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Hey people,
Just checking since last question was asked in June 2020.
Does Chain Reaction still use Skynet to deliver in South Africa? There was a time that they used the SA post office which is no longer suitable.
Thanks.
Placed an order this week, standard shipping, being sent via DHL, expected Thursday so 7.5 days if SA customs doesn't hold it up.
Just couldn't find stock of suitable gravel tyres in local bike shops (700x43c with slick center tread) and SA agents seemed to be out too.
I don't see any reason to replace any of my PMs for one of these products. The spd pedal they say isn't really intended for mountain biking so probably for gravel bikes
My guess on the reasoning for this is pedals with electronics in them likely won't be as robust as non-power-meter pedals and MTB pedals tend to get bashed on rocks etc. Impressed my Shimano XT pedals have lasted so long.
Been very happy with my Vector 3's but price and high risk of damage would make me hesitant on the SPD versions for MTB.
Looking for a small 1.5-2.0l handlebar bag.Any suggestions?
Am thinking of getting one of these, supporting local. Two sizes sml (18cmx10cm) and large (21cmx13cm). The price is R450 for fabric and R550 for leather including delivery. Not sure on the volume though in litres:
www.instagram.com/mango_time_bags
In my view you would need to attract the riders 1) to the parking and from the parking 2) to the shop after a ride. The riding options and safe parking get us to the parking whilst the shop offering or a discount such as get your parking fee off a meal at the shop can maybe get us into the shop.
The Revelate Pika and Topeak Backloader bags have served their purpose for me for overnighters.
Best is to limit your packing space so you can travel light and keep it as simple as possible.
Pack everything firm, eliminating movement.
Post revive... 
There's a 180km water/hydro bike challenge from Corsica to Monaco, relay teams of 4.
2
Looks like you don't have heart rate zones set up. You need to set heart rate zones so it can estimate a training load for activities with only heart rate data and no power data. You can do that in the settings screen next to your power zones.
Thank you so much!
Wow. That resolved it and was so easy too.
I'll be paying more attention to fine-tuning these settings as I get more data.
I've been following the 'Fitness' graphs for my activities and finding the fatigue vs fitness lines very interesting & useful.
My road bike and indoor trainer have power meters but my MTB does not. Saturday I did a longish MTB ride which barely features in terms of fatigue, yet it took more of a toll than Thursdays.
If compared to my Thursday morning road ride which had a lower ave heart rate plus duration was less than half that of Saturdays, Saturdays activity should be a sizable bump in my fatigue.
Ofcourse the best way to rectify this in future would be to equip the MTB with a power meter but is there a way for me to manually (or otherwise) compensate/correct the activity so that the impact on the overall graph can be more accurate?
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
I would like to give a shout-out the The Nerd at GrindnGears. His service and coffee are both outstanding.
I can highly recommend it!!
Also, stop in at this shop in Emmerentia when you get a chance. Have some great coffee and shoot the breeze.
Ditto 
Sad to hear of Delta Park now falling victim too.
Delta Park should be a lot easier to secure than the stretched-out Spruit. But would no doubt be a cost of some sorts.
Hey Lefty owners, the site says I'm a size large at 177/178 cm but I checked the geometry against my old Vipa XT 2015 and even a size M has a longer reach and similar (just a little bit longer) distance between the saddle and the handlebars. I loved my VIPA I just wanted something newer/more reliable and with a little bit slackier head angle for confidence, main concern here is having a very efficient marathon/XC machine, so going large with the extra weight that implies doesn't excite me much.
I wanted to know among the owners here of similar sizes what frame size you went for
Hi JBR,
I'm 175cm's, Had a medium VIpa XT and have been riding a Medium 2017 Scalpel since um, 2017.
Prefer the Scalpels Medium to the VIpa Medium. The VIpa almost felt on the small side in terms of handling but was comfortable and was the right size for me. The Scalpel just has a much more playful feel to it and feels like it fits me better.
I found Louis Garneau MTB shoes to be wider and more comfortable than other more expensive brands I've owned.
Howzit i am looking for coffee cleaning tablets for my Breville machine and an idea where i can get the filters - BES 880 - seems like they are unique an unobtainable.
Who supports or imports Breville?
Haven't used the cleaning tablets through my Breville since I ran out of the first lot maybe 8yrs ago. Just too expensive to make sense.
I dilute white vinegar and run that through the machine (using rubber jobby) and steamer whenever the 'clean me' light pops on, which is roughly every two months.
Filters, I do use and replace every time. Always got them from @home who I believe are the SA importers of Breville. (https://www.home.co.za/pdp/breville-bean-to-cup-filter-set-6/_/A-334002AB2)
Machine still works like new, cup after cup. No other maintenance has been required other than the occasional brushing of the grinder.
I'd suggest:
All of the above is in a tiny saddle bag (small enough to go in my saddle) or taped to my bottle cage or saddle post.
Haven't carried a spare tube in over 15yrs (trekking/riding/racing). They are fairly useless in a used tubeless ridden tyre.
I am really enjoying this "new" trend towards gravel bikes and comfort. As a bike fitter I've fought with people for years that comfort can be fast but came up against a brick wall of SLAMMED STEMS ARE BEST AND MAKE ME LOOK FAST :-)
The trend towards smaller saddle-stem drops/less aggressive set ups and the corresponding WOW THAT FEELS AWESOME feedback has been great.
