[Peter Sagan retiring from WorldTour at end of season]

46 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Ooh Phok... that can only end badly 😆

.. the difference is, only one oke can pop a wheelie without “Phok”! 🤭

[SRAM 32T love?]

35 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Shimano have an active patent on 14speed so it won't go that way soon. Maybe in about 7 years when it comes up for renewal and Shimano don't bother

.. interesting, I was under the impression that was still under consideration. Do you know when they filed it? 

[The hub we’ve all been waiting…. KOM.]

7 minutes ago, Me rida my bicycle said:

Cool idea.... But 4 small bolts that needs to hold the disc and engagement ring it might not flex but it might snap. Then special disc's and odd bearings that most shops won't have or would need to be ordered.

I'd just replace bearings once a year and not have any unnecessary headaches but that's just me. 

With more even distribution… the disc hub now wouldn’t carry as much strain as current hub design, hence why You can go lighter with just a four set arrangement. If the guys at the big HQ’s look real close, this could be the next big thing… I’d SRAM them….🤭 and bring that tech in-house. 

[SRAM 32T love?]

4 minutes ago, Dappere said:

Yeah, Campagnolo priced themselves out of the market alongside poor decisions in product development.

A 1x14 could well be the next big thing, or we might see something like Classified Hubs gaining more popularity.

Checkout my post on the new hub development from KOM… I think that’s the way forward… evaluating proper load distribution. Finally something that Holds real engineering progress vs marketing boardroom tricks to keep the lights on.

[Website update gremlins]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

Stumbled upon an interesting gremlin ....

 

An event was loaded under the "Wes Kaap" area.

 

 

NOPE !!!!

 

The filters only recognise the Ingelse provinces. 

 

 

 

 

 

PS - I have asked the Modermakers to assist.

.. just don’t ask what they do during lunchtime!😂

[SRAM 32T love?]

8 minutes ago, Dappere said:

Definitely, Campagnolo did launch Ekar, a 1x13 groupset targeted at the gravel market, but from what I can tell, it didn't really take off. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what the bike industry comes up with next, sticking to their 'lighter, better, faster' ethos.

Campag out priced themselves with the 13, it’s not often you see a one model released. I thought a Ekar Light would come to light and offer there past formulas as per all previous products, but no, I think glory days are over form our QR pioneers. Look at the Pro Peleton, one team uses Campag. 😬

Will campag stay with 13? Or is 14 a new target?

[Peter Sagan retiring from WorldTour at end of season]

47 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

He was caught driving a scooter 6x over the legal limit 5 weeks before the TDF and even closer to other pretty big races. This is after a fairly torrid time in which he had injured police officers and had various run ins with the law while intoxicated and breaking curfew.

This is not the behaviour of someone 100% dedicated to his trade nor an impeccable representation for his sponsors.

I'm saying this is glossed over MORE than misdemeanors of other pro's who are less successful and appear less likeable.

Freddie Flintoff will forever be remembered for sinking his pedal boat while drunk, even Tiger Woods can't be spoken about without people bringing up his DUI's and car accident. But us, as cycling fans, seem to be very forgiving of Sagan for whatever reason.

The last few years of his career were not particularly fruitful for a man of his talents, which, along with the drinking, points to someone who wasn't fully invested in what he was doing.

Can I keep up with him on a bike while he munches an energy bar? No. But he probably can't do my job as well as I can while I eat a piece of cake and drink tea. That isn't relevant. 

My point is the selective forgetfulness

I see him like that fun uncle or parent's friend who snuck you sweeties and told you dirty jokes before you were 'old enough'.. He will be remembered fondly by pretty much everyone despite the last while of his career being a shambles

Is prefer to only see what he did for the sport, his had a tough time dealing with his fame at a young age. I can’t really point fingers at him. He easily could derailed it all like JU, but he didn’t. Sure towards the end of all amazing riders the game changes. Just look at the racing stats on pro crashes, huge increases from year to year. His voiced his concern several times about the high risks riders are doing, and sub average UCI Finish lines. His done well as one does as you wind down your career. The man still has an engine… and I’m sure his numbers are still healthy IMHO And his not completely done… let’s just hope his past mistakes are just that.

