Bos

Where's the results of this? Sad to have missed it this year, but will be back!

Cool. The nice bit about it only being 26 km is one can walk the last climb, like most of us did. It got pretty hot in that little kloof. But It really wasn't all bad. I was training for the W2W at that stage but somehow didn't have the strength or will power to pedal that last steep part. All in good spirit though! I think 2 years ago, the #NOTARACE version was spread out more, so had more exposure. and you definitely would have felt pretty lonely if you walked those climbs.. the traverse to "Dream on" and 2x tower+some for the last stage took some commitment. But that's the nature of Enduro. Jonkershoek is same story. At least there's an event to look forward to as it doesn't look like the EWC races are happening this year.

Wow, only 3 months.. I am going to have to get going.. What are we in for @Christofison?

I hope her heart is in it, or she might regret it. Pitty as she was doing really well. 4th at the World Champs 2 years ago, Swiss Epic.. definately at the sharp end, Seems like she's just been on a bit of a lonely road with regards to teams and sponsors. Shes been one of my favorite local racers, will be missed.

Is Robin coming towards the end of her racing career? Anyone with more insight?

Please.. Not Claudio.. Off topic.. Wasn't Enduro also suppose to go livestream sometime?

I have wasted hours on MTBR -Pike forums, there are some curves and models I will post some when I have the time. I half recall it was also part of the origional marketing(less ramp) With regard to the grease, plain old "copper slip" ? Cool thanks. https://www.takealot.com/spanjaard-copper-compound-additive-100g/PLID36957528?gclid=CjwKCAiAv_KMBhAzEiwAs-rX1Eh_lkF3TvP93hx70mZzFbUkikEsLYWhUHuTUIc_L4uRjU0mw-7vVBoCZy4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#:~:text=Share-,Spanjaard - Copper Compound Additive - 100g,-Spanjaard

Droo, Are you sure you dont have those the wrong way around? It makes more sense that you have to put more pressure in C1, as it sags 10mm under its own weight aswel as have a larger negative spring, therefore it will give that first inch up very easily. Thats why I find I have to put more PSI in the old spring (A1). Am I right in saying, the flipside of the smaller negative spring on C1 is the larger positive chamber, which allows for slightly mellower ramp at the end? Anyway. Off topic, but on the grease.. one. My everyday red grease that I use for everything else does not seem to last on pivots. The chumps at the W2W made short work of blasting my pivots clear of any wanted grease and I had a very squeaky bike on day 2. What is a good tough grease, like that white stuff the factory often uses on the first time builds for pivots? My red grease is obviously not the right stuff.

Well Its like for like.. (the grease I use) It must then be the O-ring. I will take the o-ring off the old spring and put it on the new spring to see if the friction is less. I do put a little bit of oil in the air spring although I only have 10W. With regard to the two airsprings: I don't know If it is just placebo, but to me the newer C spring has a better mid and end to the stroke. I mean, I just had the B1 on and did 1000km now, I installed the C1 footnut which will, in essence give back the 1cm that you lose with the sag on the bigger neg spring. But I could never use all the travel and the ramp up at the end of the stroke is quite harsh. The C1, has less small bump for sure, but it deals better with midsize and bigger hits. If you tell me there should be no difference, then its down to air pressures I am willing to live with. I do feel the B1 gives up its travel easier going down steeps, and perhaps because of that, perhaps I put in more pressure, since the smallbump does not suffer because of that. As for the C1, I end up running less pressure than what I typically think I need, and It ends up being perfect.

I've been wondering about this for a while, but I'm now convinced after riding my old airspring in the pike for the W2W the last 2 months (better smallbump performance) and then installing the newer Debonair3/C spring again. The new spring has much more friction, I can actually hear the oring slide while pushing the fork in and out. @drooI do wonder how much oring sizes play a role? Like I mentioned, in my specific case, my fork had 2 years of use with the old Debonair B spring, and the new spring only about a year, but there is a marked difference. I'm sure there is variation in seals? Have you seen a lot of this? I will open mine up again and measure all the seals and parts to see where and why there might be differences. Also, If the oring from the old spring installed on the new spring feels better.

Might have found the answer to my own question here. I checked the "dynamic seal grease" tub last night and discovered its for rear shocks. Somehow I completely missed it, although its right on the front of the tub. Meh. I do wonder how much oring sizes play a role. Like I mentioned, in my specific case, my fork had 2 years of use with the old Debonair B spring, and the new spring only about a year, but there is a marked difference. Im going to get some sram butter and open it back up. Measure all the seals and parts to see where and why there might be differences. Also, If the oring from the old spring installed on the new spring feels better. Good luck with your fork bro.

Interesting. But also frustrating I watched a clip on Instagram from thesuspensionlab NZ where they managed to get a zeb to slide under its own weight. I was like, WTF.. my 2019 pike needs a lot of help, I went looking for solutions.. hub spacing (sanded my hub down) but In my opinion the new airspring definatly has more friction than my old Debonair 2 one. I had a formula 35 fork before and that thing was butter.. more like the Zeb on insta. I could slide it up and down with one finger, when the airspring was open. Also, Rock Shos's dynamic seal grease, is not as smooth as Manitou prep. I just changed over and can notice a marked difference in stiction just from that. Anyway, back to your issues.. Did they install new dust wipers? because those might need to be ran in. I doubt its the damper, unless they serviced it, and put heavier weight oil in. with lowers off, you should be able to push the damper rod in and out very easily. Last chance.. one of the plunger rods, could be misaligned and not in their actual cup in the bottom of the lower. But I dont think so, as the oil will drain out.

