RossTopher

Sent you a message with my details

I bought a bunch of clearance stuff in December. Still operating, but not selling anything new or exciting

I have a 9 speed 11-34 cassette gathering dust. It's probably done 200km max. Let me know if you're interested, no charge. As mentioned by others, it's not worth the hassle to change to 10 speed for 1 additional ratio, just a wider range is needed. Ride it until the day comes for a new bike. Ive got bikes ranging from 8-11 speed and the number of clicks has never been a factor, just whether I can get up the hill.

If you're transitioning from flats, and want something more confidence inspiring, try looking for a pair of M530, ED500 or the ME700 or similar. VP, Look and Crankbrothers all make their own versions. Something with a platform so if you miss a clip in, or if you use your bike for shop runs in flats, it makes a huge difference.

you can order from the Suunto site. Free shipping over 4k, so it applies. i see the price has gone up to 6600 (it was 5500 at some point), but i suppose thats just exchange rates https://www.suunto.com/en-za/Products/partner-products/karoo-2-cycling-computer/karoo-2-cycling-computer/ i was VERY tempted, but ended up getting a good deal on a wahoo. I kinda wish i'd taken the plunge.

Ah, no worries, I COMPLETELY missed what you were saying. I think I was mainly trying to empathize/assist having survived the "110bcd assymettric 4 bolt" nightmare. Ignore me 😂

Sorry if i am being dof, but are you needing a Sram apex chainring. I am getting a 44t Apex chainring that my cousin is bringing from the UK later this week. that will mean my 40t is needing a home, and i have felt your pain of finding ANYTHING that fits from 3rd party manufacturers

hi Kausie. first, and most important point is if you like your bike, put tape over wherever you mount bags etc. does your MTB has rear rack mounts? having one is so helpful. i even put 2 bags of wood on mine to take from town to my cabin. panniers are great for storing lots of stuff and easy access, but put all the weight on the back and have a real effect on big climbs or in the wind. if you're in cape town, https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-biking-accessories/meadowridge/bicycle-panniers-pair-avenir/10011286488511010013053609 these are a bargain, and even if not properly waterproof, you just use a heavy duty bin bag, or ziplock bags to keep important things dry. you dont need all the fanciest Apidura etc bags, so long as you have your important stuff waterproofed. I have used all manner of bags from Decathlon, bidorbuy etc, and just strapping dry bags to the rack. and seat post if you want expert advice, and someone to make bags specifically to fit your bike, contact Steve https://www.cycle-africa.co.za/page-242-custom-made-bike-bags-south-africa.html if water is going to be an issue, taping or mounting addtional cages to your fork will be helpul, or using feedbags, or putting a hydration bladder in a frame bag. you can strap/bungy a dry bag to your bars rather than buying a specific bar bag.

It seems to be a common thing for chains. I regularly see the same brand/level 10 speed chains more expensive than 11 speed, and now 11 going for more than 12 (cassettes and chains)

do you have anyone from JHB coming down soon? alternatively, stomach the courier cost, consdiering the price per chain. Bikemarket has new (unboxed) Wippermann Connex chains for an absolute steal https://bikemarket.co.za/home/shop/components/drivetrain-gearing/chains/chain-11spd-connex-118-links-unboxed/ I've got 10 speed ones runnning on my bikes, and one sitting spare. they are also a dream for maintenance due to the quicklink design.

https://www.decathlon.co.za/cycling-bottles/168751-2488-fabric-handlebar-bottle-cage.html#/demodelsize-254/demodelcolor-8487122?queryID=34f8f9c30a97f38de882bb07a2d47cd9&objectID=2538918 If he's willing to mount to his bar, these kind of holders are fantastic. I'm no wild MTB'er, so can't vouch for how secure, but I used them on tours for myriad purposes, even a 500ml of yogurt

magic, thanks for the reply. I had a Supra which i never wore and donated, so never needed to find out, but had to use the Specialized replacement, and realised what an important value add it is. i'll buy my Arx Plus now!