 

[The hub we’ve all been waiting…. KOM.]

All tech geeks… pull up a chair, the future is here. 

 

[SRAM 32T love?]

39 minutes ago, Dappere said:

Boils down to several factors: the kind of riding you do, the trails you frequently tackle, and naturally, personal preference.

I've observed that many of the latest XC bikes come standard with a 34T. This might be attributed to the aforementioned factors and feedback from riders/bike shops, or possibly because the newer 12x models have a 52T at the rear, providing riders with a bailout gear if necessary, thus enabling the use of a larger chainring at the front.

I think with the advancements on the rear, riders are indirectly changing up in the front… I suppose now we are almost spoilt with options, but how long can this drive sales till it all stops at 14speed.

[SRAM 32T love?]

10 minutes ago, BaGearA said:

I'm surprised its not 30t .....way too many bikes come with those 

 

Whats the offset ? I think its probably more 6mm than 3mm right ? 

6 seems to be the popular one… I wonder if Sram will even continue down that road, it’s not just here…🤔

[Peter Sagan retiring from WorldTour at end of season]

On 1/16/2024 at 2:25 PM, Jewbacca said:

I reluctantly query this 

Do we all choose to forget he was arrested for being in a scooter accident while wasted not many days before the start of the TDF and other drunken issues and scuffles with Police?

He injured police officers and was handed a suspended 3 month prison sentence in separate incidents.

I love the guy, but he seems to have gotten off lightly with the public due to his likeable personality and winningest history.

The latter part of his career has been a bit of a shambles, not all of it out of his control.

Other, less popular riders would never be able to retire without having that sort of dirty laundry aired every second post.

 

 

Sure the guys had a few run ins but you need to dive into the guys history of on bike performances. We are at stage that no rider for another 50 years will do what his done. Yes, his celebrity of the sport and done the odd mad thing, but last I checked.. his still a legend. But if his around the WC, I hope you see him in a group ride…. and let’s see if you can hold his wheel while he munches on an energy bar…🤓

[..don’t bother us, we closed.]

30 minutes ago, BMCfan said:

My mistake, i thought he talked about Baronnes?

.. so this is what you guys do between 1 and 2pm. Noted* 🤭

[SRAM 32T love?]

Interesting that many people are ditching this ratio? There are 16 sellers currently all off loading and upgrading. Would love to know why? Cadence to high or nicer pairing in the rear?🤔

 

[The haunting (of Bikes)!]

1 hour ago, 440MTB said:

Howdy people of the palace!

Been a while since posting here, but I saw a certain pre-shredded 2020 Giant Reign 29 2 here on C.U.D. central and decided to grab it.

I also got a super nice Lyrik Ultimate from @MORNE  for an absolutely ludicrous price, which I couldn't resist, and kept my Lyne AMP HD wheelset with Hi-Per hubs, and thus far I'm loving the bike!

First ride on the new bike I did the first pallet drop on Free Ride on Conties, also did the river gap at Banhoek over the festive season, and the bike just eats up the rock gardens on Black Rhino, etc.

Overall, super stoked with the bike! 

I stripped down the entire rear of the bike last weekend and checked/serviced the pivots & bearings that needed attention, but to my surprise 90% of the bearings seem brand new, crankset, headset and shock (and the orignal Yari fork) were all serviced not too long ago, so the bike runs well.

Anyhow, enough blabbering, a pic of the bike in its current form (I'm planning on removing the frame protection, touching up some chips/scuffs/scrapes, and wrapping the frame in clear frame protection:

What a beauty! 👀, I’d use my lunch time to go Home and see her.🤓

[..don’t bother us, we closed.]

