Schnavel

Wow, where do you live, Australia?

Never heard of this before, but I guess their concern is overloading the system, as that will lead to shorter life spans on equipment. I use around 700kWh a month, and have been 96% off-grid for the past year. I have a 7,2kW inverter, with 14x 435W panels and 10,5kWh of battery storage. This system allows me to heat 2x geysers during the day, run my pool pump, and charge my batteries. I run the entire night on batteries and I can even use my oven for up to an hour at night and still have sufficient power to reach sunrise. One of the best investments I have ever made - save for my neighbours generator, I don't even know when there is load shedding.

I would agree with this! There are several companies now offering solar financing, and for the price it really makes sense.

This is the way to do it. It is a very easy setup, if you are slightly electrically inclined, and save for a beep, and the sound of a jumbo jet taking off (fans are noisy), the only way you will know loadshedding is happening is from your neighbour's generator. Ultimately, the best solution is to install an entire solar back-up system, but this is costly and as already mentioned, not always practical (renting etc.) In terms of running just your indoor setup, it actually doesn't use that much power. For my PC, Hammer, screen and fan, I'm using around 250W, so a small inverter and battery kit would be more than sufficient. Alternatively, buy a Tacx Neo, they don't need power to work 🤣

Either a Titan or Giant would give you good value, assuming you are considering new: Titan Racing - Switch Elite - 2021 (mellowvelo.co.za) Otherwise, there are some good second hand deals around on BikeHub (frame size dependant): Niner BSB 9 RDO - Carbon, Negotiable | Bike Hub

That's not a sight see you see everyday...

Carbon 29er Rigid Fork 15mm Thru Axle UD Matt (A) | Bike Hub

This! Pack all bearings etc with grease and then strip everything after the event - this includes taking off rim tape etc. to ensure that all sand and salt is washed out.

That's the case for Dura Ace 10 speed di2, not Ultegra. Ultegra 10 speed uses the same E-tube connectors as the 11 and 12 speed versions. OP, are you sure on the model? You mention 6800 - this is an 11 speed groupset. If it is indeed 10 speed, the shifters and front deraileur can also be used an 11 speed rear derailleur, meaning you could always upgrade at a later stage by changing the rear derailleur, cassette etc. What junction box and battery is the groupset presently using?

Considering this is meant to be the "workhorse" groupset, the pricing structure is ridiculous and puts it out of the reach of many people. I mean $1400 for a 105 groupset?! 🤢

I have the Ion Pro. As @Mamil mentioned, the OEM mount isn't great. If you buy the small Blendr mount, you can mount it onto the underside of your computer mount as you would a GoPro (assuming your mount has this option available). I have a K-Edge mount with my Garmin and the GoPro mount underneath. It works very well.

A few years ago, there were 2 guys roaming the spruit in Joburg, and they attacked several cyclists and injured a few (stab wounds). Some ex-army guys deliberately went to look for them and ended up shooting them - I think one thief was killed and one was injured? The Spruit was then quiet for a while, but over the past few months, it's been getting dangerous again. So much so, that Jozi Trails has actually rerouted certain parts of the trails to avoid known danger areas.

I was very tempted when I saw this offer - I still have my trusty Fenix 3 HR, so considering an upgrade.

Before you have the light repaired, just check with your local shop - Bontrager lights have a lifetime warranty on them. They should be swapped out, no questions asked if there is an issue such as water ingress etc. @JRN89, I have 2 of their front lights and they are fantastic - would highly recommend. I know a lot of people with the rear lights and they all seem happy. The lights are also really bright, which makes you very visible out on the road.

Have had several bikes with Shimano XT brakes and cannot fault them - they are reliable and easy to maintain. Mineral oil is also much better and easier to work with in comparison with dot fluid.

Perfect set - will cover all of the critical components on your bike.

I'm also using the Bontrager, but at the price of the Garmin, it makes more sense to buy it over the Bontrager, especially as the light comes complete with mount etc. Otherwise, one would need to buy a new Garmin mount which can take a Go-pro type mount.

Unfortunately, you will need 2x torque wrenches to cover all components on the bike. As 117 already mentions, the crank and cassette lockring require much higher torques, meaning a different torque wrench is required. Over the years, I used to tighten these by hand, as hard as I could, and now that I have a proper torque wrench, I wasn't that far out. In my opinion, the more critical requirement is for the torque of small bolts etc, as these are easy to snap if overtightened. A small torque wrench, as you mention, will be sufficient for all of the best bolts. Try and get a torque wrench set which includes all of the allen key sockets required (3mm up to 10mm).

Either that one, or the Garmin light: Garmin Varia™ UT800 Smart Headlight, 010-01673-00 (easybike.co.za)

Just to add another consideration, are you wanting a light which mounts under your computer, without a battery pack? I have the Bontrager lights that fit under my Garmin, and they are a neat, self contained option which doesn't require a separate battery pack. These work for me on the road, as well as the MTB, as they are able to provide light for several hours in high mode. They also work very well in flash mode and make you visible from a long way out. The other option is the Garmin UT800 front light.

Why not just keep your XD driver and SRAM cassette and run it with the Shimano shifter and derailleur? It will be a lot cheaper to go this route.

Buy a second hand bike. With the prices for new bikes as they are, with no sign of the prices decreasing, it doesn't make sense to buy a new bike.

+1 for Richard

Aero is everything! The UCI even has rules on sock height...

Isn't that the way the entire bike industry operates at the moment? ????