MudLark

Try putting some very thin metal foil over the free hub splines so as to take up the extra play. I have done similar things in other contexts (automotive) using for example, very thin brass sheeting (otherwise known as shim stock). You could also try plain aluminium foil, although I am not sure how well it will last. It all depends upon the degree of play and how much space you need to take up. Otherwise, just ride the thing until it becomes totally unlivable and then replace the cassette and the hub together. Probably your only real long-term solution, although the metal foil option could extend the life, literally, for years, depending upon how well you manage to fit it and if you can find the right thickness of sheeting.

Thanks for that. I'll check my tyres out - think that they are not TL. Interesting that the tube type has a much higher TPI. Should in theory have a lower rolling resistance then (?).

Have GP5000 28s. Find that higher pressures give me more punctures, not less. I weigh 85 and run 6 bar rear and 5 bar front. Rarely get a puncture but go up one bar and its a puncture every second or third ride - at least, sometimes more.

Hm... have GP5000s but been running them with tubes. Have Revosealant at home... time to give it a try I think...

FWIW, Conti tyres seem to like Conti sealant best.

Not sure. He was just coming around when I was there and the other riders were trying to get him to tell them his name, which I heard as "Justin Harris". I went on down to find a race official to ask them to get a medic. I don't know what happened after that.

Sho. That was interesting. Not sorry I did it but don't see myself doing it again. Just a bit too much drain diving and porterage for my likes. But the ramps were great! The fact that I slashed my rear tyre on some glass in the first long watercourse at about the 30km mark didn't help. Tube and DIY gaiter gave me another 14km. Second tube got me to within 2km of the finish line. So I ended up walking the last bit. The best part? The other cyclists who were so incredibly friendly and helpful!

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Strangely enough, based upon what I read it seems wax lube results in the lowest chain friction, not oil. Dunno.

New Continental tyres need to be scrubbbed out on the inside with dishwashing liquid and a 3M sponge before you fit them, otherwise they won't seal very easily, if they seal at all. Always use a torque wrench... Especially on smaller high tension bolts (eg seat clamp bolts). Always zero the wrench after use. Getting a spare part for a Trek bike when you stuff up something is practically impossible...

Not just Cell C. The hills and valleys block a lot of cellphone transmission. There are usually a fair number of cyclists there at any time. If you get into trouble, someone will come along in a while, especially if you start out early (soon as possible after the gates open). Must be one of the safest and most enjoyable cycling routes in Gauteng, even if some of the climbs are a bit hectic.

It wasn't cheap either!

Correct. Longer wheelbase and slacker head angle is part of what I am after in this setup. It'll be more stable on fast rough country road downhills than a standard gravel bike. I've considered waiting for the Niner MCR but decided to continue with this project anyway precisely because of the foregoing features. May or may not work out as I hope.

Will completely stuff with your geometry though, won't it?

Certainly a possibilty. But reach is 5 cm more than my road bike (which has a reasonably tight cockpit and which I quite like) and oddly, 5 cm less than my Top Fuel. We also have a fair bit of room to play with in terms of moving the seat forward and bringing the stem backward, so I think it will probably work but we will really only know when we get there. I will probably have my knees ahead of KOPS but I quite like that and I find it works for me. So I'm hopeful that this will work out for me.

Okay, so at this stage still waiting for Coolheat. The plan is to mate a pair of the new Tiagra hydraulic road shifters (ST-4720 2x10-speed STI Dual Control Set) ,to the XT 2x10 setup already on the bike and the existing brake calipers. Coolheat should have these in stock by the end of the month (or so they say). Combine that with an older Shimano 9x rear derailleur and it should all work. Flared drop bars and then a bike fit and then we see how it all works out (or not!).

Had SRAM TLMs. Swapped for XT 8000s. IMHO way better. When it comes to brakes, I've become a hardcore Shimano fan. @Traveler. Something isn't right. They should be capable of locking your wheels outright without too much force being required.

Question: Is the Discovery Vitality airline tickets "discount" genuine or not? I ask because we fly Kulula occasionally and I see that when I try to book a ticket as a Discovery member, that same ticket is significantly more expensive (as listed on the Kulula site) than if I just book it outright ignoring the Discovery option. What am I missing?

Goodness me. How does one break a 9point8? Otherwise, IMHO order the service kit long in advance.... you know you're going to need it sooner or later. As I said, I have one but for the money, IMHO my Lyne is a better deal.

Same.

Not always true. See 9point8.

It is beautiful. But functionality matters more.

Lyne as mentioned. Or go 9point8 which is specifically built to be DIY serviceable. It's a fairly pricey unit to buy but is widely considered the best dropper post built yet. That said,while I have 9point8, I also have a Lyne and I really like the Lyne too.

Batteries will get better. But last year's two day Berg 'n Bush became a mudfest of note. So on day two we're ploughing through this heavy mud. Wheels won't turn anymore, chains won't stay on chainrings and derailleurs are clogged to heck. Then we get to this looooong incline of about 12 degrees or so and its just pure mud all the way. No hope in hell of riding up. Hoik the bike up on the shoulders and trudge is the only way. Couples are arguing, bitching and fighting. Okay, he ain't getting none for a while... And then there's this poor sod trying to get an e-bike up the hill through this lot. Ask him if its run out of juice. Nope he says, lots of juice but the drivetrain is jammed solid from the mud. And the worst of it he says to me, is it's my father-in-law's damned bike and now he's taken mine! [emoji1787]

Might well be… I haven't yet come across it but I also don't spend a lot of time surfing here so it's quite conceivable I have completely missed it. If anybody finds it, please do pop the URL here.