cbdcaffie

Ride it.

I found the cold manageable. The sand walk, not so much. I think that finishing in the dark would have made me emotional, Can't imagine putting a light back on and having to dress back up for the cold after the long day out.

I was going to offer you my bicycle. It was a lekker event though, but echoing your comments I underestimated the effect that the +/-80kms of single track would have on the body. The last 15kms seemed unnecessary at the time, but time erodes bad memories and I will be back next year.

I think that you should get these:

This is definitely the consensus from all of the gravel forums that I have read. The skin-wall colour is on point too.

Hmmm, this kind of topic normally elicits subjective responses, but here is my 2c from my own experiences: - I've run the slick Panaracers in 42c, which were crap unless on paved roads - I currently run the WTB resolute 42c which are incredibly grippy on all surfaces, but I'd say the sacrifice here is that the soft compound wears quickly - Needless to say I just ordered my second set - A friend of mine is running the Maxxis Ramblers in 40c (these measure out at 42c with a vernier) and seem to be great all-round tyres that wear very well. No skin-wall option in SA. - Did some research last week before ordering my Resolutes and the Panaracer Gravelkings still seem to rain supreme on all of the reviews and forums, I just don't quite like the look of them myself. Hope this helps rather than confuses.

Happy to report to those interested that I have now run this setup on my Slate for over 1,000km with no issues whatsoever and no signs of any sort of unusual wear. The setup works perfectly on 11 through to 40 on both 36 and 52 chain rings. If you were tentative about such an upgrade, I say fear not. The only thing that I stress is that you consider chainstay length.

Beware of the lions!!!!

In my housing estate yesterday - Cookin'!

You'll be fine.

Humans are weird. Very cool thread though, thanks for taking the time to post.

And corporate sponsorship that will never return after being burnt but the doping mountain bikers of this era.

Yes, indeed. Not sure about the stress on the derailleur, but an aftermarket appendage didn't appeal to me. Time will tell if my setup works in the long term.

I looked into the aftermarket Roadlink, but part of me felt that this was a hack. I was intent on finding an off-the-shelf solution.

Unfortunately it has a different pull ratio.