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The Bike fit things sounds like great idea, I've had a few but in my experience the fit becomes a bit subjective from the saddle to the bars, they all mostly get the pedal stroke right, but i'm yet to meet someone that can say ... with your measurements you should buy such and such frame size in said brand. Listening to the points its probably gonna be an XL, I dont want to much drop and I dont want to prop the bars up with spacers Thanks for the pointers

Thanks for the input all good points ... so sounds like an XL would be the one.

I'm looking at getting a Trek Top Fuel, I think I'm at the edge of Large with a saddle height set to 77cm, is there any benefit in getting a larger bike where you are considered more in the sweet spot, most try get a smaller bike because its lighter. at 185cm-6'1" i think I fit on a large any thoughts on the LargerXL frame I'm assuming more comfort due to higher stack height etc.

i'm running Nobby Nix Addix versions, they are very heavy and don't roll great but they eat up the tracks especially the dusty parts of Tokai, I was using Saguaros but they wash out a bit to easy at this time of year, its always a trade off between speed and grip, you really feel the NN's on the climbs 😅

Thanks for all the replies which confirms that a certain type of insanity to ride on a gravel bike in Tokai, my experience was extreme and that was only going uphill

Are guys riding gravel bikes in tokai, I rode up to the boom at the top but it was quite a rough ride, if any comments please let me know. Assume you can rough it up on the jeep tracks although pretty bumpy. what sort of tyre pressure on a 42mm tyre?

getting setup with the bluetooth and ANT does take some getting used to, i was fortunate to have a mate troubleshoot some of the connections. I struggled with the ANT talking to the mac, but all sorted.

I was between 2 mind s of the Kickr 4 and the Core, in my opinion the Core is more than sufficient, I'm not a small guy and the unit is great. Pro's price compared to the Kickr 4 dead quiet stable folds up quite nicley Con's can't think of any except maybe not coming with a cassette. I got my unit through the Bike Park in Constantia, great price and prompt delivery. I'm using it with sufferfest and training peaks and then linked to Strava!! I'm also using my Garmin HR and a ANT dongle for the mac.

Thanks for the info

Can you upgrade to 1X12 using an XT crank, I would think you could maybe you just have to change the front chain ring. currently full XT 2X11. 11-40 any idea of weight drop if any, I would have to do that XD thing on the rear hub. AC wide wheels info appreciated.

You might need to adjust the b-screw, I put the Kalbo 42 ring on and it was quite noisy, the b-screw will give you some space between the 42 and the upper RD wheel.

Just on cleaning agents etc, I use my old faithful chain cleaner, and I use dirtbike wash. Its bio-degradeable and removes most grime with a light water wash it used to sell for R60 rand for 5L yes R60, amazing cleaner and then dry the chain and then Smoove. I see now dirtbike wash has increased to R180 so maybe they realized that cyclists were sneaking into the motorbike market. even when the chain looks clean the chain cleaner gizmo picks up a lot of grime etc. I use brushes on the cassette to remove the grime. On cassettes I don't think the XT cassettes come close on mileage to the SRAM ones

many shops and many sales.. if you are in the cape town area, tell them what you want and see if they can meet your requirement .....shop around. you re a weekend warrior rather be comfy for your 40k ride ... spez shops put a spell on you...I know look at comparable brands Scott, Giant, Trek

Giants are great all round bikes and easy to upgrade, giant will always be lighter vs an Alu Spez. if you want a stiffer bike you will have to look else where. if you looking to tackle the more trail orientated riding. between the 2 I would go Giant, I think it has a much better suspension as the same system used in a slightly longer travel Trance. I had a Giant 2010 model which is now with its 3rd owner, frame is solid, its done plenty racing with each owner. I think the camber is great but weight wise easily over 1.5 kg heavier even the carbon versions are heavy and there is a big premium on price other brands the Scott spark 2016 .. heavier but good spec with 2X11 .. although new pivot kit 1500 bucks I have a Pivot Mach 429alu.. NOW THATS A PROPER BIKE!!!

no Not a weight weenie, but the apparent savings to go 1 X which for me looks like the only advantage, over the utility of 20 gear options. my point was I didn't see the need for the 11 spd cluster if I have I have a 24/36 I have decent enough wheels and my bike is 11.8 ish which for me is fine. I get your point of levers and motion etc

for myself I had 36 but then you never really need that top end without paying the price in the legs. 34 is insurance and comfort for the top end and 24/36 is insurance for the climbing 24/40 would be extreme I think. an XT 11spd cassette is 450g and more not sure why one would want that extra rotational weight on a wheel if we are to believe the weight gurus I think 11 spd cassettes will get chomped with what I think will be extra gear changes

To be honest I was rather disappointed with the 1X hype, I tried the oval 32 upfront with Kalbo setup rear on 10 spd. the only thing I liked was the clean look when you look down. the weight saving ended up about 250-300grams the inconvenience was way more, the fast pedaling action on the flats seemed to tire me out, the big gear jump from 16 down to 12 is uncomfortable and you seem to lose rythym. the 2x guys just blow you out on the flats the chain sound doesn't sound so healthy if you are changing up and down from 36-42 and back ( I was warned about this by my techie) I think its a great system for proper XC racing or the wannabe pro's, its an expensive system that cant match a good 2x 10/11 system I am trying the 2x10 but with the 24/34 and standard 36-11 it gives that slight bit better climbing from a 26 and makes running 34 on the 36 rear smoother... I think if 1x takes off though it could change bike construction because of removal of the FD function as seen on the Yeti and others

the spacing on my M985 is to high, it normally needs/allows only about 1-2mm the adjustment runs from 42 down to 38 not sure if you're being cynical but 34 only came out this year or last so new FD required, the new FD only allows a 10 tooth spread.

I'm looking for the above front derailleur I can find a down pull but not the top pull ... does the dual pull work from the top. I have trolled the Shimano sites stukkend !!! I have gone to a 24/34 crank from 26/38 and my M985 is not quite right due to the bump from small to big. the e-type has the 2 mount holes so if you know. fits to my Pivot Mach 429

relevant or not my 10 spd XTR clutch type RD works fine with a 42 but its not slick as would be expected of XTR but it does work.

I bought the crank and have used it as 1X and 2 X, no problems ( except I need the new FD that's suitable for 24/34 my old XTR was for 12 tooth spacing ( 26/28 ) it works but not under tension the crank comes with threaded holes for both. I bought the crank without any rings. there is a version that shows a spacer requirement but I had a stock M 8000. running 2x11 34/24 and using a 10 spd chain and 36-11 cassette. I tried the Kalbo but found 10 spd cassette with 42-11x 32 hard work on the flats and a big drop from 16-12 and then 11 at the back

Has anybody had issues with their rear thru-axle loosening, I have noticed that this has been happening quite frequently Especially if your reposition the handle ie disengage to position not to catch a rock or obstacle. It has happened whilst riding on the road...odd!! any feedback

Thanks for taking the time anyway!!

Thanks for the advice

I would like to know how to activate my quads more when using a stationary trainer. I have been setup on BG fit. when i use my bike on the road everything is good. When I use a trainer my hamstrings seem to get really tight after about 20 mins and my quads dont feel like they are taking any load. any advice?