TyronLab

"Ugh, expensive, gargantuan, underutilized cars are a disgusting cancer of a superficial society" baulks the weekend warrior straddling a R90k full carbon/electronic shifting/Kashima-slathered racehorse toy he rides gravel roads with twice a month... 🤣

Search for the "How to Build a Monstercross Bike" thread, heaps of info there. I have spent a LOT of time researching this and partly doing it. Why are you looking at converting your current bike vs buying a gravel bike? A drop bar MTB's advantage over a purpose-built gravel bike is 50mm+ tyre compatibility and being able to run "normal" MTB suspension, not the super expensive gravel specific forks. If you want a convertible bike you can play around with an MTB / gravel config, then go for it. Just beware that the ease of getting this done and the cost of getting it done are inversely proportional. Seeing as you're running a short stem with minimal spacers under it you're 99% likely going to be uncomfortable on a drop bar conversion on this frame. Running flat bars, gooi some inner bar ends on there, big chainring, rigid fork and gravel tyres and have a jol. Least amount of faff? Buy a Rook Scout. Trust me when I say, bang for buck and capability, you'll be hard pressed to find something better.

I think that MOOTS looks dope as balls, that being said, I think all of their bikes are gorgeous and I am hook line and sinker bought into the gravel bike "hype". More to the point, another wheel size is just another specialisation that makes an ideal bike for some niche riding segment or the direction riding is developing. In the same way people rode downhill on rigid 2" tyred mountain bikes 25 years ago doesn't mean that; A that was the ideal/fastest design for that course even at that time and B that downhill courses are the same now as they were then. Bring on more bikes, different bikes, more options to choose from to buy or build something that suits what fits you and what you want to ride perfectly.

I'll contest that statement by saying that your arse was sore because of riding a full sus... This may not apply to you, so this is not a jab at you at all, but in general when I see people riding my local trails on full sus bikes, they very rarely do anything but just sit and pedal. They rely on the suspension to take up any imperfections and don't move or use their bodies. They also complain that you "need" rear suspension for comfort because of a sore arse. Generally, I've rarely seen skilled hardtail / rigid / gravel riders just sitting and pedalling those same trails, and complain less about soreness. I've ridden a rigid bike almost exclusively for a few years, and a good fit and being an active participant in the ride, not a passenger, makes a big difference in how much punishment you take. Sitting in the same position for extended periods of time, and a lack of saddle time, is what can give you a sore bum. I'm not bashing full sus bikes and saying everyone needs to ride a rigid singlespeed to prove how hard they are. Suspension does not equal a better / fun time. Being a skilled, fit-enough rider outweighs the equipment.

Mechanically, a good gravel bike will likely take a lot of abuse before failing, 100% agreed (and tested, by me, on cheap gravel bikes...). The lack of suspension, tyre volume and grip however means your room for error on gnarlier terrain is very small.

Can a gravel bike do it? For damn sure. Gravel bikes can ride pretty much anything outside of jumps and drops above a certain spicyness. The real question is the rider's intent and mentality rather than whether the bike can do it. Gravel bikes need some compromises when ridden in specific sections of mtb events, for sure. If however you're out there to have a good time, take in the sights, and are prepared to take a little bit more of a beating and ride a little more considerately, you'll have a blast. I would recommend fitting the largest tyres your frame can handle with mud clearance, ideally reinforced versions, and spend time getting used to riding MTB trails with drops. If your budget can stretch it, a wide and flared handlebar makes a world of difference off road (I can recommend the Ritchey Venturemax and the Rapide Frontier gravel bar).

Haha, dude, I tip my hat to you, you had a proper adventure! As much as it sucks in the moment, it is those kinds of experiences that stick with you. No good story is ever based on everything going hunky dory! Pity about the wors though, I guess it just takes one dodgy one to cause an issue. The food at TB is generally top notch. Good on you for sticking it out though. I've seen some unfortunate souls that had called it quits at Bergplaas take a VERY rough ride in the load bed of a bakkie down the Big Dipper, if they hadn't been ****** at Bergplaas, they sure as hell were after that "rescue". Chapeau!

This resonated with me, so very very much. Suddenly deciding to do some "quick" job at 2130, only going to bed at midnight having jaaged more *** aan than doing something productive is something of a hobby of mine. My wife opening the garage entrance door, middle of the night, dik geslaap still, going "what the **** are you still doing?" and me, still in work clothes, stumbling over my words trying to explain how a tyre pressure check became a headset service and a sealant top-up, up to my elbows in grease and sealant, must be a sight to behold.

I've had a lot of luck using an old worn chain, wrapped around the cassette, clamped in my bench vice as a chain whip. One of the best get-out-of-buying-a-special-tool hacks I've attempted.

Massive congrats to @WaldoZ, taking his first Transbaviaans win! I'm proud to say that I'm far, far removed family of his, and he towed me to my first TB completion in 2019. How the hell you manage an average speed of 27kph for the whole thing is beyond me... @pedal menace Sounds like it was a great day out, and an ideal first outing with your kid. Congrats! My FOMO has now ramped up substantially...

