etienne_jordaan

Silver alloy parts are usually anodized silver/natural. You have to put a protective coating on aluminium otherwise it will discolor/oxidize very quickly. I have had a set of Stans Flow rims anodized a different colour. It came out very nice. The better you can prep the surface with regards to scratches and marks the better your end result will be. Only real issue is if there is any steel inserts or threads as the chemicals used to clean the product before it gets anodized, corrodes steel. So just make sure the item is all alloy, then you good to go. The guys that are good and know what they doing usually have a good range of colours aswell.

I’ve done 360ne on an mtb hardtail and have done the 100 miler on a gravel bike with 650bx50c. From my personal sufferings...... 360ne + gravel bike = Eina!???? It is going to make a tough day on the bike even harder, possibly DNF, because your body is gonna take a hammering!

I wonder what Rock Shox and Fox have to say about this?

I’ve got one of the Indola shirts. Very comfortable, nice fit. 2 x pockets at the back and one small one on the front that closes with valcro. Price was also very reasonable.

I to, initially had my reservations and comments about E-bikes. I have however personally seen how it has opened the door to the world of cycling for people with disabilities and older cyclists. As a cyclist of 30+ years and planning to do it as long as possible, i can see how most of us are gonna get to the age were a E-bike is going to extend your cycling by another 10 years or so.

Nice pic and nice bike. If i had the money, there would be 1 parked with my other bikes. E-bikes are definitely here to stay.

Evans Cycles

Hi I have one of those heavy-duty canvass bike bags. It has a rigid base and mounting points for bike, but not a hard case. When are you leaving, because i’m in Hermanus.

Take the new frame. 2015 to 2019 model is a big plus.

Definitely also consider the Giant Trance 29. Also xc/trail orientated bike with 120mm travel. It is available in carbon or alloy.

I’m 45 and have been riding since the age of 14 and my advice to you from personal experience is to enjoy your riding. I know in todays competitive world it’s not easy, but forget about results and learn the sport. With time the results will come. I’ve so many times over the years seen very talented youngsters get going in the sport with a bang and then burn out completely within 2-3 years due to pressure to perform and then end up quitting cycling al together. At 16 your results are already very good. Don’t rush it.

I also got one from CWC a while back.

There is a differance between cheap carbon and a established brand offering a 5 year warranty. You are not easily going to beat that spec at that price. Unless you buy secondhand.

Very much. I did it on a gravelbike last year.

It depends on the size tires you will be running. I will go for 45 - 50c or 1,9 - 2,1 inch. Something that will give you more volume so you can play around with tire pressure depending on the terrain you will be riding. IMO stay with the 29er fork.

I’ve got TRP mechanical discs on my Mercer roadbike for almost 2 years and more braking power than you would ever need. In the proses to build a Cotic Escapade for gravelbike and going with TRP Spyre again. Setup is very easy and for replacing pads, Shimano pads fit. Wheelsize 650b x 45-50c.

At Karoobiax last year I ran 700 x 38c Specialized Triggers on a CaadX and found them a bit harsh on corrugated sections. I’m now busy building a Cotic Escapade and plan on running 650b x 50c. Should be a much more cumfy ride. I’m also 100% sure the Cotic steel is going to be alot more forgiving than the alloy CaadX.

Handmade in Cape Town by Dave Mercer.

I own beautifully handcrafted Mercer road frame and fork with discs. I bit of a mix of old and new. Steel just has unique riding feel. As for floppy and heavy, that's 50 years ago. Steel has totally transformed compared to the good old days and in the hands of a proper framebuilder/craftsman will compete with any modern day material.

As for Argus seeding what happened to good old fashioned A - Z and then AA - ZZ?