Vaultboy

I The big race went fine, but the shorter distances had a huge delay, due to too few ambulances being organised. Not lekker sitting on the starting line for 2 hours. Some entrants decided to leave. Organisers gave free beer to the finishers, and promised free entry to next year's race to those affected. I'll definitely do it again if its free....otherwise I'll wait to hear whether next year's event is organised better.

They asked for feedback after the race last year, and I actually complained about the lack of food at the finish. Ended up driving to Paarl to get something decent. Wynand replied to me apologising for the food truck leaving early and said they'll address it this year. Clearly not. Were the waterpoints at least good? I commended them last year for having a better selection of fuel at the waterpoints than most other events I've done. (It made the steep entry fee a bit more palatable.)

That was my experience last year. Took me an hour to do the last 10km. Cramped both hammies, twice. Limped over the finish line.

Thanks Warren. Did just that. Prompt response and super helpful. Shipped the trainer up to Garmin JHB, currently waiting for assessment and verdict. Cycle Lab was surprised though - not something that's happened to a Flux S before, apparently, so I hope for the best.

I've got a Tacx Flux S direct drive trainer. 21 months old (so out of warranty). Bought from Cycle Lab. Only done about 3000km. Earlier this week it just went completely dead. no lights flashing anymore; can't connect. Any advice on where to take it to get assessed and possibly fixed?

The hefty entrance fee was definitely worth the value we got out of that event - good race event organisation and marshaling; an actual goodie bad; many waterpoints with a good selection of nutrition. For a lot of other events (road, gravel and MTB) I simply can't see where all that money goes.

Yes, there was a traffic cop, and he stopped traffic whenever we swung out onto the pass. I think it also contributed to drivers being more mindful of cyclists as they then drove up the pass. There were also traffic cops at all of the other major road intersections; even for the left turns. Traffic was stopped wherever we had to turn right.

I thought a sold out new event would have a lekker goodie bag. 😅

Agreed. I have Microshift R8. Shifting is positive and reliable, and components are good quality - at basically the same price as Shimano Tourney (which is terrible in comparison). 2500km and not a single problem. I've been looking for the Advent X groupset with drop shifters, but availability is a problem.

I simply love this bike.

Same for me.

My first cycling computer. Set up, but not ride tested yet, due to Rona. Was using my phone until now, but it's GPS and battery are starting to fail, so I had a choice: new phone or cycling computer? My wife thinks I chose wrong. 😂

Tires: WTBs are the stock Byways that the Scout ships with - I assume then you bought frame only? It has a slick centreline, and very light knobs on the side. Its slid a bit for me already. Hate to think what it will do when clay soils get properly wet. Bag: Thanks for the extra info. I have a rockbros top tube bag, and it is good quality, so I had no doubts about the frame bag, but its nice to get an actual visual fit from your pic. Bars: I am a bit hesitant to go the full 46. I'm 179mm, but even so I've reduced my XC bar down to 740, for neck comfort. I've heard similar things re: hand comfort on the rapides, and I'm not a fan of quick transitions on the stock Scout bars. Re: your off topic comment, its a funny thing. I've had my share of issues with my Scout, but it quickly became my go-to bike. Its got a romance that I can't quite put words to. I'm probably gonna end up spending more money upgrading it over the years than what its worth (literally and figuratively).

Sweet setup. I've got the 8spd, and was considering the same bag (R659 on Takealot) and the 44mm rapide bar. What tires are you running? I reckon the WTBs are gonna fail on me come winter, but finding 650b's is turning out to be a mission.

I haven't seen this post here yet - if it is, please delete this. Just thought its worth sharing.

I've got the 8spd. Chain drops on the trainer, even, if I shift too aggressively. Dropping off the chainring, not the cassette, and not at end of take. I assume it's not a limiting screw issue.

Yeah, this crossed my mind. I started this thread expecting that if BB/Crank component quality was an issue that someone else would have experienced it before me. I don't suspect it is, though. Like you say, Rook has put a really nice package together, and I would actually upgrade to an Advent X groupset if I could find it. I really like the shifters.

I haven't changed the chainring - it did less than 500km before I changed the chain, and has just under 1000km now. I don't think its worn, but I've had a few chain drops off the chainring, though on both the original chain as well as the new chain. Not sure why. Should I post pics?

I've got a Rook Scout. Bike was fine for first 200km on road and trainer. About 50km into my first gravel ride, I could feel and hear grinding in the cranks. Took it for a service, and the LBS said there was sand in the BB. They cleaned it out, relubed and reassembled it, but couldn't tell me what the underlying issue was. A gravel bike that can't handle gravel? It's better now, but not perfect. I can still feel a grind in the cranks in any gear at any cadence. Any ideas? And what next? Back to Rook? Secondly, the whole drivetrain is not as smooth or silent as I would expect after this, either. I changed casettes and chain, adjusted cable tension and it shifts fine, but the chain clacks. Tried different lubes too, doesn't matter. I sound like a shopping trolley coming down the street. 😭 (ok probably an exaggeration, but not by much).

Good to know. Mine has lasted over 18 months so far, but no proper rain rides - only light drizzle.

Yeah, I don't even struggle, but its a hassle when you want to ride late at night or early in the morning to swap bikes and wheels etc. You just want to get on and ride and get off.

I can see myself ending up here in a year's time, not because of wanting to train at the same time, but because my wife has taken a liking to virtual group rides, Pretty soon she's going to want us to start riding together.

Nice to hear that Noom works. Using MyFitnessPal to keep a food diary and track calories etc, I also lost 14kg. Went from 102kg down to 88 kg a few years ago, but I'm back up to 94 kg now, and at least keeping it stable, but being in the eighties just made everything easier. So I *know* what I need to eat, but I've been wondering if I shouldn't just double down on Noom - I reckon I need the crutch/positive reinforcement.

I bought my wife the 2021 Titan Calypso Rogue Ride. The frame is lovely. The fork is ok. I have to agree that the Tourney groupset, in particular the rear derailleur, is not up to scratch. The shifters are nice. The brakes are dull and fade too quickly. Claris would have been a BIG improvement. Its a pity Titan couldn't work that into their entry level lineup. You would probably also want to upgrade the saddle as well. Also, although they come with Vittoria Barzos, they are not tubeless ready. So you might end up forking out another R1300 on each bike to go tubeless.

I agree with your definition. And it can cut both ways. For example, I consider low end Scotts to not be value for money - they aren't junk or bad quality, but overpriced for what you are getting and just trading off the brand name.