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I know it is late in the day, but it doesn’t hurt to try! My husband and I are looking to rent a Cannondale Road Tandem s/m road bike to use for the Argus (Cape Town Cycle Tour). We train at home (Namibia) on a 29’er Cannondale MTB but want to avoid traveling with the bike. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks

So, I like this cycling thing quite a bit. With the GP Road Race Champs just up the road from me yesterday I decided to make the effort to go attend. We pitched at 15h00, thinking we will see some serious excitement as this would be right towards the business end of the various races. Firstly, the attendance seemed very sad, just a couple of Gazebo's strewn along Soutpansbergweg for families supporting their husbands, fathers, mothers, sisters etc taking part. I have since just finally accepted that cycling is not a spectator sport, at least not for people physically attending events, even on a short course setup as we had yesterday. You see the cyclists for 10s every lap, with no idea what has transpired on the rest of the lap. I had no idea which riders were in the race and where they were placed. We left after standing around for about 30mins. Somebody needs to seriously consider something new to get non-cyclists excited about these events. Mount some Go-Pros on the Race Commissionaire cars and have someone narrating the action from the car as the race unfolds. Stream all of this to Youtube and people might actually know what is going on out there. This morning, I have not been able to find out what happened in terms of results. I found Reinardt JvR on Strava and see in his description that he finished 3rd. Other than that, nothing. And then on another tangent, can somebody please explain the whole structure of the Provincial champs and how they feed into nationals? Someone like Nicholas Dlamini and Darryl Impey who currently sits in Aus, do they get a free pass to nationals etc?

Hi hubbers, going down to Ballito this holiday and need to spend some time on the bike. following a training program where the workouts require a certain amount of hours on the bike. my question is: which bike would offer the best riding in terms of safety and route choices: road bike or mtb? I have both and can put in the time on both but can only take one down. i don't have a smart trainer and only local (pta east) gym membership. any other ideas of how to get time in the saddle while on holiday? TIA

Hello hi, TL/DR version - skip the first 2 paragraphs I am travelling to Piet Retief in Mpumalanga for a few days this December. I'm planning on cycling through the border and doing a loop as indicated on the map attached. I should mention I'll be cycling alone (don't have a choice about this, or I should stay home). I'll have a family member with a passport on standby in Piet Retief, but I don't know if I'll have no reception inside Swaziland (MTN SA prepaid user). I've cycled around 20km down the R543 before with the mtb about 2-3 years ago but was told afterwards it was a huge risk. I knew going onto the plantation jeep tracks was looking for death, but didn't know I should expect to be attacked just as likely on the road, or in fact any of the roads in the attached maps. I've crossed this border before with a car, so had no unusual troubles. I was warned to stick to tar roads in Swaziland when cycling, but at this point I'm thinking of taking the road bike (for more range during daylight!) so would have to anyways. I'm unfamiliar with the border outposts outside of Mahamba. I've attached 3 maps labelled route 1, 2 & 3. I'm expecting to do route 1 which is 187km (unless the white roads are dirt roads!), but route 3 seems the most scenic and fun! (at 300km though, so a day outing requiring more nutrition prepping). Route 2 is the shortest at 110km, but I think the road to the border to the North may be much more dodgy and busy. First question is if anyone has done a similar route around the same area or same roads? Any experiences or suggestions regarding the R543, the border and a bike+camelback? Has anyone stayed overnight somewhere near the routes indicated and cycled a longer distance? I'd appreciate any insight regarding the concerns mentioned above please. Ideally I'd want to cycling the inner perimeter of Swaziland on the road, but I haven't had time to plan accordingly. This is a plan for 2019.

