RossTopher

4 pairs of bibs, first of which i've been using for just over 2 years. recently bit the bullet and got a thermal jersey and gilet, combo set me back 2500 which hurt at the time, but actually looks a bargain in comparison. quality and fit are superb

ugh... i dont know why i am weighing in, but this fence is helluva comfy. If you pay for an event and there are issues, you have EVERY right to be critical, i'm sure the organisers take it on board, you need thick skin to keep at it. even the most poorly worded comment may have value. Events are tough to organise and things go wrong, and everyone pays school fees along the way. Re ambulances and beer, we've all had a dud service that came highly recommended. I didnt need either, but still found it annoying. Most annoying was not even a free water after the ride. My focus, however, is having AS MANY fun events at my fingertips at an affordable price. We can back the organisers AND complain when things dont pan out. I'd hate for every event to turn into a 5,000 person snoozefest around Slent, so free entry sounded great on the day, but lets think long term. i'd like to do this again in 2025, as well as others like it. Viva la +'s and -'s, i'm keen to go pedal in dirt.

I've read that with Pathfinders and the like, you really feel that step/drop from the centre to the tread, and can be offputting? when you're moving on the Pirelli's the centre knobs almost form a solid line, but dont sacrifice the consistent grip.

I am TOO EXCITED to try the H's. I've got a set of 40mm, waiting till i've burnt through the Velo 35s to put them on my cross bike. And my old man has a set of the classic (brown sidewall) M's that he seemingly has no interest in using. So i am well stocked!

But in all seriousness, i felt i had to make a forum post for a tyre! Just over 18 months into my love affair with these things, and genuinely feel its the single best bike-related thing i have ever spent money on. Mud, rivers, big rocks, corrugations, sand, slate, tar and technical terrain. These things just laugh at what you throw at them. I keep thinking "surely this time they will puncture", "surely this time they'' hit their limit", but they remain composed, comfortable and confidence inspiring. They also respond well on tar, which is meant to be their weakness, the centre tread is almost solid.

Thats it. thats the post.

No stress at all and no need to apologise. Glad you managed to push through, that's a victory. I'm sure a lot of people got hit with the delayed start impacting nutrition. I was blown away by how many people asked if I needed anything. I'm not going to lose sleep over the extra hour or so. Parts of me are hurting today that I didn't know existed, pushing is no joke. Respect to kids who spend all day on a balance bike 😂 See you there next year, I've already marked off my calendar.

Yip. Did you also stop for a bit to look. If so, I am SO grateful for your efforts. I hope I didn't cost you too many minutes. In the heat of the moment I didn't think things through. Zane offered me his, but when it didnt work first time, I gave it back. Then I had nothing, and all I needed to do was take out another piece of vrot chain. I tested a link at home last night and worked perfectly. I always carry links and half the toolbox with me, but had lent this bike to a friend and taken stuff off it.

duplicate

what a lekker ride, and day out. Gravel (bikes and races) get flak for being a trend, but today was an example of what a great leveller it is. people of all disciplines just went out to ride bikes, and thats what it should be all about. road vs mtb politics and arguments go out the window. the route was great. normal overly polite at the start so i start way back, needed a 50min ITT to find a ground i could work with, and went like a stabbed rat until my chain snapped at 74km. I brought EVERYTHING but a quick link, and even with one given to me, it would not fit (wippermann chain compatibility, maybe?). Having to just let go and freewheel through the water and mud crossings was extra exilarating. So a 74km ride and 13km run/walk/balance bike ended up at 4 hours 9 minutes rather than just over 3. a huge thank you to everyone that passed me, asked if i needed help, gave motivation or helped see the humour in it, and all the people who stopped and looked to see if they had links Special shout outs to a fella named Zane who offered up his link and spent a good few mins with me holding my bike. you are a champ. and to the 3 top manne who would not leave me to suffer in the last km and pushed me up the streets and around the track. bonus was seeing this glistening green thing on the ground near a farm, for it to be a sealed bottle of energy drink right when i was feeling flat with about 7km of hike-a-bike to go. silver linings and all that.

