mountian_hare

Had an incident today that left me fuming, was a motor bike that I nearly had an accident with while driving. I better understand some of the anger, both ways. I was driving to work (in my car). Got to a set of robots that we out. So becomes a four way stop right. I stop and wait my turn. While I was waiting I saw a Jimny blow through the intersection left to right from my perspective, ultimately a good thing as it primed me for other muppets. I was about half way through the intersection, right hand turn, when I become aware of a blue shape streaking toward me on the left. I slam on the brakes. It is some muppet on a motor bike who when straight through the intersection. We missed each other by centimeters. This knuckle head then starts hooting and shouting at me. I was shaking, thankfully some German engineering saved is muppet backside from a lie down. I don't want to be in an accident, especially one that can result in serious injury. It really annoyed me that he broke the rules and was still cross with me. He had not looked. He raced off up the road and away. People on motor bikes, in general, are not muppets just to be clear. It is scary how quickly these things can happen. Please be safe out there! Look carefully and think for everyone!

Had a recent challenge with a tubeless setup. The old tyre kept stick to itself - after some choice words and elbow grease it came off. New tyre popped on fine and seated beautifully. Lesson learnt - old rear wheel tyre came off easier. However was struggling to get the tyre to seat. Many more choice blue words later, a packing strap and almost loss of will, I discovered the problem. The valve core was clogged! After soaking the core in some hot water I got out of the hot water. The tyre then seated first go. Job done.

An awesome weekend! Well done to Janene and her team fora fantastic event. Thank you everyone for the friendly chats and friendliness! Such a fun event! The trails are tough and rocky, but really rewarding and so beautiful. Will definitely be back next year!

And now for something completely different or related… I’m not wading into the above arguments. While riding at the weekend I saw a car that had a sticker on the wing mirror that read: “can you the cyclist”. Not a prefect solution - no such thing exists - but thought it an idea to have a small visual reminder.

Thank you to all who replied and helped in the right direction! Some follow up for anyone interested. I took the plunge and bought meself a large frame and it has been an amazing transition and I cannot believe it took so long to change up. In fairness to the medium there are some things that are difficult to disentangle in my mind. I feel much more planted and confident on the new bike. I rode a repeat section on the Kirstenbosch loop yesterday and it all felt so much better on the new bike. I wasn't having to fight the bike to keep the front wheel down on the climbs. Yes, I know a lot of the Kirstenbosch loop has been resurfaced, which is wonderful! The section I am thinking about has not recently been changed. Is it the larger size? Is it the more modern geometry with the front wheel further out front? Is it all in my head and I am just trying to justify my actions? Is the suspension better, leading to better control and feeling? I don't know. Are these all in my head? I don't know. Does it matter? No, I don't think so. I am feeling happier on the bike than I have in a long time and am very happy to have spent the money, with no regret! Have a great day and hope to see you out there on the trails!

Thank you for your immediate feedback. @thebob it is worse than that. It is the 2016 model which has a reach of 409 mm paired with an 80 mm stem. I totally hear you on the range in which the reach should be for a lad like me. @DieselnDust wrt build I am somewhere in the middle, about 80 kg at the moment. The bushings I know need to be replaced. The suspension was serviced about a year ago so maybe due. Thanks for the suggestion about going to the bike park and speaking to the people there. Can do that. I am not adverse to the idea of selling and upgrading to a large frame.

Hello everyone, I'm hoping to tap into some of the vast knowledge. After being off the bike for six weeks I recounted a 'problem/challenge' on my mountain bike. I am not sure if it is skills based or that am as fit as a marshmallow and hence my core is weak or my bike is the wrong size (too small). On climbing steep sections - we were doing the Newlands/Kirstenbosch loop - I would feel my front wheel try to lift and become very vague with ground. So I don't know if it is just a skill to try and move weight further forward to combat the rising front wheel - when I tried this I felt that I lost power to pedal. Maybe my set up is wrong - as in my saddle is maybe a little low, thus shifting weight backwards on the climbs. Maybe my bike is just the wrong size and so my weight is loaded incorrectly in different attitudes. For some context I bought the bike in 2019 before my first Trans Baviaans. I have subsequently ridden a second TB and W2W along with trails around Cape Town. I have not had back issues, but am definitely less confident than my friends on descending. It is a medium Rock Mountain Element and I am 183 cm in the vertical. At the time I was advised to get a medium and that this was a 'large' medium. Thoughts and feedback would be most appreciated.

What oil/royal blood does one run in a configuration like this?

I am trying to work out which square peg I should use for the round hole of indoor training. I have an older (2016) mountain bike (i.e. non-boost) and a set of rollers. I am ok using the MTB on the rollers, but neighbours have complained about the noise and the rollers are chewing through tyres. Options include finding a cheap wheelset to use with slicks on the rollers and keeping my current wheelset for MTB or building up a light weight wheelset for use on the mountain and keep the current wheelset for use with slicks or get a gravel bike for use on the rollers and potentially as a commuter bike. Otherwise I might be looking at this from the wrong end and rather to get a high quality wheel off trainer to use with the MTB.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and feedback! It is most appreciated. You raise some great points, this has been a learning process. Thank you for being gracious and patient while people relearn lessons. I did not know that there was an RSA service agent and am most pleased to find out there is :-) Looking forward to seeing you all out on the trails!

Thanks guys. Ja the hangers are fine, That was replaced recently. The current dilemma relates to the suspension. The system uses patented Angular Bushing Concept pivots. My bushings are starting to wear and will need to be replaced. I have not yet be able to find someone in SA who might be able to fabricate replacements. Otherwise I might have to bite the bullet and order some directly from Rocky. So this is ultimately the conundrum. Fine, I can fix it this time, but what about the future. Will I be able to get spares? Would it be worthwhile looking at a bike that has spares or that does not rely on such custom parts?

My bike is a Rocky Mountain Element 970. I have nothing against RM or the bike.

Hello Hubbers, I'm messaging to see anyone has some advice and hear thoughts. I have a beautiful bike by a brand that does not have a South African agent. The suspension is in need of parts, which will be sorted. However, the question is more about the long term. Is it worth looking to replace my current ride with one that has a local importer? Making parts potentially easier to get a hold of. Thanks

Found a pair of sports glasses on the pedestrian path outside Newlands Forest last Saturday (15 October) at about 8 am. Please DM me if they are yours

Hello everyone, I have an 4cycle bike rack that is gathering dust in my garage. Unfortunately the car mount disappeared along with my car. If anyone can make use rack they are most welcome to it. The rack can hold three bikes. Cheers