mazambaan

I wouldn't do it too regularly but I went for a mid week jaunt and left my flat shoes but had a pair of "regular" MTB cleats which I used without a problem. In my case they didn't stick as well but no issues as the cleat is usually between the pins and they don't clash. BUT I do not ride any hectic stuff that needs feet off the pedals a lot.

Watch out for that long demon downhill on a gravel road with a few drainage cross humps; about 15km in maybe. It's claimed a victim or two in its time.

Agreed, best avoided if possible.

Can anyone comment on what is best for cutting light steel sections (up to 50mm square say and 3mm wall) accurately? Cheapest is the abrasive wheel cut off but beastly; sparks and accuracy; cold saw or full size metal cutting bandsaw a bit pricey. Anyone used a portable bandsaw or recip saw?

I don't think I've had much to say on this thread but, having blown a tyre, I pulled into an LBS for a new one. Behind the counter was a doper who was the most (well that I remember) impolite, surly and grumpiest service person I have had the misfortune of dealing with. I nearly walked out but needed the tyre. I didn't complain as I may have been moered if you get my drift. Dopers suck.

Tragedy, signal about SA and anger inducing 🥵. As noted, change is not just policing, although it is a big factor, but responsibility should be taken and behaviour changed. One way is to educate; start at school with a consistent message (driving, litter, theft, employment etc) and have it echoed all the way to el presidente but backed with encouragement as well as enforcement. A bit Chinese and totalitarian for some but, as China has proven, it gets the job done.

You do get locking systems for the spare wheel - Toyota sell one that I have BUT it is a piddly little lock albeit in a difficult place to break. Previously I hade a chain in plastic but after fitting and additional fuel tank I could not use this. Thieving swines abound from top to bottom in SA.

Yoh, I remember the Sani Day 2 that was stupidly hot coming out of the Ixopo R valley (they were bringing milk cans of water down for the strugglers like me) - must have drunk 10 litres of water that day and felt properly wilted. That was the year after we nearly froze on Day 1.

Oh well here we go. Toyota half benefit from theft; some buy another, others (quite a few) another brand. And they did listen to criticism about being easy to steal by introducing a protector plate over vulnerable parts. As for Yale, they should care if their locks say, don't provide adequate security or break easily (I'm sure there are YouTube comparisons for this). If they don't, they will lose market share. Thule, well I would think they could see an opportunity to knock about some good Swedish steel into an impregnable bike lock and sell it for a few 1 000ZAR.

and Mr Google tells me Riaan van Niekerk finished 100 and something (112 I think) with Brian Bontekoning (nutter on a bike) in the 2008 Epic. He finished in the top 20 in Dakar around 2014 I think.

He he, Dakar may cost you ZAR1m and you may not even get to keep the bike (or what is left of it)!

Interesting; I would say Dakar as its longer in time, more dangerous, there is some navigation (depending here you are in the field), mechanically more complex and no cut off times. I wonder if we can dredge up someone who has done both? I met someone a good few years ago at the Roof who had it on his bucket list; he had already done the Epic, completed the Roof and had bought two RR Dakar bikes (one for a mate) but I don't think he got there. Riaan van Niekerk maybe - he was into bicycles at one time?

That is a weak Thule response. Your note should have jogged a brain cell that says; here is an opportunity for a world class locking system. Oh well.

As a recent convert the thing is addictive for sure. Two issues; one, weight, I battle to even get the thing on a bike rack (the Thule ones are just a little small) and two, scared of water in a wet KZN. I suddenly realised that not clever to merrily plunge into a stream of unknown depth!

