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I haven't heard how they are dealing with level 4 restrictions. I guess if riders opt to be out during curfew it will be on them. I have heard that covid negative tests were required prior to the start and also possibly being tested along the way.
Seems that the race leader Alex, has had a fall on Politique Kraal and hurt some ribs. Hopefully he can still finish. He's got a long way to go. Only on day 2.
Having said that he is at Queens Mercy on morning two, which is mind blowingly quick.
2 minutes ago, Headshot said:I sometimes put my mech skills to the test on friends bikes. In the most recent, a friend bought a Silverback Stratos AL in January this year. Its a good deal in today's terms but has a few quirky features and some design flaws. The shop, a noted Bellville store recently bought out by a bigger local chain, did a devastatingly poor job of setting the bike up. This included loose grips, loose bars, dodgy cable routing and a loose stem among a few other things. The dropper post stopped working after its first service and I had to sort this for her. I found really bad cable routing - via a too small aperture in the seat tube and some very poor quality cable inner and outer supplied by Silverback. All sorted easily with a quality cable inner and outer but not something you should have to spend on a few months after purchase. ( or repair after the bike has supposedly had a shop service)
While I was busy with the dropper issue, I noticed that the DUB BB with NX cranks was running very rough. Rougher than my much older Shimano BB and worse because there was actually additional drag felt at the cranks because of increased friction. I didn't have time to investigate properly and wondered if anyone has had similar issues with their Stratos bikes or DUB BB's in general?
I also have a Silverback bike, not the Stratos, but aslo DUB with NX crank. The BB specified for my bike is a road BB. I'm not sure if there is any difference with seals in road vs mtb but only the road one fits. First BB lasted about 5k kms. Second one not so much after quite a bit of wet riding.
They ceratinly haven't lasted as well as previous BBS for me.
This game may just go down to the wire.
@Sepia
I did the Massive Eastern Cape Passes bikepacking route recently with a mate who did it on an ebike. I have attached his write up as there is some good stuff to be gleaned on bikepacking with an ebike. He does give the details of his ebike, but more importantly it does show that ebikes can work really well for bikeacking/touring.
48 minutes ago, copperhead said:Much needed rain in the Tankwa. I will be going nowhere today. Keep warm people.
@copperheadWhere are you staying in the Tankwa?
Cycled up Bastervoetpad Pass in the E Cape recently. Proper climb/push, but the views are worth it.
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Hey, sent you PM not sure if it went through, please advise if you still make these? Thanks Dennis
If you don't come right I can recommend these guys. We've had some custom made. Top quality and well priced. https://thermowear.co.za/#about
They're not in Gauteng, KZN I think, but the courier was not an issue.
Bike setup is wrong. Saddle can be too low and too far back.
This and stretching.
Setting the Bead on a Brand New Tubeless Tyre.
Tyre is Dry Straight out of the Packaging
Rim is Clean and Dry.
The Tool is a Tyre Liner from Sportsman's Warehouse.
Stretch it tight over the tread.
You can use any pump even a medium volume Hand Pump works.
Interesting. I'm going to try this.
An overnight bikepacking trip in the NW province this weekend. Got a tad hot on Saturday.
21
So the KTM scarp 294 has a rock shox recon silver RL 29 100mm fork and rear it has a rockshox Monarch RL 165×38
The titan cypherRS elite has a rockshox SID select, FS SID SEL RL R 29 SB 100 DFB 42 B4 and rear shox X-fusion O2 RLR
The scott spark 970 has a rockshox judy silver TK fork and rear X-fusion NUDE RLX trunnion
The Titan looks the best specced amongst the 3. Sid fork is awesome.
Does anyone have some good contacts or advice on gravel bikepacking bags? Looking for some good quality bags for overnight or two night self sustained trips - We will get meals and drinks at pre booked accomadation so not much space needed apart from some after ride kit and fresh kit for the next day.
Advice also welcome on what bag best to get ( bar bag or behind saddle )
Appreciate the help.
We had a bag made by https://thermowear.co.za/#about Brilliant service and good quality bag.
What is the difference between rock shock and fox shock?
And what is the better one for an entry level dual suspension?
My experience is that any fox fork is pretty good. Rock shock do make some very entry level forks at a lower level than any fox make. If you can find out what the specific forks are it would be helpful.
It's not a 4 seasons, but then we're in SA..
I'm 1.85m so some of the ultralight tents are a little cramped, but this one works very well, especially at only 1.7kg.
https://www.naturehike.co.za/collections/tents/products/cloud-up-2-ultralight-2-person-tent-upgrade
We've got the same tent and have used it in snow, torrential rain and high altitudes and we survived. Brilliant for the price and easily available in SA
I'm taking my Karate Monkey with me to Kyrgyzstan later this year. Planning on putting a 1x11 drivetrain on with a 30t Oval upfront and a 11-46 on the rear.
I had the same cassette in Kyrgyzstan when we went and I used a 34 Oval up front as I was confident that I could ride most routes with that. Big mistake. Factor in altitude and not so much. The 30 is a great idea and if you could get a 50 on the back it would be even better. 
Hi all.
with the Gen 3 can my contacts follow my movements online when they want to? Do I just send the a link to follow?
I use one and that is correct.
We did a bikepacking trip around the Eastern Cape mountains in December. Nothing short of spectacular. In 5 days we saw 2 pedestrians.
Chaps, would any of you consider a carbon bike as a tourer ?
I have gone that route as I figure that like steel, a cracked carbon frame can be repaired just about anywhere with some resin and matting. Alu not so much. I do wrap the frame at the contact points with my bags, with tape, to protect it.
Got this fellow on my 6 weight on the Vaal recently. I got smashed up by the previous 7 fish which were even bigger. It was a day to remember. The cats were starving!
4
Thanks will contact TWT
Just getting a bit annoyed that you spend money and then once it is done you are treated like a lepper until you want to spend money again.
But yes I don't think it is isolated.
Was hoping that due to situation service might get better but appears only getting worse.
And the products are also on a downhill trend.
I would like to give them the option of right to reply and the sad part is I have to come here to try and get a reaction as all other paths are ignored.
I had some success contacting them on their international website. Shouldn't have to, but perhaps an option?
Turning a 26er into a gravel bike
in Post Your Bike & Projects
Posted
Those are fair prices.