BuffsVintageBikes

7 of us had a crack at the CC again this past weekend. After doing it in 2023, we decided to try make it an annual event in April. I was once again reminded why it's called a Challenge. This ride really bites once you get to 130km's and from then on it tests your mental and physical limits. We started in the dark at 5:30am and finished as the sun dipped below the horizon, with a total time of around 13hrs. It was a big day out but a truly magical day on the bike, sharing great experiences with good friends 🤙

Giant has a lifetime guarantee on all their frames so I wouldn't let that bother you.

I've got an Elite Suito so it should work. An old steel bike fixie rigged up with a cheap 16 cog & bomb proof BMX chain makes a lot more sense than my gravel bike with a 11 speed cassette that's taking a beating 🤙

So you could put a Fixie on your Zwift trainer?

Maybe the Police Station in town? We did a 4 day circuit of the Cederberg recently and I left my bakkie at Cederberg Oasis.

As someone who has the 2020 carbon Revolt I can tell you that the biggest issue on that bike (which also isn't an issue, depending on how you use it) is the 105 Road brake levers. You can't adjust the lever pull on those brakes so to improve your braking you need to set the pads super close to the disk which isn't ideal on a gravel bike. The result is that it's difficult to descend on a steep, bumpy trail with your hands on the hoods and 2 fingers on the brakes as you don't get enough brake actuation. You need to then go into the drops and it puts your neck under strain hyper-extending to look up. I've done some knarly stuff on my bike including some MTB trail in Bottelary Hills and the rear derailleur and chain has never been an issue. It's never even dropped a chain. If you're not going to do anything that rough with your gravel bike then none of this will be an issue for you. Mine is still going strong after many miles 🤙

Every year I attend, I'm even more fascinated why this event hasn't blow up yet. It's by far the best cycling weekend on my yearly calendar. My wife is even crazy about it and this year she had me buying her a vintage bike so she could ride the "Classic" class. The routes are great, the organization is top class, the food outstanding, the red wine spectacular and friendships are built for life. Come ride Eroica people, you will not regret it.

I simply wrapped the fork with an old inner tube and cable tied the bottom of the bottle cage to the fork. I did the whole Plett to CT tour like that and it never moved at all.

Congrats, you can't go wrong with a Revolt, I use mine on road, gravel & bike packing and even the occasional bit of MTBing 🤙

At Eroica SA in Montagu this past weekend, I was reminded once again just how versatile these old steel bikes are. Slap on a set of 28C tires (or 32C if the frame allows), swop out the rear cassette for a 13-28 and you're good it go for a great adventure. This years route even took us up & down Ouberg Pass.

Bottelary Hills last night

FFS, why's everyone suddenly sharing their stats, is Bikehub trying to give Tinder some competition?

I'm keen as well... and I'll be racing it on a vintage steel bike... in for penny, in for a pound 😉

I'm with Abe on this one. A Trail bike will have you working a lot harder over the full week if you're at the sharp end and it's the accumulative fatigue that eventually gets you at the Epic.

Yes, very sad indeed. Good luck getting your bike back, I believe the shop might have been locked up by the sheriff of the court. There's a few suppliers nervous as well.

Sadly it sounds like they've gone bang due to the tough economic times

Leave early, that road gets busy on the weekend.

While on this topic, what is that maroon juice in the plain bottle that all the Pros seem to be drinking directly after they cross the finish line? I saw it again yesterday at the AG race. It looks like beetroot juice but I know its not that. Masking agent 101 maybe? 😉 Seriously though, it looks damn suspect because everyone is taking it, including the ladies.

Maybe of the Tygerberg side. On Bottelary side it's free.

Yeah, that's about as effective as making an ex-convict President.

What blows my mind is when people who have been rogue riders for years get made Marshals and get free permits for the year... #FML

Bottelary is more a XC type route rather than a manicured trail network so I find it keeps me on my toes a lot more that the Tygerberg side. With it being on my doorstep I know all those trails like the back of my hand. On Sat morning I spent 4 hours in those hills and still didn't ride half the network available. There's just so many routes to choose from and they're mostly fairly challenging so you certainly work for your breakfast.

Keep an eye on the Vintage whatsapp group, we still need to make another #steelisreal outride happen before winter hits us proper. Glad to hear is gone to a good home @Paul Ruinaard 👍

That is an absolute bargain for a bike in that condition and with that groupset on it. Pure class 🤙 I certainly hope someone snaps it up quickly so it doesn't haunt my dreams this week 😲

And there Cannondale starts with their pricing restructure as well. I love the way they word it to make it sound like they're doing you a huge favour but when times were good they were more than willing to fleece you for every penny. Interesting times indeed in the cycling industry.