If you want the TL:DR version, skip to the specs list. So, since 1000 posts on bikehub is such a hot topic, I've decided to make more of a fuss for reaching this credibility milestone (yay me, but we have the rating system for building credibility too). I thought I'd make a post showing pictures of the final product of my first bike build (not rebuild) and my first road bike (I love it, but lost all my mtb credibility and grew a weird sock obsession). Why is this relevant? Well, I sourced every single part from members on Bikehub! With that said, I'd like to sincerely thank those members that sold parts to mr student budget over here by accommodating my budget and those that gave me advice! You guys know who you are - thank you I was hoping to have more recent pictures, one including me sporting fancy new bikehub socks, but Slowbee is too busy mastering the unicycle (it is a good cause, so not complaining, although bikehub socks might save your shins from that pedal slapping action good sir). I almost sold myself out to a cheap dirty reply-post yesterday, so had to lay off of the hub for a few hours. Then came a fresh trickle of indifference and lack of understanding on the thread regarding the transgender woman world champ, then I watched the video seeing how she won through tactics and not sheer strength (whatever was in their pants at that time had no effect on the tactical decisions made upstairs) and wondered how some people can still defend their stances with pogo sticks for legs, but I digress. First I had to get the ploy out of the way - if I made anyone look after saying "more on that tomorrow" 2 days ago, bazinga! Otherwise, in light of seemingly tradition on the hub and entertainment threads on Fridays, I'll do my best to entertain. I don't expect to compete with the pleasant read that is "Munga musings from a novice", especially since I won't be employing highly amusing yet profane descriptions of the chemical reaction between pants and stools (not the pants on top kind, but stools on top kind). If you finish reading with a grin, it means you're happy, then I'm happy and Bikehub is happy* and now you gotta go make your bike happy *wink**requires confirmation Time for the good stuff - the specs: ☺ 54cm Edge TT aluminium frame, matching carbon fork, very light, fairly stiff as far as I can tell. Partially internal cable routing. (slightly too small, but it fit my budget and doesn't hurt me while riding with the combination of components, so I'm super happy) ☺ Full Ultegra 10 speed groupset & components (6700 IIRC) ☺ Carbon headset spacers, 35mm total ☺ Syntace Cube aluminium handlebar and stem (super light) ☺ Generic white foam grip tape (cheapest I could find) ☺ Bontrager Race Light alloy seatpost ☺ Saddle: Prologo Naga Evo PAS TiroX, 141mm (didn't skimp here, I care about my bumhole and friends) ☺ Pedals: Look Keo Classic☺ Wheelset: Mavic Aksium front, Fuji CGC Aero 30 rear (got them at an amazing price. They run true, I am happy with zero complaints) ☺ Tyres: Continental GP4000S2 ☺ Rubbish "Massload" bottlecage. Replaced with a generic alu Merida cage, works perfectly. (I've since chucked it out because it spat out my bottle on the first ride ever (thanks germiston rough tar) and seeing as the frame only fits 1 bottle, that was not fun)☺ Skewers bought from Rapide, but pretty sure they are generic chinese skewers. As is, the bike weights 8.8kg, which is more than light enough to make me happy. I intended on weighing each component prior to assembly, but at the R150 price for a scale, I felt it is money wasted that could be spent on the bike instead (which I did, backup tubes and a tyre!). The road going forward with this bike isn't entirely clear yet. I want to upgrade to a nicer set of wheels eventually, but since I'm hopefully immigrating early next year, I may have to sell this amazing ride due to shipping costs. Without further rambling, here are the photos:

I recently bought a Colnago V1-R frame but it came with the Di2 lugs does anyone have the Mechanical lugs as well as the open cable exit part. I can’t build a thing into this bike without those and the agent doesn’t have any either. I’m happy to buy them. Thanks Bryan

I have noticed that SA bike shops seem to only stock regular tubes. It seems like there are a lot more options available from international online vendors. Within the Continental range there are a few different specs. Some reviews have stated that the Continental Race 28 Supersonic is the cheapest and easiest way to reduce the total weight of a bike by 100g and, considering this weight is on the extremity of the wheels, it should make for a significant improvement in acceleration too. What are the pros and cons of lightweight tubes?

