SSCC

New MTB sales have tanked except in the E bike category. Especially Enduro bikes. The 2nd hand market is going to suffer if new bikes are discontinued and sales are slow. It sucks but you may only end up getting 50% of what you originally wanted.

Don't think they should have bothered. Tracer has worse rolling resistance than most fast XC Mtb tyres in the 2.25 to 2.40 range.

Did you add citric acid? To me it’s an essential ingredient.

In 2025 new products are coming out at 1:1 as there is no significant advantage to 1.08:1. Table sugar is 1:1. Add salt and citric acid and you have a perfect mix for bottles or gels. Buy a gel flask and the ingredients are so cheap is basically free sports nutrition.

This whole thread is about accidents not frame construction defects that are covered by the manufacturing warranty. The later is not an insurance issue. What do you mean? What's the difference between an accident and hitting a pothole? Both damaged the frame and are not warranty related. Frame warranty covers manufacturing defects. Unlike helmets and some wheels that have a crash replacement warranty. What bike brands have a crash replacement warranty for bike frames?

The insurance is for replacement value not what you paid for it. If you buy a used bike for R20k that costs R40k new you need to insure it for R40k.

I think it’s the best gravel race in the Western Cape. Outstanding. Heavens Gate is also a better finishing spot and I hope they keep it the same next year.

Yes hardtail. Trying to reduce Q factor as MTb Q factor bothers my knees.

That helps thanks. i guess it does depend on the frame. Just measured mine and road wide cranks will clear the chain stays on my Mtb with 5mm of clearance. Pretty sure a zero offset chainring will fit up to about a 40 tooth. So not ideal boost offset but it may work. Currently have a 42 3mm offset.

That actually isn't true. Crank arms will clear chain stays no problem. Maybe you are confusing Q Factor with chain line.

Anyone installed SRAM wide road cranks on a MTb frame? They can be used on 68 and 73 mm BB shells. I can speculate about chainring chain stay clearance so not looking for those opinions but for someone that’s actually done it.

That looks great. What stem length and whats the biggest front chainring you could fit on there?

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Your post is full of pretty dumb assumptions. I know they are dumb because ChatGPT the arbiter of ultimate truth (according to you) told me so. The motivation to do races is not defined by if they are the hardest. The cost per Km analysis is peak dumb. Again according to ChatGPT. Not my option but AI told me so.

You can. The dirt roads are open to the public. Get some mates together and go on a multi day ride.

Can someone explain why some people won’t use Bikehub Pay when buying? I get responses to my ads asking for my bank details so they can EFT me for the item. When I suggest they make an offer on the ad (for the amount I agree to sell to them) and pay using Bikehub pay they bail on the deal. Are these scammers that are blocked from using Bikehub Pay? What’s the reluctance? It’s not the Bikehub Pay fee because they can deduct that from their offer.

I've driven a small car there the past two years. From the "rougher" side - not Algeria. It's fine as long as there is no rain on the Friday.

That's what I would buy if I were you. The first thing I would do is donate those tyres to someone in need and put on 2.1 or 2.2 XC tyres. It will transform the ride. That crank is fine and does the job. You can always replace it down the line after a year or two. I have the 2025 carbon Revolt with 2.2's and it's a fantastic bike.

Nah don’t do it. Full suspension is not the way. If you want to build one buy an older carbon hardtail frame that can fit at least a 38 or 40 front chainring.

Buy 2nd hand. The entry level bikes for under R30k are not great. Rather buy a bike that was closer to R50k new on the 2nd hand market. If you are coming off an MTb and haven’t done a gravel race before it’s hard to overstate how rough it can be. A cheaper alloy frame and skinny tyres is a jarring experience. The most fun you will have is to build up a monster cross with a suspension fork. That’s entirely within your budget. And yes on gravel it’s just as fast.

Do they not publish race results for SA gravel Champs?

The Shimano BH90 hose is R600 to R700. There are aftermarket ones for R200 or less. Anyone have any experience with aftermarket hydro brake hoses?

I think it’s your reading and comprehension skills that are lacking rather than his writing skills. You completely misunderstood his point about JHB riders. He makes lots of good points backed up by stats.

Do you own one? Oh boy where to start. The 66 degree head tube angle sounds cool but doesn't work for drop bars. Wheel flop and understeer to the max. When you build a bike to take a 170mm dropper you have to make the seat tube and seat stay junction very stiff. Add a dropper and it's a super harsh ride. The same on the from end. Massively stiff and harsh front end. Then they make the max tire clearance 50mm. So it's designed like a mountain bike but don't take MTB tires. They add 7 water bottle cage mounts and say it's designed for all day epic rides. It's such a stiff harsh ride it would be horrible as an adventure or all day ride bike. The designer is a mountain biker and designs awesome mountain bikes but he had no clue how to design a good gravel bike. Not hating on Evil at all as I really love their mountain bikes and the owner and guys I met at their HQ are really cool people.

It’s the worst bike I’ve ever ridden. I wanted to love it because Evil is awesome and the bike looks rad but it’s an absolute **** show of a bike.