Thanks patches; the 701 is a 2020 and, as I understand it, the ABS can be switched off with the bike stopped but doesn't stay off and comes on at every re-start (lots of legal warnings in the manual). I have not given the ABS a full test - emergency braking with it on then off and the only other time I would use it is hairpins and turns to lock the back wheel which for the 701 is very rare as its mainly gravel road riding that I do. Quite strangely maybe but I have never had an accident where I think ABS would have saved me. My road (not enduro/off road loss of talent) accidents have been carrying too much speed into a corner (two and both off camber) and it is too late to brake or where a car has pulled in front of me; no time to brake, almost at all. Near accidents have been on slippery roads, snot and/or existing ruts. I have had some panic stops where I lock the back wheel (never front) and stall the engine but never crashed. But I don't commute (I used to, for probably 10 years) and ride as little surfaced road with traffic as I can as well as generally riding carefully; granny like - I have seen too many friends killed or badly injured, mostly due to speed and bad judgement; one just very bad luck. So ABS is a non-event for me I think but I will do the test. Nanny state enforcement, ho hum.

Are the pressures above with the Tubliss patches? The Motoz is a heavy duty tyre (I have a rear waiting to be fitted when the factory Continental Twinduro on the 701 is worn out) but those are quite low pressures; 1bar is begging for snake bite usually. I still have tubes all round and am always above 1.5bar as I do not relish changing a tube roadside in SA and I don't ride hard enough for grip to be a real challenge. Same with ABS; I leave it on, Traction Control on the 701 though, off for sure. I have the 701LR and have had a problem with the fuel vent valve in the factory filler and drilled them out. After market billet replacements are R3k a pop, a little rich for me.

he he he, poor style, should be hanging off the inside of the bike, motogp style, keeping the bike more "upright". But just maybe he knows better 😁

Just ride further; eventually the ebike will run out of juice; then you will have the last laugh for sure.

Thanks guys, very useful info. Anyone running inserts;? Not that I need to as I don't hit anything hard on purpose.

100%, the bike has 2.6" tyres so there is room to drop from my usual 2bar I guess; what do you run? Although the suspension setup that will give a plush ride over small, closely spaced bumps etc and take the big hits without bottoming is unobtanium for two wheels since forever; electric suspension the next great hope ☺️. Will also try other grips.

He he maybe a lesson to use allen heads or why phillips was invented 🙃. I thought that was a woodworking thing so we learn but how do you line up the slots if you torque the fasteners (maybe that is anal for screws)? Grind a little off the thread?

That very reason has caused by drift to the dark hole of ebikes. Now my hands and shoulders get sore (those downhill bumps and braking!) before the knees which was previously unheard of.

Getting old ain't for sissies, particularly if you want to try and keep having a happy childhood. I am about 10 years older than the OP and a similar list of hospital needing injuries; knee in the SADF, vertebrae, ribs, collapsed lung, collarbone later, I can 1000% agree with bike fit then physio and biok, before doctor (unless actually recommended by the physio or a break etc) but get good, cycling recommended ones (physio & biok) if you can. The nature of the sport means there are plenty. I have managed most of the races and stage races in KZN (Sani 8 or so) and a few longer multi day MTB tours but I am drifting to the dark ebike side now. Two suggestions; one is to actually evaluate when you need rest and try not aggravate an injury. The other is more contentious; YouTube. I have picked up a list of exercises for back and knees that help me on top of stretching and core BUT I have to do them daily if at all possible and weed out the ones that aren't so great. Diet may also be a factor; lots of info about that. Currently working through rib bruising and lower back pain caused by stupidity (fall then heavy lift with back bent until I felt the dreaded "pop"). Good luck, positive attitude and work at it doggedly.

I cannot really contribute as I have not lived outside of SA but in Vancouver where we hired bikes the shop owner provided one of those folding high tensile steel bar locks (I have not seen on in SA). He said if you get off your bike, lock it.

Tubliss is a reasonable option if you run lower pressures and do not want to risk a pinch flat on the tube IMHO. I run hot and cold on it and still have a front wheel set up in my roof (figuring the front to be the most likely victim) and should fit it. Only slight downside is if a nail, thorn, wire etc punctures the bladder (more likely on an adventure bike than enduro, particularly in Africa I think) so you still need a tube, levers etc.