V18

The bad smell is caused by mold/bacteria breaking down dead skin/sweat/skin oils. The moist environment creates a lovely habitat for them. You can't change the fact that your shoes will contain the ingredients for this. You can however eradicate the bugs from time to time. I use rubbing alcohol with hibitane (pink alcohol hand sanitiser used in hospitals.). When my commuter shoes start giving that pong, I take out the insoles, flip the tongue outward and spray the shoe/insole thoroughly and leave it to dry. Note, some alcohols may weaken the glue in your shoes. So keep that in mind. You only want the solution to penetrate the superficial shoe/tongue liner.

@Shebeen Jip. I'm up to date and very sure of my draw and shot placement. Spend time at the range regularly working with from compromised scenarios etc. Had I been less prepared I would have potentially escalated the situation. On this particular day I just didn't feel like lethal force was necessary. He was always a bike length from me (what I used to create space). My main question was what everyone's tactics were between complete surrender and lethal force. From what @Jewbaccawrote I drew the most value. Answers 1-3 is to pacify the situation and hand over the belongings. Once your life becomes in danger... Best be able to protect oneself. In this case I think pepper spray fits the bill nicely for up close and personal. Open carry viable. Creates a gap to run/ride for the hills. Certainly not trying to apply evolutionary pressure to bike jacker armament evolution by protecting myself. I don't buy into that theory anyways. It's not like they have done form of bikejacker hivemind. Contrary to that theory, do we really want to be seen as the Mr D of vulnerable victims? Maybe if every few cyclist were able to deliver some horrible retort, we'd become less desirable targets? Anyways. In summary. Wees wakker. Ry regte plekke. Pepper spray op jou skouer. Gee die bike as hy met 'n mes/gun/vrinne vra. Goeie korttermyn all risk insurance. Leer om te hardloop met cleats aan. Don't count on cops/security guards and other civilians. Jy is op jou eie vir daai 10-30s.

Haha! Novel use of ChatGPT for sure! Not a bad answer at all. I opted for the Byrna as it is one that doesn't require two hands to start shooting. I carry it in a chest pack (cerberus tac) with the one size zipped down for right hand access. Loaded with nylon and pepper alternating. Have commuted now a few times without drawing any attention and its a neat way to keep my phone close by. The Tippman Tipx is too big and heavy. The Umarex HDR/HDP require a firm tap on the base to puncture the C02. The rest are rather expensive. Have a look on dye-hard website. It certainly wont replace a real firearm, but from what I've seen in the area, anything more than an mild inconvenience for these attackers who want to make a quick buck without a scene is enough of a deterrent. Once he/they realize its an overpowered BB pistol you need to be GONE...or armed with something more substantial. I'll choose the "GONE" route as I'm too pretty and soft for prison. For close-up surprises like this one, I now have Sabre Red pepper spray (flip top version) velcro'd to left backpack strap. Anyways. Bike shopping. Looking forward to reading everyone's "paraat" ideas.

Reviving an old thread. The other day, as some of you may know, I was bike-jacked at knife point (insured bike). From the moment the guy appeared to be up to no good to the point at which I could have reacted was about 3s. I have a decent first shot on target time when I carry (standing-appendix carry). That being said. So many factors come to mind in odd situations like this. Mainly the attackers intent (theft primarily), the backstop (traffic/civilians) and legal repercussions (likely jail time if I could not prove my life was in danger or I injured anyone in the process). Reaction time more like 5s then. I feel having a situation ender (firearm) readily available is important in situations where we are met with dangerous assailants. I just feel that there should be something in between "f#**#f" and ruining two people's lives. Thats why I am opting for a less lethal (pepper/nylon ball launcher) option as my primary response from now on. For when I'm not convinced I'm getting stabbed/chopped or have some distance. That being said, is giving the bike away and not escalating the situation not a better approach in general? I'd like to hear from you all what your approach is to the armed robber. Note, not panga swinging cray-cray man. That's obvious. Do you, like myself, completely appease his majesty, or do you have a few tricks up your sleeve to increase chances of bike retention at the potential cost of escalating the situation? Yours truly. A guy second guessing giving his bike away.

Stolen: Silverback Siablo 2019 When: 10/02/2023Where: Klipkop, Cape Town, Western CapeRapide handlebar and saddle.Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section.

Get some of the basic lake model shoes. You won't go back.

Really hope they do a Delvera one again. That koppie had some nice trails if I recall correctly. Nice venue too. Family that don't ride can klap a Warwick/Delvera picnic around the corner while we ride.

