Dude Crush

Hi guys and gals! Need some advice on how to do this… I’m flying from Jhb to KZN this weekend and need to take a set of road bike wheels (in two separate wheel bags) with me there and back. Do these need to be checked in as luggage (and possibly paid for) or is it possible to take them as carry on? They are not exactly small and able to fit in overhead luggage so I doubt that it will be allowed. My concern is the extra charge for checking these in and whether it would be considered 2 pieces of luggage as well since these are two single bags. I could wrap them together to get around this, but still not comfortable checking in carbon wheels. Has anyone done this before? Thanks.

Big store, lots of stock and have been at Broadacres centre for a LONG time now. Super helpful staff and they value their reputation, so go for it… really nothing to worry about with them. Like most people in the Northern suburbs, I’ve bought tons, built bikes, serviced and had custom work done at the store as well… Just don’t let my wife see this post 😝😂

At 1.65m on a 52, I'd start with changing cranks. 175mm is waaaay to big. I'd consider 170 or 165 if u can find those. If you're reasonably fit, 50/34 and 11-30 is an awesome setup. You'll seldom need to pedal more than 60-70kph so 52 big ring is not necessary and probably only useful for those strong enough to race. 11-34 cassette also not a bad option. If u frequently climb long and steep passes, that's quite helpful. But you should mostly be ok with a 34-30 combo on the road.

So here's the thing... maybe a little bit of perspective. I ride in the CL bunches and whenever someone rides more than 2 abreast, they do get reprimanded. The marshals are constantly shouting out for the group to keep it tidy. It's never perfect, but mostly clean and safe. Two situations are blown out of proportion and not seen for what they are: 1. There are a LOT of non-club members that jump onto the bunch in the cradle. They often don't ride to the group's rules, but they also get called out. This is a touchy one and almost always results in a fight. And then CL gets called a bully. But honestly, if u invite yourself to a bunch (and you really shouldn't), then FIFO. 2. There are about 6 road groups with the faster groups doing longer routes (108km vs. 93km). When overtaking a bunch, yes it looks like 4 abreast, but it's really not. If overtaking another CL bunch, yes it absolutely looks that way coz everyone's in club kit, but I can assure you it's VERY temporary. If you really are so aggrieved, all the Marshals and many club members are at the Fourways store for brekkie around 10am, come have a chat and air your gripes. It will be taken seriously. But to sit and moan online and assume they are bullies is just looking for negativity and drama. Nobody wakes up wanting to annoy the entire cycling community. Sometimes it's a perk (thats a joke for those that wont get it), but really we just want to get out with mates and forget about life's other challenges for a few hours. For most of us, the best part is having some coffee after, not counting who cheesed off the highest number of people that morning!

Lol... hurling abuse at the road rangers, but happily accepts the 32,000 homeless people without a clue about road rules directing traffic at every intersection in Jhb. Gotta love moaning for the sake of moaning...

From my experience with Garmin over multiple queries over the years (and one in Jan this year), they are very quick to assess. Has never taken more than 3 days. I would consider sending it in. They also tend to charge around R1800 for many different types of repairs. I doubt your screen replacement will be less than that. So maybe consider that point before you send it in. If you're based in Jhb and can walk it in, that's better.

*double post

Also using the Joe's road specific one. Works really well, rated for high pressure and is C02 friendly if you ever need to use a bomb. Other than that, the one from Tufo also seems to do the job decently well if you cant find the Joe's.

Have you tried Richard (Customized Cycling) out in Fourways? He's quite a wizard so if anyone can get it right, I'm sure he can. Inbox me if you want his number.

I always have great service from CWC. In fact, had them box and ship a bike that I bought from a hubber just yesterday and they called me to let me know of progress and what to expect when the bike reaches Jhb. As for Spez, I've heard of stories of poor service from a number stores. But thought that I would love to single out Lynnwood Cyclery in Pretoria as one that has absolutely FANTASTIC service and communication. Andre over there goes the extra mile for all his clients... a lot of my mates have had the same great experience! So I guess it really boils down to the culture of the shop at the end of the day.

Agree with the comments above to go high end on a rim bike instead. The high end bikes are every bit as stiff and responsive as their dis brake competitors. And they are cheaper than disc at the moment. They are also easier to maintain if you enjoy tinkering with your bike yourself. Rim brake groupsets are also around 300g lighter than disc if you want to count weight and in general the frames are also 100-300g lighter than disc counterparts. You dont sound like someone that will be out riding often in the wet. If you are though, than disc is the obvious choice. But for the occasional unplanned downpour, high end rim brakes will do the job. Overall, R50k will buy you a lot more rim brake bike right now than disc. But the bike with the best frame and wheels you can get. Groupset can be easily upgraded later on.

