Mook

BMI and fitness levels differ dramatically amongst individuals and these are the 2 attributes that have to answer the difficult questions when you exercise in extreme heat. You have to anticipate more fluid loss than under normal conditions. By the time you hit the "wall" it's too late. Being a habitual cramper myself, I have to force myself to drink more regularly rather than wait for my body to signal that it's thirsty. Scientists prescribe the average fluids or carbs per hour to be ingested, yet these are only average volumes. You have to train in various conditions and figure out what your body needs more of in extreme heat.

I am not going to stick my noggen into this hive 🤐 You have access to >50 Phd's in cycling on this forum. @RobertWhitehead should be able to give you everything you need in terms of brand options. You want to deal with a local bikeshop for obvious reasons. I can say that Titan has been doing good work on their frames. Components are generic across all brands. Enjoy

Only wise men refrain from posting their GF's weight on a "public" forum. You might just grow to a ripe old age 😝 There are a number of threads here that deal with your query. My advice would be to 1)Go for a hardtail 29'er; 2)Go for the best possible frame you can buy and upgrade components as you get into the sport. The market for 2nd-hand components is alive and well as people upgrade. As you probably have learnt, many different brand models utilize the same frame with the components, ie. wheels & groupset determining the price. Get a good frame with low- to mid tier components, and upgrade the components as time passes. Enjoy the journey. It's not about the bike (LA)

My suspicion also. Dishing on a wheel does'nt go out by "fluke" and OP states that the wheel runs true. Assuming the wheel runs perfectly fine in another frame, the only problem must then be frame related.

@MORNE you cannot buy lose Shimano cassette rings over the counter in SA I guess? Any suggestions where I can start looking? I have a Deore starting to skip on the bottom 2 rings. Thx

You shivering @dewaldsss 🤷‍♂️ It was'nt that cold ................................... Mooi man 👊

Brilliant @DJR 👊 OR the cape ends up in the rear mech ........... 💥

Absolutely ☝️ IMHO many law enforcement officers neither 👽

It depends what he/she identify as 🤷‍♂️ If you decide to take a swing, make it count.

If you take a swing, better make it count. Else just walk away. Way too many idiots on both sides of the spectrum roaming our roads.

These little guys work like a treat. Have had 2 for the past 15 years and they come in handy when you want to get air into your tyres at a fuel station(garage). Best investment you can make 🤙

You probably saw the same images I have. Apparently the rider "hit a cateye, lost control and ended up in front of an oncoming truck"(sic). It happened on the straight stretch of the R304 between the Kraaifontein and Bottelary turn-offs. Terrible 😥

There have been a few incidents between the Welgevonden traffic intersection and Khayamandi. There's the nursery on the inbound side of the intersection with thick bushes on the left across the road from the nursery. The perps hang around the skirt of the road opposite the nursery. Best is to keep your eyes open and anticipate potential danger.

Wide shoulder 👴

I was told Varia could find it's own way back home 👻

No worries @Mel_5 Only thing worse than "an ignorant newb" is 1 000 cyclists with PhD's in biking ........ 🤣

Dammit man, don't you guys have day jobs 🤷‍♂️ These images are depressing 😭

Knuckleheads 👽

Rode 26" and 29" Racing Ralphs. As @Robbie Stewart says - IMHO, worst tyres eva 🤨 Sealant would ooze through the rubber permanently.

Good idea @guidodg ☝️ A few Efrican statesmen did this to great effect during the past few decades 🫡 I believe some still do to this day ....

Time to move South @Frosty 😝 You get wind and views. It beats wind and smog.

Bainskloof last night. Gale force winds pumping from all directions as you work your way through the turns. I tried to capture the rainbow on the way up. Priceless view though 😍

Hooyaaaa 🤙 Anywhere South mate .....

Italian Job 🤷‍♂️

Time to move south @Frosty 😝