Mook

Keep your dual and rather go for the most expensive gravel bike you can get. Fit slicks to the GB and you have a road bike. Don't go for a road bike, cause you will hate yourself for not having something to do gravel with if the dual is not suitable or on the heavy side. The GB would be more suited to commuting than a road or dual MTB. My 2 cent's worth

Oh yes, I recall this dude blitzing down the Westcoast road 😳 If I recall the news article, the NSRI had to rescue him 3km offshore from Paternoster. He was on a rim brake setup 😜

Unfortunately we live way too close to Africa. The organizations stated above are happy to take your subscriptions and redistribute these at their discretion, but that is where their "protection" ends. To be realistic and fair on the other hand, it is impossible to plug all holes in terms of safeguarding us on the roads or trails. A good few incidents have been cited where the "safety in numbers" strategy did not scare off perps, still it remains the most likely approach to see you back home safely. There's not much anybody can do when a gun-wielding, hooded tik-kop appears in your path. Best is to make a getaway a.s.a.p. These are extreme incidents, while the majority would typically be a oke, as scared as you, armed with a rock, knife or stick. In these cases you need a pepper spray stream mounted on your bars or stem........ no point in first having to dig in your pockets or make-up bag. For me a key is in noise, lots of noise. Pity your average air horn comes in a bulky aerosol can, but these kick up a significant racket - let alone leave your ears buzzing for a few minutes after the blast. These criminals prefer to go about their noble professions in a quiet way. They do not wish to draw attention when taking your hard earned stuff. The noise will not be what they expected. Forget SAPS, security companies, farm watches, safety marshals, etc. They can't cover all angles. Stay safe and don't do stupid things. There will be many more days to pocket that elusive PB.

Whilst I catch your drift, these entitled individuals will simply find another way to live life as dishonest dingbats. I am no angel, but dammit man, there are people out there intent on getting around or under all structured procedures or rules. That is their "birth right" 🦨

I went the 90's 26" Hardtail MTB route for a few reasons: 1) Budget; 2)Steel frame; 3)Old school cantilever brakes because anybody can maintain or fix them when out in the sticks. If these brakes could stop a Ritchey or Fisher flying down a mountainside, they could stop my fully laden touring bike - which they did going down Bainskloof, Du Toits and Franschhoek passes; 4)3x8 Groupset since most rural "fietswinkels" will probably stock components + drivetrain parts are dirt cheap; 5)26" wheels since wheel parts for these is not an issue; 6)Standard cargo racks and panniers fit these frames without any issues, ie. disc brake caliper spacings etc. 7)Geometry of this frame is perfect for me. This bike is not light, but that is the price I am prepared to pay. I do not do the guesthouse or AirB&B accommodation routine. Tent and food goes on the bike. Fully loaded comes to 31kg with my 85kg on top of that. Enjoy your project 🤙

I've heard of this happening on carbon roadbike BB shells where the metal BB tube works itself loose from the carbon BB "housing". Also heard that guys pump epoxy into the cavity which apparently lasts. This fix is obviously for a loose BB shell, not for an actual shell or pivot shaft that has worn down. What @droo said. Let us know what the outcome is 🙏

Ya right ................... stop beating around the bush. Hy gaan nie werk nie 🤷‍♂️

Spot on ☝️ Marcus Aurelius said: "Stop arguing about what a good man should be, just be one"

I have had a set of Rudy Project Rydon ImpactX Photochromics for 7 years and simply love these spec's. They are not in daily use, but I use them on those endurance events where I will have to negotiate the transition of daylight to/from darkness. Having been blessed with very sensitive, yet good, eyes I have to use lenses that provide proper protection against glare. I have found that dust deposits on the lenses does not affect vision in any significant way. The clean easy with running water and I do not use special wipes to dry them - toilet paper or hand towel does the trick (whatever is at hand), albeit not the ideal. I mentioned 7yr's in use since they are remarkably scratch-free which goes a long way in terms of lens longevity. I did a face plant after having them for 1 year and they were replaced without any issues. Admittedly I do not have any experience with other photochromic brands, but I have to recommend the Rudy's. They have served me very well - and still continue to do. Cheers