With the ride JHB vouchers at CL/CWC, Im considering a new helmet. I can't seem to find anything on Scott's website or Google about crash replacement value or %. Does anyone know if Scott offer this on helmets? CL salesman says he is sure the do offer it, but can't recall details. Not keen to buy a helmet that I have to just write off completely if I wipe

3 decent options, all of which i regularly ride and are "safe". nothing is 100% safe, theres always opportunists. 1. the simple/short route along koeberg/adderley, left onto the philadelphia road. not much of a shoulder on the philadelphia road and vehicles hurtle past, but just keep your wits about you and keep an eye over your shoulder. 2. along wellington/klipheuwel and turn left before silos. reasonably wide shoulder until the turn, where its the same as above. biggest threat is the odd two-tone shirted hilux driver who believe everything needs to be driven to at 160. 3. a bit risqué and i'll catch flak but over vissershoek, onto the n7 (for 2km) and off at Van Schoorsdrif Rd (the ostrich farm road). albeit not for the faint of heart, i feel alot safer than on other roads, and only do it with BRIGHT lights and a buddy, early when cars are at a minimum. once you're off the N7 on van Schoorsdrif, its solitary bliss, no cars, no people. if riding solo is a concern. there are many forum folk who i'm sure would happily join for the pedal. weekend mornings, the roads are not want for cyclists.

i was at Solomons woodmead and Northcliff Cycles while up last week, and body had lots of stock Northcliff in particular had loads: BB's, cassettes, chains, chainrings, deraillers and shifters i am on an unending quest to find a 42 or 44t apex chainring, the one sram component i cant find

great news Lloyd they are so versatile, have great geometry (almost the same as the Revolt) and soak up the bumps. as mentioned, i did the same sort of conversion and its done loads of dirt roads and a weeklong tour thorugh the Karoo. My only splurge was on a set of Roval SLX 24 wheels and 40mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M, which completely transformed it. the ONLY foible was when i took it through one too many muddy crossings and on the last, deepest one, the wheels dug in. it's only then when you understand the benefit of disc brakes, as it was painstaking cleaning the brakes and my brand new rims to avoid scraping. sacrificed a whole bottle of water and a pair of socks cleaning them, but was then perfect for the next 60km.

Thanks for the responses. Ive watched a few videos and see two big points are ensuring the bb isn't forced against the lip on install, and to apply loctite (I think 641). Now to decide whether to stick with my cx bike, or go for the caad

How bad is pressfit, or at least how bad are Cannondale alu frames with the bb30 creak? I'm toying with an opportunity to swap my bike for a CAAD12, which will suit me better in terms of use, gearing etc. Ive only read bad things about pressfit, and only have experience of threaded GXP, hollowtech, regular fsa megaexo, and that dreaded FSA bb4000 19mm setup that consumes a BB every 15 seconds. Am I making a mistake moving from a threaded GXP to a pressfit bb30 bike, albeit with better components, or am I making way too much of this? Is it more the carbon frames that are a pain

you can order from Suunto - Price delivered is under 6000 which seems a bargain. I contemplated it at the time, but got a Wahoo on a decent sale. https://www.suunto.com/en-za/Products/partner-products/karoo-2-cycling-computer/karoo-2-cycling-computer/ part of me regrets it, but the Wahoo does all i need, except for the nightmare trying to get it, and my Polar HRM results into any app/format that will work for Discovery. So if Vitality points are your thing, go Garmin. the headache isnt worth it

couldnt agree more.

A bunch of us set off back from Malgas and past water point 1. A few climbs between 12-16% and we ended on about 2660m climbing over the 148km. I thought we had a tough one until reading these comments, and seeing people mudslide over the line. Did the extend cut-off because of the pont? It must have been a brutal, cold return

a good point, well made. the offer stands to contribute if you find something.

Andreas, here are a couple new options. sounds like he needs something fresh for all the mileage https://www.decathlon.co.za/bike-gearing/327079-11049-bike-triple-bottom-bracket-7-8-and-9-speeds.html#/demodelsize-254no_size/demodelundefined-968556?queryID=c60f206ea7b20181aad587dca081e6f3&objectID=4096853 https://solomonscycles.co.za/products/shimano-fc-ty501-front-chainwheel/ https://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/shimano-crankset-fc-ty301 i see you posted in the other forum, but if you dont come right, i'll gladly go 50/50 with you on a new crankset to help a fella out, of if you find something on the hub. just PM me bank details and damage (i will only be able to pay on Wed though :)...

I swear by Decathlon for pretty much anything, but don't order clothes online. Some of the lower end stuff can be pretty transparent, or have weird material, sizing is bizarre, and chamois can be really ill fitting (completely inflexible), so unless you're in store, i'd not risk it. The quality is there on the as the prices increase, but for 1300, i'll stick to Monton.

if they're comfortable, have grip, cleat placement is far enough back, and the closure is reliable, then thats all you need to consider. maybe the most important thing is to look at Sidi's closure vs a normal boa in terms of reliability, replacement etc. how much of the name is marketing. I have a pair of Sidi Swifts, which are supposedly an indoor shoe, and they have survived mud, rain and rivers, and a lot of walking.