Schnavel

A rider close to the area you are all describing had a heart attack. Unfortunately, he Died on the way to the hospital. RIP fellow cyclist!

Bike shops always suggest changing cassettes and chainrings, regardless of mileage or condition! My XX1 11 speed cassette and chain have done around 2100km and still looking good. Chain is at 0,5% wear, so will be due for a change soon. Cassette and chainring still look new... It's all about looking after your drive train. If you clean and lube it religiously, it will last!

I haven't personally run a 1x11 shimano setup, but I have mates with that setup and it is without a doubt smoother in terms of shifting when compared to 1x10. However, as I mentioned before, the 1x10 will definitely work and it will be a lot cheaper to install the "conversion", instead of upgrading to a new drive train.

I went from a 1x10 shimano bike (36T front and 11/42 sunrace) to a SRAM 1x11 system (34T front and 10/42 rear). While the 1x10 system works perfectly, the shifting is nowhere near as smooth as the 11 speed. The 11 speed was designed as a 1x system, where as the 10 speed was decided to run 2x. Of course, the 11 speed components are generally more expensive and if you go for a SRAM cassette with larger range, you then have the additional cost of the XD driver.

I disagree with you. The rules state that you will not get a result if you don't have a timing chip. If you don't have one due to the fact that it wasn't on the bike when you started, or it fell off, or you lost it in a crash, you shouldn't get a result - the rule is stated upfront. Tough luck, try again next race

You joke, but I got so desperate with my road tubeless that I even tried the glitter - definitely doesn't work, unless you want to look like a fairy... I gave up with road tubeless and I'm back to the tried and tested Gatorskins with tubes.

What alpine mountains are you descending in South Africa that you are concerned about overheating a rim? OP, as many have already said, sell the tubbies and get a decent set of clinchers - you won't look back. Tubbies used to be the only wheels to race on, but with all of the modern designs / upgrades, clinchers tyres are fast approaching tubbies.

How long is a piece of string? You're going to get a lot of different answers. I love Stans - only ever had success with it, but as mentioned above, I do feel it is too expensive and looking for an alternative. I will follow this thread going forward.

Great event - will definitely be back next year! Finish line @ 90km caught a lot of people out - race was meant to be 98km.

But that's where you went wrong - you have to throw you peels on a compost heap and not in the trash can.

Not to detract from your training, but Suikerbos is hard, but doable. Prepare for a long, but good day out with sufficient food and you will be good to go - sub 4 hours is certainly achievable. Pertaining your questions above, there is a picnic site around the halfway point which has drinkable water, as well as the guardhouse at the second entrance (I'm assuming you will be starting from the main parking lot with the braai area). Entrance fee can only be paid with cash. Most of all, enjoy your ride, it's a beautiful place!

He is quite a prominent rider on the MTB scene, a new up and coming youngster. While I understand the point he is trying to make, and Max etc. will still be his friend, I have lost all respect for him. Cheating is cheating, not an error of judgement... Max must own up to the fact that he is a cheater and face the consequences... There is too much doping in cycling and no matter how hard the authorities are trying to get rid of it, these clowns find new ways to stay ahead. Ask someone who doesn't follow cycling at all what their opinion is of top cyclists. The majority of the time, you will be met with the response; "they are all taking drugs". People like Max and his friends don't help the general public's view... *Edit: Spelling

Fair point, however, it's a lot easier to stop when it's just your speed involved when compared to your speed, as well as the car travelling at 40kph +

There were some very close calls on that ride yesterday with 2x vehicles and cyclists going the wrong way on the route. People bomb down the ascents and suddenly around a blind corner, there is a car coming the wrong way. People really have a complete disregard for others

So I forgot to upload the photos, but here is mine: Two indoor bikes permanently setup on Cycleops Hammers for my wife and I. Running Zwift through two Apple TV's.

It varies, anything from 16 to 75. Come and join tomorrow (Wednesday) - there is an A and B group, and possibly a follow vehicle as well.

Yup, I stay in Killarney and ride with this group. There is normally an A and B group, so depending on your speed. Come join for a ride - the group is a great bunch of people and very accommodating

My babies:

While I agree that Canyon has done a great job thus far in terms of honouring warranty etc., there is clearly a design flaw if it cracks when sitting in an aero tuck position. A lot of posts here mention that you shouldn't be in the aero tuck position at all - unfortunately, if you are racing and you don't, you will be left behind. Further to this, all of the pros that we watch on tv are riding in this positon, many of them on Canyon bikes. Where do you think the general cycling population learn their "tips & tricks" - by watching the pros in action. Based on this design flaw, I will certainly never buy a Canyon, and would go as far as to not recommend their bikes if you intend on doing anything more than a Sunday cruise...

1.81m on a medium frame - prefer the bike to feel nippy, instead of like a boat

Took my gravel bike for her maiden voyage today. Very smooth ride and great handling! Very happy with my build which has taken me several months to complete.

Yeah great display of riding yesterday! Lets hope he can keep it up - would love to see him challenging for the podium...

Both Bike24 and Bike Components use DHL Deutshe Post, which means that it gets handed over to the post office when landing in ZA. It normally takes around 4 weeks to get parcels from Germany sent via this method, however, the post office is currently on strike (wanting more money, even though they don't do any work), so it's likely to take even longer to get your parcels. Back to the original topic, I also recently placed an order with CRC and Sky Net was used as the courier. They were efficient on the UK end, but rather dissappointing once the parcel arrived in SA. I had to follow up several times to provide ID number and several requests for invoice. They charged a R200 admin fee, which I didn't think was terrible? Definitely prefered when CRC used DHL. I even gave them a review to that effect.

Have you considered the new Kickr Core? Has all the great features at a much lower price point.

Photo of my ride from the weekend: And they say Joburg sucks for riding...