Thx, I have to agree with Koos Likkewaan on the potential cost of a conversion. You must make a few decisions: 1) Do you want to keep the current gearing since this will determine what shifters you will require. Rear derailleurs are pretty generic ito MTB vs Road application. Front mech's for MTB are different pull ratios to those on road bikes, hence you might have to change your FD, else you must convert to a 1x system and do away with FD. 2)Brakes: If you prefer to stick with hydraulics, your STI shifters will cost a lot of moolah, else convert to cable disc at a cost as well. 3)Fork: Do you wish to keep the suspension or go rigid? Without belaboring this topic, you have to make a few calls on what you are prepared to spend. It is not always worth the money, but a gravel build is a cool project. I did a build on a very old MTB steel frame, hence my challenges were different to yours. Good luck

Hi Francois, Could you perhaps tell us more about the bike you are hoping to use as a platform for this project? Cheers

There's just too many permutations at play here, since wind speeds to name one will have you all over the road. In my opinion you must have a dash of luck in terms of good seeding, be fit, and "trap" your steed like it is the last Argus ever. AND, by the way, I have been "around" the 3hr mark a few times ☝️

Heard a rumor that UMALUSI had been contracted to apply their "matrix results correction algorithms" to everybody that missed a sub-3 by less than 1 hour. As of 2025 you can sport a sub-3 certificate with a sub-4 finish provided you pay your PPA subscription in full before the 2025 race. Quite an innovative approach I reckon 🤘

Jeeez man, what a bargain 😳 All of this for only ONE KWID Get well soon Dale 🤙

While I agree with the general train of thought and advice, I guess a 50/50 mix of Coke and water would be more than enough for your 25-50km ride. Your body stashes about 90 minutes' worth of carbs, hence you should not run near empty if you sip your 50/50 mix. My 2 cents

Absolutely ☝️ BIG muscles is important, but spelling is importanter ...................

Traditional weapon of mass destruction 😵

Agreed 🤙 Kudo's to the taxi driver for not attempting to dislodge the rear mech's on some of those bikes in the centre of the lane .............................. There is hope for us all 🙏

AND you save a ton of moola 🤙

Interesting thread this, and the consensus is that you ride whatever floats your boat. There are way too many permutations and personal preferences to start a bar fight over this topic. My experience - built a gravel monster on a 26er hardtail Gary Fisher platform because I am a poor scrooge and love the challenge of doing something when everybody tells me I'm crazy. I had the bike since 94 and simply could not let go of it. Original cantilever rim brakes with a 3x8 Shimano group+Claris 8 Spd STI's. Chromo steel frame hence weight was never going to be an issue for me. This thing is as heavy as they come, BUT probably my best ride ever. I have seen gezillion video and/or written analysis on 3x, 2x and 1x groups. The bottom line is personal preference, since neither one of them ticks every block you might ever encounter or wish for. My 2 cents' worth

Looks like one way of making doughnuts on a bicycle .......... 😎

Most users argue that Strava motivates them to ride harder/more/??, keeps a record of rides and improves their overall fitness/achievements 🤔 BS I say ............................. get married and you have Strava PRO. It can cook and make your life way more enjoyable.

I've had this random "petrochemical engineer" contact me on 3 seperate occasions. I give his e-mail address to 3 mates and we mail him the exact same message. He never responds or make contact again.

With all due respect ........................ there are lady riders and then there are LADY riders 😵 Have you watched the most recent Women UCI downhills ? Mad cow disease is for real man 💀

Bent RD hanger perhaps causing excess torque from the cassette straight onto the inner side of the top pulley wheel axle screw. That could explain the chain coming off at certain times. My 2 cent's worth. Might be way off the target here, but with me 😝 it does happen sometimes.