Simon Kolin

Why not a Giant Anthem? It won't be a carbon frame, but you could get an Anthem Advanced with NX Eagle for R44K. I'm sure you could negotiate that price down as the the 2020 frames are coming in.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and wishes. I have collected the bike and I'm smitten. Will take it for a ride later this weekend.

Hi have a CycleOps M2 trainer. It was un upgrade from a Power Sync. Can't say that I've had to fiddle too much each time or that the tyres have worn out particularly fast. The noise isn't ideal, but it is what it is. I use Trainer Road on my Mac for training and it really isn't an issue to swap out the back wheel when I want to go out for a "real" ride. I do agree that having a dedicated bike for each situation is better. But like I said, I'll do 90% of my training indoors throughout the year. I have a very special vintage MTB that I use on the trails if needed. Will let you know how it all works out.

This is one of the reasons I would go....

Thanks for your thoughts Andrew. I'm never going to do any long distance races, but if AT can will DK200 on the original Slate Ultegra, then I'm confident that the bike is more than capable/comfortable. I think the 700C Gravel bikes are "better" purely as a marketing choice, but that's just a guess on my part. Would be interesting to see the Topstone with a Lefty Oliver. That would be a very cool bike.

Ready for collection :-)

Definitely agree that the Farr would probably be better value and I'm a huge fan of a steel frame. That said, I reached out to them by PM and they flat ignored me on various occasions, so they can keep their build kit and shitty service.

Ah. Fair enough. I say 90% of the time indoors because I feel safer and can manage the time better training inside. I promise I'll take the bike outside

Why keep the road bike for the indoor trainer?

Weird that I'll use it indoors so much or weird that I want a 650b do-all/gravel bike?

Giant JHB had a few pairs if memory serves.

If I had it my way, I would move there in a heartbeat....but I can only relate my experience to the yearly holiday and not actually having to make a living there. I really enjoy how accessible it is to ride or run there. It feels safe and it's not hideously ugly all the time. Coleen Glen and Maitlands are fantastic. It definitely doesn't get as ugly as the Highveld in Winter. The people there are super chilled. The wind is something you'll learn to live with. It always blows. Maybe consider becoming a Pro Kite Surfer??? :-)

Tell me more please. Why did the wheel size put you off?

Why did the 650b wheels put you off? Did they feel too small or too slow? My only concern about the 650b on the slate is the max tyre size that the frame allows for. 42mm is max and very few tyre manufacturers have suitable offerings (as far as I can tell).

Hi guys I'm seriously looking at selling all my existing bikes (2x mountain and 1x Road) and purchasing a Cannondale Slate as a do-all replacement. Would the current/former Slate owners please let me know your thoughts on this bike. Is it as much fun as it appears to be? Is the Lefty Oliver worth the extra fuss? If anything the bike will spend 90% of the time indoors on the trainer and then the occasional Spruit/Delta Dash ride. I'd probably get an extra set of wheels and use it for the odd road ride/race. Thanks Simon

I really appreciate your honesty in reply and I have to sympathise with you. There are many occasions when all I see are "rubbish" people who don't care. My challenge is letting it not affect me so personally. During the Delta Dash this year, there was a guy who came thundering up the single track behind be, yelling "move left, move left"!!! Immediately I was put out. I yelled, as he passed "FK You, stupid CNT". "You move left, FK head". It totally ruined the rest of my ride. I was tired and grumpy. Feeling assaulted by this guy was totally unnecessary. Anyway, I do apologise if I have come across as a knob. I don't mean to interrogate or bait you on your distaste for cheats and dopers.

"probably" suggest you've already made the assumption. Not sure why I wrote "Big thing to assume", when I actually meant "Odd thing to assume". Probably thinking one thing and wrote another. Do you though? Somewhat of a copout for a valid question.

Interesting that you suggest "...probably felt you were attacking them and got mildly aggressive or internally annoyed at you when you did." Big thing to assume. Also interesting that very often in a reply, you bring up "cheating" or "doping". What's up with that? Just observations and not a personal attack.

I'm going to put forward mechanics rather than specific shops. I haven't taken my bike to a shop in ages, so it wouldn't make sense to guess who in the workshop is as pedantic as you're suggesting you need. Try; Wrench Cyclery - Mark McArdle - JHB - 082 496 6822 or My Bicycle Mechanic - Conrad Venter - PTA - 073 891 0375 Cheers

Because Internet!

Hi Darren As a recovering Podcast addict, I can suggest the following; 1. The live stream is a great idea. Allowing real time interaction with listeners is really cool. Particularly while you're doing a guest interview. A download only podcast is getting boring. 2. I would like to see you focus on the local industry for your topics. I'd love to know when distributors change or take on new products. I'd love to hear from shop owners on how they will add value to my buying/riding experience. Local industry news is so vague and misunderstood at the moment. It would be fantastic if you would open those channels up. 3. Think carefully about how you'll monetise the show. You can have all the passion in the world, but if the podcast isn't also bringing you an income, you'll quickly lose interest. 4. Likewise you'll quickly lose listeners if you can't bring on quality sponsors to the show. 5. Make sure you have exceptional production. You'll lose listeners and guests quickly if your show feesl ambling or if the levels differ on every show. There is nothing worse than a Podcast that feels amateur. 6. Please don't ever use the word "Groad". It's pretentious and lame :-) 7. Please don't "burn dopers" or call races "crap". There are better ways to discuss those issues or open conversation on those topics. 8. Keep your publishing frequency fluid. 9. You need to be the most interesting part of the Podcast. It doesn't matter what you discuss or who you invite in to do that with. If I can't wait to hear from you, then I can't wait to find something else to listen to. 10. Please don't ever say "On this episode...". It's "In this episode....". :-) I really wish you all the best. Podcasting can be bloody difficult. If you need any help, reach out via PM and we can chat.

Hi Anyone attend the opening of the new TREK Concept store in Melrose Arch last night? Not sure if it was for industry associates only or if the public were invited too? Would be interesting to hear how it went, what the vibe is for the store, etc....

That is very scary to hear that the tyre came off the rim. Were you trying to run in tubeless? Nothing wrong with the Conti Comfort Contact, so I'd be surprised if it was a total tyre failure because of puncture. The Chaoyang tyres from Sportsmans are ok. Nothing special. If you really want good slicks for your bike, try the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. They are dynamite, but quite expensive.

Congrats to Ashleigh for her 5th place today. La Course by Le Tour de France (1.WWT) » Pau › Pau Results powered by www.procyclingstats.com Pos. Rider Team Time 1 VOS Marianne CCC - Liv 3:15:20 2 KIRCHMANN Leah Team Sunweb 0:03 3 LUDWIG Cecilie Uttrup Bigla Pro Cycling ,, 4 BRAND Lucinda Team Sunweb 0:04 5 MOOLMAN Ashleigh CCC - Liv 0:06 6 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa Trek-Segafredo Women ,, 7 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek Mitchelton-Scott 0:07 8 PALADIN Soraya Alé Cipollini ,, 9 SANTESTEBAN Ane WNT-Rotor Pro Cycling ,, 10 VAN DER BREGGEN Anna Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team ,,

That's a rather unhelpful comment without further explanation. While being unconventional, MagPed have superb build quality and are aimed as a "safety pedal". That being more secure than a plain flat, but not as intimidating as clipless. Here's a great review of the new enduro model https://freehubmag.com/reviews/magped-enduro