Dappere

@MandM I can only speak from my own experience. "...there was a tiny bit of play on the headset/steerer tube." This could be worn bearings, or as you mentioned was the wrong bearing(s). The "Clack/Crack" sound. Likely the bike just needs a headset service. If you feel you are a Novice Mechanic, rather let an experienced mechanic do the first service.

100%, can confirm this.

You get those mesh laundry bags, which you can place your bib in to wash in a washing machine. Some brands give you one of those with the bib. Key is not to use fabric softener.

Watch out for fabric softener. Causes the fibers in material to loose their ability to stretch. Which after a while causes the fibers too thin out. Hand wash in cold water is your best bet.

How are you washing your bibs?

Crazy, you an actually hear the bashing of the keyboard when reading Paul's message...

While back Privateer use to import Maap. Currently only get them when in EU/AU. Would be great to get access to Maap's products again in South Africa.

This might help: https://ridersrundown.com/are-expensive-mtb-forks-worth-it/

It's more effort than a gloss bike It comes down to care and using the correct cleaning products. Especially when it comes to the polish, using general/normal polish with remove the matt look. Should you be taking your bike to your LBS regularly, also make sure they use the correct products. Past 3 bike have been matt and remained matt by being heedful when cleaning. Alternative option is to wrap your bike, would also protect the finish.

Personally I found Ciovita inferior and less comfortable than Assos, that being said, guys I cycle with find them extremely comfortable. Much like the advice given above, fit/comfort of each brand is relative. If the current bib you own is comfortable, then stick with it. Should you want to try something else -> https://www.cyclelab.com/product/5005542-bibshort-men-assos-mille-gt-blk, within your budget and you can judge for yourself it they are worth the hype. ✌️

Sure, let's say the OP went with that logic. Aggressive = smaller frame, Endurance/upright = larger frame. OP goes for aggressive setup (smaller frame), gets a bike setup and the stack of the bike is too small to get them into the correct position, OR, OP goes for an endurance/upright setup (larger frame) and has to run a 70mm stem to get into the correct position. In order to make decisions on frame size, you need certain guides, guides that a bike fitter could provide, and can save you the hassle of having to sell a bike you just bought.

@Chadvdw67 A lot of us have been here, while the advise received by fellow hubbers are valuable. Save yourself a lot of disappointment and money and go to see a bike fitter. They will be able to help you select the correct size, based on your goals and anatomy. Some bike shops might have a fitter in-store that could also assist, just be cautious of the brand bias. There are too many variables to consider, height alone can't guarantee a good fit.

Another vote for Irma.

@Trap_Boetiehttp://www.carbonbicyclerepairs.co.za

what is the build specs of the bike?

I have done 3 of these events. Didn’t find this route too technical. The 80km has a lot of climbing, be ready to climb. Found each one quite enjoyable. Where do you generally ride, maybe I can use those routes to give some perspective?

Great choice. After I had to replace the 520 I went for the 130. Liked the compact nature of the device and defiantly not short of features. Should you get an supporting garmin watch, you can use extended display. Basically like a custom layout, but allows you to display various types of data on the watch and computer respectively.

Wrap it, I have wrapped most of my Mtbs through Armour Ride. For the my mtbs I go with the full custom wrap and road bike I generally go with the essentials wrap. It does make a difference. Comparing my wrapped Mtb with my mates unwrapped mtb, bought a week apart. The difference is night and day. Mates bike was full of general trail usage scratches, where my paint job still looked fresh. Can't speak of 3M, but I know Armour Rides wrap also offers UV protection. Helps with resell.

Best advice I can give you is to go a try a few at a bike shop. Road bike sizing, like most things in the bike industry isn’t standard. Some manufactures 54 might be like other brands 56. Once you get a good idea of the geometry fits you, it’s relatively easy to compare those numbers to the various manufactures geometry charts and see which size fits best. There is also an element of riding style. How aggressive you’d like the bike to be or not, and most importantly - comfort. I am a few centimetres taller than you are. All the mtbs I have owned are large. One of my road bikes are 54 and the other is 56, both very similar in geometry numbers. If you’d like to start a search on the hub, maybe search for 54, 55 and 56. Go an ride this bikes and see what is more comfortable.

Not at all, but would depend what terrain you ride and plan on riding in the future. HT make you a better rider in my opinion. Should budget not be an option, you could look at the Supercaliber, has elements of a HT, but still has a little bit of suspension in the back for harder hits. Otherwise I second what some have said in the thread, Steel HT.

There are quite a few reasons. Which I am sure some hubbers could dispute and mention that it could also be done on home and content, but I don’t entirely agree with that. I choose stand-alone: your bike is covered for theft at home and away from home. you are covered for accidental and malicious damage, away from home and at home. you are covered for outlier scenarios, like driving into your garage and forgetting your bike is on the roof of your car. This happens more than most tend to admit. at claims stage, you generally get more options and not just a cash settlement. As the product is specifically designed for bicycles and their usage criteria. you generally get discount on adding multiple bikes on a policy. Ultimately the decision remains yours, but giving the investment made on bicycles I choose the peace of mind which is given to me by a stand alone bicycle insurance product. At the end of the day, that is essentially insurance - peace of mind. happy to answer any more questions?

I prefer to get standalone bicycle insurance, as oppose to insuring my bikes under home and contents. You could also checkout MiWay or JaSure, both offer comprehensive bicycle insurance.

Hardtail is perfect. The blue route is a bit more technical, but also more than doable on a hardtail.

The red route should be doable with a gravel bike.

I generally buy a selected few items from selected brands. Having tried a bunch of brands in the past, I found those that I really like, and most importantly provides a great level of comfort. I feel I spent more money trying new brands than just sticking to what works. Most of my cycling apparel is Assos, for someone who does a lot of riding they last the longest in my opinion and remain comfortable. Recently received a Vye Thermal jacket as a present and for the listed price it's an amazing jacket. My first pick would probably be to remain with Assos, and a bit reluctant to sway for the above mentioned reason, but then again I was pleasantly surprised by the Vye jacket. Would likely support a local brand if the quality and comfort is there.