Ant in the NL

After all the riding taking place in The Flanders, I figured I'd share this nugget of information with a broader group 😎 - not sure if there are any Cape Town cyclists keen on giving these a bash 😋

The second wheelset option defs seems like the way to go from what I've read here. Also, as a side note I have a die hard MTB riding mate that 'crossed over to the darkside' and bought a decent road bike a while back, very quickly got a gravel bike and sold the road bike...now you can get him off the gravel bike unless he's doing MTB stage racing

Wonder what the post-race temperament is like between Grotts and Beers 🤔 . Grotts seems pretty humbled by the experience and being held in great company with Nino, Fini and Beers

That descent looks scary AF.....

Belt drive is the thing here in the NL , eBikes, commuters and daily ride bicycles mainly that rack up kms like nobody's business. Maintenance plans also recommend belt driven bikes - terrain is as flat as the earth 🤌🏼 with rain being the biggest drama

Champion comment - have a mate that does a chain clean up and removal almost every 2nd week and the amount of drama he's picked up is astounding 🤯 - and he wonders why his chain isn't lekker on the trails

Don't talk to me about RFPs for SEOs 🤣🤣 . Rather pay the R114k and struggle my b@llz off pretending I can ride a stage or 2 of the Epic, wait maybe just the prologue 🤣🤣

Yeah it's gonna be a great week of riding 😎 Matt is always great to watch 🤌🏼🤌🏼 . Also, interesting to see David Higgs paired up with Daryl Impey - is that the ProAm of MTB stage racing? I know David is an excellent roadie but haven't really seen him on a MTB?

Almost agree with you, I bought an Avalanche Reflex Pro 29er and my mate bought a Silverback Stride 29er (both L frames) - I have a 1x12 L-Twoo and he's running Shimano 2x9....my bike weighs in around 1.1kgs lighter than his and is smooth as silk (approx 12.5kgs for the Avalanche) . His 2x9 set up needed a good few fiddles by CWC to get it running ok. He has a "better" Suntour shock and obvs Shimano brand components - both bicycles less than ZAR 10000 new . Probs is noone knows what to upgrade the L-Twoo crank for example here in the NL 🇳🇱 where I've relocated to as they fear the "unknown" 🤣🤣 and Durbanville Cycles have been horrific at replying to emails and phone calls that I've made from here to get their advice. . Long story, steerclear of DVC if you want good after sales service, and I love my "cheap" Avalanche 29er

🤣🤣🤣 True that. Even if you speak die tale deliciously, here in North Holland for me with the Dutch, it's more Fries Hollands than anything else.....oh boy....

GCN and Europsport are the business 👍🏼 . If you know a guy, you can get all the Europsport channels incl Sky, DAZN, TNT for around ZAR200

Need to get new MTB SPD pedal shoes and I've seen some awesome sneaker variants (see pics) - what are the major differences and/or downsides to MTB shoes vs sneakers? Have been using stiff sole Olympics and Ryder shoes til now. TYIA

I'm riding an Avalanche Reflex Pro 29er and I love the frame. Groupset is OK (L-Twoo) which I'll change as things break. If I had the choice I would've taken the Dust no doubt back in 10 2022 when I got my MTB. The Avalanche frame is stiff and light for a budget bike and still looks sharp 👍 Good luck and enjoy if you get the Dust

The existing chainring is a 104bcd

Howzit, wanna change my 32t chainring to a 36t which is paired with a 11 - 50t cassette. Do I need to replace the current standard 1 x 12 chain as well? Need to order online as the LBS here can do the fitting but not the purchase of the parts. Mainly riding flat roads here on my 29er that I fitted hybrid tyres to so I figured the 36t would be a good upgrade. @RobertWhitehead

I'll check for the cleat screws through the inner sole 👍🏼

Sweet, tks bud. Been thinking, maybe it's cause I've been off the bike for weeks and then did a 30km in 6⁰c temps 🥹🥹 I will look out for other tips on the site though

Shot, tks for the feedback and the well camou'd reply 😆 Will invest in a pair of 'naked' SPDs and try them out

I've been running Ryder clip in pedals for about 18 months and they've been great. I started getting a painful footsole about a month ago on the right foot, and lo and behold the left pedal cleat clip in broke yesterday (see pic). So I'm looking at a new set of Shimano SPDs, will the caged pedal (pics attached) provide better foot support to prevent the pain underfoot or are the actual shoes packing up (Ryders also 18 months old)? @ChrisF @RobertWhitehead you blokes seem very knowledgeable 👍🏼👍🏼

If I go any further north I'll be in Norway 🤣 I'm about 35kms from the Afsluitdijk near Hoorn

That's great insight, thank you 👍🏼👍🏼 So, how would I know what part to buy to replace the existing unit? Avalanche bike company say "any Shimano", but is it really that easy?

So my little roll in the arvie includes a stop at the local Jumbo centre for a bean 2 cup coffee at a small bakery (yes I know....the gevulde koeken 🥹) or out to Hoogwoud to the Garden Centre which has a sweet deli restaurant vibe, also B2C coffee ☕.

Ok, so coffee culture and cycling in the NL.... Y or not so much? In Cpt every 3rd corner has a Bootlegger or coffee shop. Here it seems its a stop at a local supermarket if you're lucky? I found a Spar out and about this last weekend. Had a coffee and a bobotie tosti 🤌🏼

Anyone know how to repair or what to replace a LTwoo 1x12 rear derailleur with? Annoying chain slap in the high gear and it seems as if the cassette doesn't engage immediately when you pedal from start or from coasting. Avalanche Reflex Pro 29er standard equipment as bought from Durbanville Cycles around 18 months ago - 3000kms on it. Any guidance or advice will be appreciated 👍🏼