El Scorcho

Was my first time, did 5h45 from QQ. Was an awesome ride, really enjoyed the first 50km - and the last 10

I wouldn't pay more than 3k for that. i'd say between 2.5k and 3k depending on condition.

I'm guessing around 10:30

What time is the last group?

:-/ Looks like I'll slap the slicks on then, hope it isn't too hard to put the Ardents back on after...

Was only the second race I've done, was really hard for me. Some of those twisty, rocky descents were a little scary... Needless to say I have a lot of fitness and skill to gain, I did a lot of walking :-/

This is why I'm riding the 94.7 in knobblies, just got the conversion done last week. Will be riding on Maxxis Ardents, which I guess isn't ideal, but I'm only aiming for 5-6 hours anyway.

Used to have the same issue on my old bike, fixed it by buying a new bike with discs

You talking about the biggish group in ABSA branded kit? Rode past that, someone was lying on the floor, not sure what happened.

This one is blind though, you can't see if someone is coming out from under the bridge. Maybe a sign needs to be put up as you enter telling people to be careful.

I was almost taken out by a kid who cut across onto the wrong side before entering the bridge (at high speed) once as well, suppose it was just a matter of time before someone got hit there.

Can't really afford to buy new wheels now, and I need this done asap. I'll definitely look at upgrading the wheelset in time though, but I'm set on the conversion for now. LBS 1 has offered conversion + Maxxis tyres at ~R1500. LBS 2 has offered conversion + Maxxis tyres at ~R1800. Maxxis any good? Which is the relatively fast-rolling option with decent grip, like a X-King equivalent?

I did this today and still could not stop the tube from deflating. My guess is that the patch kit I had just wasn't sealing the tube under weight - I've patched tubes before with a different kit with no issues.

After today I never want to see another tube or patch kit again... Will still carry a spare tube just in case, seems like that's a better option than a long hike back to my car!

Stan's sounds like a winner, will swing by the LBS tomorrow, thanks guys.

Is it really that easy? Just top up sealant every 6 months? What would be the best tyres to get assuming I went with the Stan's conversion?

So after spending about 1h30 on the side of the trail today fixing 4 different flats that I got (in addition to the 3 that a friend got yesterday), I think it's time I converted to tubeless. Been doing a bit of reading but I though I'd ask anyway to get more relevant answers. As far as I can see, my options are UST wheels/rims + tyres, or converting my existing rims/tyres with tape and Stan's. 1. Am I wrong in saying that UST is the easier, more reliable, way to do this, with the downside being cost? If so, how much am I looking at? 2. How easy is it to maintain a setup using Stan's? How reliable is this solution vs. a UST setup? 3. Any other things I should know? I'm really after a fit and forget solution here, I weigh about 78kg and don't ride anything too technical - I usually do the blue/red route at Northern Farms for reference. I'm riding a 29er hardtail if that makes any difference, and not really bothered about additional weight if it means I'm not spending half my time fiddling with tyre levers and bombs on the side of the trail.

A little off topic, when I got my 29er it also felt kinda big but I shortened the handlebar by 30mm and dropped it one spacer and it's fit and handled perfectly since then (I'm also 1.77m)

I did a 500km/6 day charity ride in Feb this year (mix of tar and dirt). Started training a month before, gymed for a week, then bought a cheap MTB 3 weeks before and did some really easy road rides (20km - 40km) - I knew nothing about cycling at the time and was unfit before I started training. I made it out alive, I'm sure you'll be fine.

I think the Draco 180/160 bit is what you're looking for

Friend of mine has a 2013 Titan Sport 29er, it has hydraulic discs - Tektro I think.

6am, I think. Ticket office closes at 3pm but you can ride till 5:30.

Thanks, that helps. Endomondo/iPhone usually gives me ~16.5km for green.

Thinking of doing the 25km loop there on Sunday - is that yellow or red? How technical is it, taking some fairly new riders along, comparable to blue route at Northern Farm?

No long term experience with anything MTB really, but for what it's worth my Elixir 1's have much better feel/modulation than the girlfriend's Shimano M505 (Deore?) brakes. Both are quiet and reliable - only done like 300km though.