Yes, I just made up a word. Gravelable (adj) - Suitable for pleasant traverse on either a gravel or standard road machine, equipped with rubber exceeding 28 metric millimeters. I was planning a ride from Glentana (George) to Natures Valley. While scouring maps for a possible route that does not involve perishing on the N2, I saw something called the "Seven Passes Road". It looks pretty spectacular, consisting of tar and untarred sections. My question is, does anyone know if these roads are MTB type gravel, or gravel type gravel? I would love to slap on my 28's and have a crack at it. I am just not keen on heave corrugations which will undo the dental work I had done as a child. Any local knowledge would be much appreciated! The route I am talking about can be viewed here: https://goo.gl/maps/9akgRySrfqH2

Hi fellow Hubbers. Next week Im travelling to Barrydale on Route 62 and was want to ride out to Montegue. Just checking if anyone is out that side and keen to join as I'm a bit nervous doing that on my ace on the open highway! I have only don this route for the DC and was keen to do it as a training ride. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Have a lekker Friday all. !

Hi all, I have received an old "Invader 12 speed" which a family member rode 20+ years ago. Unfortunately, it was sitting in pieces in someone's garage. I am looking to see if I can get this bike rideable again. Does anyone know if parts are still available for it or what alternate parts would fit? I am looking to replace the chain, possibly the derailers (currently Sunrace), it will need a new set of brakes, and respoke or replace of the rims. Thanks

Looking for outsole lugs for a Specialized MTB shoe 2016 model as per pic attached. Size EUR 43. Freewheel cycology don't have my size because they apparently not making them anymore. Olympic cycles I suspect called them and simply cannot assist. It looks like I have to call on the hubbers for #assistance.

I'm looking to get rid of some road wheels a friend gave me a while back before immigrating. Anybody know roughly what these are worth on the hub? I ride mtb so don't have much of a clue re road stuff. Including Gatorskin tyres. Ritchey aero road OCR rims? Ritchey ZER system rear hub and Ritchey front hub. Thanks!

News from the Flying Dodo Airfield Having raced competitively from the mid 1950's and thereafter as a long time "collector" of the sort of steel racing cycles I rode back then,I have accumulated/assembled some 300 such machines many which landed here in a sorry state. The concept of the name "Phoenix" for the rescued, restored, refurbished, repainted, machines came from the legend of the bird that resurrected itself in fire. The Dodo was a flightless Mauritian bird now extinct. The passion for preservation of these thoroughbred cycles discarded for the latest bling led to the rescuing, restoring and riding of these machines otherwise destined to follow destiny of the now disappeared Dodo into extinction. The machines landed up here as derelict Dodos and rose again Phoenix- ike resplendent in fine colours and a new identity. To go back to a time before bicycle riding (and thus the production of the machine) went into decline. Raleigh Industries mass-produced 400000 cycles pa in Springs whilst individual frame builders like Hans Huth, Gotti Hansen, Francois Du Toit, Bill Lange, Duncan Macintyre and a handful of others hand built bespoke frames for the discerning, sporting few and those dedicated bicyclists determined to have the very best that could be produced here. That bright, steel frame era ended decades ago. There has been a resurgence in interest in Retro steel Racing machines-and in Rescuing Relics... in saving and revitalising discarded Dodos... in Resurrecting these Relics. There is also now a man who is at present reviving the craft of steel bike frame building.His name is David Mercer. So I thought it fitting that he build me a new frame using a set of old Reynold's 531 tubing and the fancy lugs last in fashion when I raced in the 60's. The frame will be badged as a Mercer/Phoenixin recognition of the resurgence of steel, the resurrection of the skill of the artisan frame builder and the revival of bespoke hand crafting. The organisation I had a hand in creating was on a different path... Mobility for the Majority via the Bicycle. Qhubeka now has a team racing in Europe.They are also now involved in building a Bicycle Plant in the Eastern Cape. Sport has always been a part of the word Tran-sport So things have finally come full circle. The bicycle was invented 200 years ago and though pedals were first fitted to this two wheel machine some 50 years later, the bicycle has only recently risen- Phoenix like-to challenge the polluting pervasiveness of the fossil-fuelled, motorised monopoly. May Pedals long continue to make Progress.

