Edge_Design

Thanks - that's a lot more than I would have expected it to cost and I definitely agree that isn't practical. I wonder where the systems used by the XC events come from and if they couldn't be rented for these events if they work for this type of special stage timing. I don't really agree the existing system works well (by 2019 tech standards) but it does work which is priority number 1.

Would be interested to know the costs involved... This event should have generated R100k+ in entry fees (before sponsors/exhibitors etc) so there is a fair amount of cash involved. The organisers need to make some money but I'm sure some money could be set aside to finance better equipment over a couple of years? The timing works within reason but it is a little outdated tech and when there are only a few seconds between the top positions the timing matters.

I could be wrong but I think you're referring to a section that was completely bypassed in the enduro (last year at least) - there was a flat run that didn't go near the "jump line". The jump is on the far right of the picture at about 2m19 in the video

It's actually so nice watching a good POV run without all the OTT whooping and high fives...

Guessing it's Chris Nixon so definitely a good pov to learn from...

For those of you that need some inspiration to stay on your bike and to keep moving at the enduro, this little guy was lying right across the trail as we came around a corner yesterday... Took a couple of minutes before he allowed us past.

Time for a recce I think - need to decide if I'm actually riding it this year. I had more than 1 intimate moment with the rocks on Plumber last year which put me out of riding for a few weeks so definitely a little wary of going back there again.

Have a look at the TRP Quadiem for good value with good stopping power - not the lightest or most subtle looking but they work.

Ouch - poor Dyllan hasn't logged in again since you posted this!

Interesting to see that based on those stats (assuming it represents all riders/bikes there) at least 15 people with forks don't have brakes (or have 2 forks) Feel like I spent far too much time trying to work that out but the one at a minimum of 0.82% and the other at 0.93% (presumably a single bike from the sample) bothered me.

FFS - in the same paragraph you say you aren't arrogant and then go on to once again blame the climb for your inability to get even remotely close to the record. You aren't close because you aren't good enough! Simple... If you failed after 7000m then you might get away with saying that but you only got half way. You can't break the world record marathon time by running a half marathon quickly! I am sure you are a good cyclist - no way I could climb as fast as you have - but you have a lot of work to do if you are going to break any records.

There is publicising it and then there is whatever Zweel has been doing... It seems to be somewhere right in the middle of p155ing people off and just making himself out as a P03ph0l (I'm trying to be polite here). Although Frail doesn't get nearly as big a response from people, we all respect what he does and have no objection to him publicising his rides beforehand. The opinions on this thread are very much directly aimed at the OP and not to the principle of what he is doing.

You're actually worried he's going to be too successful??? Clearly you haven't followed the discussions... One of his things seems to be offering nutrition advice - then every time he fails he blames his poor nutrition. Poor guy doesn't stand a chance.

Your frame might make up 20% of the weight of the bike and probably weighs only marginally more than your fork or wheels alone - the material it's made from will have a relatively minor impact on the overall weight of the bike... People get so worried about what brand of frame it is vs overall bike weight for some strange reason. I promise that the Santa Cruz stickers didn't make your bike 2kg lighter than another enduro bike. Tyres are probably one of the biggest differences as you can make 0.5kg+ difference in weight for the same cost just due to personal preference.

Have to admit I quite like the paintwork...

I'm guessing those shops are the ones that have been around for a very long time and have a long standing relationship. It would be much harder for new entrants to get those brands. I'm not sure if you are referring to Omnico's brands in general or Cannondale specifically as every bike shop will stock some Omnico products, but won't necessarily get access to all of them. They appear to treat Cannondale as their premium brand and are probably very sensitive about who stocks them. When it comes to their Ryder products almost every bike shop in SA stocks those (presumably the 25 in Durban). I guess they are competing with the likes of Specialized so need to give a similar premium brand image.

That sounds like good business practice to me - they are protecting the shops that support them rather than chasing every single possible sale they could make.

Did some practice runs out there yesterday and I have to admit I'm not disappointed there is some more time to train before the event... 3 full runs and I could barely drive home - definitely nothing left for a 4th climb to the top. The tracks are incredible though!

This comment isn't funny any more after the latest announcement!

For those of us watching the ground and not where we were going it came as quite a surprise! I'm not quite sure how I avoided the tape in the end. Those were some incredible trails - in hindsight I wish I had done a test ride or 2 before yesterday so I could have gotten a decent time rather than riding everything blind but still a great day out!

At that price you would think they could find a picture that matched the description - Mavic wheels in the pic and Fulcrum in the description; SRAM Red in the 1 pic and Dura Ace in the other... That's the kind of thing that will just cause trouble for them and Takealot at the end of the day.

That is +-120km - a support vehicle really is overkill. If you're riding on the R27 then a support vehicle is also exceptionally dangerous for other road users (cycling on that road is also crazy but that is your choice).

Are "support vehicles" not illegal? Imagine what it would look like if every single commuter at peak hour had a car driving behind them shielding them from the traffic... If you can't do it for everyone then you shouldn't do it for anyone in my opinion. If your vehicle is merely carrying spares then they can just stop at a coffee shop somewhere in the general vicinity and you call them when you need them. If you're scared about your safety then it's time to buy a MTB - roads are there for a specific purpose so don't block them unnecessarily (I changed to MTB when my concern for my own safety started making training unpleasant). If you can't do the ride without someone carrying your sandwiches for you then train harder.

Great day out - much harder work than I expected! A water point would have been nice...

Very sad to drive down the M3 now and see the rider still on the side of the road. RIP...