Jewbacca

'Single speed'..... 🙊 I think this IS a direct replacement for a 2x groupset. They specifically mention gravel bikes It's 1x gear simplicity with either a bail out or a granny. Which ever way you want to wield it I guess.

Has SRAM swapped over from DOT fluid to Mineral fluid? I'm loath to cross pollinate bleed kits between the two, but I guess a good thorough clean after use would suffice. I have a mineral fluid kit with multiple hoses and attachments and a DOT fluid kit with the same. Also both of them are so old they are probably teenagers and have a tiktok account.

Yoh.... Mechanical doping at SS world champs is going to be a thing! This is pretty rad though. I know SRAM used to have a 2 speed hub that shifted automatically based on the rotational speed of the hub shell and CSS also imported an internal 3 speed hub that had an 8 speed cassette on the freehub body, so it's been 'a thing' before. The electronic shifting and more refined system and looks is impressive though. This is an interesting segment in the market and I'm not surprised someone is trying to refine and corner it

Ah... I still disagree. I see 100k bikes sit in the classifieds for ages. Most people spending that cash would likely buy new. I say 'most' as there are of course always outliers, but IMHO a 100k plus second hand bike isn't a common sale, nor is it a fantastic investment if you don't have that sort of spare change to throw at a depreciating asset that may or may not be sellable Disclaimer, I have zero information. In fact, the best person to answer this is the guy who does the info harvesting in the classifieds...

Is that a fair reflection of the actual Market as a whole though? Less than 1000 of the wealthiest 'cyclists' in the country or pro's. I'd say look more at what is being ridden on club rides, at CTCT, at bigger, mass participation MTB events and what moves on the trails every weekend to get a gauge. If say, 4000 bikes are sold monthly, how many are in that bracket? My guess is not many. Those bikes are definitely bought and sold, but the definition of 'Market' in this sense probably needs to be defined. I don't think there is a sustainable business solely based in that market segment, but top end/upper tier bikes certainly drive the 'I want' factor in a brand. Can't afford the S-Works? Well we can sell you one not quite as good for 1/4 the price, but those who can afford the S-Works (and some of those who can't) will want it and buy it because lust, ego and desire along with unnecessary toys are what make many humans tick. What I find ridiculous is that 100k isn't even that much money these days after inflation, Rand value etc but R1M is still the baseline value to be a VATable entity

Unless all my clocks are incorrect, this is a day early?

Geez.... I don't respond to EVERY thread, just the ones that interest me.

I have done a few, steel, alu and carbon... Steel I would just ask Dave Mercer to do it and add a port.. Probably cost about 400zar and will have a port welded around the hole. Alu I strip the paint, bend another piece of alu over where I want to drill, then drill tat 1st, then epoxy press that to the frame and drill using the pilot hole with a brand new/sharp drill bit. Neaten with file. I do similar with the carbon frame as above except I lay up some carbon over a piece of foam shaped like the tube, then epoxy press that onto the carbon frame and neaten with a file. Very doable and also very easy to make it look pleasing and be functional

That's the one. So I'm sure there is some sensitive content that comes from a relationship that involves a degenerative disease. 'Fans' and the 'media' will just speculate on who did/didn't do what should it come from another source. Anyway, moving on, Untamed Absa Cape Epic toughest race in the world was incredibly entertaining this year. It definitely had it's 'Day's of our lives' twists and turns in both races, which ultimately is why we have the feed to watch. Great production and a fantastic, exciting, drama Llama filled storyline. Being a Pro Centric marketed event, all was perfect. BUT, much like the great and Powerful Oz, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!!!! If you look closely, behind the big show, there are definitely a few stories that pang of poor quality and difficult decisions for those involved paying the bills to keep the wheels turning. There are more than a few Lion, Scarecrows, Tin Men and Dorothy's who are butthurt by the quality of the courage, Brains, Lubrication and proverbial wisdom dolled out by the great and powerful ACA

Can't stop won't stop......