Hi I'll be in Johannesburg for about a month and it seems that the emirates charges for transporting a bike are ridiculous (approx €1k!) Looking at other options so considering rentalfor the month - if anyone has any ideas where to go for this I would really appreciate it. Looking for a road bike, preferably carbon. Cheers

PSA! For anyone that doesn't know, on DSTV catch-up there is a 2 episode special on 100 years of Le tour de France. Each episode is about an hour long. It's brilliant so far (only watched the first episode) and starts of all the way back to the start of the century! For someone who is new to the sport and/or Tour de France, it gives you an great history lesson! Just thought I would share.

The 2018 race calendar for the Cyclosportif is available 28 Jan #1 Windmeul Winery 91 km, 38 km 22 Apr #2 Simonsvlei Wine 97 km; 38 km 03 Jun #3 Perdeberg Winery 109 km; 39 km 01 Jul #4 Windmeul Winery 91 km; 38 km (postponed) 16 Sep #5 Simonsvlei Wine 97 km; 38 km 14 Oct #6 Perdeberg Winery 109 km; 39 km 02 Dec #4 Windmeul Winery 91 km; 38 km (rescheduled) I am sure it will be added later formally in the Events page

Any info on Gauteng champs for next year?

Hi guys So I'm in the market for a new (secondhand) bike with a budget of around R13 000. I had a carbon frame, which was too small, with a full campy centaur groupset and won't have mind something similar, just in my size. I've been looking at bikes 58-60cm in size but seems the classifieds are a bit thin on that front at the moment. Which got me thinking about maybe going the steel frame (something like this: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/277590-peugeot/ ) route with a modern groupset (something like this: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/276309-shimano-ultegra-6700-10spd/ ), leaving some change for nice wheels. Is this doable or daft? Have anyone experience with mixing old and new? Or any other advice would be appreciated. R

So I have been wondering and looking on the hub, but did not find a place where the conversation was around the enjoyment of the different cycling disciplines. There is lots of comments and jokes between the disciplines, but I am more curious on what the attraction is of the different one. For example road cycling, what is it about it that appeals so much to all the roadies, is it the speed, the reliance of the group / pelaton, the distance covered, the constant smashing it on the road with few "easy" km. But I realised there are a number of disciplines and each must have their own unique selling points (and would hope the conversations stays with the positives of each and not why the one is better than the other (for that I can watch the rap battle again ) Track (Sprint / Endurance) Road (Single-day bicycle race / Time trial / Stage races / Ultramarathon) Cyclo-cross MTB (XC / All-mountain/Enduro / Downhill / Dirt Jumping / Trail riding / Marathon / etc.)

I posted something similar 2yrs ago [part 1] when i was very excited about my Colango cyclocross bike. this was something completely new but with time, a few major irritations developed and when it was written off recently, i would be lying if i said i was disappointed. with the help of the nice people at Santam, a new frame was soon under way [i initially wanted to order it from my old supplier in the UK, but that is not necessary: Mark Nel from Alpinesports sorted me out in no time at i price that is very competitive. MY PROBLEMS: I need a commuter that can do some gravel/single track on the way to work and on weekends be a road racing bike [i have a MTB for proper off roading]. the old bike was designed to handle Sven Nys for one hour [out of the saddle] only and was the second hardest and most uncomfortable bike i ever rode [35c tires makes little difference] some people call me a snob. i believe that you are only a snob if you look down on others. i don't look down on people who do not ride Campagnolo. but i have had such amazing experience with it that i don't ride anything else- the only problem is that they did not have disc brakes for my last bike, so i had mechanical disc calipers- only for the suicidal. completely useless. but campag did not have disc brakes available. to ride off road, you need different gearing: 50/34 front and 11-29 at the back. for things like the Swartberg100 i however wanted to put a 32 cassette on the back but for that you need a medium cage derailleur which i did not have exposed Gear cables get full of dust/mud and after 4 rides, your shifting becomes a problem my old bike had a Powertap rear hub which is great but the wheelset weighed >2kg and the Stans GrailX rims got dented if you looked at them THE SOLUTION: see picture below. i have a spare set of road racing wheels for weekends smaller frame +thin rear stays+ 27,2 carbon seatpost with huge flex= completely transformed ride. Very comfy. I trawled the internet for months and as soon as Campag launched their hydraulic disc setup i ordered it. the brakes are simply unlike anything if ridden before: great stopping power but with good modulation [the Srams i tested before had no modulation: you touch them and you're over the handlebars]. i ordered a medium cage derailleur which handles the gear ratios much better the new frame allows me to run the cable housing from the Ergolevers all the way to the derailleur and so far the shifting is excellent Stages powermeter and for everyday riding i bought Campag Zonda wheels: not the lightest but strong and VERY stiff. the hubs have old school cup and cone bearings which you can service yourself and i've had excellent experience with them in the pastFull specs: Frame: Colnago Prestige in EMIT colours on bare UD carbon Cockpit: Colnago Groupset: Campagnolo H11 with Recored derailleur [Chorus in pictures but this is on loan] Wheels: Campagnolo Zonda disc. thru-axle Tires: Schwalbe G-one 35mm rear and 40 front [ i have yet to see if 40 will fir the back] Seatpost: Colnago do not make a 27,2mm post in carbon any longer. this is 3T Team stealth Saddle: loan saddle in pictures soon to be replaced by my old Fizik Arione

