openmind

Just make sure the wider tyres will fit your frame and fork before you buy.

I came 6th in the MTB festival (first SA champs? Can’t remember) downhill race in Sedgefield in 1990 on a fully rigid 26” MTB. Course was straight down a fire road with a few water bars that were easy to bunnyhop. 🤪

https://theradavist.com/are-mountain-bikes-just-faster

Hmm, @guidodg this is actually a big deal for age group racers. I got a masters podium last year and that was really cool; it was one of the reasons I came back this year.

So that was fun! Perfect weather, near-champagne gravel, bit of wind to sort the men from the boys (turns out I was a boy today!). Highly recommended event. Thanks all.

I'm sorry, but I don't think that's a problem. It's a Sunday morning in a country town, not much traffic and there is a whole other lane for you to pass in. Live and let live.

Awesome event! Did the short route with my daughter. Those were the smoothest gravel roads I have ever ridden!!

So, how was it?

NX chains are made of cheese. It always pays to buy a high-end chain even with a low-end group.

It's not slightly faster shifting, it's 3x faster - 4s vs 12s to get up and down the cassette. Here's a really good review, it's worth going into the details... https://theradavist.com/shimano-xtr-di2-review/

Nice setup. But just check if those tyre hairs are contacting the inside of the fork - they'll take off the paint if they do. Just trim them with a side cutter to be safe.

You mean you're not a member!!??? Just kidding, $100/y is not for everyone, but it's worth it in my view. Best cycling Journalism (with a capital J) on the internet. Here's a pdf of the article (shh, don't tell). p.s. most of their podcasts are free, well worth a listen. The 12 types of people you’ll meet in the used bike market.pdf

Laughed hard at this. I most closely match the obsessive type https://escapecollective.com/12-types-of-people-youll-meet-on-facebook-marketplace/

Posted today on a group I’m on: Hi everyone, I was attacked and robbed of my Raleigh RC 7000 this morning when I rode passed Kyamandi, Stellenbosch, fortunately I am ok and my phone is intact. Attached is a photo of the bike, which now has a black saddle and black handlebar tape. Kindly be on the lookout, thanks

I've done it a few times when it was still the Swartberg100. Don't stress too much, it's 70% tar. Enjoy the views and keep something in the tank for the Swartberg climb - the last few switchbacks especially. Oh, and take it easy going down, some corners are pretty sketchy on a gravel bike. Enjoy!

Great event, will be back! The route was well marked, but the arrow boards were pretty small, so easy to miss when your eyeballs are bouncing around in their sockets. Big red arrows on white boards would be easier to spot (like some other events).

Results: https://www.mobiielite.com/results/RaceID/4edb4f30-1faf-4b7d-80df-244c83feba97

Lower baby, lower MTB too!

Don't even think about it, just drop the pressure to what not Silca but the Wolf Tooth calculator says. It will be much lower than you think but your bike will be transformed. I cannot state strongly enough how much of a difference the right (typically lower) pressure makes on gravel. Even 1 psi in the right direction is noticeable. It's faster, more comfortable and has better grip. I'm 85kg with kit on and I run 26/24 psi in 45mm tyres. I did the 99er trilogy gravel with this setup and after the first 26km of tar we averaged 42km/h. I was still with the front bunch. So even on tar the lower pressure is not noticeably slower. Have fun!

Yes, but I've seen head tube measurements change when a model gets updated, (progressive geo ftw), so unless you are sure your frame is the latest model take a few other measurements to be sure, like seat tube length, top tube length (on the horizontal), chain stay length. If you put wheels on it you could measure the stack by subtracting the BB height off the floor from the top of head tube height from the floor.

Schools racing is alive and well, with fields bigger than ever. Just no hamburger sponsor. https://westerncapeschoolscycling.co.za

Just measure it in a few places and compare it with the geo chart on the KTM website.

Not a great idea to post second-hand unconfirmed information. Let's wait for the facts.

I have one - DM me.

No. It’s no longer a freeway there.