Long live gravel. Viva viva!
In terms of comfort, I just didn't understand the initial gravel builds on rigid bikes with narrow tyres to ride the corrugated gravel roads we have. Considering all the advancement and direction MTBs have taken in recent years for comfort & performance, this seemed to be the opposite direction for gravel.
Interestingly I see the newer trends and what the avid gravel riders are doing is shifting to wider tyres, some suspension (Lefty Oliver / Lauff), rear compliance and also 1x gearing systems.
Currently on a 2017 Spez camber medium. If just feels slightly too small. There is something about the reach that feels to upright.
So, I get hunting and apparently Spez make and evo which also has 120 mm of travel suited to marathon, with a bit of trail. But the price, no not so nice.
In come a scalpel, nice price, but it is a large.
The reach on a large is 442 (scalpel), but 427 on a camber.
So first off, comparing scalpel to camber, is that like granny smiths and golden delicious?
And is comparing medium and large ... like melons and lemons?
Just as an off chance, does anyone have a large camber that I could test for about 15 minutes ?
What about a scalepl for an afternoon round the block ride ?
Oh yes, before you ask, height is 1.73, and most folk say stick to a medium. Or maybe I am hoping for to much.
I very comfortably ride a Medium 2017 Scalpel. Love the fit, its perfect for me.
Had Medium VIpa before this which was my fit but felt slightly smaller in handling and not as comfy.
I'm 175cm and a 72cm BB to top of saddle.
Apparently this is from Modders... my mate sent this to me.
“The eagle got the snake”
This pic did its rounds, also someone saying it was taken in KZN.
Then someone pointed out that its not a type found in SA but an American snake.
An alternative too, also from Takealot, is the conductor stand at R389.
Simple, light and easily stowed away if needed.
The top surface plate is a lot wider than the picture depicts, can be angled as you wish.
https://www.takealot.com/on-stage-sm7212b-conductor-music-stand/PLID41712823
Good day! Question for all the knowledgeable coffee connosieurs. I am looking at moving up a level from my trusted bialetti. Thinking of an espresso machine in the 10k to 15k price bracket. I already have a Krupps grinder, so it doesn't have to be a bean to cup model. Should have a milk steamer though. Any recommendations, what to look for, what to avoid. Thanks.
Unless you're entertaining people and making more than two espressos at a a time I'd highly recommend a Breville Barista Express : https://www.home.co.za/pdp/breville-barista-express/_/A-334002AAAA1
It heats up almost instantly so is ready to go when you feel like a cuppa.
Doesn't have the rinsing process before and after using it like some automatic machines.
Its compact, including a grinder so every cup is fresh.
Is consistent.
I have the older model so have had it for many years without the slightest issue.
As much as I'd love to have a Rocket type machine (drool) I can't justify the cost of it and the accompanied grinder for my use or the space it will consume in the kitchen.
Those were done by Circa Ceramics - don't think you can still buy them - but Etsy.com is probably the place to look for similar - or have them made locally - https://za.rapid.studio/site/products/c/homeware/mugs could probably do something for you - you might need to find the cups first.
Thanks for the suggestions. The pic was just an example. Would have thought there would be a much bigger local demand and supply for such things.
Seems one has to have their own made.
We're all cyclists and we like our coffee yet the cycling-coffee paraphernalia (in South Africa at least) seems to be very scarce.
Anyone know where one can get cups (cortado/espresso/normal mugs) from other than to import rare pro-team cups?
Would think the bike & coffee shops could be making a few extra bucks selling things like this. Bike brands extending their brand exposure etc.
I would honestly look at this, https://www.home.co.za/pdp/breville-barista-express/_/A-334002AAAA1, might have to put my flame suite on now but from what I have experienced with this machine it’s a no brained, really an underrated brand. I even considered “downgrading” to this when I discovered that my new kitchen didn’t have space for my San Marco.
Grinder works well and produces decent results and the espresso result is damned close to a 9 bar machine! You would be killing 2 birds with one stone as it is grinder and coffee maker, sorry 3 birds as it a decent frother! Plus it’s 5k cheaper then that delonghi, check out the the review on google.
It also a very customizable machine as you can easily change the grind and shot timing, even do a pre infusing if you choose. I normally only work with industrial machines ( Wega and San Marco ) but was very impressed with this
Have to agree. I've had my Breville machine for over 5 yrs now. Suits my needs perfectly and makes a great espresso when using a good bean. (Green Bean in Muldersdrift = highly recommended).
Works well for making 1 or two espressos at a time. Is a bit slow or maybe less consistent if trying to churn out more that 2 in a hurry, but can be done fairly comfortably.
Always wanted an industrial machine at home after working with one in a high traffic coffee shop in London nearly 20yrs ago.
The Breville isn't the industrial machine I dreamt of but doesn't consume a lot of space, requires little maintenance, makes a superb cuppa and allows me to tinker a little and taste beans from all over. It's also affordable. Only bugger is I now seldom enjoy the coffee I get from coffee shops.
Cannondale Scalpel bottle cages
in Technical Q&A
Posted
On my Medium Scalpel I use side cages which aren't too thick (between frame and cage where bottle slides) and can fit up to a 710ml bottle in the downtube. I then use a 500ml in the saddle tube cage.
On a longer summer ride where there are no places to fill up I take a third bottle (710ml) in a cage attached to the back of the saddle post (as high as possible).