Knysna: I didnt look at your routes, nut a couple of quick pointers from me. I grew up there and go back about twive a year and over Xmass. "Kom se pad" is a great route, a little rough at times, but its proper, depending on which way you do it. Big climbs, indigenous forest etc. There is a township at the Noetzie turnoff (off the N2) so be careful. Remember, people get bored over holliday times.. From Personal experience, there are so many riding groups leaving from the Shell garage on Laguna Drive( where the Oyster festival rides finish) That I would be hard pressed to do to many long solo rides, when you could have guided rides through the best routes with great company, daily! Its mostly MTB, However, Im sure there will be a GG group this year too. Otherwise. Just take the MTB

I've checked Windguru and use to swear by it. But they have had it pretty wrong a few times. I'm more going by the typical patterns which is that often it rains less than predicted, and its usually earlier on or during the night. The wind could a factor though, since we're going in the general NW direction however. It's not predicted to be strong. Let's forget the weather and start enjoying the leadup!

Are you in for the Chardonnay? My App predicts rain for Thursday night Friday morning, Then again for Sunday afternoon. So we will get some stray drops somewhere, but nothing to wild. The wind will be more of a factor.

Great. Spend that money at the bar then ????

A week to go! Excited for this. I've picked up a bit of a chest cold, which is hanging on longer than I'd like after a surf last weekend. Haven't ridden this week as I'm on the taper Better come right soon! Will do a last 2 hour endurance ride tomorrow regardless, and then its rock and roll! Thinking about bike technicalities.. Maybe want to get a holy rail so I can fit a larger bottle... could also just live with a bottle in the hip pack. ..puzzling

Oh My.. We are right back in K.. probably because I have done zero races for 3-4 years suddenly very grateful for the non technical start.

Since I have not done the normal route, how do you expect the switchback route will be? uphill? Rotary drive at the start will be quite the wakeup call. I will be honnest. I don't know the route at all. I've done the Hemel and Aarde trails lots, but I have the feeling we wont even be riding there.

So I have a 2nd wheelset which takes a kg off the weight. And the bike feels completely different. One wheelset has 30mm rims with 2.5 DHF the other American Classic with light rims and 2.25 icons. Then, second biggest thing. I've taken the new Debonair spring out and reverted back to the older one with the bigger negative spring. It has much more small bump sensitivity which is good for longer rides. (Harsher on big bumps though so will change back for Enduro) I have been doing all my rides with a stock cockpit 50mm stem and 780mm bars. So last night I installed a 70mm stem and 740mm bar. I was feeling cramped when trying to go aero on flats. So will how big the difference is.

I was somehow convinced to take part this year, which will be my first W2W. I've done a couple of other events, but I have not done a stage race or any serious racing since 2015. My annual mileage has taken a serious dip over the last 2 years not even making 800km with working late hours and getting up for toddlers taking priority.. I've been riding trails and doing the odd Enduro race which has been great, no pressure, and fun. But some mates are doing the W2W and needed a 4th, although I'm quite cash strapped at the moment, plans were made and I'm in! The thing that scared me more, was that I was on a all-time low with regard to fitness and there is nothing worse than being the weakest link! Knowing how I would suffer in my state at the time I have tried to get on the bike for at least 2 hours most Saturdays and Sundays. The thing that got me the most was how my body would just be empty some Saturdays.. feeling tired before starting the ride. Ive had to starto looking at my sleep patterns and eating more regularly. I'm glad to say my fitness is slowly starting to resurface. I can at least ride for quite a long time at an ok pace. Don't ask me to follow wheels and get the HR up though. None the less It has been refreshing rediscovering some longer riding again, feeling fitter and I have turned my 150mm Enduro bike into a 12.5kg Down Country machine! 2 more weekends of big miles and then ease into the last week. (We are doing the Chardonnay) Pitty the Jonkershoek Enduro is the week before the race, As I've adapted my bike a bit for the distance stuff, and I don't really want to risk crashing the week before the race.

Speaking to some locals, they say Plett is expanding on their trail network at a rapid rate. Apparently a flow trail is in the making somewhere.. No Idea if its Hellsend worthy, but flow trails are the buzzword at the moment, and a sign of the intentions of whoever is sponsoring the trails.

Thanks @PhilipV. Good to know Lebanon is not worth it. anymore. Some good gravel roads about though for distance. I know Hermanus quite well, perhaps worth a mission that way from the back through Karwyderskraal, through the back of Hemel and Aarde area.

OK, so I am heading to Kleinmond for a long weekend. I am doing the W2Whales in Nov so have enough motive to put one or two big days in. From this thread I gather the highlands to Palmiet traverse as we did for the gravity festival a decade back is a no-no. So this far I'm thinking of Using the highlands climb, to get to Lebanon, do some Lebanon, and back. However it may be just to far.. Perhaps park at Arabella.. Otherwise, ride to Wildekrans, ride there, and back. How far can one ride at Wildekrans? never done it. Will appreciate some feedback/advice.

Aish 35! No wonder. I thought it was like 28C and just not use to any heat..