BrianMTB

Haha, sorry about the font size, I wrote it on my phone and these days bigger is better 🙈

Hey Hubbers, I come to you today not as a hater, but as a man hanging on by his literal fingernails. My local club rides have seen a fantastic influx of e-bikes lately. It’s great—more people, longer loops, fewer calls to wives for "rescue pickups." All good things. However, we’ve reached a new evolution: The E-Bike Ride Captain. Here’s the deal: Our rides used to be advertised at a civilised 21km/h. I’d finish feeling "good-tired." Now, with a ride leader who has a motor and a battery doing the heavy lifting, that average has crept up to 24km/h. The real "fun" starts when the road tilts up. In the Old Days (circa 2022), the laws of physics dictated that the group slowed to a dignified 15km/h on a climb. Now? The Captain hits the "Turbo" button, whistles a tune, and maintains 19km/h while the rest of us analog riders are seeing stars and tasting iron. I’m getting home shattered, depleted, and wondering if I accidentally signed up for the Cape Epic qualifiers instead of a social Saturday spin. So, I’m putting it to the collective wisdom of the Hub: 1. Is the "E-Pace Creep" a documented phenomenon in your clubs? 2. Is it fair for a ride leader on an e-bike to set the pace from the front? 3. Do I have a legitimate gripe about "advertised vs. actual" speed, or do I just need to shut up, HTFU (Harden The Flip Up), and buy a bigger lung? Looking forward to the spicy takes. 🍿

I heard that a rider was killed in a head-on with a taxi during this event. Does anyone know more about what happened?

Thanks all for the helpful input, I appreciate it. Am flying tomorrow on Swiss; bike packed and all set. Thanks again and safe cycling 👍🏻

I really appreciate all this great info - thanks for your help. I will be sure to go to Morgins 🚵🏻👍🏻 Who needs a toothbrush… 🥷🏻

Hi all I’m spending three months in Switzerland soon and am taking my mountain bike with me. I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has done this before, specifically in terms of whether I will be charged any kind of importation or customs clearance fee?

I haven’t been on this site for quite a while, and so I was intrigued to see a large and active thread about veganism (being a former professional animal scientist turned vegan). I expected to see a complete deterioration of civility and decorum in the thread, with opposing views on this contentious subject facing off across an impassible divide. I read the first 20 or so pages that started in 2018 and then the last 10 or so most recent pages. It seems to me that (with the exception of the inevitable spat here and there), the discussion was always constructive and in fact appeared to evolve over the 3+ years into a real platform for positive debate on the topic. I’ve been fully vegan for about 6 years, and in that time I have seen what I perceive as a swing in societal attitudes about vegansim; from open hostility (which I’m embarrassed to say used to be my position) to greater awareness and even partial adoption. Perhaps this is just my perception based on my frame of reference. I am interested to hear other’s views on this.

Magura MT6 or MT8 - the latest versions. Best brakes money can buy.

These guys are missing a trick. They could start a programme teaching trail building to minor offenders and they could build what could easily become one of the nicest trails in Joburg. I understand that security is paramount but they could control access (and charge for it). I wonder if that is a discussion that could be had with their management?

Hi all I was doing some exploring today and found my way onto the Leeukop Prison grounds. I only realised this when I rode past a few people who were obviously Correctinal Services people but they didn't bat an eyelid. There are some nice trails there and even some wildlife. Is it okay to ride there? And if so is it safe?

20 hours per week? 8-12 a week is fine.

There were issues with the Polar site over the weekend - check again later today or tomorrow before looking for a workshop.

I did these on animals when I was at vasity using a biopsy trokar I got from the sports science lab...

What sad news! Rodney always helped me at CL. What a good guy. Heartfelt sympathies to his family. What happened to him?

Yep, get confident on the bike you have. Once you transition to the better bike you will enjoy it just that much more. Welcome to The Hub and happy riding.

Certainly with long distance MTBiking, the constant climbing, slowing and accelerating takes less energy with lighter wheels. If I was a roadie I would have said that the STs look better too

Thanks for the comments everyone, the insights are much appreciated. Am going to go wth the ST's I think. Weight and durability seem to to be tops . And I really want to experience the warping of space-time over those 2cm drop-offs Now to get the additional pay-in past the wife...

Much appreciated Tuinslang

200g will make a big difference in respect of additional rotational weight. Slower acceleration, cornering etc, especially on a 29er. But I take your point too :-), although at 187cm I can't do too much about it

Thanks Gummi, 1600g is a lot less than 1800 (the Syncros).

Hi Hubbers I managed to pull the wool over my wife's eyes long enough to get her to agree to me buying a new bike . I'm going for the Scott Spark 910 and am considering changing the stock Syncros wheels for Mavic Crossmax ST's. Not sure this is necessary though - can anyone advise me on the Syncros wheels? Would I benefit significantly with the Mavic's? The specs: Syncros XR2.0 rims with DT Swiss Aero Comp spokes and Syncros XR2.0 CL / 12 x 142 / RWS hub (made by DT Swiss). I weigh 90kgs and do exclusively cross-country/marathons. Any advice would be appreciated.

You probably got beaten up a lot at school, didn't you?

The situation isn't funny but your comment is both true and hilarious. Haven't had such a good laugh in a while :-D

Spare a thought for the people (who knows how many) who, upon seeing this thread, rushed to their Pinarellos, palms sweating, hearts racing and with a sense of impending doom turned their prized steeds over only to confirm their worst nightmare... no official serial number. That would ruin my year and I would not wish such a thing on my worst enemy. I would be nuclear by now if I was Andrew.

I put it to you... this response is an insult to all your customers - a good number of whom have contributed to- and/or viewed this thread. Selling counterfeit goods is illegal - and no amount of lawyer-speak will change that. I for one will not support your business again.