Danger Dassie

Hot soapy water and a good scrub, always worked for me.

Sad that it should take something like this 😕

Yes exactly, and with generic prices varying. One can still come in relatively cost effective with better options for gearing, particularly for MS. One is not locked into any brand’s cassettes either. Which leaving out XD. Using Deore as an example, yes the older ones are just over 1k, while the newer MS compatible Deore is nearly double. But with a ten tooth and still relatively cost effective across the board. Which ultimately is the balance what Droo was driving at I think by suggesting MS, not to speak on his behalf.

Eh? No it does not has to be. XT isn’t one piece. Deore is as cost effective as anything else, as is NX/SX non series. Sunrace cassettes, etc.

Both online and lbs. Shops I’ve been to have. Ie Sunrace. Point is there are options available.

Not true, there’s a range of generic options available for both microspline and XD.

Here's another spanner, Curve Kevin. Columbus tubing and an absolute joy to ride. Kev Benky represents them here. Alternatively you could go for local bespoke build with Mercer and your customer would have a bike for life.

Unfortunately no MTB options as yet, although they are busy with the release of a gravel option.

Those do look good, something a bit different. As far as the Silverback goes, I was also going to point to that as an option. Another consideration is the Trek Pro Cal

Most went with admission of guilt fines, only two or three who refused and consequently had the book thrown at them by the CA. The matter has been closed for some years now.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/shimano-crankset-recall-to-cost-dollar18million-company-reports Snip .... "Shimano's report for 2023's financial year, which was published on Tuesday, revealed a year-on-year decline of 24.6% in revenue and a 52.3% drop in net profit. Net sales decreased 29.5% from the previous year to JPY 364,679 million ($2.4 billion/£1.9 billion). “Although the booming popularity of bicycles cooled down, interest in bicycles continued to be high as a long-term trend,” the report reads. "On the other hand, market inventories generally remained high, despite ongoing supply and demand adjustments. "Overseas, in the European market, the strong interest in bicycles continued in our major market, namely, Germany and Benelux countries, and retail sales of completed bicycles were strong. On the other hand, in other countries, consumer demand waned on account of inflation and an economic slowdown, and market inventories remained at high levels." Over-supply and under-demand tally with what Cycling Weekly has reported on the bike business in the UK, where a new report from the Bicycle Association this month said that it would take at least until 2025 for the British bike industry to correct itself. Shimano expects further downward trends for 2024. It expects a further decrease in revenue by 10.8%, with the European market shouldering the biggest part of this decline; it also predicts a decrease in sales by 18% compared to last year. Meanwhile, "retail sales of completed bicycles remained weak" in North America, partly "due to a reaction from the cycling boom". Net sales were down 22.5% between 2022 and 2023 in North America, but this covers all of Shimano's business, which also includes fishing tech."

https://bikerentalmanager.com/rapid-growth-in-the-bike-rental-industry/

Volunteer build days are great, with at least one person who can guide the work. Simple repairs have ruined many a trail. Keeping in mind this is an open access trail subsidised by taxes, there is a maintenance tender issued every year or so. Afaik.

It needs work and is lacking in maintenance.

Namibia has put some proper cycling talent into cycling over the years. Tough bunch. Mannie Heymans ‘Mr Africa’ Vera Looser (Cape Epic winner) Dan Craven Raul Seibeb Drikus Coetzee Mark Pritzen (born in Namibia) Marc Bassingthwaight Michelle Vorster Theres a few more, google will probably help.

Done 🤟

Sounds like a personal thing, fair enough. But for me he imparts a good deal of knowledge and communicates it well for the layperson. Coming from an actual sports scientist, that seems to be an invaluable contribution.

Not currently no, have a sub in with Escape and some others/apps. When those expire shortly I’ll take a closer look at local. Still have to renew CSA membership too 😑

Not currently no, have a sub in with Escape and some others/apps. When those expire shortly I’ll take a closer look at local. Still have to renew CSA membership too 😑

https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-real-science-of-sport-podcast/id1461719225?i=1000644655023

https://bikenetwork.co.za/sa-road-champs-photo-epic/

Plenty giraffe and buffalo/antelope there too. Also used to be a family of rhino there, on the red route side, apparently they were poached. Some years back prior to the current owners, when it was Heia Safari. There was a resident hippo that was shot by the then owners/event organisers ahead of a triathlon. Don’t know what it is with that place, always feels like there’s been sketchy **** since the beginning of time there. Regardless, a pleasure riding and exploring there. Plus the chipotle burgers are amazing, post ride beer and burger goes down like mother on fathers day (or vice versa)! Just don’t drink the water.

Is this Strand St by Bo Kaap?

Bit of a silly parallel to draw with the event and organisation, but you do you. It’s an encouraging event along with the Songo programme that does a damn site more good than anything else.

Give those riders a bell 😁 ….. https://quickdeal.today/products/super-bike-horn?fbclid=IwAR3b1gczmhE8VnqhXG9-2aBWgPEcg0QZLfqIV9LYGFPuxzspMiXHS2g6nZU_aem_ATl5kxXC-CXlFgIktd0jRjL6psnyoQDEPO85u1_fwB36h4tPnqwXsJvXK16LlO7ilvrHQGNXL0-9mSn2Nb0YSByr