pedal menace

Perhaps kid not the right word...21 years old and kicking my butt when riding together. 🤣 I went the extra mile and effort to create a pain cave where all 3 of us can sit next to each other and IDT together. To a degree that is actually quite fun. It is even more fun when all 3 can ride the same route at the same time. But to have 3 individual subscriptions does become quite expensive hence looking for software that offers family plans. We all 3 have smart trainers - so software that interacts with the trainer is a must. As such a mere YouTube video would not quite cut it for us.

Agree BUT...Zwift for 3 people is still way too high as they also have no family plans. And...(dangerous statement coming - prepare)...Zwift is BORING AS HELL! Just my own opinion. Software platforms that offer literally HUNDREDS of real life video routes is soooo much better. You get to see the world and ride famous routes. Zwift just beats everyone on the networking/socializing aspect of riding together. The rest.....yaaaaawn....(sorry)

Family Sharing – ROUVY

Tx - will definitely look. First time hearing about this one.

Just got the surprise of my life. I recently subscribed to Rouvy and was very chaffed they offered a 3 Family member plan under a single Annual Subscription. Total was EUR144 - in affect for 3 people. In the meantime I started doing the needful to get my wife and son ready and over the weekend set up the trainers, built PCs for them (scrap parts) ets etc. Lot of effort but enjoyed it! So I created their Rouvy Accounts and went to Rouvy website to add them to my Family plan. BAM! "We apologise for any inconvenience caused but decided to terminate the Family Plan scheme!". WTF???? So I immediately mailed them asking VERY nicely if they would be willing to do me a huge favour and add them - there was ZERO notification about their intentions!! Nothing! Zilch!! Sorry was the reply - you will have to create 3 x new subscriptions. Do the math......EUR144 x 3. That is EUR432 or 8500Ronds! Are they crazy???!!!! So I am going to cancel my subscription - no ways I am supporting them going forward!!! Checked and FulGaz offers a 2 member family plan. That is $109 for 2. As we are 3 people cycling I am still forced to go $109 x 2. That is $220 - still expensive but a LOT LESS than Rouvy. I am very disappointed in them!

Oops I forgot I entered....REALLY!! GULP. 😐 Ah well - not fit enough anyway. I have two entries - will even give away. Not sure if that is possible.

Problem is that right now Lithium Batteries are extremely hard to come by. Stock mostly unavailable

VERY far from being an expert - but if you have an Inverter with a lead acid (or gel) battery (non-lithium) that you deplete to 50% - it will not last long at all. Maybe a month or 3. Problems are: 1. Lead Acid batteries drained to 50% starts taking serious damage 2. Lead Acid batteries not fully charge between loadshedding schedules (happening often in Stage 5) takes serious damage If you have the mula - get yourself a lithium battery - it is not subjected to above limitations. But - I am no expert...

Great - and is the difference between an entry level card vs a more decent one worth the money? I.e. is the difference obvious?

Semi not related question: Considering a change to Rouvy. Their website indicates a dedicated graphics card as a requirement...why? What affect will a graphics card have on the software when riding normal videos? Anyone knows?

Yes - but the BIG difference is that SuperSport although broadcasting the TdF - will many times only show the last 2 hours of the day. GCN+ will broadcast from start to end. And because SuperSport has the licence, GCN+ do not broadcast to SA. Hence for me making a VPN a definite requirement. And....GCN commentators are just leagues ahead of the ones on SuperSport. The whole GCN set up is just in another league

Awesome - perfect feedback! Thank you!

Quick question: Someone picked up my goodie bag and I notice it contains a race number board to attach to your seat post. I was also issued a race board last year and that number I could use to query my entry. I was under the impression we had to re-use last year's race number? Or should I use the one in my goodie bag?

Is it just me or is this continued slot booking to collect our number absolutely ridiculous and so 1850s! Perhaps if it was still full CV19 lock down - but really - this is utterly inefficient in my opinion. I cannot predict in my day to day work when I will have a moment to pop through and collect my number. In today's modern technology - surely this can be done with walk in walk out processing. And now that most of us that rode last year will use the same board on the bike - why even go to the expo to register??? Surely you can just register/verify online?

May I be so bold as to ask a question - @RobertWhitehead do you have a shop/online shop? When everyone sings your praises like that - I would be interested in supporting you where possible. Or will giving that away here be frowned upon and seen as "advertising"?

See there is hope for these loyal Apple followers 🤣 - some of their products are just not wort the money. R18k for the ultra??? Are they MAD!!!! And then taking the view that a possible 36-hour battery is the best thing since sliced toast - best invention EVER!!! Are they blind??? Make it a round face, give it 1 week of battery life with training and YEAH - I will consider. Will it sell? - likely like hotcakes! The human race never fails to surprise me.

Agree - however Garmin too has small form factors, i.e. Venu 2s - wife uses it and does everything she needs from it. And it too has an AMOLED screen and battery last easily a week+. But - alas - let's agree to disagree and agree that everyone agrees (😁) that every watch will have its uses and people do have a loyal relationship with a brand. Whether it is better or not - most people do not care. They have a few uses for it and if it fits - they will buy it. Even if functionality vs price makes no sense. Brand loyalty trumps practicality more often than not.

I too am an Apple fan with iPhone, iPad etc. But I personally see no practicality in the Apple Watch. True to what you said - it is a smart watch first - fitness watch second. BUT - isn't that what the Ultra is attempting to address? In my opinion - it still falls WAY short. To your other point - as not to wanting to wear Garmin every day? Absolutely your personal choice but I am curious as to your reasons. Can't be looks - sheesh their watches are looking modern now - compared to say 5+ years ago. Can't be functionality - I feel it can do 99% of what the Apple watch can do - but then with that a 1000 more things (sure many of which most people will never use). Can't be screen as the Garmin AMOLED is very close to that of other smart watches (i.e. Samsung/Apple)

Please please please do tell me where you bought an Edge 530 for R3250. Clearly you get MASSIVE discount so that is not a general statement. But yes I do agree - one can compare until the sun decides not to set. Buy what you like - that is the beauty of it. You have a choice. I am just the type of person to make sure what I buy for a price I budgeted for gives me the most value for my money. And that outcome, although I may share, is still only my personal view.

I struggle to follow some logic (and willing to take the punishment if I offend anyone)... Apple Ultra watch - just normal wear - 2 days 79% used. No training - but nice brilliant clear display (AMOLED quality). Semi OK training apps - does not support many sensors but does the basics. When used with training battery life likely 1 day. R18k Garmin Epix 2 with AMOLED crystal clear display - after 4 days 42% used with 3 x 1hr+ training sessions with all sensors (power, HR, cadence and speed). Battery with more training easily lasts 7 days. 12-14 days without training. And because I wear it 24x7 I get proper sleep, stress and many other analysis done. R18k So why oh why would anyone buy an Apple watch? I struggle to understand this logic. But hey..THIS IS JUST MY OPINION

Hi All - looking at buying a set of bone conducting headphones. Considering the Shokz OpenRun Pro. Does anyone have solid experience with them and how does sound quality compare to in ear buds? Is it on par or a lot worse? And also - whilst cycling..any good?

Yup BOOST front and rear with thru axle (not skewers)

Tx all - appreciate the feedback! Agree tyres are past half way but that is at least the cheapest to replace when required. Was also thinking around just R20k+ball park. Saddle is Specialized Phenom I believe (used)

TOPIC CLOSED - ONTO BUY AND SELL NOW 🙂

Well done @TyronLab - super effort and you guys can be proud of yourselves!