Mook

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.

Hoop jy kry hom terug 🙏 Bliksems 🦨

I trust you put hubby's toothbrush back in the bathroom after you were done 😳

And then the thread turned into a "woke" debate .......................... Send-it guys, tomorrow's mad Friday 😝

Yep, talking of flying objects ......... the African muggies are hardheaded bastards. They will give your bike a decent "go" 😝

More Franken-monster than this you will not get. 1994 Gary Fisher 26" HT (CroMo Steel); 3x8 with Cantilever Rim brakes; TL 2.2 front & 2.35 rear. Building one of these from scratch gives gravel biking a whole new meaning. Did some rivnut implants in the fork and downtube to fit panniers racks and cargo cages for touring. The 3x configuration gives me plenty gearing options for gravel and/or touring. A brand new cassette and chain costs less than 500 bucks. Chainrings probably R600. This thing is indestructible and the most fun to ride you'll ever find. Why share this you might wonder 😏 ........... There are indeed other options if your budget is as challenging as mine, PLUS you do not have to sacrifice the fun factor due to limited funds. Old's Cool I say

It's Bottelary Hills for me ............................... 😏

Informative video Phil 🤙 Yet, in Africa you find bricks behind the wheels of 16-seater people transporters

Since you lot are so stingy, why not simply rip the chamois out of your bib, and fit a cool Oskava sheeps wool cover over the saddle 😝 Problem solved 🤙

I have been riding Anatomic Platinums for the past 15 years and decided to give the Ciovita Apex Scudo a go in 2019. The Ciovita is a brilliant piece and sits oh so sweet, BUT the Anatomic is better. Anatomic uses a gel pad design where Ciovita does not(or did not when I bought mine). I find the Ciovita fits better. The Anatomic however seems to protect the essentials for much longer. Majority of testing time was spent on many DC's, TB's, Half 36ONE's and a few Hundred milers. Had a nasty fall a couple of years ago and Anatomic patched up my bib free of charge. Had the leg grippers also replaced recently - free of charge. I paid for the shipping to their factory in Parys(FS) on both occasions. Visited an Anatomic stall at Rheebokskloof the other day and I was pleasantly surprised at how low their prices seemed after having purchased a bib many years ago. Ciovita is good and they are local, but I will go for Anatomic. Good luck