I think there is background to this, as Nino's wife (ex) is incredibly sick. Like unable to look after herself sick. Pretty sure, as a public figure they need to inform everyone of the decision in case Nino is seen with someone else and the scandal news breaks because no one knows of the split. Being a public figure must be rubbish. Everything you do is scrutinized, judged, commented on and often vehemently supported or harshly disapproved of for whatever reasons people make up. I'd hate it

8% body fat is shredded and regarded by most as unhealthy and unsustainable. I am not surprised things fit awkwardly. I would guess that very little sport or activity specific clothing fits you well. As an aside, I am 1.74cm short, 73kg and wear a Large Vye shirt (squeeze into a M for race day but it's toit like a toiger) and wear a Small in golf shirts. Some ar baggy. Sport generally has to cater for it's median and outliers tend to struggle with sizing. As mentioned before, as an outlier, you are likely doomed to have to try before you buy or play the 'does it fit' lottery.

As life should be! Look, a Dassie!

You guys are spoiled. On an adventure race I'm stoked to eat Pilchards, fruit, semi stale sandwiches and the very occasional dehydrated/rehydrated meal out of a bag if we boil some water. Usually on the move or huddled together somewhere at 2am, mostly with unwashed hands having not showered for days, pooped in a bush and slept on the floor somewhere for a couple of hours a night. Cyclists are hella fussy

Is there a resolution to this? (Don't some smarty pants say 1080p)...... I mean, it's not every day someone wakes up and openly chooses violence.........

I agree completely. Courtesy, some manners and some common sense. Unfortunately these are things I see seldom, especially amongst those with more cents and sense. I'm just always amused that it is brought up every year during Epic. There is no real solution unfortunately.

I see it as the same as going out in your car and getting annoyed at bad drivers and traffic. You KNOW it's going to be there. We saw it a few times with the top 3 teams, all it takes is 1 person to lose their back tire and everyone behind them had to dismount. If there were 20, 30 teams and the 4th in line loses it, then oops, that is 36 to 56 people dismounting, which will create 'ghost traffic' that will effect pretty much most teams behind. I'm a big believer in upskilling, but I am also a big believer in people being very quick to be critical without having a solution or alternative. Do you want technical trails in the Epic? Yes.... Then expect congestion OR ride fast enough to miss 'most' of it. Robbie, can YOU ride Irish top to bottom without stopping and then crack on across to saaltjie without a breather?

I always love the tech bashing every year at Epic. Is it really offensive or a disgrace? Is it really important? Get ahead of the congestion by getting fitter/faster or get over it. If you do a trail running race more than half the field walk up and down the technical bits. At Enduro's it is 100% acceptable to push up easy jeep track climbs, if you tell those bro's to get fitter they get helluva defensive about how shredding the gnar is the importanterest to Enduro and being fit isn't important and also, shut up and mind your business. These guys and gals pushing or walking are there to finish the Untamed toughest race on earth Absa Cape Epic. They couldn't care if it takes them an extra 4 hours if they walk some bits that they feel is taking a risk which might lead to a fall and eliminate them from achieving their goal of finishing. 70% of the finishers of Comrades and Two Oceans walk/jog in the cut off bus and finish in the last 15 minutes of the allotted time. I think it is admirable that these people are there slogging it out all day every day to achieve something they believe is worth achieving.

geez hey... people have learned how to be negative about stuff. It's good but.... It's good FULL STOP. Call me naive, but I miss the days when people could simply enjoy things without always adding a 'but'. Did you have a good ride? 'It was good, but.. could have been less wind/cars were everywhere/my coffee was a bit hot/Binkybonks was a bit slow and unfit/my attitude is weirdly rubbish and I'm incapable of just simply enjoying something.....' vs 'Thank you, it was really rad' I like enjoying things. It makes me happy and gives me the ability to enjoy more things.

hahahahaha I know some people who's pain meds plan is as elaborate as the plot of National Treasure........

Which ones? I think Myprodol have codeine in them, which is not WADA legal. But the generic MyPaid are legal. I'm not a great one for pain meds. I prefer to grit my teeth and feel it over masking it, but I have found the best (less stomach issues and easier to manage hydration) for me has been Dicloflam They seem to be race legal.

What ever you do, don't mention the war.... I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it....

I also don't know if I was watching a different feed as I thought it was brilliant today. I have nothing to be critical of at all. Fantastic racing, great POV camera work and a good vaaaaib coming from everyone involved

Emma Sadleir is busy typing... ...

It's difficult to look past just how much it looks like the Santa Cruz Blur Oli rode for a long time! He says it's 'quite long' but handles really well I think it looks like a fantastic product.