BuffsVintageBikes

@Loose cog should be able to help you out with reproduction SLR hoods

Mark at Marks Bicycle Workshop in Bellville should be able to help you out. Alternatively, buy a small packet of bearings and dump the race and repack them loose.

Very cool collection, I'm currently busy restoring a little Raleigh Sunbeam Dido like the blue one in your photo.

I'd suggest you approach your LBS and get stock through them on a COD basis until you have built up a client base, as @Prince Albert Cycles was forced to do. There's a few smaller bike shops in the great CT area that operate like this as they just cannot afford the high "minimum stock" purchases from the suppliers.

I found some at Evobikes some time ago, not sure if they still have stock though.

Iconic route amongst us older WC riders, used to always be our prep route for the D/C back in the day. Back then we could safely cycle through SLP Village and come out at the corner halfway up SLP. Always keep an eye on the wind when going over the top. We had a very bad experience on that pass where the wind actually blew our bikes out from under us, forcing us to walk hunched over pushing the bike to try reduce wind drag. It the first time I've actually been scared of wind ☠️ Other than that, it really is an amazing route and well worth a crack ????

Another "how long is a piece of string" thread... I love it. You're not comparing apples with apples because guys like The Idol and the Blonde Blitz were all competing during the apartheid era. Yes I know they sometimes raced over the waters under alias's but they were never allowed to compete openly against the best in the world for any extended period of time, like Robbie H did. Who knows what they might have achieved if allowed the freedom to take on the world. My first choice would be The Idol, (probably because I'm old school) and then it would be Robbie. Greg is in a class of his own, literally and figuratively so I'm not dumping him in the same basket. Ashleigh is awesome but no, I still don't think woman's cycling is close to being as competitive as the men field. It's improved incredibly over the years but it still has some way to go IMHO. A certain team with a 1,2,3 on a podium is an example of what I'm referring to (dons the flame suit). So maybe we should split this into the different cycling disciplines because it's like comparing Valentino Rossi with Ricky Carmichael.

I have someone it CT that could laser weld that for you. Maybe do some research and find a Durban firm that could assist.

I don't think you get RemoveAll anymore. I've been looking for it for ages.

My advice would be to take it to a blasting company and have it Vapour Blasted or alternatively blasted with aluminum oxide. Then get ready to do the hard work.

I was there this past weekend. The trails were so wet & muddy that we stuck to the gravel roads. Suurbrak to Heidelberg via Strawberry Hill climb is an awesome ride, very scenic.

Great story Sam, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading it ???? I was signed up for the 2018 Munga but my planning was rudely derailed by a thyroid cancer scare. Maybe it's time to tick it off the bucket list now that I'm healthy again.

Post the photo's here and let us have a look. See if you can find a tubing decal on the down tube or seat tube.

Just to add my 2c worth. It often depends on the tubing used on the Hansom. From Reynolds 501 and upwards the geometry tends to be more race orientated and the clearances less for wider tires, especially if you own a frame that was custom made for a client. The cheaper tubing like 025 can often accommodate up to 32C tires.

You'll have to look long and hard to beat that price for a bike running 11 speed. I'm looking to building up a old steel gravel bike as a fun project and just piecing together parts for it runs at over R5K. I'd say... Go for it ????

Hahaha... that's wonderful to hear ???? It certainly becomes a very addictive hobby very quickly. Enjoy and shout if you need any assistance. Looking forward to meeting you on one of our Vintage bike rides sometime in the future ????

All the best PS, know that by doing this you might just be saving another cyclists life/lives ????

Try www.bicyclestickers.co.uk, I've had very good service from them ???? Lovely old Carlton btw, well done on giving it some new life. Regarding the bar tape... that saddle is a little darker than tan, maybe try www.everydaycyclesupplyco.com (here in CT) and check out their range of bar tape to match the darker leather. Good luck with the rest of the resto, be sure to drop us some photos once done ????

Some work I've done recently in customizing a stem for a Ciocc build and a chainblade for a Gios.

Perfect cruising weather at the moment ???? I need to fire up my bikes again soon, they've been on trickle charge for too long.

Investigator... "So Mr vd Poel, could you please confirm your exact whereabouts when this accident took place?"

Unless he's pulling off the biggest fake in the industry then I don't think he's at the level of a top domestique at the moment so why even take him to the Tour? What is puzzling for me is they will have seen & studied all his power stats and performances in Tenerife and they'll know exactly where he is in terms of preparation and in comparison to the other guys on the camp and they have persisted with getting him ready for the Tour. IMHO.... They're either hiding it because it's bad or they're hiding it because they're planning something big and they're hoping to catch the other teams off guard.

That was even tougher than I expected and I only did the 180. Kudo's to all those who tackled the full ride, I have the utmost respect for all of you but just shout if you need a reference for a good psychologist. I enjoyed the Rooiberg stage but that Caltizdorp stage broke me in half. Thank God I found my legs with 30km's to go. My legs still feel broken. Well done to Dryland on presenting a great event, I cannot fault anything.

That's a harsh blow for Landa, just when he seemed to be coming into some great form as well.

Should blow us home, route turns Easterly after check point 3