TyronLab

I tried the dumb trainer thing (CycleOps Fluid 2) with a HR monitor and some self-inflicted / controlled intervals. When I was up and doing it it was fine, but actually getting out into the garage from the bed had a 20% success rate. Then tried dumb trainer + sensors on Zwift, but found that it was very inaccurate, to the point where it made the guided workouts meaningless. Got to borrow a friend's KickR 5 for two weeks and it genuinely transformed the virtual experience. I then started loving Zwift, especially the racing aspect. It got me out of bed, it got me pumped, and I ended up working pretty hard. The other attempts I made paled in comparison to having a good direct drive trainer. I wouldn't go with anything "lower" than a controllable smart trainer right off the bat. Slightly off topic, I had to return the KickR though, faced with the decision of forking out R10k+ and an expensive monthly subscription to keep doing that. I realized that actually riding bikes is the reason I ride bikes. To me, as good as it was, I don't really give that much of a **** about how fit I am as long as I'm fit enough that it doesn't hold me back from adventuring or enjoying my riding. I bought a second bike (for fun) and a second set of full winter kit for 1/4 of that and haven't looked back.

In that event, you might find that a relatively common 45mm tyre gets you most of the way there. You'd be surprised in the difference between a 40 / 43 / 48 and what you can manage on a 43/45. I have at least some authority on this topic. There's a moer of a difference between 35 and 45,.

I find that one of the strangest parts of most wheeled sports. The pro's use something, therefore it must be better for normies too. They have completely different abilities and focus points than mr average on the trails. The majority of people I've ridden with have questioned dropper posts as unnecessary, questioned gravel bikes while being visually uncomfortable from their flat bars and slammed stems after 1h30 of riding gravel roads, and see hardtails as cheaping out and rigids as stupid. A family member of mine can't understand the reason I'd like to ride a rigid SS as it's never the most efficient / fastest option. I think way too many people are focused on copying what Nino or Sagan are doing, what their buddies consider the "best", to try and boost their "racing" for 400th place rather than riding something that's fun or actually suits their riding.

If you're in GP, and like to commute to trails and back on the bike, a MTB tyred gravel bike is in my opinion the prefect quiver killer. Our trails are pretty flat and tame, drop bars make the road and off road bits more fun. Benefit of MTB tyres is that you can either gain more "suspension" than you can with a gravel tyre, or have the same amount of plush with an effectively higher pressure meaning the tyres a bit more supported and less likely to wear on the sidewalls.

This will be a question of budget more than anything else. If you aren't willing to shell out a pretty penny, your best bet would be a monstercross bike (XC MTB with a rigid fork and drop bars), which is a pretty substantial faff. If you're willing to drop down to a 650B wheel your options open up a bit, or if you're willing to stick to flat bars a rigid XC bike gets you 90% there. Local availability is basically nonexistent for this type of bike.

I've got a set of Rapide wheels (TR29-25 SL to be exact) which I absolutely love as they've been bombproof even with my dik gat and rigid setup. I am Singlespeed curious, but I had these built up with an XD freehub, so doing a SS conversion either entails importing a R1200 (pre shipping) adapter or buying a new HG freehub from them for R800. Both options being more than I really want to spend. I was wondering if anyone has ever used a different freehub on a Rapide wheel that might be a smidge cheaper?

For shizzle, we can meet up this weekend maybe. If you print the 2x of the pedal tools (attached) for me you can have 'em. 😁 pedalnyckel_3.STL

I have a set of 650B x 47mm WTB Byways (stock on the Rook Scout) that you're welcome to. Not tubeless ready though. They've done basically no mileage though. I tell you what, we can work something out if you can delve into your (seemingly endless) parts bin to help me with a monstercross conversion...

I actually did do that to try and mimic my old drop bar setup. I had them mounted inboard halfway to the stem, and right next to my grips between the grips and the levers. They did a relatively good job at giving you an alternative position, but you still ended up using your palm as support so you weren't really resting that part of your hand, and I could never get the angle just right. It either felt like I was sliding off of them if they were too far forward, or they weren't that comfy too upright. I even gooied a set of silicone grips on 'em. Also, I couldn't get over how dorky they looked. For reference:

Sunrise bars and Metallica... this is why we're virtual acquaintances! Fo' rizzle though, I've wanted some Sunrise bars forever just because they look awesome, and reminded me of my BMX days. If you ever feel the need to part ways with them, keep me at the top of the list.

I'm actually considering a set of these as opposed to a drop bar conversion to add some comfort to my mtb. Bit of a spendy test to do, but I'm not comfortable on longer rides at the moment and can't seem to get my fit dialled in the way I want to, and I've narrowed it down to my wrist position. Currently testing narrowing my bars by just moving everything inwards, but I think some extra sweep would be the ticket.

Is it just me, or are those relatively narrow bars? Given that its a pretty aggressive trail bike in what looks to be a Large frame, I'd expect a wider bar on it. My bike's also littered with Rapide stuff, I'm a pretty big fan of everything they do. Great pics (you're milking golden hour for all its worth) and great bike! Just spend the extra R300 and get a set of matching black bottle cages though.

