IH8MUD

I so badly want to get a Rival or Apex 1X group-set with hydraulic brakes for my gravel/touring bike. But this "asshole" attitude of SRAM and the even worse service, attitude and ridiculous prices of the local agents, leaves a bad taste in your mouth (pun intended) even if you get hold of the group-set in the end. I so wish/pray Shimano would come with a affordable 1X group-set with Hydro brakes and a 11-46 derailleur/cassette option at the back.

If you find it, kindly share if you don't mind. Also been looking for it.

My brother lives in Kamloops, about 3km from these trails. He drives past it every day to work. (Sometimes jealousy makes me not like him very much).

Look for pair of Shimano Tiagra R400 brake levers. (Talk about the trickle down effect! ) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/shimano-tiagra-r400-brake-levers/rp-prod13672 (unfortunately out of stock at CRC now) These are 100% the same as the Shimano 600 brake levers. Except for the the colour and "600" painted on it. I have bought these and used the rubber hoods and plastic parts to refurbish a pair of shoddy Shimano 600 levers to new. (except for the scratches ) Hope it helps you.

Bit of an old thread, but this is Moab's take in the matter. http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/stories/2014/11/21/max_1653733_793262870736749_2765881818956663103_n_947190.jpg?1416595988

Interested PM sent

Have you entered that sweet ride into the KAROOBAIX? Looks that just the rig for that.

That is a bummer man!! Best you ease the pain by going to the Rapha shop in Soho near Piccadilly and swipe the plastic.

http://cycling-passion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Fausto-Coppi-Gino-Bartali-Cigars-Toto-al-Giro-Italia.jpg

I expected drop-bars . . .

Me and many others looked a lot like that at "inter-varsity" every year.

Didn't Ryanpmb at one stage had a Cotic Soda frame for sale? Not sure what size it was or if it got sold.

Easton Carbon riserbar (10mm) = 740mm Answer XC Enduro 720 20/20 bar =720mm

This looks awesome. Best of luck with this Pulse.

Gravel roadie ride out to DD checkpoint 1

Some or other red BMX at first . . . . had it for ages and then made a "chopper" out of it by cutting the fork legs and welding in angle-iron extensions, ( I must have some redneck blood in me) Don't know what happened to it. NO PIC sorry. Then a baby blue Raleigh Bomber in high school when all my buddies has racing road bikes. It got stolen. NO PIC sorry. Rode a Diamond Back Ascent all over Stellenbosch. Bought 2nd hand with my student loan. (sold it, currently trying to buy it back) (had to Google a pic of the same one) Then after a long hiatus a Giant Athem X1 got me back riding again. Frame still in the rafters, rest of the parts on my Dad's bike I built him. (pic from Google) Then the 29er came along. Scott Genius 910. Love it. It sports some Renthal upgrades. (pic from Google) Then the 2nd hand Steel bug bit me, so I got my Salsa El Mariachi. (Frame bought on the hub) Was my SS, but now it's 1x11 gravel/grinder/tourer. Then I needed a new SS, and got Contraband Rogue 853 (Frame bought on the hub) Then some vintage SA-steel. Got this Le Jeune as a barn-find

CRCs' currency converter is not "current". It gets update once or twice a week . Google Pound to Rand and enter the amount in there for a more accurate cost. Even then there is sometimes a few rand discrepancies as from the time you buy, or get the sms form you bank and the time the transaction concludes the currency fluctuates. Budget about R100 to R200 more per order always. You'll still pay less than local.

Not an exotic Italian race frame . . But I got this piece SA steel back in the road again this weekend. My 1st "barn-find" since the vintage steel bug sank its Reynolds teeth into me. Le Jeune Super Prestige. Reynolds 708. 60cm CTC top tube. Apparently 708 was not used much, and it was more for "bigger riders"/bigger frames. It had a sort of 8 ribs or flat sections running in the length for extra strength, and thus added weight, The chain- and set-stays section used on 708 frame was apparently from Reynolds 753. (Courtesy of Wikipedia) (Don't quote me on this) Got it with Full Shimano 600 group-set. Did a complete tear-down, cleaned everything up. Had a part made for the seat bolt. Redid the brake levers with new plastic and rubbers hoods. New cables and chain and brake-pads Got some spare parts I needed in the from of hubs and derailleurs from hubber, Eppie in CT. (a super gentleman and always willing to help a newbie) Added my Brooks and swapped a shorter stem as the frame a bit big for me. Took it out for a 50km on Sunday and man, I like it a lot. (coming from a "MTB only" guy like me)

Fark!! . . I have some organs to sell . . anyone ?

http://theradavist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sklar.jpeg http://theradavist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/morgan-taylor-sams-sklar-26-700x467.jpg

SKLAR bikes This one won the North American Handmade Bicycle Show 2017 (NAHBS2017) http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/03-Skylar_nahbs2017_awards-7.jpg

I switched my Niner RDO fork on the Salsa El Mariachi for this Salsa FireStarter. Getting the Salsa more gravel travel/bike-packing orientated. The fork is paired with my Answer 20/20 carbon bar. The steel fork is a wet noodle compared to the Niner RDO. You can see the fork-ends flexing on the corrugations. Makes the ride feel smoother than the Niner RDO. Also a bit longer than the Niner RDO so bike feel more relaxed and stable. (above mentioned might be just my perception) The Niner RDO is going onto the Contraband SS Then and Now.

Since the Contraband become the SS, I have now converted my Salsa El Mariachi for bike-packing and gravel travel Still need to take pics . . . (been so sick that I have not had time to ride it since the conversion)

I think/hope I am legit . . . .

After a very nice Sunday afternoon ride on my Contraband I saw this classic piece of steel in the parking area. HELL YES!!! (had to pose with it) Enjoy the weekend.!!