1 minute ago, 440MTB said:

Hahahaha. I think I need to do this going forward too, seems a few people take offence to anything, and everything, even when said in jest/with a sarcastic undertone. 🤣

Well… at least Bukehub can see who are using their lunch break wisely! 😂😂😂

[..don’t bother us, we closed.]

23 minutes ago, 440MTB said:

Heeeeeeey bru, howzit?!?! (Cape Town surfer/stoner voice).

Don't be jelly man... here in Cape Town we get money for barely working, beautiful beaches, scenery, mountains to plow down on our MTBs... also, you can grow dagga year-round... so what if the supplier is closed for a few hours a day bro?

Sit back, relax and enjoy the view... (oh wait you only have a heap of toxic mine waste as the closest thing to mountains up in Jozie).

🤣🤣🤣

P.S. The Gallows are beckoning, pitch forks are getting sharpened, and torches are getting lit... So herewith the obligatory: "JUST KIDDING!" 🏳️

That said, I'm sure there is logic behind this, perhaps they are understaffed, and the break over lunch time (like we all are required to take by law), is a welcome pause...

You can imagine with how many busy the main distributor of SRAM must be in SA at times... I've had good luck with reaching out to companies via mail or their Instagram pages in the past, have you explored these alternative avenues of making contact with them too?

Finally.. some good banter from WC!LoL. It’s all good. Absolutely all good. Just taking a fun dig at all the laid back folks.🤭

[..don’t bother us, we closed.]

15 minutes ago, MORNE said:

Firstly, we don't know the demographics at CCS. There might be more than a few guys that have religious obligations during that time. 

Secondly, i also dont answer my phone during lunchtime for anyone or anything work related. Try it, its great!

Thirdly, given the state of the rest of SA compared to the WC, call us what you like, you dont know what we do 😅

.. it’s just, ….I heard Cyril say.. SA is open for business! LOL. I assume WC didn’t get the memo? LOL. It’s all good.😃

[..don’t bother us, we closed.]

Tried calling SRAM local distributor, I get an automated message that they closed between 1 and 2? Is this a Slap Stad thingy?

[Gravel Bike - 1 x or 2 x Groupset]

Bigger gear ratio jumps on a 1x…, it depends what floats your boat. Best to try out both and make a choice..

[Cleaning sealant off rims and tyres]

…I remember the days of fresh rubber, open the casing, with a little soft powder on the fingers, nudge her nicely into position, put it in the hole.. and boom, you got it hard,  up to 120… and off you went,… and ever she got pinched, I’d take her for a bath, and she would blow me bubbles. She would just ly there.. till I brought out my toolkit, and I’d patch her over my bench with the finest glue available, and squeeze her tight till she had no air in her…

I miss these intimate moments.

🤓🤭

[…it’s not about the bike!]

 

[The PRO Gravel Thread]

2 hours ago, 'Dale said:

Awesome news:

Matt Beers learned a lot of lessons racing the Life Time Grand Prix in 2023, so he naturally signed up for more of the same this year.

Only now he’ll have more support to back him.

Beers, the South African gravel national champion, has signed on with Specialized Off-Road, where he’ll join Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Howard Grotts to race a calendar of mixed MTB and gravel. (Russell Finsterwald is departing the team.)

The team will lend him support at races in both the US and South Africa, including the Life Time Grand Prix Series and the Cape Epic, where is a two-time champion.

Sauce: Velo

Pic: Alex Roszcko

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Amazing, you actually need to be invited  to do the series… achievement all on its own! Looking forward to Matt “the machine” Beers kicking some Yankee ass! We all know his got the engine!

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 

[Scam Alert]

.. we choose our battles! Can’t always be running high pressures…🤭

[Time for new venture after 47 years]

Time to change course… well done! 
All the best for 2024! 

[Cleaning sealant off rims and tyres]

Firstly, don’t do any cowboy mechanic tricks with a HP. Seriously….

if you get one of Those hard erasers you just turn tires inside out and start rubbing, the heat should assist with breaking up sealant. Why waste water and put unnecessary pressure on casing. IMHO.