RossTopher

MBO is a chinese/aliexpress brand. presume they're following the same model Northcliffe did with Monton. but while Monton started out as great value, built a following and some good feedback from us all before hiking prices, this has come in at eye-watering prices from the get-go. Not sure who would buy their bibs when the same money will get you assos

there have been mannnnnnnnnnnnny posts about this. same answer as always: https://www.triptychresources.co.za/

You absolutely cannot go wrong with Triptych Resources. I think there is even a bikehub link when doing a sale. I think they focus on bike transport and are reasonable, reliable and fast. Ive probably used the about 4 times, when both buying and selling

Keep us posted, Bev. Im sure we'd all love to learn what the issue was, or if all else fails, celebrate a new bike day

hi Bev, from a quick google i see that the 920 (current) and Skye 720 (discontinued) both have an 11-50 cassette, and probably the same size chainring. so, if the gearing is indeed the same, then i'd put my money on the bearings - when last was it serviced? chances are all your pedalling energy is going nowhere because either the hubs or BB need some TLC. a 29" wheel is not going to get you up a hill that a 27.5" wouldnt. discount wheel size here, and either will 12 speed vs 10

i live for an unpopular opinion - they are usually the most informed and valuable. this is so true. i've been petrified of travelling with a bike, and had recommended friends to rather rent, which they did in Mallorca. I was going to do the same in Girona, but for 3 weeks, it actually worked out for me to buy one used from Buycycle, and now i have a bike with an adventure behind it. i didnt even think about storage, and that is an issue for me. it probably makes the most sense to just grab a cardboard box from a shop if i do intend to take a bike with. i'd have to travel at least 80 times to equate to the cost of a good bag/box. thank you for being a voice of reason. cardboard/rental it is

Superb, thanks Scott. Ive not seen the titan bag, but will do some gobbling. Would 2nd hand be a no-no, or are they generally pretty hardy and even a used bag would be a good buy? I baulk at the scicon pricetag

Ah, yes, I probably should've been more explicit. International - probably once a year. Locally, maybe 2-3 trips a year. Road / gravel bike. Ive generally avoided travelling with a bike because of the far, just once taken an alloy mtb from cpt to durban in a cardboard box, and brought a carbon gravel bike back from spain in cardboard too, but I packed those things like a lunatic, and added loads of ballast so the ACSA b&trds couldn't throw them around.

People who fly with their bikes, what is your recommended box/bag/case. Needing something that will inspire confidence and not have me stressing every time I fly. I understand I should avoid the soft bags. Are the Scicon boxes worth the cost or should I go for something cheaper. Ideally id like something that fits a bike securely and not be a big box that requires extra packing like bubble wrap, pool noodles et al

Why on earth would you pay it... it should have been delivered right to our dear poseur Premiers desk, with some polite words. Hell, hand him an invoice on Sunday.

Thanks, i've not heard of them, but I am not looking to join an established group. The aim is to create something inclusive, not segregate based on different speeds/skills, and get people confident and into road and gravel riding.

First ride is the week after CTCT, from Plato Durbanville. they seem a bit loathe to have another group meeting there (they have a running club), so we may find a new venue in future

morning all, I have made a bold/brave/stupid decision to attempt a new social cycling club in the North. key elements are: no groups, no average speeds, no membership fees. When i moved out to Durbanville many years ago, i struggled to find a riding group, and didn't feel i fitted into any of the traditional clubs. So after many years of thinking, idea generation, and quality control through friends, i have designed what i hope is a solution for many younger/newer riders. Every 2 weeks to start with, an out-and-back ride, where people can turn when they feel they need to, and one of our crew will turn back with them. Selfishly, this is also a platform to help less experienced people with finding the right bike size, technical assistance, bikefitting etc. then, one day, if we want to form a DC team, or support each other at races, triathlons etc, we have that. please share with people you think may be interested: Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/thedropscc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropscc/ We have a whatsapp community setup, which i am still figuring out.

@NotSoBigBen, are you still looking for mini-v's? I have a bike that i am not using, so stripping it and going to be selling all the parts.

thanks @Matt, that clarifies things. i think you can close the topic. i se the add has now been taken down.

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i've seen a few items in the classifieds that have had me question how genuine they are, so wanted to ask what is the general consensus re Fake goods from overseas. as i understand, they are counterfeit and should not be allowed to be sold, either in china or here. i am not talking about stuff that looks the same but has no logos, but the stuff that says "Elite", "Selle Italia", "Sram" etc. EG: a saddle being sold for 2k that, as far as i can tell, is a fake from Temu that goes for around 3-400.

If you have a cardboard, shop box, its almost a guarantee they will stop you. They are less likely stop a travel box (like from scicon, evoc etc) that looks used. New, used, no matter what, if you bring it in and nothing is declared on the way out, you'll have to pay You can reclaim your taxes paid in the other country, but you'll still pay here. If i recall, A bike made in Europe will have less duties than one made in Asia. Rare to find nowadays but thats just an FYI

Ha, yes in the early stages I like to take the outside line on corners, so much sugar flowing through veins, you dont know how people are going to cut corners. I'll also always rather eat the wind than not see whats going on up front. Everyone always pulls the handbrake up the airport hill, so I moved up at fisantekraal and attacked at the base. One ebike and my friend followed. We bridged a few groups and then took shelter towards the silos before a freight train of youngsters came up from P and we latched on. Those kids must have weighed as much as my leg, but they tore it up all the way to the finish, very impressive. Congrats on the sub-3, great photos, and glad the sinuses behaved, and didnt affect your ride

Chris, it was a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I think I have seen you gazillions of times on the road over the years, but not side by side. Great to have a face to the name, and I hope you had a good, safe and fun ride, it was a perfect day out

You're gonna have to order online. R2-bike, bikeinn, bike24, bikecomponents.de. They are your best bet, nobody in SA will be stocking and seems Schwalbe and Conti are the mainstream brands still making. Otherwise, maybe the Chinese sites have some obscure brands floating about

You are a machine...

Chris, do you play the lotto? Haven't you won lucky draws at 99er as well 🤣

Thanks for the quick reply. Good luck with all the prep work, and fingers crossed with the road fix. we look forward to another fantastic day out.

@NicholasH, sorry, couldn't find an event page for 2026. As always, highly looking forward to your brilliant event. Without putting too much pressure on you and expecting answers to things that are wayyyyyy out of your hands, do you have any news on the status of Adderley road ahead of race day. Ive not ridden it since Christmas day, but drove it on Saturday and crikey... those 3 or so km from the Philadelphia t junction are horrific. If there are still bunches, I foresee a lot of accidents. Thanks