Tomik

I've toyed around with this on a 2015 Pyga Stage Max. Started with a 50mm stem and riser bar. Front felt too light, couldn't do switchbacks properly. Went to a flat bar and a 70mm stem (same length bar, 740mm) and removed the steerer spacers and immediately the front stayed planted on steep uphills and switchbacks (down and up) were far easier. I bought a cheap alu bar to mess with bar length. A shorter stem will improve turn-in, but might make your position a bit too rear-oriented. A slightly shorter bar might be the solution, depending on your shoulder width. p.s. I ride 40cm bars on my road bike, not the usual 42.

I can neither confirm nor deny the allegations. Lol.

Folding a mirror is not malicious damage to property (unless you broke the mirror). Whipping is assault, period. You are in the right here, no matter that you instigated it by folding his mirror. If you had punched him, and then he whipped you, that's a different matter. But someone can't assault you for touching their car. Problem is that it would take a lot of capacity and energy to take this to court, and the satisfaction you get from it will be fleeting. Yes, I agree, Uber is really poor from a customer perspective. I also get angry when buzzed by a car as it is 30cm away from potential death if you think about it. Most drivers have poor judgement so not much room for error. My strategy for this to try memorise the number plate, if I see the car again, I let down a tyre with a valve tool. 5 seconds and done. Then I go back and leave a note if near my house.

This may be a long shot, but I had a similar issue using Zwift on a laptop with an Elite Suito. A few frustrating sessions later, the Suito stopped working completely (power adaptor fried). After I replaced the power supply (found a similar rated one in my old router box), the problem went away. It might be coincidental as I think I switched from my laptop (ANT+) to an iPad (BT) at the same time, but replacing the power supply is a cheap thing to try if the technological solutions fail. Otherwise try bypass the Garmin/ANT+ using a free Zwift trial or something similar. You can use Zwift on a phone these days with no extra hardware. I would not think the Garmin would be the problem, but it's of course possible.

Any idea when registration information will be available? I've not heard a single thing since I entered a month ago. Quite strange.

Do yourself a favour and buy a set of the Ciovita Apex Series bibs. Around R3k. I was a huge fanboy of Assos (still have 6 pairs but they're for MTB or IDT now) but they got too short for me over time. I have ridden Castelli, Rapha and Nalini bibs and these Ciovita Apex ones are excellent. Long legs, grippy hems, tight fit (which is good) and have lasted well.

I've spoken to a few people, including those at the body repairer of my car brand and anecdotally Santam's service has slipped recently. Been with them for over 10 years but the last 3 claims (2 for minor car repairs and one for a frame, all three combined totalling less than 100k) were very frustrating. And that was through a good broker. I got a comparative quote from another insurer with another broker (a cyclist friend). Got the same premium with lower excess on all items and higher insured values on my 3 premium cars, my house and household contents.

Agree 100%. Best gravel tyres I've used - had the 40s. Swapped to WTB Riddler 45s for more width but moving back when they wear out as I could not feel any advantage to the supposedly wider tyre.

Been using one on my SRAM AXS-equipped gravel bike (Trek Checkpoint SL6) for over a year and some 3000km. Have ridden in terrible conditions and going strong.

I've got the Trek Checkpoint SL6 with 12sp Sram AXS. Awesome versatile bike which I use for gravel races and bike packing trips. Had to use it as a road bike for 7 weeks while waiting for a new BMC frame. With road wheels and tires on, the only disadvantage was the 1x gearing. I mostly kept up with my group but they got away on the downhill from Llandudno to Camps Bay as I topped out around 55kph with a 42-10. The gaps/jumps between gears was manageable but not ideal if you like spinning as you sometimes find yourself needing an in between gear. The frame is very similar to a road bike, just more comfy and slightly more upright. The wider bars didn't help the aero effect either but I'm not very aero myself.

+1 on the ass-saver. Does the job cleanly. 😉

The broken cleat has probably increased the cant/tilt of your leg by about 1mm, if not more. This change in angle of your foot is the cause of your knee pain. You already have two wedges so the angle with a fixed cleat is quite extreme already. I also run two wedges but get discomfort with 3 If you can't get a new cleat today, remove the wedges (or at least one) for now.

Not to throw a spanner in the works, but at that price range I would also look at lightly used gravel bikes like this one https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-and-cyclocross-bikes/590489/trek-checkpoint-sl6 Not sure your size but you'll get a better groupset and usually a lighter bike overall with better wheels for your R44k. I would also look at the Trek Checkpoint. It's a superbly versatile bike. I have the SL7 and have been bike-packing and it did road duty for 6 weeks when my BMC broke.

The Siablo can only fit 42c tyres - that would be a deal breaker for me but roads in WC are rougher than in Gauteng I believe. I run 45c and my friend on his Revolt runs 47c tyres for extra volume and comfort. I'd go Giant.

If you're in JHB, you will probably want to 2x gearing on the Giant. I think the Giant may be able to take larger tyres.

Lots of people commute in the Bellville area - not many (any?) bike lanes but usually wide shoulders, depending on your route. Check out Strava's heat map to see the most popular routes. Riding from Bellville to Stellenbosch is possible and reasonably safe but Bottelary Rd is a bit of a gamble these days, especially early morning when the drunks are out. I would drive to Stellenbosch and ride from there. But there are plenty of groups that ride along Bottelary and I have too on a few occasions.

That will work too. The grinding part was messy on the brake pad but it does the job. If I was paying, I'd want an as-original look as possible.

With the price of new shoes these days, it's not a bad time for this service.

Add in heel rubber replacement and you should get many customers. The small rubber soles on the heel always wear faster on one side and sometimes fall off. I replaced one on my Catlike road shoes with a modified brake pad, but am sure you can find a more elegant solution if the stock ones are no longer available. I had a previous pair done by a shoe repair company but they did a horrible job.

These get good reviews... https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/saddles/562601/farr-saddle

Get a decent saddle in 155 width. Don't worry about the length or the "lip" at the back. Spez Phenom is good and works for most people. You should find a used one for around a grand. If you want new, I'd look at the Giant/Pro saddles.

If it's an older frame, try the previous agent, Herman sales@abloc.co.za

+1 for Assioma's. Excellent pedals - transferable to any bike means you never lose your money.

Looks like Baradine. https://shovacycles.co.za/product/baradine-160mm-brake-rotor/

I agree that platform racks are the best especially if you'll be using it often. The hang on racks become a hassle over time but are fine for occasional use. I used a Saris Bones 3 on my Golf - no issues. Am sure it would work on a Polo. I would also look at the suction racks - SeaSucker, Treefrog and RockBros available locally. The only "issue" is some of the suction racks are only suitable for QR so a thru-axle adaptor is needed. The Treefrog adaptor was R850 which adds to the already pricey rack. But they work well on cars that can't take normal racks and are low enough for you to put your bike on the roof easily.