Michael S

Mr Beers is surely riding around on the new crux if he is hiding bikes on the socials. Unbound launch for sure I reckon.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1x8Fe4sNq4YhlIrhGA72miN9EW91O8J3t?usp=drive_link Race Photos, remember to give photo credits to photographers

It does seem like the fork on the empire is different as there is not a cable port visible from what I can see on the empire's fork (unlike on the frame where the plug is visible in the downtube). This COULD mean that there is no hole in the steerer on the pro one to feed the cable into inside the headset if it is this style of routing: This can be overcome with a top fed system though.

Just an option which myself and a few others I know did. Import a chinese frame. Buy straight from manufacturer in China. Plenty options out there. (Mine(and Mongooseman's): https://tideacebike.com/products/fm-gv201-noah-carbon-gravel-bike-frame?variant=42818324660407) Even cheaper option that a mate of mine went with and is going well: https://www.velobuild.com/products/2025-velobuild-carbon-fiber-racing-gravel-bike-frame I then bought a full new grx 12spd groupo with 10-51 cassette from BikeAddict which had prices better than Merlin at the time and bought a set of wheels(alloy) and bars on the hub. Build came in around ±R45k all in tax and shipping incl. I am about 91-95kgs and have put that bike through the ringer, incl. Gravel Burn which was hard on bikes from the conditions. My 2c on MY experience what I look for in any gravel bike at the moment as a bang on mid-pack rider YMMV: - Absolute minimum rated clearance of 50mm. - Don't fit tyres smaller than 50mm, preferably 2.0-2.2 (Front end racers might differ) - Run 2.2 tyres instead of suspension. - UDH compatible - I like in frame storage - I prefer cables not through the headset but hard to find these days - Crux still a winner here. - This luckily dieing out, but I will not consider any bike with a press fit bottom bracket, any threaded variant will do. T47 all the rage right now. - I will steer clear of hookless rims - 1x gearing with the ability to run a 50t min. cassette. 2X Gearing is not needed and just adds dropped chain issues, maintenance and unnecessary complexity. Might be the mtb background but I cannot for the life of me understand why you would risk dropped chains for better cadence here and there. From a 3h8m August this year to Galgeberg and Hans se kop, 42t and 10-51 cassette has been fine for me on 175 cranks.

Results: www.raceclocker.com/034c549e

These are the 360k (325km) results. Matt put in a massive shift to help mads to the win and then proceeded to place 3rd. Mega effort. Keegan did not go over to get some lost training in due to his earlier injury.

Current weather is looking to give us a gap in the weeks rain. Anyone with a Epic ride subscription to do a route forecast?

@SoloCyclist, the seller was @Mo79 who can hopefully clear up some stuff here as his ratings are great.

Are these on the 303 Xplr? If so, what do thet actually measure on those big boys?

Stoked on this, can't get the 2.2 RK in the back (If you have not switched bikes were in the same boat) And I have lost trust in a Thunderburt's ability to hold air. Love a Race King so will be on the shopping list as soon as available.

Beers in 5th Preen in 6th for the ladies

Just a teaser at this point. https://outercycles.com/blogs/news/meet-alterra-our-avinox-powered-e-bike

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=Outer+Bikes

Outer is putting one in their new mtb. Have a chat with them

How does Gageberg compare to Hans se kop? Considering my current gearing up front and only comparable thing I have been up is Hans se kop. 42t 10/51 was right on the limit there.