RobynE 🚵‍♀️

Check check. Note the rating of the Samshield Shadow Matt out off the 49 helmets tested, then see the local price (cheapest is around 7k, then it goes up according to bling finish to around 17k - helmet structure is the same). VT places it 26th in the list. And then see the rating of the $58 helmet, which we can’t get locally. Placed 6th. Bling factor value is a powerful thing. I mean I love a bit of cool brand or fancy, but not at the expense of an organ that controls my entire existence. I’d rather be unfashionable with all my faculties.

or there’s a plug socket in his house that looks like the upside down

Some jodhpurs sell for like 15k these days 😂 😂 😂 And horse spit stains the same whether you’re in R800 jods or 15k jods

Reviving this to share this dude who has no more f****s to give about almost becoming tar soup. FB link

Almost every helmet produced will meet CE standards. I mean it’s basically like a PPE hard hat standard. The Virginia Tech stuff is great as it tests multiple directions and types of impacts across multiple sports. And just like the reference above, the safest helmets may be $50-$80 where helmets we pay R25k for here in SA score much lower (here I am speaking about 🐎 helmets - the most expensive - and fashionable - one in SA, scores basically zero, and we can’t buy the safe $50 one locally because it’s ugly and no-one stocks it 😂)

Pogi talking to Flo after the race. Seems the second bike was locking up at the front hence the second bike change. FB link

Thanks DD - up here we have Jakes from Shockingly Good Bicycle Service Centre (gets a lot of 👍 on the hub) and he’s awesome. He serviced the fork in Feb I think and it was like night and day! So I think it’s good from a mechanical perspective, I am just so used to it on a wheel with spokes like wet spaghetti and I do think tyre pressure a little too high still.

Ja I reckon it’s a very versatile spot and you can really enjoy it any way you wish. Not too many places like that around.

Thanks gents! I adjusted the rebound and found a happier place (it was 2 clicks, 3 became a little too compliant) - not quite perfect but I reckon with adjusting tyre pressure as droo suggests I’ll find the sweet spot. I have not heard or felt a single ping over rocks where I used to have a fair amount on the old rims with the same pressure. Took my kiddo for an ice cream ride afterwards and she took off like a bat out of hell on a looooong paved downhill covered in dry cut grass (and with questionable paving maintenance on any given day) - and actually allowed myself to match her speed instead of feeling overly cautious. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable going that speed this morning in that section while trying to keep an eye on kiddo with the chances of hitting rocks/bottles/loose/missing paving.

DD! 💡 I reckon you’re absolutely bang on the money about the spokes… I didn’t think about that at all and 💯 YES that my old setup did not have stiff spokes mostly because of fatigue. These wheels are super super stiff and tight. Seating: yes, perhaps I am going faster. Let me ride it a bit more and see as I don’t feel the usual fallout of bad fit. A bit of numb hands but I think it’s from gripping too hard because of the front end bounce. Not the same as the fit-related numb hands from leaning on them. Lockout: thank you for that explanation - I get it. I think this moment of feeling ill at ease will actually improve my riding going forward. Tyres: noted, and thank you. I will stick to the Vittorias and start with the damping first.

Hoping folks can explain some stuff for me. So I have new wheels on my bike, this includes different tyres to what I am used to and significantly wider, stiffer rims. Bike: circa 2013 Giant XTC Advanced SL carbon, 1x12 (Shimano SLX RD, Deckas 32t NW oval ring, Shimano Deore Chain, Sunrace 10-52 cassette - chain and cassette are brand new) - in case there is drivetrain relevance Old front setup: American Classic Tubeless Race 29 with Maxxis Forekaster 2.4 up front, AMC hub, non-boost, QR New front setup: Spank 345 Trail with Vittoria Barzo 2.25, Hope Pro 2 Evo hub, QR Fork: Rockshox SiD WC XX, no change there - serviced by Jaco a couple of months ago and not many rides since Rear setup: was AMC as above with Ikon 2.25, now Spank as above with Vittoria Saguaro 2.2 Pressure: running same tyre pressures as I was with the old setup, can't tell you exactly what it is as it's more of a feel thing - tubeless Type of riding I do - Northern Farm Red route; Trailseeker type stuff; my local is the bottom section of Steyn City (Porcupine Park) if anyone knows it. Nothing hectic. I am no racing snake but I give it what I've got on all the terrain I ride. So what I'm finding is that I am much more planted in the corners and faster on the descents (which I LOVE), but, I am really feeling the bumps a lot more, even chatter, and it feels that the front end of the bike is coming back at me faster and harder. Like I'm getting bumped off the bars a bit. It's knocking my confidence on the tech sections and I'm losing my rhythm easier than before. I am fully aware that the rims themselves are apples and pears. The bike is quite a bit heavier than it was which I expected and I'm adapting to. My questions: 1. Do I need to change settings in the fork to damp the stiffness of the new rims? The AMC were definitely more flexy and the Spanks are super stiff in comparison 2. Since fitting the new wheels I feel like my saddle needs to be set back a bit further - on the flats my butt is over the end of the saddle. Nothing is loose and nothing was changed in this regard. Is this a figment of my imagination? I don't feel that I'm compensating for my decreased confidence on the flats by sitting further back, but maybe I am. I don't think so, though. 3. When do I use the fork lockout? I have only ever used it on tarmac before but today felt a bit more confident locking it over the little bits of techy climbs and not having the bike hit back at me so hard 4. Would changing back to the Maxxis make any difference? I still have them and they're good for a long while yet. Any suggestions appreciated!

