Danger Dassie

Hey Chris, yes although not quite as far as 6 years. I see Shebeen pointed that out already. Although it was in 2023 when they made deeper changes in the marketing/sales side - https://diverge.info/2023/10/09/dragons-sports-adds-experienced-human-capital-to-strengthen-team/ Oli's departure is purely coincidental as far as Signal/Rush goes, notwithstanding that Signal is but one part of Rush Sport's portfolio.

All bias aside, that WC paint job is proper as well. Good job.

Not really, Dragons was bought out, so the entire marketing team/HR etc was revamped and fresh people brought in. Oli, Luke and co. They’re doing great work, especially with Avalanche which has long needed a bit of an overhaul.

170mm on XS to M, so should be fine.

@Marichen Ok I remember that Trek frames can accommodate both 29 or 27.5 for smaller riders. This was (is) from the Top Fuel etc and also for the X-Caliber. Confirmed both on the site and messaging a friend at Trek. So the wheels will work, albeit the frame sizing is more likely still too big for you, at least according to the sizing chart. Which can be found here. https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/x-caliber/x-caliber-8/p/35069/?colorCode=greydark Size Rider Height Inseam XS 145 - 155 cm 4'9" - 5'1" 69 - 73 cm 27" - 29" S 155 - 165 cm 5'1" - 5'5" 74 - 78 cm 29" - 31" M 165 - 176 cm 5'5" - 5'9" 79 - 83 cm 31" - 33" ML 173 - 180 cm 5'8" - 5'11" 81 - 86 cm 32" - 34" L 177 - 188 cm 5'10" - 6'2" 84 - 89 cm 33" - 35" XL 188 - 195 cm 6'2" - 6'5" 89 - 91 cm 35" - 36" 2XL 195 - 203 cm 6'5" - 6'8" 91 - 97 cm Not sure where you are based, but reaching to Trek for some assistance won’t hurt. They’re generally pretty good at assisting where they can. Hope this helps.

Your brakes have zero effect on wheel size and won’t be affected. What Trek model is it? The only solution really would be to find a frame that fits you, rather than changing wheels. Not sure if you bought the bike new or not or from a retailer. Without speculating though, you do need to be sized/fitted on the correct frame size.

As in 24inch wheels? Seen some Signal/Apex bikes at Xciter Rosebank recently. Perhaps you’ll have some luck there. Trailwolf Cycles also have some Titans on the floor, and possibly Signal as well. I know they recently did a sweet build of a new Titan for one of their regulars. Other than these two brands there’s also some really good local offerings from Avalanche, Zini, Silverback and Momsen. edit: as aside, for a lot of LBS ventures it’s a balancing act in carrying stock in this segment. Sometimes bikes fly out the door, and then other times stock just sits. Which can be difficult given how quickly designs change (colour etc) As well as contending with the large retail franchises carrying similar stock and brands, albeit often poorly assembled.

Nothing to do with the brand manager. It’s down to the product/technical manager. Their supply chain is likely tied to different orders and time frames. Afaik Rush have been taking in a steady supply at their warehouse. Obviously different brands will have different numbers depending on market share.

Can try the team at Trailwolf Cycles. They don’t overbook themselves and are proactive. Good enough to have Daryl Impey and co going.

Two different categories really, one is a cache brand while the other serves a broader market and product offering. Interestingly one of Titan’s lead designers worked with Pyga originally. There is a lesson though, despite having a strong support base of loyal users. Almost nil marketing, which for a boutique brand is dangerously risky. Imho, if Pyga reintroduced their alloy hardtail, plus launched a revamped more basic spec 110 (call it the 120). Add to that a mid-range/spec alloy gravel option. They could see a healthy return with more interest and more support from their existing customer base.

A beacon? A lesson more like. People are responsible for their actions, particularly when the consequences leave a spouse dead and two children traumatised for life. Not too mention the fallout for friends and family. For sure it's tragic all round, but the perpetrator sits at the end of line.

There was someone doing the brand briefly in CT, not too long ago?

Nothing wrong with the Orbea, they're great bikes and the support is on par with just about anything else out there. If it makes your heart sing, then that's the one.

A natural progression as it grows and as cycling grows laterally. Don't think there are really that many people thinking it's the next big thing. Like everything else there will different types of events catering to different needs and wants. Some stage options will be part of that. We're way past the fad stage, just like when MTBs first arrived a lot of people considered it as "just a passing fad"

No issues, they're one of the more established businesses around and have done a fair amount of trade over the years. Most have had a good experience, it's worth going to the physical shop as well if you're in the area.

How do you think it got so "stupid light"....

Let a workshop straighten and align with the tool provided, any LBS should be able to order you a hangar from the agents or a generic therof. Always a good idea to have one spare.

90% sure it's Johnny Hoogerland, he won a Gran Fondo World Champs at some point.

Helicoil should work, if it's not too badly stripped you can rethread from the opposite side of the crank arm with some finesse.

Just bought a Fenix 5 Sapphire for next to nothing, loving the upgrade-itis effect! Seeing a few 6/7 models also going for good pricing, but the 5 pricing secondhand is too good to pass up.

Nice! ... Were some of those photo's taken by Aussie expats? ... Jokes, I'm happy for you and the faded purple bike looks lovely mos.

Not sure about that, heard of a few North West groups out that side riding, I'm not entirely sure who to contact though. The segments inside are probably more MTB friendly than gravel, these were part of the Advendurance marathon and Trailseeker series a few years ago. We often drive out to Hartys and then do a number of different gravel routes along the canals throughout the area, these roads vary and stretch out quite far.

Two wildly different scenarios with no relation between the two though? Tony has been approaching retirement for a while now, it's also long deserved and the timing is perfect. Generations of riders have been through those doors. Wishing him all the best, he leaves a legacy to be proud of. Decathlon aren't "shutting shop" Some branches may close and move/clear stock, while others expand or change scale, there are some new locations in the pipeline. Normal business in a competitive environment.

A group of us were chatting about this over morning coffee today, given the Joburg info event is this evening. The Epic leaning is understandable, regardless of any criticism there may be. I mean I doubt anyone would sit on their laurels and not do anything after building something like the Cape Epic and subsequent series. He and his team created something successful and a global following with Epic. There was a lot of institutional knowledge and innovation that came out of that, anyone with experience in the event will have invaluable skillsets, many have gone on to successful career paths in the sport. So having some of those people involved does bring a level of credibility, regardless of the style of the event or it's format. Some seem to be wholesale buying into the Kool-Aid vibe that this will be a game changer for global gravel. Others are wholly dismissive, and borderline disparaging. Objectively, IMHO this isn't going to a game changer, it doesn't even have to be and that doesn't seem to be it's goal. But there's a gap for something slightly different experience-wise, which it seems this will do at least and add something to the event calendar. The costing issue is something else entirely, I suspect it'll be pretty high and budget constrained for many of us, but not Epic high. The two events are wholly incomparable afa riding experiences go though. Luckily we're also spoilt for choice.

Reckon we'll see some interesting mods, I remember when Dana Coetzee gravel converted his Trek Top Fuel for Race 2 Sun. Drop bars, gravel wheelset and tyres etc. Long before the cool kids were doing it for Leadville 🤓