Chris NewbyFraser

My experience o these bikes is that they area great crossover machine. Smoother gravel roads are easily travelled and the rough tar roads that are becoming the norm are ironed out beautifully. I sorted out the harsh effect on my rear by putting on a Thudbuster 32mm seat post. All I needed was a lightweight front shock which was not designed at the time. I still hold that the Spez front shock with its super short front travel that bottoms out constantly is a waste of money. Now that I live in southern Kzn with its character laden local 'tar' roads, I really wish I had not changed my gravel machine for a proper road bike. It would have been perfect for this region.

Probably gloating in a gentle way.

Back when Specialized started selling their Diverge gravel bike, I bought one and posted notes about the experiences I had, both positive and negative. A number of Hubbers trashed the idea of gravel bike specific riding, with various arguments about the bike just being a skinny mtb or fat road bike, and no doubt a number also felt that the discipline was doomed to failure. Well now, with the UCI announcement of a formal global gravel series and world championships, I wonder what the nay-sayers think about the sport now?

The answer to my question? On Bikehub (where else!) I found a pair of Shimano 105 (5800 series) which Shimano's web site says is ok for my Tiagra 4700 levers. Put this on my road bike and found the braking is about 25% better and the feel is not 'dead' as I felt with the Merida comp. Now I feel in control of my bike. Well worth the investment

From what I understand in literature, the current 4700 series has a different pull ratio to earlier ranges so its possible it wont work properly. I have to agree with you on the TRP / Tektro. I had mechanical TRP Spyre on a Spez gravel bike and got rid of them pretty damn fast.

Since retiring and moving to the Kzn coast and its steep slopes, I find the rim brakes on my Merida Scultura 300 struggle to stop me at speed. I have the stock standard Merida Comp callipers with Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers. I changed the single piece Merida brake shoes to the Shimano brake shoes (not the cartridge type) but this had little noticeable effect. I am looking at buying some used Tiagra 4700 callipers to replace the Merida's but before I do that I am hoping some Hubbers have some specific experience to share with me. Will the 4700's be a worthwhile upgrade or is it not worth the money. I cannot afford used 105's which have the correct pull ratio to match the 4700 series.

Do the lesser models offer less travel? Methinks 150mm is more than the majority will use and has the negative of extra weight and cost

I remember there used to be a very informal 3 day thrash that ran from the central Berg somewhere to Midmar(?). I recall legends about its laid back camping personality with an 'extremely' chilled character owing to its liberal nightime refuelling policy. What was its title? This made me think that the upper Midland area would be a fine setting for an amateur road rider 2 to 3 day stage tour, but based at a single venue. Roads are not too busy with some routes(like the climbs out of Estcourt, Mooi River, Bergville) offer stiff tests while the rest all are rolling hills and the scenery is attractive. This is well within easy drives from Gauteng and Kzn. I wonder if, with the stage racing craze running in mtb and gravel, there is a possible future for a road event? Any enterprising clubs willing to look at this.

I had a hollow feeling yesterday when watching the finish of Saturdays stage. Roglic turned on a pace which was so remarkeable it reminded me of the Armstrong surges. Can a rider be so much stronger than his fellow racers? I look forward to seeing a race where he is up against the rest of the 'elite of the elite', like Pogacar and hopefully an on-form Bernal.

I see that Paris Nice is on. Maybe dstv just chose to ignore the (probably more expensive) super exciting Classics and got the far less addictive multi-day tours at a good price. Probably hoping this will continue to enslave their current cycling viewers

. True, thats not expensive on its own. But, in order to watch cycling, rallying, global touring cars and sailing, then the totals might add up to more than dstv - bit tough for me as a fixed income retiree, which is why I am hoping to find very affordable sites to access

Are there any lower cost sites where I can look at cycling? When I get my data line it will be expensive to buy the good subscriptions for my cycling and rallying.

On what website were you watching? With dstv seemingly dropping live cycling, I am going to get a Telkom line and package so I can watch cycling and rallying

Even the doyen of SA Cycling, Mighty Mouse, was unaware of this sudden change in cycling coverage.

I was hoping to be able to start watching some quality cycling this weekend but I see that DSTV is not broadcasting any cycling, despite the UAE tour happening now and two huge classics this weekend. Have they dropped cycling? That would be the end of my subscription to them.