RossTopher

In before comments... I top up sealant on other bikes every 6-12 months and clean tubeless tyres/rims as needed. Its just on the road bike that I have tubes

I popped sealant in a set of inner tubes in say Oct 2022. I've ridden my bike a bunch without a hint of an issue, but now is my first race in ages and don't want a flat. Is the sealant pap by now? Sludge road sealant (yellow stuff with the Rhino). If it ain't broke, don't fix it kinda thinking, means I don't want to take my tyres off and change tubes for the sake of it. Can I just squirt some more in or am I basically running concrete now?

Is it possible to ask at registration to jump a couple groups? Last did it in 2022, and now because I do a social 5 hour CTCT, I've ended up in N. Looking like an ITT for me

this is complete nonsense, and can't believe its still being bandied about 6 months after the event. there are more than enough comments from both the organiser and entrants on the 2023 and 2024 event forums to dispell this.

I second these. Built a v brake gravel bike These brakes flawlessly controlled my descent into Die Hel, I think that says enough.

i can't seem to find the post on whatsapp, and i dont have SM - so cant remember the specifics. worth giving them a call to find out, but its basically around the durbanville area if i recall.

Indeed. Between living in town and the north, I tried a number of shops for convenience, and almost always learned the hard way with most. Now, if I need something minor/quick, I got to Specialized Tygerberg. Great staff, service and price. If I have time or want the full shebang done, I don't consider anyone other than Sportopia. I either drive to salt river, or more recently, make use of their pickup service. 10/10 27/4

it took me a few years of rationalising my uncomfortable feet with other shoes (fizik, specialized, sidi), despite many bikefit James videos, and then last year i stumped up for MX238X and... oh my word! so i treated myself to a pair of CX238X in Jan. Don't think i will change to another brand, despite them costing a vacation

MX219 and MX238 have the same sole, difference is mainly the upper and 1 vs 2 boas. for how much have you seen the 219? if its around the 4500 mark, i would hit your budget of 5k and go for the 238. (update, lakes new years sale is over so i see the 238 is back up to 6500. it is still 5k with the old supplier, pure motion, but sizes are limited.)

There are currently 3 guys on Bikehub selling TRP Spyre mechanical calipers. These are EXCELLENT brakes, and being dual sided/piston, both pads move and it avoids alot of the finicky adjusting most mechanical brakes require. For the price it's a great start. There are also 2 guys selling a single TRP HY/RD each. These are cable actuated hydraulics, so the reservoir is in the brake. Not sure how risky they are to buy 2nd hand, but by the time you spend on those, you may as well go proper hydro. If you're on a budget and want to use your shifters, grab a set of Spyres and you'll be happy

i had a 34 cassette on, and swapped to 36 purely because of the annual pilgrimage to Jonaskop. 31-34 just didnt feel like it would enough. i then tore ligaments and havent had a chance to test the climb. re the max tooth, i think bike manufacturers conservative limits are storied, be it tyre clearance, tooth capacity etc. i havent had to do any adjustments, and i've read others using 810 up to 42, but I did buy a longer B screw in case (cost R40)

my anecdotal evidence, i have a converted old giant escape, running fsa omega (48/32) and an 11-32 cassette. i did PA to Die Hel and back and didnt suffer (too hard). the 1:1 ratio on Swartberg was fine, but it would have been nice to have a little extra in some parts. i've never done the full swartberg, so don't know if it heads steeper from there

1x gearing really depends on your preferred cadence, or your power. as you see from these comments, both @Jbr and @DMJ are running 10-50 cassettes, but one has a 38t and the other 46t. in my lack of knowledge, i feel a granny gear ratio of 25 gear inches to be about minimum for a gravel climber. 1:1 wont cut it

add it to your cart, select South Africa and then pay. Tip, the more bits you order, the cheaper shipping gets :). merlin doesnt stop Shimano to SA. i think sram is an issue though.

if the owner has filed a police report, surely the owner/police should be able to request Facebook to release the chat transcript for the advert? i know, i know, wishful thinking.

105 shifters and brakes. Originally had a 105 RD but the "almost new" item I bought from the hub was basically scrap, so went for a GRX 810 RD along with the grx FD and 810 crank and a sram 11-36 cassette. Great gear ratios and no extra bits and pieces to make it work. Bought the grx stuff from merlin so didn't work out too expensive

i really dont think there is an ultimate winner between the two. if it comes down to what you can get your hands on and what groupset/shifting you prefer. i did a build with a 105/grx mix - 2x11 (48/31 front and 11/36 back). ITS GREAT i have another bike with sram apex 1x11 (44T up front and 11-42 back): ITS GREAT. the 1x is now more of a dedicated road bike and both speed and climbing are not an issue. what i have noticed is that the sram brake feel is streets ahead of the shimano

merlin has an incredible price on ultegra 2x hydraulic

thanks all for the comments and insight. looks like the Decathlon ones are a win @Eddy Gordo thanks for the tip on the MrP ones. good price. @Thomo i completely forgot anatomic was still going. i've had a couple jerseys before, quality was always good, so will take a look when i am next up north @Vaultboy appreciate the info on the Ciovita ones, i'll swerve for now

That comment was mainly to avoid responses recommending winter/fleecy layers. While counter intuitive, the additional layer actually helps keep me cool, and the moisture wicking is important. I've got a coupe from decathlon, but with sleeves, so wanted to see what the other options were like.

hmmm, add in the 10% off on the app, and the free shipping code and i may have to order a few. sizing? i typically have to go 1 to 2 sizes up with Decathlon.

thank you. i went on their site but didnt see the baselayers. size wise, is the fit the same as your jersey?

i know there have been previous posts with some info on baselayers but most is fairly old. I am looking at no more than R400 for a couple sleeveless summer baselayers. I run hot, so don't need insulation or anything for winter. Currently the following options are available: Specialized - R400 - SL Sleeveless Base Layer Ciovita - R675 - Strato Undervest (2 pack) Decathlon - R359 - Van Rysel summer training cycling base layer Enjoy - R675 - Emotif Regulator bundle (2 pack) would appreciate info on which you have/like/tried etc and if there is anything i am missing or some cheaper options. i would like to go for the Monton layer, as i know the quality is good, but its a stretch to R550. thanks

many many orders over the last few years and never anything less than 5 star service. the only issue is sizing on clothing, which is well documents. i just buy a couple sizes, and when i do go up to JHB, pop into a store and return what didnt fit. never an issue and their staff are great, in store and on email

are you a member of, or do you have a mate with, momentum multiply. i think their prices come out great if you have someone with a high discount level (i think up to 40%).