+1 for lake shoes. Chat to Kim.

Opposite of priapism advice. When not fully erect after 3 hours of trying to get it up... Consult your local @droo. But ja. Store with gas chamber in least pressurised state. Therefore, erect. Also reduces chances of accidental tug and negative pressure over air/oil seal. What are talking about here?

All these excerpts makes me wonder if the road environment doesn't do something to one's mental state. On the trails I'm usually happy as a clam and very relaxed, as are fellow riders. On the road on my morning commute, everyone is in such a foul mood and quick to anger. Myself included. It's contagious! Would really be worth a psychology paper or two. "intermittent explosive asphalt syndrome".

SKS bluemels. Keeps your bike/drivetrain clean too. Been riding them since 2018. Might look old school. Works very well.

This was fantastic. Was waiting for someone to go "TLDR"... then @PygaSchmyga piped up. Lovely stuff. Textbook. I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering if this isn't some sociology/psychology major trolling us. It was too perfect.

This is a wonderful thread. I'm still not sure if you're just chumming the waters here. Maar hier is ons. En die visse byt.

Jip. Definitely not the most grippy tyre. But the only one with actual side knobs you listed. Wouldn't for example enter an Enduro with them. Plenty of well drained trails in CT. Really much or a muchness. After about a week on the pirelli scorpion tyres, I can wholeheartedly endorse them for general use too.

I assume you ride more xcm type terrain. I'd say the recon and recon race combo. Can get quite slimy here in wet winter CT. I wouldn't ride crossmark. Fine for roadie stuff but slippy af on sandstone-mud and everyting with a touch of moisture.

Right. Pirelli scorpion 2.2 hard rear and 2.4 mixed front. Went up without a fuss. No leaks even without sealant. Beads popped into place at 2bar. Tread pattern appears well thought out. Equally packed medium height knobs, essentially keeping the main carcass off the asphalt/glass and feels smoother on tar than a conventional knobby tyre like the Cross-King. The marginal difference in rolling resistance on asphalt became unnoticeable on the st John's gravel shoulder. A bit heavier than the race Kings... no surprise there as there is more rubber tread and carcass. The rear tyre casing is nice and thick half way up. I suspect this combo will be quite versatile as a weekend bike/commuter vibe. Looks great in my opinion.

Right. So happy I brought this question to the hub. Good inputs. I did some reading on tests (rolling resistance and handling)... Not much out about the pirelli scorpion H 2.2 XC tyres. Since my back tyre takes 80% of the beating, I'll give them a go. Got some off evo for a very good price. Decided to put a more capable front tyre on (pirelli mixed trail 2.4.). Additionally, if they are too draggy, I'll keep them for my main dual sus trail bike as a light summer setup pair as the casings are rather robust apparently. Thunder burts were high up there, but apparently wear fast and are narrow AF. Still think the race king 2.2 protection is the best tyre for my commuter application. They roll so bloody good! Cheers guys. Good hearing everyone's opinions!

Hi guys. Holy thread revive. Looking for new tyres for my 29er mtb ht commuter. I ride 15km x2/day on mostly asphalt. On the weekends this bike is my green route bike with the kids in tow. Had continental race Kings (2.2) front and back on untill now. They are too worn and plugged up after a long year and a half of commuting. Unbelievably fast rolling. Looking for something similar as I can't find them locally. Saw the pirelli scorpion XC H.... They look promising. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I weigh around 120kg most of the year at 1.87m. Currently ride a large Momsen STR (steel) with 120mm fork and wheels built by my lbs with my weight in mind. No failure despite some abuse over the last 2 years. Top top. Big rotors. Rims with eyelets,32h and double butted spokes.

Can't believe I missed this. Was my start to mtb back in the day when tubed 26er sr suntour coilsprung hardtails with V-brakes were more than enough. The simple good old days.

Not a marathon guy myself, much of the hype was sometimes previously lost on me... Until this years youtube live stream. The commentary was very informative and plays in the tactics, that would typically go over my head, really made me sit forward. Annikas contributions with her recent elite experience were especially insightful. I followed the live stream every day and this was the best coverage of the event I've ever experienced. Well done youtube livestream and commentators!

Titan does transferable warantee. And from what I can tell, they actually stick to it. Very impressed by the brand.

Damn. At 6w/kg we won't match.

Bought a silverback siablo GR a month or two ago. No complaints. Unbelievable spec for price.

https://www.fasstco.com/products/flexx-mountain-bike-enduro There ya go. Cheap and simple.