Hi I usually ride Saturday mornings Road Cycling from Lanseria / Culinary through Kromdraai to the Caves and back. Estimated start time are from: Culinary at 09:00 in winterLanseria Airport at 07:00 in the summer. I am trying to average close to 30 km/h (on my own) for the 70 - 80 km route. Anybody feels like joining, send me a message. Louis

The Inaugural Cape Duo ran from Thursday the 5th of October to Sunday the 8th. Results are available on the Racetec website at racetec.co.za 4 days, 6 stages, two bikes, on-road & off-road. Ride through the picturesque scenery of the Western Cape in this first-ever ultimate cycling experience. The race, being a brand new setup may have some teething issues, but overall it was an excellent event, with a great vibe and awesome roads and trails. Here's the highlights from the 4 days, from Silverback's media team, so focus on SB's team and their race experience. Marthinus Kruger and Yolande de Villiers rode well, picking up all four day wins for mixed teams, resulting in the overall 1st place for mixed teams and a well deserved 6th place in the overall results. Day 1: Slanghoek – Road & Mountain Bike (MTB). Road - 41 kilometers / 260 metres elevation gain. MTB – 22 kilometers / 500 metres elevation gain. Day 2: Welbedacht Estate - Road Stage Bainskloof loop – 91 kilometers / 1180 metres elevation gain. Day 3: Welbedacht Estate – MTB Stage. Welvanpas – 55 kilometers / 1300 metres elevation gain. Day 4: Rhebokskloof – Road & MTB. Road – 31 kilometers / 290 metres elevation gain MTB – 30 kilometers / 500 metres elevation gain

Can anyone offer some advice on the best (ideally safe, scenic and reasonably challenging) road route? I don't mind taking some detours. At the moment I've got something like this https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_F7VgQ6Mwd6Bmbd3V-iTGJXLcxI&usp=sharing Thanks in advance!

Hi my name is Rob. I am a cyclist based in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. I am looking for riding/training partners for either road or mountain or both in and around the Southern peninsula/Southern suburbs. The only catch is due to a busy workday I ride early mornings leaving 5 back by 7 or so. I am more than happy to leave earlier if need be and meet up with you somewhere more convenient. I guess I average about 25-26km/h on road bike with climbs included. Can easily handle a bit more and am super relaxed about riding with slower people but faster or equal is ideal. Weekends we can ride at a more sensible hour! I enjoy riding road, love riding mountain, climbing is awesome, I am a bit slow on single track as I am rather new to the sport. Hoping to do rides of about 50-60km during week or hill sprints and repeats. Weekend longer rides are awesome! If anyone knows of groups or people who ride those kinds of times I would love to hear of them. Thanks for taking the time to read my post! Cheers Rob