robbybzgo

Let's keep it uppermost in our minds that after Co-vid and the economic situation that resulted from it, and the wars around the world and the stock markets bottoming out (in general) and the riots and pilfering have left many, many people jobless, hungry and desperate. Those who have become accustomed to stealing, robbing and murdering will continue to do it as it's an easy fix. Our bikes being worth R10k X ? (Pick a number between 1 and 20) to us, are worth maybe a few hundred (easy bucks) to a criminal and they've realised that we're easy pickings. My only suggestion going forward is to contact your local CPF (Community Police Forum - I hope you have an effective one), present them with the crime stats against cyclists and ask them to plan an operation with SAPS and local security companies to catch these criminals. Each CPF is meant to put a safety plan forward each year (to SAPS) to make their areas safer for the community. I feel that this is the only effective way forward as vigilantism has a nasty way of criminalising the right-doers. Good luck going forward...

ALL NECESSARY items that make the thing that you are selling WORK PROPERLY should be SUPPLIED with it. If you are selling something that requires ANOTHER item to make it work properly, IT SHOULD BE SPECIFIED IN YOUR ADVERT AS NOT BEING SUPPLIED. OTHERWISE you're just being DEVIOUS!

Yeah, not better, just faster...🤭

Try and drop some old (used) rubber seals into a diluted solution of that Wash and Wax and let sit for a few hours, then take out and dry them off. Repeat for a few days and see if your theory holds out that the solution is degrading the rubber. As a note I've used a car dashboard protector (Johnson Rally UV protector) applied with an ear bud onto the rubber seals to stop them from cracking/deteriorating.

Just to clarify, are you talking about the external rubber seal (usually black) or the internal (white/cream coloured) fabric/ foam type seal?

I'm South African and you all sound like foreigners talking k*k... By the way "Cartier Bresson" was born in 1908. Your information gathered is so last century... and a few of you live under bridges ...😆

Check out this gravel race held there recently. You might be able to pick up a route??

The grips that I have has a clamping device that screws onto the end of the bar. This prevents them from twisting.

To me, Ergon or such like grips that have a "fin" that supports the palm is a definite winner. (A winner hands down..😆) Straight tube like grips, no matter how thick, aren't for me. No wrist support ends up with sore/fatigued hands.

Before we get too emotional about riding hardtails you need to consider 1. The trails/area that you will be riding the bike on/in in future. What bike type would be most suitable? 2. A hardtail can't be described as "comfortable". The couch in my lounge is comfortable. 3. Your current fitness level and core strength will help a lot as you spend a lot more time out of the saddle on a HT. (a dropper post can be considered if tackling gnarly/ steep downhill sections. Enjoyment of riding comes from two things that are linked. a) the joy of owning a rad bike and b) the joy of what that bike gives to you when you ride it (are you left with a smile on your face that only fades when you go to sleep at night). The smile can easily be resuscitated when you catch a glance of that wonderful pony just waiting in the stable to be ridden. Too many people buy bikes, just to ride. Let's understand that it's a love affair. Fall out of love and you'll suddenly realise that you're not riding much anymore. Buy a bike that you love and I hope your affair lasts for a very long time

If you are riding a gravel/ road bike then I would suggest getting shoes with cleats that clip into your pedals. It was suggested by another responder and I concur. It takes a little getting used to but once you've mastered them you won't regret it. Flat shoes are used mainly for MTB's and Enduro/ Downhill riding.

What we need from these forums is FEEDBACK (to the clubs). What are the successes that these forums have achieved? Otherwise it becomes a talk shop where lots of talking is done with very little effect. Have we ever identified main cycling routes and ensure that they are kept in top condition for riding. I say this coz I had a bad accident, flying off my TT bike at 41,5km/h due to a narrow open channel next to a manhole cover on a seemingly perfect road in central Pinetown that was upgraded and re-tarred during our last world cup. Broke my elbow and tore ligaments and was concussed for an hour and a half (have video of accident as it happened right outside Toyota entrance). Recovery has been painful and slow... Favourite roads need to be identified and road inspections need to be carried out by these forums/clubs to create a safer cycling experience for commuters/ weekend warriors/ racers & Pro's.

Maybe it's time for every city/ town/ dorp to have a Cycling Safe committee where their main goal is to create safe cycling conditions in their local areas. Yes, I know that local municipalities are constrained financially (mainly through an erosion of funds due to corruption) but we need to soldier on to create a safe environment to do our sport. Suggest that the committee through the participation of all the local clubs identify the most often used routes and the put pressure on the local government [LG](even with petitions) to re-tar, fix holes and trim roadside foliage so that safe cycling can continue. Even extending to fixing potholes themselves in a group effort. Getting reports in local newspapers about the unsafe conditions, getting letters written stating that should anyone cycling be injured from a reported hole or inferior road surface then the LG will be held responsible for all costs relating to damage/ injuries that follow. Yes, people sometimes say that it's a lost cause. Well, it will be if we give up and don't do anything about it...

In the future the main ring will wear and with the chain in the smallest ring at the rear the chain can become slack enough and with rough terrain it can come off the main ring. Ask me, it happened twice in a race so I bought a chain guide and never had that problem again. A one by (1x) doesn't have the front derailleur to help keep the chain in check going onto the front chainring.

It does look reasonable but pedals would need to be purchased (flat or cleated as per your choice) and a chain guide would be advisable in the future. It's always nice to test ride a bike but might not be possible in your case...

That bike does appear to be very entry level. Your budget can afford a better bike. If you buy this bike you might be, very quickly, be looking to upgrade if you really get into MTB'ing...

When you're riding with your mates and someone yells out "Take the Jump!" DON'T... Jumping with a bike is almost an artform done by a technician.... LEARN how to get your bike off the ground and back onto it (the right way up) before you try any crazy stuff with little knowledge of what it is you're doing. Learn...then love the ride..!

Don't forget to practice once you've got the new pedals ON GRASS. EVERYONE will fall, clipped in, on you first couple of rides. You just forget to unclip, stop and BAM, you're on the ground. Your brain needs that experience a few times to let it sink in that you must unclip before stopping. Once you've got it mastered, you'll never look back...

It makes me wonder if this incredibly lucky escape was created by AI...?

Not knowing how keen you are to continue MTB'ing after you've done it a few times you might get want to get in cheaply... This 26" (older bike) seems to be a good price. Maybe you can negotiate a little more off the price... click on the link below. https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/hardtail-mountain-bikes/593561/small-trek-ladies-bike-in-excellent-condition?referrer=top

Let's have a value of your climbing kit and the area where you stay as you'll need to go see the bike being offered. Good luck...

Performance has a lot to do with personal drive/ambition and fitness/skill. Suggest you draw up a list of parts needed and specify the size or type needed. Start with the kind of bike you have and work it from there...

Interesting but complex. So many different kinds of bikes out there. What to choose? Find out if your missus really likes riding bikes by borrowing a bike or hiring for a while. So many wives get bikes but don't end up enjoying the sport. Commuter, road, gravel, mountain bikes - (XC, Trail, Enduro), Triathlon. So many choices. Good luck with your search. PS: (most guys upgrade their old hard-tail bike - and pass it on to their missis - while they ride the new dual-suss...🤫)

The other positive point offered by the person developing this tracker (not me) is where you get WhatsApp messages to indicate what your battery level is. This would come in handy as a reminder to charge... I guess under most circumstances you'd need to charge two to three times a month. Sounds doable...

As previously stated: At present, the device offers 10 days of standby time (ie when your bike is standing at home and not moving) and up to 15 hours of live tracking time.