Brandon P

Got myself a set of these hoops on my MTB in October and although I haven't had a chance to do as much mileage on them as I would have liked yet, I am loving them. They're 5mm wider internally than my previous rims which I really feel - seem to have a bigger tire pressure range, i.e. performance is less sensitive to tire pressure and I can of course go softer if I want. Main reason I made the change is because I managed to break both my previous wheels in a minor fall and felt the upgrade to decent carbon rims (spoilt myself) would give me more reliable wheels. This was confirmed in discussion with my wheel builder and his experience building different types of rims. The downside is I cringe every time I hear a rock catch the side of them.

Used Stans for many many years and have been quite happy with it. A few months back I came across a large bottle of Bontrager sealant and haven't had any issues with it yet in two MTBs, one of which is due for new tyres. It is cheaper than Stans. Used the same to convert a pals Tokens to tubeless (road) using the new Conti 5000s. I did add a little glitter as a bonus. No problems so far although he hasn't done much mileage on them yet.

Thanks for this. I've now ordered myself a kit.

Three different brands of tyres have started seeping latex for me roughly after 2 to 3yrs. Apparently its a chemical in the sealant that slowly eats away at the tyre.

Did the half-marathon on Sat. MC on the start said route will be their most technical ever and possibly most technical in the country... Didn't seem technical, quite a bit of district road and actually think #1 was trickier than #2.

Anyone have experience with a 'Handpresso' machine for a go-anywhere-have-an-espresso solution? Wondering if they're any good. www.handpresso.co.za/products/handpresso-pump Seems to make sense that you pump it to pressure first. PS. Would be even handier if it could double as a shock pump on bikepacking trips

Cannondale SuperSix Evo (2018 standard 'dale spec)

A bling commuter bag - Do local drivers even know what a green arrow means Go LED Backpack with Handle Bar Indicator Remote Control and Rain Cover: https://www.onedayonly.co.za/go-led-backpack-with-integrated-indicator-light-display.html

@carbon29er Interesting going tubeless on a road tandem... What pressure will you be riding them at?

Think it was about R280 at CycleLabRat Fourways but should be available anywhere that stocks the Pedros brand. http://pedros.com/products/toolsfor-the-ride/tulio/

Got myself the niftiest cycling gadget I've come across in years... A Quick Release Skewer Multi-Tool. Works well and is easily accessible when needed. Eight tool functions include : 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex wrenches, flathead screwdriver, 1-11 speed compatible chain tool, and 3.23mm and 3.45mm spoke wrenches.

Had a looky... I last did the Kremetart in 2005... Going to be an interesting ride and fun outing

I joined Team Vitality on the 7th February 2015. Like others have stated here, I too haven't received the ‘welcome pack’ containing the jersey.Still having difficulty with them obtaining my CSA License.R800 Garmin voucher is useless as its limited to the Edge 510 or the Edge 810 on the Garmin site only, both units being more than R800 cheaper elsewhere - I have a free R800 voucher for anyone that wants it.Still hoping to get a response to one of my weekly emails.Disappointed.

Am assuming SA import duties nail us on Garmins. UK prices on the Edge1000 Full Performance Bundle = R6800 or R8082 if you pay UK tax.

Get some alcohol swobs from a pharmacy and run them over the discs to clean them of any grease or grime - Always handy to keep in your toolbox.

As per Bikerumor.com, both Trek and Scott have issued safety recalls on a number of mid priced bicycles sold between 2011-2013 with SR Suntour Suspension Forks. According to the notice, the fork dropouts can break. All told, Scott is recalling 5,200 bikes, while Trek is recalling 120,000. Customers are being asked to immediately stop using their bikes and to bring them to a dealer for inspection and repair. On some Trek bicycles, a replacement quick release can resolve the issue, but the manufacturer is replacing many models affected by the recall with RST Vita forks. Thus far, Trek has received 28 reports of broken forks and five injuries. For more information, visit the CPSC webpage. Scott is also recalling four different road bike models due to possible steer tube breaks. The recall affects 2,000 of the 2014 Speedster 30 and 40 bikes, and Contessa Speedster 25 and 35 models. You can use this guide on their safety notice to determine if your model is affected, or bring it to the dealer. Scott will replace at risk forks with a new model, free of charge. More info here at the CPSC. ... Not sure how this effects locally bought gear.

I have a Tacx FLOW for sale, should anyone be looking for one... PM me.

In March I considered (among other brands) the Scott Spark 910, the Spez Epic and the VIPA... Settled for the VIPA and have been really happy with it. Thing with Spez is their costly maintenance and short intervals of the 'brain', especially if you're in Jhb and have to send it to CT every time.

Enjoying every ride on my VIPA. Considered the Spez but was put off by the hassle & cost of servicing that 'brain'. Also considered a Scott 910 - VIPA easily best value for money.

2 x Buffs (one under helmet and one as a scarf covering jaw) - They work superb A sheet of newspaper shielding your chest under the cycle top - Can bin it when things get warmer or it folds up tiny. Newspaper works well to keep the toes warm too (inside shoe) if you don't have those neoprene toecap covers. Arm warmers Thin Fleece gloves from Cape Union Mart - Washable, breathable, cheaper & more suitable for our climate than most imported cycle gloves. Look after the knees (knee warmers) - They may not feel the cold as much but the joints don't like the cold.

The 8 minute Carte Blanche clip on this story : http://carteblanche.dstv.com/player/505484

Yeah the cranksets are a bit different, both stoker & captain, so you need a tandem specific crankset. But you might be able to stick with the cranks you have - Not sure what chainrings are compatible with them. Derailleurs : Keep in mind that tandems require longer gear cables. This means a decent spring in derailleurs is useful to pull those cables back through their housings. Both ultegra and 105 gearsets should be fine for this. I've ridden Ultegra with no problems. Just make sure those cables run smoothly. Consider the rear gear ratios you ride. Some tandems use a MTB rear derailleur just for the longer cage so as to handle a bigger cassette than we tend to use on road bikes. I think Ultegra handles up to 28t. Hope this helps.

My 2cents, if bike is in fact stolen, the guy you see riding it may not have been the one who stole it. Possibly not even realize its actual value. Might need his involvement in catching the guys selling stolen bikes.

As a cyclist I was only aware of the race by chance, thanks to a friend informing me of it > Poor media coverage. Riding out to watch the race from the top of Sandton drive we noted how quiet the roads were - imagine we had the expected busier traffic on the day. Having marshalled some races before, I thought the days route was nothing short of ludicrous... crisscrossing through city hub, multiple 'right turns', 30min+ circuits, rolling road closure, and most of all no attempt to inform or pre-warn motorists. Communication and marketing is obviously lacking. So is involvement of the communities. Not everyone is exposed to 'McLeanCycling' and it shouldn't be considered the sole communication medium. The 94.7 cannot be used as a comparison as it has 20OOO+ participants to help spread the word of the road closures, motorists are more forgiving when they know of a participant in it and it has taken years to partially obtain motorists acceptance it has today for what is a known annual event. It saddens as such poor organization only accomplishes the opposite of what the CSA SHOULD be trying to accomplish, i.e. put SA favourably on the world cycling map, attract greater sponsorships to the sport, attract broader media coverage, reduce tension between motorists and cyclists ... Keep such events out of the city hub. Also, make damn sure all cyclists, potential cyclists and spectators alike are aware of the event so as to obtain maximum support.