Danger Dassie

Yip, confirmed. His dad is riding as well.

Five bar! Wonder if Operation Decca relates to the SIU investigation launched sometime back.

Pretty swak, can’t help but think that a Backabuddy campaign may also be a good help? “South African mountain bike racing star, Luke Moir, has been left stranded without a team just weeks before the 2025 XCO racing season starts and is searching for support. The new Swiss team he was signed for hasn’t secured its title sponsorship, leaving Moir and other team members scrambling for support” cont…. https://www.treadmtb.co.za/sa-mtb-star-left-stranded-needs-support-to-race-in-2025/

No. The part should be covered by warranty. @Titan Racing Bikes are really good with support, perhaps they can advise.

Openmind outlined it well. It also comes down to what you personally like aesthetically. Personally I like the Race Face cranks, they’re also marginally lighter by 100g (claimed weights) Also keep in mind that there are different Deore models. M6100 is the latest update for twelve speed and has a really nice look.

I don’t see it as a relevant metric to be honest. It may well become ‘bigger’ but what does that mean exactl, in what sense? At the end of the day there’s overlap yes, but it’s two separate things with separate appeals. That could contribute to growing the rider base. So imho other than banter it’s a nonsensical measurement. Cape Epic has a solid history, has grown into a series and is a staple on the calendar. It will follow a variable curve like anything else.

Full race report up on CSA - https://www.cyclingsa.com/daniyal-matthews-makes-history-at-2025-sa-national-road-championships/

Don't recall Vermaak saying that Gravel Burn will become bigger than Cape Epic. Doesn't state that in the press release and I remember him saying at the presser that in many cases the gravel market has eclipsed road and MTB. Which could well be given the increase in events and sales. But I wouldn't construe it as being bigger than Epic. For it'll hold a broader appeal perhaps, even over seven days. If you're a strong amateur it's less demanding and less technical with a lower barrier of risk and equipment compared to a seven MTB event.

For sure, it was good when just about every event/organiser sent out a presser and images. CSA were really good with utilising Mylene for general PR and contracting Gameplan for events. Unfortunately, it also became generic as we pretty much all published just about anything and everything verbatim.

On that note though, what a win for S’annara Grove. Proper sprint action from her, Preen and Keep. Hopefully good form for Preen if she continues on to the Lifetime Series again this year. Did so well last year.

Tankwa also has a major sponsor and progressional event organiser. National and provincial events have a layer of bureaucracy limiting the events. BH by default don’t really do event coverage, no other cycling media really bother or budget for someone to do a report either. Last year Bike Network did a brief summary/overview and BSA apparently used a finish line shot of Gibbons.

Can’t fault CSA’s on the day coverage, caught bits of it on their social channels, and the photo galleries. However the whole SA Road Champs seems to have been heavily under the radar this year. Doesn’t seem to have been much interest or drive behind the event. Also with Tankwa on at the same time.

An often uncomfortable topic, and for most here it’s compounded heavily without the normal support structures, like family etc…

This ☝️

Depending on how big you go, you'll need to be SASREA compliant. Which covers all the public liability, clearance, medics on site etc ... https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/safetyatsports.pdf https://tkp.tourism.gov.za/Style Library/Toursim Compendium/Compendium Set 2/pdfs/national-tourism-phase2_safety-at-sports.pdf "SASREA compliance" in South Africa refers to adherence to the "Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act" (SASREA), which mandates specific safety and security standards for any event hosting large crowds at sports, recreational, cultural, or religious gatherings, ensuring spectator protection and a safe environment at such events. Key points about SASREA compliance: Purpose: To establish and maintain minimum safety standards at large gatherings to protect attendees from potential hazards. Who needs to comply: Event organizers hosting large-scale sports, recreational, cultural, or religious events. Compliance aspects: This could include measures like crowd control management, emergency response plans, security personnel deployment, access control, infrastructure safety checks, and adherence to specific venue requirements.

ICG, informal group. They meet mostly (99%) at the Engen across from Standard Bank. Introduce yourself and ask for one of the lead riders/captains of the morning and take it from there. Normally they ask that a newb arrives with one of the regulars for a few rides until they get a feel for where they fit in. But since you’ve migrated here it won’t an issue. They also have a gravel and MTB group, more recently there is more formal club option for those who want to have a full race license under the CSA/provincial feudal umbrella, I mean membership.

Karkloof/Howick .... ok, I'm not talking to you anymore. Too jealous! Probably some THE best cycling to be had anywhere!

Would be very careful of organising anything inside SBR, it's a provincial reserve and they're pretty sticky about events. Informal or otherwise, SA Road Champs went through there last year and the organisers had to fulfill a lot of paperwork and liability to do so. Something like East Side Crits could be a good starter, Northcliff used to do parking lot crits every Thursday or so. May be an idea to resurrect?

Titan Racing Cypher gen 1. The 2020 Elite (120mm) was/is probably one of the most speed and fun per rand. Merida 96 XT or Merida 120 XT (6000), super under rated and versatile, really well balanced handling bikes that should have a bigger footprint here..

Also Pyga Stage/Stage Max, some good deals pop up. Nearly caught one last year for a shade under 50k. GX Axs, Deed wheels/components 120/130mm Rock Shox Sid Deluxe.

Another consideration is the Specialized Epic, around 2018 on. Some bargains going around and don't have the Brain fork. In fact an Epic Comp alloy is arguably the precursor to Specialized's current Chisel FS, at a fraction of the cost.

That specific bike but that model yes, they pop up now and then. Some in better colour ways as well ...

Just off the bat, there are Momsen Vipa's around at a bargain with decent specs, mostly carbon frames but now and then an alloy option pops up. Upgrade it with a 120mm for at the right offset, and you have a generally budget-friendly ripper for riding, racing etc. One issue could be boost on the rear, however this could be remedied by a decent carbon/engineering co and even updated to UDH.

Quite a few yea, UK and Costa Rica seem really popular with the brand. The Costa Rica account on Insta has a lot of activity. Stoked to see Tiffany's long standing relationship with TR paying dividends, she's not just a bloody good bike rider but also a properly level-headed person. Been with Das Hutchinson in the UK for a while and represents well. https://www.dashutchinson.co.uk/

I will add to the recommendations, great shop and completely above board. Ian & Wes run a tight ship and have a great team.