i know the 11 speed Microshift RD on the Comp is limited to an 11-30. not sure about the 9. you can grab one of those extenders from Summit or Rapide for 150-200 bucks and try going bigger. I have 9 speed 11-32 and 11-34 cassettes with minimal usage and a Sora RD that are going begging if you do go the cassette and derailleur route. it does seem the most viable in 9 speed.

i reckon it will be fine, as its within the 16 tooth difference. i can let you know if/when he ever gets his 30t

i think he's going to follow up tomorrow. but the guy said it would be about 4 weeks. but he's not heard anything. the gearing on those bikes is bizarre.

and... ive just had a brainwave. PM me your number if you can. i am collecting a bike next week, and can help you out with any of: 9 speed cassette, crankset, BB and derailleur if you need.

went down this route with a friend who got the comp. same ratios. in what world Titan thought putting an 11-28 cassette on a gravel bike was a good idea. Mindboggling and annoying as its an immediate cost. I found him a 30t chainring at Capegro Sports (the FSA agents) but it was bought 4 weeks ago and still hasnt arrived, and he's had no updates. the frame is great, so maybe just bite the bullet and upgrade the crankset. the alternative is a wider range cassette, new chain and possibly a derailleur extender coz the microshift ones i think are short cage. its all costly. the small chainring is the most economical option, but you'll be best served importing a 30t yourself, if you can find one.

any idea what time the 50miler starts. have to see if we can squeeze it in before the afternoon?

thanks all for the input. really interesting to hear the many experiences and different thoughts. both individuals and bikeshops suffering from the lowballing, and as pointed out, the price hikes with zero value added. I use the Dealer filter, but as mentioned, this cuts out the many quality dealers who ask fair prices, and still includes accounts on here not registered as dealers but reselling en masse. The post was sparked by a particular case yesterday where i got sent a link to a dealers add. The price isnt even that obscene, it's jsut that i'd seen the bike listed privately a day earlier, prior to the 46% hike.

Agreed Chris, for the most part, people want to see each other on the right bike for the right price. One came right and the other is going new. Thankfully I am out of the hunt, save for the eternal frame search.

So glad this wasn't me screaming into the void. You hit the nail on the head, it's the sheer audacity

Absolutely, the classifieds are there for people to do business, and the dealers pay for the usage, I've no issue with the process, but A. be reasonable with your margins, or B. let the courier start his bakkie before reposting it at 1.5x. I suppose its just borne out of frustration that by the time you've counted your pennies and had a word with yourself about priorities, its out of range.

And this is not for the many excellent dealers on here, trying to make things work out, charging a fair price, and that they take capital risk stocking items that many shops don't. And I've seen countless posts helping people out. Its just the used bikes, you read about this "community" lark amongst cyclists while they gladly fleece each other

I'm loathe to even poke this bear, but here goes. Been keeping an eye on the classifieds the last few months with some friends looking for bikes. Setup alerts, sent them links etc, but the moment you even sniff a decent deal, a dealer swoops in a it's back up online before the dust has settled at some crazy multiple. What's the general consensus here, should dealers be limited so say 25 listings, or maybe max net value across listings. I know some will say it's good for sellers, but they aren't even getting a good score, the dealers are just going in for anything fair/undervalued (imo) and then driving up the used market value, that only they can supply, making it really difficult for people to meet their needs/wants in budget. Just seen one 46% higher than it was listed privately yesterday

Spent the money visiting reputable fitters recommended over the years on Bikehub. Stayed open minded, tried all that was suggested, went through a few saddles, and even did something i swore I'd never do and visited a recommended Chiropractor. At the end of it all, I got the best results from watching Bikefit Tuesdays on YouTube (Francis cade channel) and doing my own thing. So many cyclists advise other riders to learn how to do their own repairs and servicing, so why not successfully fit ourselves too, the info is out there. If you're still stuck, seek their guidance.

thank you!!! i am normally a 56 (long legs, short torso), so i have been considering 54's in some bikes, but for Titan Racing, it seems Large is probably the right fit, based on the sight measurements.

@Titan Racing Bikes are any of your dealers getting framesets in the next while. I have a groupset looking for a home, and very keen on a Switch or Valerian. Latest ones look great but older frames too, if I can find one. What's the max tyre clearance on the new Stryker? Thanks