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Sad individuals.
Alex is almost on schedule to break the 10 day barrier. Fascinating dot watch.
Has anyone ridden here since the proclaimed opening? My experience with the staff at Suikebosrand brings out the cynic in me.
OK so reading this thread properly now, including Chris’s summary, I get the impression that the commentary has moved away from bikehub to a large extent, to FB and WhatsApp (with the latter probably too busy for me personally).
I was thinking that dotwatching included literally watching dots on a map - is that right? If so, my main question remains: what platform does that reside on?
You are correct it does involve literally watching a dot. I'm sure FC will publish a link before tomorrow when the first batch kicks off. It's normally on the MaProgress platform if I'm not mistaken.
Edit: Here it is
This is a great ride to do non stop or break it into bite size chunks. All the info available on the webpage.
in Events
This should be interesting to watch. A bit of rain forecast 
Moving the goalposts again......
So I see we have to go for a fitness assessment now. I haven't done one for many years, my active dayz have been good enough.
I got this email a few days ago.
Richard Baxter the "Bike Fit GuY" has imported some 10mm extenders. He installed them on my wife's bike when she had a bike fit done with him. Quality product. Maybe contact him?
2
Just finished a short bikepacking trip to the far reaches of the Freestate.
Have you contacted Momsen on this? Would be interested to hear their response.
The Sishen to Saldahna Iron Ore Railway ride is iconic.
+- 900km
MTB or Gravel bike
It is a bikepacking route, so sleeping kit etc needed. Needs to be done in the cooler months imo.
As hard as you want to make it. Anywhere from 5 days to 10 days of riding.
4
That is an amazing photo!
So I need a few views.
I have narrowed it down to 2 frames.
• Cotic BFEMax 29 with 853 down and other steel tubes for the rest but only available in December. Only found a couple of reviews but they have all raved.
• Banshee Paradox. Alu' but is supposed to be amazing and actually makes the ride very similar to the steel without the heft of the steel.
At first glance I would think the Banshee would be the more all rounder but the Cotic can climb apparently and steel is real. Usually I wouldn't look at a Alu' HT but the Paradox is very well thought of.
Any opinions?
I would wait for the Cotic 
Looks like the sort of thing that could be 3d printed??
Thanks for all the advice guys,
Found these 3 that i like so far, will just confirm before i buy if the tires will be able to handle the pressure to handle my weight.
Cheapest
https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/mtb/products/scott-aspect-970-2020?variant=32456741322836
Mid
https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/mtb/products/scott-aspect-960-2020?variant=32456741191764
A bit more
https://bike-addict.co.za/products/titan-rogue-sport-2021
If i had to go on looks i would go for the scott 970 , as i like to yellow.
At your height, you will need to purchase a Large size frame. Bikes are about your height and generally not about your weight.
Is van Gaalens accessible for Gauteng riders in terms of provincial border crossings? I think it's in NW???
So this only happens in the small cogs and not when the chain is higher up?
Romoss Sense 6+. Absolute powerhouse. Charges everything without sweat including a Macbook if you're in a pinch. It was the only one that worked to charge a Canon EOS RP and Fuji XT3.
Which model do you have?
I now have the 30 000mAH one (brick) and have had a 15 000mAH in the past and both switch off after about a minute. They are great and I charge them via dynamo to charge my Extreme battery, but they would not run the light in question.
Gents, recently bought a bike light from Evobikes that comes with USB cable attached. Where can I get a battery/power bank for this light?
I have one of these that I carry as a backup light on long bikepacking trips. Interestingly, some powerbanks run them and others don't. It is a bit of trial and error to find one that does the job. My wife has an Apple powerbank that definately works. My Romoss powerbank does not run it. Something to do with the allowed resistance apparently??? I would take it to a powerbank shop and try the various options out if I were you. They all work for about a minute and then some switch off, so when you test them, give it a couple of minutes each.
I've been riding bikes for 20 odd years and never ever bought a saddle... Every time I bought/built a bike I used whatever saddle it came with the bike / frame and I've never really considered replacing it... Some were better, some were worse but with a bit of riding I seemed to get used to whatever saddle I had.
I own 3 older bikes and it happens to be that all of the saddles have seen better days...
I also happened to see some youtube videos from Spez and Fizik who claims to now have way better saddle tech (shorter noze etc.) than we were used to...
Questions:
1) Are the "latest" tech in saddles really that much better, and is it worth spending R3k on a good saddle vs R700 for a cheapie?
2) What are the key features to look for (is it materials of construction, geometry etc.)
3) How do you go about testing one... i't not like you can ask your LBS to slap on a range of saddles and go for 3 hour rides to compare?
I found that almost anything is okay up to ~4 hours, but I've taken some serious beating on 12+hr rides / stage races in the past. I've got some long stuff coming up, so maybe I can find something that makes those long rides a little less terrible.
Any thoughts/comments would be great
Some of your bigger bike shops will have Test Saddles. If you are in Gauteng, Solomons has quite a wide range. Use this facility. It's a whole lot cheaper in the long run as saddle fit and comfort is such a personal thing.
Chain stay is unusual
Voile Straps arrived. Not as stretchy as i thought they would be? They stretch maybe a little more than flexi-ties. Will try them tonight and compare with flexi-ties. Price wise the flexi-ties is way in the lead.
The Voile Straps revolutionised our bikepacking trips. Keeps everything in place with no slippage. I dare say they are our best piece of kit. Pricey, but last forever, and imo worth every cent.
Timeframe on damage assessment and communication
in Bike Shops & Services
Posted
I personally would phone shop B. Chances are you are going to be purchasing a new bike/ having your old one repaired through them so don't feel bad!!