Lance Notstrong

Thanks everyone. It seems that the cycle "artisan" trade is definitely more active in CT than it is in GP. I'm also thinking of the steel frame builders who are all in Cape Town as far as I'm aware (albeit that there are probably only a couple there as well...) Anyway, I used a panel beater previously who did a very good job at a very reasonable price. Sadly I found out today that he passed away. As mentioned I'm not averse to using cycle-art of cycledelic. Just want to make sure I'm not missing someone. :-) Thnx again.

Hi This question pops up every now and then but just to check again... Any bike spray painters out there that can be recommend? I am aware of the two "big ones" with the websites etc. and I may well end up using one of them. Before I do I just want to check if I'm not missing an undiscovered gem out there somewhere. I have at least 3 steel frames that needs new paint. Any advice or recommendations appreciated! BTW, I'm in Gauteng.. Thanks.

Stolen: Blue siglespeed None 2017 When: 4 December 2018 Where: Bloemfontein, Free State Bike stolen from office premsises/ house Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

It's a strange "ish" bike from an era that is probably not as collect-able yet as it is likely to become. In other words too "new" for most collectors. So even the collectors market for it is likely to be be very small. However it is indeed odd in a way and as you can see that has already sparked some attention. This is a typical case of "if you can find the right buyer..." and "it is only worth as much as someone would be willing to pay for it...", but very little reference particularly in SA to guess how much it could or should be worth. I must say though, if I was a tri - athlete that is not super competitive and who wants to stand out from the crowd with a nice classic tri bike, I would give this a serious look. It is also likely to perform way better than some may think :-) Come to think about it, If you do establish some sort of a price I would also be interested ;-)

I've contemplated the same question particularity since I enjoy riding alone at times and would also like to go off road on my own... So I've done some searches on the net on "best self defense weapon excluding a gun"...etc. Yet I've come to a rather sad conclusion that we're probably at the point where you can carry Extra hot peri-peri spray, machetes, nun-chucks etc. but if you really want the best chance it will probably mean carrying a fire arm...

(disclaimer)I'm a bit of an old f@rt so this opinion is based on beliefs of yesteryear... There is just no better option for hard core performance, than a set of tubby wheels. Therefore I would go for option 3 without blinking an eye. (Indeed I wouldn't consider training on them) However, now come the 101 questions. How far, how fast does she really want to go etc. If I she wants to break a 3 hour Argus and she's just about there, tubbies will pull her through. If she's 4,5 hour rider, there really isn't much of a point to the lighter expensive hard core option is there? ;-)

Regardless of the rating but is 30kg not on the heavy side for these racks?. I've been using one for a few years, always sort of, half scared and weary that it might damage my car, but I will never fir more than a single bike on it.. Just doesn't feel right

I'm weary to sell something as fact when it is based simply on my own basic knowledge, but I would put money on it that, that frame is from the 90's and not "early" 80's. Again, that doesn't necessarily take anything away from the bike or the asking price.

Great story and and and an absolute class act of a bike! Speaking of Tony Impey I bought a Peugeot frame from Allan van Heerden road cycles in the 80s. Was “served” by Willie Engelbrecht as it he was working at Allan’s shop at the time. Saved long and hard for the frame and I really enjoyed the buying experience. Was quite star struck as a youngster, by all the pro’s around the shop… The Peugoet was only 531c tubing but an absolute gorgeous frame with the seat post not having a seat post lug or bolt. It tightened on the same principle as a stem does. Anyway I was told that the frame was actually imported for Tony Impey. Also heard a brilliant story of a magazine stuck in a seat tube where Tony may or may not have been involved...don't know if there was ever any truth to that one, but we'll leave it for another day :-)

PS: Saw a bike in the pictures there that was already sold today on thehub....

Thanks for this. Sadly I came across it today - too late....so disappointed that I missed it! Should really visit this thread more regularly....

All of this is really depressing to say the least. What is supposed to be an absolute leisure and relaxing experience has developed into a watch over your shoulder and be vigilant as hell all the time.Really time to give immigration a long hard look again... Since this is not the "rant an moan" section let me ask my question: Is there any pattern in terms of "time of day" of these attacks? Is it usually early mornings/very early morning - while it's still dark, or is it 'most any time of the day that these things occur? I also see all kinds of good suggestions for self defense, but what about the the fire arm attacker which seems to be showing it's ugly head... Should we not start riding with fire arms ourselves and not bring "a knife to a gun fight"?Anyway, they're making it the f^&% wild west out there and all we want to do is go for a bike ride...