Out of curiosity, what review did you leave? I also contacted the seller for the bike and then looked at the reviews like I normally do - found this thread and decided to steer clear. But if it wasnt for this thread, I'd have been deep in it by today!

Keep the Fulcrum Carbon quattros. Used them for a while and was super happy with them. Not the greatest in strong crosswinds but not the worst either. They are strong and roll superbly. I only got rid of them when upgrading to Bora WTOs. And to be honest, at half the price, you get 90% of the tech and speed of the Campy wheels in those Fulcrums.

Tragic! Really hate when things like this keep creeping up... I guess some people just dont know how to behave when you are allowed to buy alcohol again! RIP fellow rider... strongs to the family.

Realistically I dont think events will be workable during 2020. Even in the summer months. At least 2/3'rds of the population is expected to contract the virus and if you're not asymptomatic, chances are you'll be pretty darn sick for 2-3 weeks and still have aches and lung issues for a couple of months after. So racing may not be a great idea. Add to the fact that many of us with elder parents are extremely high risk, I dont see myself participating till the risk of contracting it (or passing it on) are very low. For now, happy to keep riding when I can, zwift a bit more and I've actually started to run a bit. Fitness actually improved during lockdown for me... so goes to show that u can maintain without race prep. Well even if just 90% of it.

Nice one Hugo... nou gaan asb die poliesie bel...

Stay away from Dark Horse. Have personally had them fail at the braking surface (and yes I know how to brake properly) and have seen 4 other sets also break at various times in my close circle of friends. Always the same issue. In conjunction with the Token (blue) carbon brake pads, I guarantee that they will melt. Look at Fulcrum Carbon Quattros (Marz Cycles has them on special) and try to use swisstop brake pads. The Fulcrums are made by swisstop too. Great combo and within your price range.

Great! Maybe i can ride with you on my 2nd loop....

Navworld has the 520 non-bundle for R3500 currently. Its a great deal. Its not the plus version, but reviews suggest the plus became very sluggish when compared to the normal 520 and 820. So I would avoid it to be honest. Garmin's are already finicky units as it is. Most of my buddies have some sort of freezing issue or losing a ride here and there or not connecting to sensor issues sporadically. Best not to couple that will an annoying lethargic unit as well.

I actually spoke to the guys at Garmin earlier this week. Apparently they have stock and are ready to go to market. They are just waiting on ICASA approval and the red tape from there. Said they expect to have that sorted by the second half of July.

Well I think i'll go bribe someone at the Rosebank office with a good cup or coffee for some info! Hoping to be able to get one before The Jock... but lets see

Has anyone managed to get any info on potential launch dates for the 530 and 830 in SA?

I dunno... I agree that the points that were previously allocated were ridiculously generous. But these are now really tough! I'd be extremely pissed if I had signed up for the Apple watch and certain activities now fetch less than 20% of the points I had previously expected. Also, in summer now, it's easier to get outdoors and active, but come winter, most of my activity will be at the gym. No more 3hour rides every single weekend. At that point, I'm really gonna battle to make up 1200 even though I'll still be active. Bit of a dick move by Discovery to go this strict based on a few summer months worth of data. Also, read article on Fin24 or Moneyweb (I think) about data showing that people get their points on the first or second day and are thus disincentivised from activity later on in the week... Well if u start counting points over the weekend when people actually have time to go on long rides or runs, of course that's gonna happen! Logic clearly evades some of the designers of the system. Im pretty cheesed off with this. I think it's more accurate than before but also think it's gone a little too far.

Paid up and got confirmation email but not yet reflecting on Racetec yet. Sure if will update overnight or in a day or two... Most people I know got an entry... Seasoned riders and some first timers. Just glad I managed to secure an entry. For those of you who haven't yet got an entry, I'm sure the unpaid tickets that were allocated will become available again. Don't stress... As others have said before, if you really want to ride, you will get an entry through the subs.

Demand exceeds supply... So I can just image what the organisers are thinking right now... "9 secs... Hmmm... I think we can squeeze the 2017 price to 80k per team and risk it being available longer than Steven Gerrard on the pitch against Man Utd!"