Don’t know what the local price is but Giant Relay MIPS takes top honours in a budget helmet shootout and scores 5* in Virginia Tech ratings. It’s followed by the Specialized Align in the shootout. Bike Radar CE and EN1078 are basically the same thing and pretty much any helmet will have this rating. Almost all helmets are made in China anyway. MIPS is the way to go. But - make sure of the manufacture date. You need something that was manufactured within the past 2 years so that you can get a couple of years out of it. I’ve been looking at helmets recently and it’s scary how many that are sitting on shelves waiting to be sold are manufactured 10+ years ago! I write this from more of a 🐎 background as rotational falls are commonplace and helmet ageing is real as it continuously bending and flexing, sweat etc. You don’t want an aged helmet to contribute to your concussion instead of absorbing it!

Wow, what a nice outing! It’s a game farm bordering Bothongo Rhino and Lion in the Cradle. I did not do the single track as I had some dogs with me. My youngster giganto German Shepherd hadn’t seen game before so I was playing it safe staying on wide roads with good visibility. R50 per person into the honesty box on the Office door and you pretty much have the whole farm to yourself. Roads are really well kept and from what I saw single track was trimmed and neat. I believe there is a 2km technical section but don’t hold me to it. A really lekker place to get some endurance miles in, in a totally safe manner. A *super* outing for little kids or olds as the main roads are so well kept and there’s nothing tricky. I did a 10km circular loop as my big boys 🐕 were taking strain around the 8km mark while the little red a$$hole could have done another 3 loops. Wildebeest, blesbok, ostrich and just lekker views. Drinkable water on site, decent toilets too. Dogs only allowed on Sundays. Open daily for hiking and MTB, no booking necessary. There is a shooting range (clay pigeon) on site but I only heard a few pops on the wind and the dogs didn’t startle at all. No restaurant on site but a handful really close by in the Cradle. Money well spent! 👍 IMG_3144.mov

Mvdp takes it in 5h31’28”, Pogi 2nd +1’19”, 3rd Mads, 4th Wout, 5th Florian

Mvdp entering the Velodrome 1’17 in the lead from Pogi

Mvdp puncture but very quick bike change. Pogi now 1’03 behind Mvdp at 13.8 to go

Pogi crash at 37.9km to go overcooking a corner, spare bike time

Danielsrust Game Farm with some of my doggos

What watch is she using?

OP lives near Kroonstad

Bro, without cycling shorts, that’s pretty much turning the meat and veg into soup. At least with shorts they’re a stew. Jokes aside - sounds like an awesome outcome all round. Happy miles!

I’d say when you have a gap take the bike with and pop in to Mellow Velo in Broadacres, which is essentially Fourways. Mitch will sort you out 💯. A good bike fit is the bees knees! I remember once riding to the shop feeling like the most unfit, pathetic human, and rode home after the fit like I was finishing podium in the Tour de France. It’s really significant.

RockShox SiD WC circa 2016 gets my vote. So light, I have one on my bike and my daughter had one on her 26er and it was pretty bullet proof. Really light and reliable forks and still serviceable. I had an old Fox F Series 26” on my hybrid and it also worked like a bomb and fitted the 700cc wheels with 40mm gravel tyres, but that would depend on the tyres you’ll run on your bike. Definitely not more than 2.2. Also still serviceable.

This is my world right now. If you go with a new (current, meaning it’s currently listed on their website) Novatec it will serve you well. But once it’s been discontinued you can’t get parts for it eg a freehub body. Other options in terms of serviceable second hand: Hope Rapide (Wayne is very quick off the mark if you email them, maybe you’re in luck with a new one available) Stans or Lyne DT Swiss

@Titan Racing Bikes