We need to pick up some stickers for the Treasure the Karoo, Stop fracking, from their offices in Belville. 021 8242955 ( Office tel. nr.) Anybody from Capetown or surrounds coming through to the race, willing to collect these and bring them to the race?? We are driving down tomorrow from JHB so can't get them. I would really appreciate it, if possible. Please pm me.
I rode it last year with a 1x9, 34 front and 11-32 rear. This was the WRONG choice, so, 32 front if that what you have, I will be taking a 30. ( 10-42) The problem is day 2, you have climbed about 2000m Before you start the Swartberg pass, and you then have no gear to sit back in and just rest the legs a bit.
Route is KING. district roads and urban environment not great. Single track and technical is my preference eg Van Gaalens After that I would look at proximity, I can go for a great ride from home, so it has to be very special to travel a long way. Big crowds are not great , but big crowd and noisy music is awful. Could the organisers please realize that the majority of the participants are older than 21. ( and play appropriate music, and I do not mean we are ancient, or just no music would be fine by me). Perhaps the races could be given a grading, so people know what they are in for and avoid some of the issues we have recently seen.
Who is also doing the Cape Pioneer this year? Been looking forward to this all year. I want to put some Treasure the Karoo, STOP FRACKING, stickers on my car and bike. Looks like we may get some rain, and pretty cool temps. hope it does not rain as much as last yr. Organisers, please give a bit more lunch after the race, otherwise it was really awesome. LEKKER MAN!!
This could be fantastic! We would be very keen to ride these routes together. I loved the route for the race, markings were a bit strange at times. And the distance was somewhat shorter than expected ( 62km rather than 66km) My own battery was a bit flat on the day, but nothing was ' too technical'. Good luck with the trail and you will be seeing me again
He should have done this with my wife in the area, she would have slagged him, skinned him, with barely enough stuff left to use as a gator. Well done to the OP for naming and shaming, obviously members of the VDR ( very disappointing race, human)
You will drop the chain if you do not use a type2 ( SRAM) or Plus ( shimano) type RD. On rough surfaces. Type 2 is now also available in SRAM X7. ( x9 and x7 type 2 RDs are cheaper than a good chainguide) You could just use a chainguide ( Csixx is the best, I think), but the clutch type RD without a guide is best option. So, you need a chainguide or clutch-type RD.
This is a nice strong build , but it weighs about 2kg ( I have actually owned this set-up), very, very different from AC race 29er at 1450gr. Apples and onions. Ac rims can be soft, but if build right and serviced they are fine. Would be very nice on Tallboy. Try them and if rim dings, then replace it with the new AC 101 rim ( same weight as Crest) and more robust than Ac race rim.
Alfa problems in RSA were because they had left the country and back-up was provided Gotliebgat motors. No proper petrolhead would not have had an Alfa. Alfa is more like Formula ( Italian), they are for the connoisseur, but require some finesse
Great race, I really enjoyed the tech stuff. Tanked after the 50km waterpoint, Jules just took off, on rigid SS with pretty hard gear, I have same fork and similar frame, you must wear gum guards!! Water and shade at the end of the race would have been nice, otherwise, fantastic!!
Had old xt, loved them. New Xt ( 2012) 2 sets, 3 warranty replacements ( leaking calipers), gave up on XT, pity. Upgraded to Formula R1 race, Fantastic!! ( have them on both bikes, I'm a believer!) Just need to use thinner rotors and set them up right. Also dropped a bunch of weight in the process.
Great race Richard!! Looking forward to being able to ride the tracks on the other side of the river on our regular Avianto routes. Lets hope they become available. Other race organizers could take some notes from you. Single track is king. Actually a pretty tough race esp for the distance. I rode to the race and back ( 16km x2) and underestimated the effort.
Yes, really looking forward to this event. Loved last years event, bombed out with gastro, so no final day ( missed the woeste wet ). Love the Karoo Great food. ( More so around the race than on the race, see jhb2C for tips) Love the hospitality.
Most of the days should be fine on SS, but day 2, you Start the Swartberg pass after almost 2000m of climbing and then no space to recover, but, all things being relative, you may be fine. I have done Attakwas SS, and still wouldn't do day 2 SS. I think it has been done, so, can be done. Day 3 has a very long flat initial section would also be a drag on SS. Either way, I am doing it solo, so, may see you there.
Did you strip the thread on the hanger or on the RD? If you are lucky and the thread on the hanger only, is stripped, you may be able to 're-thread' it by turning the RD bolt in from the other side ( cassette side) and cutting the thread again, I have done this recently and worked fine. Bit of a gamble. It is usually the hanger thread that strips as it is softer. You could use a SS conversion kit tensioner bolt also to re-thread.
These are 411 grams per rim for 29er, almost ZTR Arch weight, with an internal width of only 18mm, so rather narrow. I would not buy them, based on these dimensions, sorry.
I would just replace the rear rim with a Crest or Arch, front takes less hammering. It is great having the wide light AM race rim on the front. This combo works well for me and I will be using it again on this years CPT. You could use the new AM 101 rims, 380grams ( about the same as Crest) and stronger, nice and wide We are about the same weight.
