Irvin85

Bliksem, Rider safety was not the number 1 priority when developing that course. So many places where you might end up crashing yourself into a ambulance. Luckily it is all Pro's tackling that course as a weekend warrior will walk 90% of it. One lapse of concentration and you will find yourself in the dentist chair getting a new grill.

Where do you guys go to get the latest cycling news? Cyclingnews.com requires a subscription and lately GCN website link takes you to their YouTube page. I do not have X(twitter) as I end up doom scrolling too much.

I was thinking the same thing. It makes one wonder if you really want to fork out the additional 30k for a carbon bike when you save 800grams only, that you can "save" by drinking one bear less the night before.

Specialized S-Works Epic 8 (FACT 12m) – 1,795g Specialized Epic 8 (FACT 11m) – 1,965g Specialized Chisel – 2,720g Scott Spark Alloy – 3,290g Trek Top Fuel Alloy – 3,740g https://flowmountainbike.com/post-all/2025-specialized-chisel-alloy-xc-bike/#:~:text=a single structure.-,Specialized Chisel weight,that we're aware of. From Specialized website the Epic S-Works 8 is at 2.21kg

A bike built for South African racing at an acceptable price. R30k more to unlock a carbon frame in the Specialized EPIC comp. This bike looks great at R59k. I wonder what the weight difference will be between this and the Epic comp.

There is three ways for him to get that. 1. get into a breakaway 2. Sprint where the majority of the sprinters crash. 3. Split in the peloton due to some cross winds and him being the only sprinter in the front group. He does not have the top end speed anymore to compete with the real sprinters and also cannot climb like a Michael Matthews to do it from a reduced bunch.

A little different question, I have been struggling to stay healthy, the motivation to train is there but I have been ill on and off since February. Big problem is we have a almost two year old in the house and the illnesses they get at creche is "killing" me. I am considering getting a IV- drip for immune boost. Anyone got some advice?

Will you look at that, Just bought a garmin and added 2 inches. It really works

Yes but your wife never knows about all the extra repairs and maintenance, only the initial cash spend

He was smart, signed a long term contract from the get go, there was talks of the team not happy with his performance and wanting to terminate it in 2022 already, he responded by saying he is planning to honor his contract till the end, think the team is keeping him knowing that they would require to pay out the remaining, so instead of losing the rider they keep him for PR reasons. that is all that makes sense at the moment.

If it is marathon riding you are doing I would not change much on the bike as the Epic was build for marathon riding. If you are serious rider that is hunting podiums then you might need to do some upgrades to the bike, but I would before I try and save 500grams on the bike first go on a diet myself, probably the best and cheapest upgrade to your bike will be yourself. That being said, if your fat % is already around the 15% then I would say your first upgrade should be the "moving parts" - Wheels and crank(1gram of weight saved on the frame = 3grams on the wheels) If you are not looking to save weight, then try and do upgrades on comfort for that 5 plus hours on the bike , (saddle, Shoes, Fork, and grips)

Harsh? I have not read the case or circumstances around it so commenting based on general doping. If you deliberately use performance enhancing drugs of any kind you should get banned for life. First of all, it takes opportunities away from clean athletes(sponsors, price Money, professional contracts, opportunities to represent your country etc.) Secondly in some cases it gives you life long benefit, for instance, one steroid cycle increases your muscle capacity(mass) this will not go away once you stop using as long as you continue to train. So a doper will always have a advantage over his piers once he started with it. Life long bans will make athletes think twice before they use anything.

He likes it, makes him think of that Ski-jump crash he had.

His TT is not his best but he has improved a lot, he did finish 14th on last years ITT in the TdF and 6th in the Giro on stage 20. So I would not say he can't TT for sh*t. He will drop time on Remco and Roglic in the TT but he is more than capable in the High mountains and in all honesty better than both of them if you look at pure climbing. He will not win the TdF but podium is a real possibility. That being said, he himself have stated in the past that he does not enjoy being a leader of a team and prefer to work as a domestique. He might have changed his mind since the Vuelta win.

I think you underestimate him completely, He rode all three grand Tours last year, the first two as a domestique and finished 14th at the Giro and 12th at TdF and then went on to Win the Vuelta. Most guys are not up for 2 Grand Tours in a season. Yes Roglic and Jonas could have Won, but the next best rider was over 3 minutes down on him. If Visma backs him for GC he will be on the podium.

He did mention previously that he disliked the disc brakes so the only reasonable explanation for that result must be that his brakes locked and he rode the entire stage like that.

Thank you Gents.

The brake hose used on Hydraulic brakes. is it one size fits all? For instance will a hose used on a Shimano break work on a set of Formula brakes? Asking for a friend who is struggling to get hose for his Formula brakes in Stellenbosch.

Keep the bike as is and ride it till the wheels fall off. With the amount of riding you do it will not be worth getting new components or a better bike. Once the current groupset is done you can look to upgrade to a 1x11 but I would keep it as it is and just enjoy it.

Very nice bike, question is, how often do you ride and what kind of riding do you do? are you planning on racing? How much cash are you willing to spend on a new bike?

What a performance by Pogi. The way he manages to drop the best .1% of the best .1% cyclist in the world that actually ends up at World tour level is fascinating to watch. Putting over two minutes on them and then crossing the finish line, looking like he hardly broke a sweat is just incredible. He must be in the best form of his life at the moment. A generational talent for sure. I cannot wait for the Tour to see the 4 top GC dogs in battle. I hope all of them starts the race in their best possible form. I doubt that Pogi will carry much fatigue into the tour, this was merely a training ride for him as no one came close to challenge him.

Matt Beers was born January 10, 1994. On January 11, 1994 Helmut Poppendick, the famous Nazi Physician dies. Coincidence?

That is a proper stage. Ganna for the win tomorrow. We might see a few of the TT specialist exit the race after tomorrow.

Glad Alaphilippe got back to winning ways, hope he can keep it up and turn his career around to where he was a few seasons ago. Today we will see a bunch sprint now doubt. I am backing Groves for the win today. Milan is in fine form but he cannot win them all. close second for Milan.

I am not an expert, but it looks to me like a Fuji frame.