etienne_jordaan

In Cape Town/Western Cape there is a good chance you will loose 1 or 2 days due to weather. 🤔 …… so the average just went up drastically. I managed it last year. The secret is to start with some big rides and get well ahead. That just gives margin for weather or family commitments.

I can recommend Jared at BMC. At the end of the day it comes down to “you get what you pay for”. You can get away cheap, but it won’t be perfect or put down some cash and have a professional job.

I was fortunate enough to meet and work with Carel at Knysna Bull a couple of years ago. An amazing human being and just plain down to earth. Shocked to here the sad news. All the best for his family during this difficult time. The eventing industry has lost a legend.

I have a Ciovita cargo/commuter bib and very happy with it. Good quality and excellent fit. Will be getting more of them.

Don’t know what your budget is like, but Polar have just launched the Grit X Pro and reviews so far are very good. I’m on a Suunto Spartan going on 5 years and very happy with it, but it is becoming a bit out dated. I’m seriously considering the Polar.

My road pair are getting on a bit and i’ve begun looking at replacing. There are more lace-up options now. When i bought my Empire’s it was just about only Giro. The Specialized Sub-6 is apparently awesome aswell?

I have a pair of Empire Slx for road and VR90 for mtb. After riding Sidi’s religiously for about 20 years, went to Giro and haven’t looked back as they just work for my feet. There is no closure system to match laces for wrapping the shoe around your feet. No pressure points as the tightening of the shoes are spread out over the length of the shoe. It just takes a couple of rides to figure out how tight or loose to do the laces. Have never had laces come loose or flap in the wind. No faffing involved.

I must agree with the route conditions probably being the best you can ask for. No dust and nice compact. Not even close to the mudfest that was expected. It was muddy in patches, but those patches are usually wet in the January race aswell. Did my 5th event after skipping the last 4/5 years but think bug has bitten again. Ticked the singlespeed box, back to full gearbox for the next 1. Well done to everybody that finished. Knew it was going to be a tough day out, but just confirmed again this is “Not a walk in the park”.

I’m doing my 5th Atta, so there is nothing new about it. However, i got talked into doing it on a single speed. So drivetrain is not my issue, some spare legs along the way will be nice. Good luck to those that are riding.

What Bolt67 said/suggested. That is not an event you want to race in any case. Just enjoy the vibe and amazing scenery.

I’ve also had a couple of times had no response to messages sent, and most of them were actually bike shops or dealers.

Price on the Banshee?

The trails are still open. Camphill is still closed. Follow the blue route around the bottom of Camphill and you will then link up with red and black routes again. Permits from Wine Village or Village Cycles, both in the same complex on your left at the robots turning up the Hemel en Aarde valley road.

Yes, that is ridiculous! The funny thing is, some people are gonna fall for the fancy wording and technical mumble jumble, and actually buy it.????‍♂️

Yes, also surprised by the lack of comms by Dryland? Not their usual high standard of service and communication.

I’m not aware of any bike shops in Villiersdorp. The closest options will be Franschhoek or Manic Cycles in Worcester.

You will probably only need a new headset bottom race. The lower spec bikes are often speced with older or OEM forks with straight steerers, but the frame is built with a taper steerer. So you will already have a taper headset that fits in the frame, but they install a different bottom race to make the straight steerer fork fit in the taper headset. Any bike shop will have a loose steerer race available unless they want to make money off you and try and sell you a complete headset.

Just start early and ride single file. From Rooiels there is a broad shoulder. If the weather plays along it is 1 of the best rides in the Western Cape.

I would also bring it to your LBS attention. The mechanic that worked on that wheel should maybe pay attention when working. Rookie error as far as i’m concerned.

I agree that doing the manufacturer recommended interval services could become expensive if you ride your mtb a lot. I have a engineering/mechanical background and do all my bike maintenance myself. Lower leg service every 3-4 months and full service every 12-18 months. Personal habit is to wipe stanchions clean with a soft cloth after every ride, muddy or not. Then i have also personally seen what a difference these little plastic mudguards make, get one. As mentioned before, not everyone has the tools or mechanical knowledge, but do stick to the service intervals as close as possible or it will become a very expensive exercise. Mudguard and keeping stanchions clean will help stretch the services.

Awesome project. Can’t wait to see the final result!

I think as with mtb gearing it depends on the area/terrain you ride and what your strong points are as a rider. I run 11spd on my 650b trail bike 32 x 11/46. Tried it on my gravel bike ( hardtail 29er mtb) but have now switched to 2x10, 38/28 chainrings and 11/40 cassette.

I’ve never had any issues with Evobikes. Good communication and fast service. Highly recommended.

Honingklip and Wildekrans are trail routes/loops that are only accessible from there starting points where you get your permit. You need to get from point A to point B, so a trail loop is no good. Even if you only use a section of the trail, at some point you have to get off it at a point that was not intended for entry/exit, which requires climbing fences or gates. That does not go down well with landowners and spoils the relationship for local trailbuilders and riders. Arrabella to Botrivier is not even 10km and the R43 is very safe to ride. Halfway on your left will be the Salandra garage/shop/farmstall which will be ideal to refeul and stock up on food for the rest of the trip.

Definitely wrong tools used to service that hub at some stage or it has been modified.