Hardtail, SHPAH, rigid all the way. Look, I was glad I was running rigid, it was muddy from start to finish, and by the end most moving parts had some screech/whine/grind/slosh to them. Some okes pressure washing the bejeesus out of their BBs, linkages, forks and shocks at every water point, straight on, zero mercy, didn't help either. I drenched my chain in wet lube, and went on my merry way. I remember cruising past a guy on a current year Spark RC Team on the MAC, drivetrain sounding like a horror film soundtrack and every suspension action being accompanied by an old-wooden-door shriek, picturing him going "nooit ****** weer nie!" after getting Cyclelab's repair bill. My buddy sacrificed a Force AXS derailleur to the second Fang which forced us to take turns single speeding a 40/20 gear from there onwards, so just finishing felt like an achievement.

+1 For these. Got mine on special at cyclelab, and they've been holding up well. Really grippy and pretty comfy, even with the little to no padding. Keep in mind that the between-finger bits have a lot of airflow. Great for summer riding, but don't expect them to keep you warm in winter. My first pair of Fox Ranger gloves have been through hell, and have faded and are now pink not red, but still solid as a rock. Second pair had a seam tear in 6 months.

Alternatively, a dirt route from the same starting point to Dullstroom that anyone can suggest would also be welcome.

I'm looking at doing a dirt ride out to Dinokeng from Boksburg. Aiming for 180-250km, prioritizing for dirt / safety / interesting landmarks or shops / views / speed in that order. The idea is to take a relatively relaxed pedal and stop at a few lekker padstalle / taverns / cafes for resupply, leave at 0400 and get there at sunset. I've cobbled together a route. I've ridden the bit from the start to Bapsfontein, so I know that well. It's the Bapsfontein - Bronkhorstspruit - Rayton - Cullinan - Dinokeng stretch that I'm not so sure of and open to suggestions on route and the aforementioned padstalle. GPX of my current proposed route attached. 2023-08-07_1248454309_Dinokeng Gravel.gpx

If he doesn't take them I for sure will... There's the magic sauce right there. Long, low, and slack geometry with a steep seat tube is made for technical, rough, fast riding. Thaba has all of that, in buckets. A Tigre at (most of) Modderfontein or a dirt road is going to feel like a sluggish whale. But somewhere like Thaba it will shine. It was the same with my Stache. Point it down something sketch as balls, loosen the grip, bend the knees, and just guide it to roughly where you want to be and it just storms over/through everything at warp speed. The tar road ride there and buck however will likely be a lot slower and less fun than a purebred XC bike.

I have some very serious FOMO, even after last year's less than favourable conditions. Done two, still aiming to get the shield some day. Good luck to everyone riding, it's both easier and harder than you think, and an absolute flippen blast! I was dressed in four layers. Spot the PnP bag sock cover: Don't stress about racing up the MAC, there are some gorgeous views to be had if you stop and take it all in:

I must say, I get that it's considered "alternative", even though you have a local distributor with service kits etc. I've ridden a few bikes, and this is one of the most solid feeling forks I've ridden yet. Little to no flex or play, and is really soft off of the top. Considering what I see Judy Golds go for this is on another level. Thanks for the inputs!

I have a fork from my Silverback Sphere for sale, but I'm not sure it's appropriately priced. I'm a gravel and rigid rider so not up to date on suspension. I'd happily take comments, quite keen to get it sold relatively soon-ish. Thanks! https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/mountain-bike-forks/659393/manitou-magnum-comp-100mm

I have a fork from my Silverback Sphere for sale, but I'm not sure it's appropriately priced. I'm a gravel and rigid rider so not up to date on suspension. I'd happily take comments, quite keen to get it sold relatively soon-ish. Thanks! https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/mountain-bike-forks/659393/manitou-magnum-comp-100mm

Has anyone here done this before? I'm keen to give it a bash, solo category. Just want to get an idea of what the layout/logistics is like for planning purposes. If there's food available, what's on offer and is it throughout the whole 24 hours or just select times? How much camping space is there / what are the odds of not getting a spot?

Such a lekker bike dude! And good on you for braving those conditions. There's something therapeutic about slogging it out solo on an overcast wet day.

Thanks. I'm specifically looking for either Spirgrips or (ideally) innerbarends for a hood-like position on the flat bars. I've used normal barends mounted inboard, but due to them being straight I never got the same effect as a drop bar hood. With hoods you are supporting yourself mostly with the crook between your thumb and index finger.

Casts thread resurrection spell... I'm on the hunt for a set of SQLab Innerbarends, if anyone has some they want to part with let me know!

One of my cycling acquaintances scored a miraculous "deal" at cash converters and paid 50% of the going second hand rate for a Scott Spark 950. He returned a few days later for some reason and the original owner of the bike (which was stolen) there, wanting to buy it back as he'd scored the insurance payout after it got stolen and bank the remaining cash, but was happy with my acquaintance just keeping the bike. Unfortunately, all parties involved here are part of the problem. I think pawn shops are more unscrupulous than we think...

Out of interest, I have a very robust gravel bike for sale at the moment... it's also a little more unique than most other gravel bikes you'll see, running a MTB wheelset. You'll have change left over for a carbon fork and seatpost (or a dropper) too! 😄 https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/656151/specialized-sequoia I am not above shameless plugs, especially when I have my eye on another bike and want to get this one sold.