Thanks HeyYou. Not really in the market for a new bike/frame since I should much rather be selling than buying...:-) However the one in question went for under R10 000 ZAR, which is probably a once in a lifetime bargain for a Stelbel, even if you add a few k for postage from the US. Don't know if you guys know the brand, but it's certainly the cheapest one I've come across by far. This is no Colnago or Bianchi mass produced affair. Others I've seen were from around R 25000 and (way) up, before postage... I wouldn’t say they’re hens teeth (certainly at that price they are) but Mr Stelio didn’t build too many and I regard them as one of the quintessential “Italian masterpiece” frames. I recall Mark Beneke having a white track Stelbel back in the late 80’s after he did a stint in Italy as “Marco Bianco” if I recall correctly. Apart from that one I haven’t seen another in SA…

I agree with you HC. I'm not the biggest fan of the "funny bike" because they hurt in many ways. However I did some beeing (betting?) on an "ordinary" Stelbel as recently as yesterday morning at 6 on ebay. The thing went for just under 11k. I couldn't afford to go higher and was nervous about shipping etc,but was actually willing to sell every bike I own for that one. :-) As a dream frame/bike that would have been the buy of the decade for me...and in my size too...damnit!

Not exactly sure if this topic belongs here, perhaps in the "group rides" forum..? Anyway, I'm a below average middle aged cyclist who just enjoys riding. So I'm planing a ride from Jhb to Durban in December (this year ;-). Whilst I'm not totally against the idea of doing it on my own, I would enjoy the company and inherent benefits of a fellow rider. So if one or two folks out there are interested in joining me, I'm sure it would be a special experience - feel free to PM and we can take it from there...

after 3 years you may well have already, but is it not time to call in...captain eBay, perhaps?

Hijack... i absolutely support the cyclo cross idea for safety idea i.e. riding "next to" the road. That said I have two "cheepies" advertised here which are not fancy and not full on cyclo cross (yet) but perfect for some one wanting to give this type of thing a try... Go have a look.

Understood Barry but here lies the dilemma...I have read a fascinating book – short stories about the early years of the Tour de France… exactly the time which you are referring to… when indeed a lot if not all of it were still done on gravel roads (in particular the big climbs). However those bikes were crude and rough. In fact although they’ll be priceless classics today anyone with a “hamoer” and an anvil fixed them at the time… They were nothing like the classics of the 70’s or 80’s which I think most of us here are enthusiasts of. So believe me; even though I really have nothing fancy, my bikes would hate it! That being said, I think any initiative of this nature should be supported and I’m all for the “cause”. If a cyclo cross bike is out, in my view the answer would then definitely be a “local classic” like a Zini or a Hansom etc...

Thanks Barry! What a lovely affair... Sadly but truly I don't get my kicks from the Argus and the likes anymore, but this is something I will enter at some point - no doubt. I understand that the thing is all about the "classic" ambiance etc. but I am a bit gobsmacked regarding the fact that its on dirt. Save for a nice old cyclo cross bike (which coincidentally i have been searching for for a while now on ebay) I can't see myself using any of my old bikes for this. Defeating the purposes a bit perhaps?

Good evening gents. I have some knowledge and understanding of most things discussed in this forum but can someone please tell me what exactly "Eroica" is...? ta.

I think its appropriate to advertise this bike here first. Approximately 1988’ish Daccordi 58cm. Except for the seat post this is full Dura Ace group set including Dura ace headset and hubs. Campag rims,Mavic bar and stem. Frame has surface rust on the chrome sections. Dura Ace from that era is not easy to find and to find it in this condition… particularly rare. The real appeal of this bike is the groupset so if interested don’t let the frame size or condition be the deciding factor. You can always restore and/or sell the frame. Other frames from the same era are out there…dura ace like this….hens teeth (imo). I’m thinking 11k for this beauty J I also have a beautiful Miyata frame, same size that will look spectacular with this groupset, but we’ll have to negotiate price.

By the way. I have a Daccordi that i want to sell. Nice thing about this one is it's full late 80's Dura Ace in real good condition. I'll start advertising here first...

Hi Fixer I started negotiations with the same guy to buy his bike. I saw the bike in Centurion. A rather friendly “Rasta man” was riding it at the time. He was keen to sell at the time. I also saw it outside Sandton convention center, and thought I could follow up again… however I was a half-hearted and let it slip. Can’t buy everything you see, I said to myself.  Your spray guy did a heck of a job… as ever

Eish good luck. This is probably a good place to start but I haven't seen many of those around... even you don't have a set fixer