gravel crowd manages their gears for the race.  They most likely use a 50 cassette?

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

20 minutes ago, splat said:

If this is for a gravel bike, why not get GRX instead of Ultegra ?
The clutch on the rear much is super useful for keeping that chain slap under control!

Agree, but I cannot find a full GRX gruppo, any ideas? 1st thing is to move from mech discs to hydraulics if I do a stepwise upgrade.

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

On 1/15/2024 at 3:16 PM, Johan1983 said:

If i go GRX810   1 x 11 Speed

42T Chainset

11 / 42 Cassette

Will that be a good match?

 

Wont run out of gears?

You might sukkel with Swartberg Grand Fondo, but on the other end of the scale (flat tar), you will wear down the 13 sprocket pretty quickly

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

1 hour ago, RossTopher said:

i really dont think there is an ultimate winner between the two. if it comes down to what you can get your hands on and what groupset/shifting you prefer.

i did a build with a 105/grx mix - 2x11 (48/31 front and 11/36 back). ITS GREAT

i have another bike with sram apex 1x11 (44T up front and 11-42 back): ITS GREAT.

the 1x is now more of a dedicated road bike and both speed and climbing are not an issue.

what i have noticed is that the sram brake feel is streets ahead of the shimano

Can you please share your 105/grx mix details Ross?

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

26 minutes ago, Frosty said:

From my experience:

2x with a compact cassette (closer ratios). I’m not a fan of the gear spacing on a 1x, and the weight penalty is immaterial to me by having another chain ring.

A frustration is when to find a good 2x (shimano) groupset if you do a custom build, even 105 is not available - unless I look in the wrong places....