RossTopher

100%. For 6k less, you can get the titan with microshift sword and better gear ratios Still, the Merida silex 4000 is often on sale for 36-37. If you can afford 31, you can afford 37.

Definitely. I think we had 5 farm gates running between private land. It's just a short stretch of about 2km up the pass where it's loose slate/shale. A 4wd vehicle should have no issues. There was an abandoned tractor over the top but the descent down the other side isnt too hectic and runs through open land. Hannes and Paula from Appollo would be your best source.

it looks great, and i was a favourable voice for the Dust... but R31000 retail for specless wheels, tyres i've never heard of, a boat anchor prowheel crank with a stupid chainring size for the allround spec, and an l-twoo groupset that is great on paper, but has so many poor reviews between the RD and shifters. paying for the carbon frame, which i'd need to know more about, given its their first foray into carbon. I am all for the entry point Avalanches, but this is a bit dear. i'd be snapping one up if it was around 20-22k, but not at over 30

if anyone is interested. there is another route that doenst come up on komoot, but it does on Google, if you choose the walking option. apollo to bike-x-cape was 1 of our days on a 2 week tour back in 2020, and it was a 78km day. still tough because of the heat and running out of water. same story but you turn left - farmers gates are unlocked and its a provincial road. checked with the apollo folks, and spoke to a farmer too. heads straight for the mountain and there is a fairly tough shale climb (we had to walk our bikes up) before descending into the tankwa proper. i didnt have a gps then, so every turn was on a piece of paper and marked by distance (the google walking option gives you this)

it doesnt look like enjoy, vye or ciovita. i am speculating, but think it may be monton (based on the sleeves, reflective tab below the pockets, and zip)

vote with your money. cancel the order, and get one from @EVOBIKES ONLINE STORE, they always have

I've got 7 pairs across various styles and all a win. Not as cheap as they were, some are nearly 4k now, first pair i got was 800. Just search monton in the forum and you'll see all the positive comments

luckily i paid attention to that one, i was most concerned about not impaling myself on the closes fences. embarrassingly, i took myself out on the very first one descending after the malanshoogte entrance. I was in a good position, but my wahoo says i only spent 89 seconds stationary 😂. got some nice battle scars and a 2.55. @NicholasH thanks again to you and every single one of the marshalls, parents, kids, medics, etc etc, for what was once again, the very best run race. you also do so much on this forum, answering questions, taking (sometimes misguided) flak, criticism, suggestions etc. its brave to open yourself up to a public platform and very few organisers do it, the hands on approach really sets your race apart. its always a pleasure do do the 99er and the Trilogy is such a welcome addition

what a lovely ride, but i was probably overseeded. About 18km in, with AG averaging 42kph, i had to drop the wheel and figured i'd recover time on the gravel. experimented by cutting up nougat, and wrapped in clingfilm, which melted and so i chewed on plastic when i needed energy. took my first ever gel (and probably my last) right before malanshoogte. i think it went straight to my head as i took to the klipheuwel trail, went down that bank, read the sign saying reduce speed, thought i was going about the same as those in front of me, and proceeded to take off from that a-frame like a fighter jet. braced for impact, painted myself with durbanvilles finest soil, got up, straighted the bar and went "oh THATS the one @BuffsVintageBikes warned about on the forum". that trail was not plain sailing after that with a slightly off position and feeling a bit jittery, but the bike and body took it well.

Speaking of 100%, great to see that you're back to full strength, regularly on the bike, confident and doing what riding bikes is all about: finding your zen.

looks like for this version, the whole cover would need to be replaced. the key bit of locking the mount in is the "ribs" on the mount going into those two grooves below the bluetooth. why not just try an epoxy/resin and try get a bit of shape to that side, or test it out on a garmin mount, maybe it will fit snug on that thanks to the ear coming off?

Ive had success with the simple ryder plug kit, using thin road plugs. Ive doubled them over for bigger cuts. Never used my lezyne one. A little tube of shoe glue will also help give you peace of mind on the cut/puncture. Your tyre and sealant combos will plag a role in solving the greater issue of frequency and inability to pop the tyre on. Enduroseal road sealant stops most punctures with just a bit of thumb pressure and patience. Pirelli tyres are super easy to get on/off rims in comparison to conti/vittoria/bontrager.

