RoadNoob6

1.84, 70KG, Size XS (Giant TCR, 515mm top tube). Usually a Medium on an MTB. My seatpost is out pretty far, I still have some left to go and am well within the safe limit there. I run a 110mm stem and I'm comfy as can be, slightly more comfy here than on my size 50s Colnago I had until October which had a 54cm top tube and a 100mm stem. But my bike is recommended for riders around 30cm smaller than I am. To be fair, I have a short inseam and a long upper body, but the fact that I'm super comfy on an XS makes me feel like bike companies are trying to me people feel inadequate with their size names. Whenever I see people with their seat-posts hardly out with 90mm stems I think there goes another victim of odd sizing conventions.

@Phillippe Coetzee @cadenceblur some input, I am 26, I started cycling and did my first CTCT in 2021, I got a sub 3 last year (2023) starting from group 1A. I rode two or three times a week until Autumn 2022 when I started doing 6 - 8 hours a week spread over usually four or five rides. I also rode a high-end bike (I dare say it but it makes life easier). I also did several races from summer 2022 throughout the season to get a good seeding. I would suggest joining one very fast group ride once a week. Hindsight being 20/20, I would have made my goal sub-3 by 2024, the time spent etc. You don't want to wake up one morning and feel sick of cycling. Pace yourself and enjoy the ride.

@Riccardo 100% all good. Just curious because I know some of the furniture over with them so always keen on skinder. I would go Vye as well or The Big S if you don’t mind supporting non-local. Keep well and ride safe.

@Riccardo curious, are you unhappy with Ciovita's product or service?

From the POV of someone currently listing a very beautiful Colnago, it feels awful to reduce the price, but it does seem they are sitting.

10 vs 11 speed won't make a huge difference until you're a fair way along your road bike journey IMO. 10-speed stuff is also very cheap which is nice. The Argon 18 will probably be an awesome bike just ask if you can get a newbie discount.

Just read up about this event for the first time... It looks awesome! It's a bit late for this year but I know what my next goal is, I just hope there are enough riders to actually have a seeded batch and not just Elites and age groups.

If you are going to have an insurance claim, would you rather deal with another cyclist or someone that doesn't know how to ride a bike? I think your answer reveals what flavour of claimee you are. Edit: I'm sorry to hear about the delay on your wheel, I hope you get it in time for CTCT if you are riding. Let us when you get it and if all is well once it arrives.

I also noted this and was curious, surely this should not be allowed?

Really enjoyed my first 99er, the route was great, had a safety bike the whole way which was super impressive and a second bike joined with 30Km's to go. I absolutely love the way the race finished, riding through Durbanville before that epic last 900 meters - what a great call doing it that way! Like riding through a short crit being followed by a mountain-stage-simulator. One thing I must mention is that the attitude in B-Batch was absolutely ***. I heard okes kakking out the safety bike for being in the way while it was in the yellow lane on the opposite side of the road. A lot of sketchy riding and unpleasantness in the group cast an unfortunate shadow on what was an awesome event. Thanks to the organisers and see you next year!

There are quite a few groups that ride regularly. STS (Stellenbosch Triathlon Squad) rides every second morning I believe and have a variety of speed-groups and sessions during the week ranging from easy rides to intervals. They also do long social rides on Sunday mornings. They might be a good group to check out, maybe message them on Instagram. There is a group that rides on Tuesday mornings for the fast, the brave or the willing-to-risk-a-heart-attack among us. The Ciovita shop has an easy social ride on Wednesday mornings. May I ask how fast you are looking to go? A good place to start is always by visiting a bike shop or bike-related shop and asking if there are clubs, club rides, group rides, or shop rides one can join.

Safe to do alone: Stellenbosch to Pringle Bay Stellenbosch to Villiersdorp/Franschoek T-Junction and back Stellenbosch to Bainskloof Pass and Back Group needed for safety: Four Passes Bottelary Loop Cape Town: Suikerbossie and Chapman's peak - ride either from Noordhoek or from Camps Bay depending on the wind.

I mean yes... And a carbon frame. An alloy Trek Emonda with 105 is the exact same price at R35k and a carbon Spez SL6 will set you bad R50k and then you get Tiagra (Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with Tiagra.) and neither of those have fully integrated cables.

Spez Stellies is great, I assume Lynnwood wood be too?

Might be a bit of admin but it may be worth going through the 94.7 photos to see if you can spot Mr Moer-unnecessary. If you can spot his race number then you can ID him.