johanpre44

Nice Pick, but it looks like you are missing some parts (chain and chain rings), Pretty sure you will be very happy with those wheels. The American Classic Terrains was on my list when I put my bike together, just could not find them in 29" when I was looking for wheels.

They may be re-branded hubs (I cannot say). I didn't even know about the valves and rimtape. I replaced the bearings on my Prolite wheel set earlier this year with ones bought from Bearingman, better seals (the 2RS kind, which adds a bit of drag), and cost me around R600 for all 6.

Don't think you will go wrong with the Rapide wheelsets. I think those hubs are very similar to the ones on my Prolite wheelset (rear axles for the different axle types are exactly the same, and if I'm not mistaken they are also the same as Novatec hubs). Rear hubs with cartridge bearings are generally expensive when compared to the Shimano cup-and-cone kind. Not sure what the prices are since there are so many different models (check www.evobikes.co.za)

I respect cup and cone hubs, but they need a lot of maintenance to continue running smoothly. If you are looking at replacing the hub and rebuilding the rear wheel only, try and get something like the Novatec hubs which uses cartridge/sealed bearings (like Brad890 says). Complete rebuild with spokes is expensive (last time I checked it was also in the R500-R800 region), but I think well worth the effort, especially for the kind on mileage you are doing each week. Proper wheel set will be around R6k-R7k on special (like the Hope hub and Crest rims every now and again at CWC). For maintenance on spokes try and stick to J-Bend spokes and brass nipples.

Bikes on the car, ready to leave George early tomorrow morning. Now to get everything else in place and have a nice nights sleep. 5 hours will be nice, I'll see what the trail bike allows me to do. Lots of fun to be had around George area next week...

I'm in D again, same as my last K2C in 2014. I remembered a lot of walkers that year, couldn't really get a rhythm going so ended up walking most of wapad as well. Think this year I will start towards the back of D and not blast the first km's on tar.

K2C entry secured some months ago as the starting point of my holiday (now I have a very good excuse not to cancel my leave for the all to demanding job). And since the holiday means being out on the bike hopefully each day it will have to be the fun bike (DS) - Need to bring bikes for almost the whole family, so no HT this time around. This is my Second K2C, first one was a tough 6 hour day with lots of walking back in 2014. Would be nice if I can do around 5 hours this time but I'm not so sure. Think I will take the start easier than previously and take the wapad walk behind all the others and then try and peddle all the way to Knysna with the odd break at the water points.

I bet Michelle lives in Cape town or surounds...

I recently bought a Transition Smuggler, took the bike to the shop for a free checkup (just to make sure all is good after a months riding). First ride after the checkup and the rear shock failed (or collapsed or whatever). Needless to say I was not a happy camper having to take a shortcut and limp back home. I phoned Dirt Merchant and Mike said I just need to bring the bike in (since this sort of thing is not supposed to happen). I'm thinking that it's a good thing I have another bike and started wondering how long before I can ride the fun bike again. I pitched unannounced just after 2 today with the bike and I was helped immediately. Rolled out 30 minutes later with a loan shock until the other one is fixed (hope it's a warranty repair/replacement). My son also got a home made fidget spinner as part of the deal. It's great that excellent service is still found in this country of ours. Thanks for making my day Mike (and probably my weekend as well)

That is actually clever and not too expensive. Just found one from Problem Solvers: http://problemsolversbike.com/products/accessory-mounts/height_adapter_-_mprob83 which is not priced too bad (~10USD)

Think I will give the Zee a go (already have Spez grips on my bike, so I don't mind the S too much)

Which KTM, seems like there are plenty to choose from. Cyclelab lists two models, Wing and Anyway (which seems clover because it's a sideload but you pick which side and how far it's tilted)

Do you use Camelbak Podium bottles on those Zee cages?

I saw the Topeak X15 adapter, but not sure how well it works, guess it's fine for a road bike but on an MTB I'm not sure. Did a Google and some unhappy customers. I will try a couple of LBS's to hear what they have to say about it. I modified my current bottle cage a little so that it's not straight with the frame any more, maybe 5 degrees to the right. Cant say that it made any improvement.

I recently got myself a Transition Smuggler. Even though the Frame is Large, it's a bit of a mission getting a 750ml bottle into the bottle cage. Can't say I have tried too many bottles and cages, but I like my Camelbak Podium Big Chill bottles in Lezyne Flow cages, works perfectly on my hard tail and never lost a bottle not to mention that my bottles are still in very good condition after a couple of years. I have also tried the Lezyne Flow SL cages and even though they work OK, it's a bit of a mission to get the bottle loaded. I was wondering if there was a way to move the cage down by maybe 20mm (there seems to be more than enough space), and with something like the Wolftooth B-RAD 2 adapter it's obviously possibly. So the questions: 1. Has anyone used the Wolftooth B-RAD 2, and is it work the Price (will cost me over R400 to get it to Gauteng if bought from the local distributor) 2. Are there any similar and worthwhile solutions at a cheaper price 3. Or should I just go for a better side-load bottle cage like a Specialized Zee (not sure how well they work with the Podium bottles, but the LBS where I looked at them some time ago suggested that they don't really go together)

Wonder who the lucky winner was... (obviously it was not me)

That was so stresful to watch, all those crashes... Sucks that Mr Min did not win, so close. Think Troy deserved it, he has been working really hard.

I got a Transition Smuggler with nice build-kit (SRAM Guide-R brakes, SRAM GX 1x11 drive train and RS Pike) for this price (got one of the very last ones when they were on special last month). Only need a dropper (saving for a Lyne). Bike is a bit of a tank in terms of weight (heavy wheel and tyre combo probably the culprit), but when it gets rough (even going up) it goes very well.

Funny!

For a change the woman's race was interesting to watch. Nice to to see Tahnee won (having a Transition taking the race!) Pressure was really on Gwin and he delivered, think the rest of the season will be interesting. Syndicate doing so well (all the riders in top 10!). Loris will have to take a win some time, and with today's run I don't think it's too far away. Greg was playing it safe and consistent. Andorra will be a good race to watch. Kind of sucks that Loic was out for today, hope he will be back in Andorra. Troy is also doing some good racing. See some hard work ahead for Danny Hart, but he is gaining (not bad to go from 53 to 25 with a broken chain).

Now for the wait...

First time for me, not brave enough for the long one. Can't believe how sketchy those rocky descends were (my bike threw me in the process, and landed on me afterwards... only thing I could think of lying on my back was to get out of the way before someone else does the same and lands on top of me). Must agree with Clinton H, I'm a mid-packer and the elites was shouting at us all the time to make way. One of them had a bad fall on the descend as well and broke his collarbone. And then with about 5km or so to go we merged with the 15km riders, some more bad crashes there. We could not really ride any of the tricky bits at the end because everyone was walking which kind of sucked. Still it was a good day out and the family got to chill at the resort while I was cycling.

Visiting the in-laws in George at the same time as K2C this year, so I decided to enter. Was a tough day out the last time (2014), hope I do a little better this time.

Dang! I'm away for the weekend!

Some good reviews for the Rapide Saddle, I will try and borrow one from Kiwi to see if it works. Anyone here ever rode one of the Brooks Saddles? Especially the Cambium ones? I would like to give one a try and understanding that they can last a lifetime I may be willing to spend the R2k, but I like the fact that the Rapide Saddle is so cheap (and still good quality).