Perfect day to ascend Bainskloof.

this is where my money would go: https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/788578/vitus-energie-gravel-bike you're future proofed with thru-axles, disc brakes etc, and it gives you the flexibility that when you realise the roads arent so grand, you can go off them. Plus the added benefit of big tyres. pop some 32 of 35mm slicks and you'll be comfy on the road By the sounds of things, you're not trying to compete, and i really dont think the alu vs carbon frame will be a deal breaker, so with options, tyre clearance and a 1x11 you'll be well equipped. its a cyclocross frame, so still aggressive enough and most of us wouldnt be able to tell it from a dedicated road bike. you come in below the 15k mark which can go towards a gps

Signal, Avalanche, Zini, Apex will all have better specced options for the price than "name brands" like giant or titan. Re Avalanche, they have just released this and its bloody well specced: https://solomonscycles.co.za/product/avalanche-reflex-team-29-aluminium-frame-mountain-bike-2024/?attribute_frame-size=Medium&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7se8BhCAARIsAKnF3rzohjgBRMU12LLQanxh7hY3SB1X90I79LV5WQjTRPUH9tZaIyp53jQaAvI8EALw_wcB if not the avalanche, i'd go for one of these from Decathlon: https://www.decathlon.co.za/p/329414-54169-29-touring-mountain-bike-explore-540-blue-black.html https://www.decathlon.co.za/p/330066-106434-29-inch-hardtail-mountain-bike-rockrider-xc-100-shimano-1x11-blue.html

Maybe worth sharing this video that @Ingo0815 filmed early last year with the relevant parties that have suddenly woken up. there seems to be a view from their responses, that this is a new issue that needs resolution, rather than a longstanding public service failure that doesnt only affect locals, but negatively impacts much needed tourism

Ah, sad news. thanks for the update

i see even the bikehub article has been removed so many the powers that be, here, know whats up? @Nick and @Matt do you have any insight?

morning. anyone know what the current status is with Jonaskop. a friend said he heard the road has been close and no entry allowed. We've done it every december for a few years so want to keep the tradition going. Used to have the farmers phone number but I can't find it now.

decided to go for the Gravel one this year. glad i did as no Odendaal really dampens the attraction of the road race. it was already so flat, we kinda need that climb at the end to empty the tank

Checks out

dont let cables be the deal breaker. honestly, people make a whole big deal out of it and its nonsense. yes, they're not as good as hydraulics, but we've ridden rim brake road bikes for generations. friends do gravel and road races with cable disks. i run v-brakes on an old gravel bike. MTB'ers rode v-brakes for ages. what IS a deal breaker is paying over 20k for a bike with cable discs. that is daylight robbery. another deal breaker should be the crankset. Titan and Giant put those FSA omega cranks on there. Good luck finding a BB, and you'll need one regularly. PS. i saw a lovely deal on a Diverge go up today.

oh, no i worship at his alter so this is a safe space but he'd recommend sizing down, not up...

would love to understand how its easier to fit a bike that's slightly too big, than slightly too small?

@ChrisF i know you are quite experienced and have been on the forums for ages, so apologies if these are basics or repetition. at 1.75, you're sort of in between, but height isnt everything, torso/leg ratio, arm length etc. I'd always recommend sizing down. you can always make a small bike bigger, and a smaller bike with more exposed seatpost is more compliant, so your butt will thank you. Also, a smaller bike will likely come with shorter cranks and possibly a narrower bar. a 54 is not a 54 is not a 54. scott, titan, merida seem bigger than treks and spez etc in the same size. the bikes sites size guides are also generally garbage, and the salesmen no better as they just take what the distributor tells them. get on a few, read reviews etc. a friend got a Speedster Gravel. he is your height. bike addict folks said Medium. a year later he is thanking me for convincing him to go for the Small. the same crew tell me i should be on a 58cm. I am 188cm. I built a size Medium merida silex up with an 80mm stem, 44cm curvy Deda bar. fitted like a glove. smaller bikes are also more fun offroad. if the bike ends up feeling too big, you're paying for a new bar, new stem, inline seatpost, shorter cranks etc etc, and you'll be riding with a stack of spacers or a +40degree stem