The 48 in front worked a treat 90% of the time. In the Scout's defense, I was riding it for kilometer upon kilometer with heaps of mud caked on, which it arguably isn't designed for anyway. If you are charging pretty hard down a trail a bit of wheel flex can get the 48 to rub but, again, that's riding it as if it were a full sus trail bike. I wouldn't have an issue riding the 48 again, especially when its dry.

I need some help from the restoration gurus: 1. What do you find to be the best way to rejuvinate dulled spokes? My MA40 wheels are still in generally good nic, but the spokes have gone matte. Looks similar to aged galvanized steel. Any tips for bringing back some lustre to them? 2. I've seen a bunch of recommendations for polishing the chrome bits. Any specific method / products you can recommend? I'm buying a polishing wheel for my drill to speed the process up a smidge. 3. Anyone have any recommendations on blacking out the chrome bits? This may or may not happen, still toying with the idea, just wondering if anyone's attempted it and how you did it?

This is the exact reason I have 0 interest in riding ridiculously expensive drivetrain components (or even suspension for that matter). Ever-so-slightly quicker shifting and a few grams saved, but you're too scared to take the trailer queen out when its moist? Yeah nah yeah. Mud, don't talk to me about mud..... (If you got the very subtle Hitchiker's Guide reference there, please be my friend)

One of the main reasons I ride a gravel / rigid bike in Gauteng. You only need 1/2 the speed of a mtb on a tame trail to feel like you're shredding. Same fun, much less risk to collarbones.

Swiftly getting back on topic, anyone know where I can find one of these, or have an extra one to sell to me? I've been searching for quite some time and have come up short. TL-PD40, used to disassemble Shimano PD-M520 pedals. The set of pedals I inherited with Tennisball have a bit of axle play that I want to sort out, and need this little oke to do that. I've tried McGuyvering it, but those plastic splines are pretty easy to smush.

Off topic, but you worked at SAAT? My dad did too (until last year that is, obviously). Pierre Labuschagne. Plumpish fellow with what used to be a ginger bokbaard, now a bushy white one.

We did a kit change last time on top of the MAC / Bergplaas during Transbaviaans, and it really does give you a new lease on life. That being said, I also rode the entire Grit with muddy, moist, sandy kit (with not even a sock change) and if you're mentally prepared for it that's also fine. Having the luxury of a box though you should totally use it. I'd also suggest a race-ending spare could be a good idea to have in your box. A spare light battery, a tube and/or tyre patch etc.

As far as organization goes, this was top notch. Everything was on time, clearly marked, well thought out and really accommodating. Water points were a big highlight with lots of variety, stock and friendly faces. Props to the organizers. Got in at 6h39, but went out way too hard in the first half (got to the halfway point in 2h40 with an average HR of 170BPM, or 1BPM below my threshold). My well-trained buddy and I got into a group that was really moving, and I worked hard to stick with them and do my turns up front. After 100km I started cramping up, I think purely from over exertion, so from then on I was nursing cramping legs to the end. Stopped quite a few times to help people with mechanicals. Off topic, but yesterday confirmed my new mindset 110%. Unless something is going to be an experience, and everyone I'm riding with sees it as such, I'll most likely not enter another event again or in a team. Yesterday was exercise. I remember very little of the scenery, of the route, of the experience. I just remember working hard, thinking about when my turn is coming up, about how far we have left and the target time... I ride bikes to have fun, and my definition of fun is getting to experience new things, feeling a sense of camaraderie, soaking in as much of whatever I'm doing as I can and having an adventure. It definitely isn't chasing some fictitious and self-instilled goal time which I realise I could not give less of a **** about as it makes zero difference to my or anyone else's life. It all seems to be very capitalist. Concerned with MORE and BETTER which never has an endgame (unless you're in the 0.01% that actually could be the best) rather than just being present in the moment.

"These machine stories have really gotten out of hand..."

This bike immediately made me thought of this: Also, it's awesome!

Dude, that kicks ass, congrats! A steed I'd love to have in my arsenal for sure. Steel gravel bikes with fast rolling / meaty MTB rubber are the perfect do-it-all bike. You'll be surprised at what it (and you, with the right mindset) can tackle off the beaten path, while still being fun and responsive on mellow road sections.

Had a flat tyre this weekend and had to replace a tube (haven't done that in quite a while...) and noticed these tyres are really hard. I'm assuming they've just dried/hardened with age. Saw I have a tear in the rear sidewall after this morning's ride too, so I think replacements are due. Freewheel decided to no bueno this morning just as I got to the group ride meetup point. Luckily got it to engage again and got back home, taking it easy and not freewheeling or backpedaling to keep the pawls engaged. Think a quick clean and relube and she'll be golden.

It was originally dubbed Iron Maiden, but after a robust discussion in my home about an unrelated topic it has been redubbed as "Ou Stuk ***". Did a quick wash and chain soak in degreaser yesterday. Other than a gummy freewheel its remarkably sound for a 30+ year old bike that's been immobile for a numer of years. Needs a freewheel and headset service, but other than that she runs like a dream. Some fresh bar tape (current original setup is hard as a rock), a saddle that isn't made for a waify thin bottom, and a fresh set of 28/30c rubber (23s are frighteningly hard) and she's ready to Fondo! The proverbial cogs are already turning, and my excitement and plans are already outstripping my budget. First outing: