Trans Karoo MTB

[Shrek1]

Hi all

 

I am stepping out my comfort zone and getting off the trails and doing a ultra endurance event. I am looking for assistance in Bike choice. Do I take the hardtail or do I use the dual suss. The are a few notable climbs and long stretches of just pedaling.

 

Thanks

 

[eddy]

When faced with the choice some years ago, I picked the DS and was pleased I did.

 

Riding hard in the dark when you cannot always see the ruts/river crossings/rocks etc in your way,  it was useful to just sit and trap without having to worry about getting out of the saddle.

 

Call me lazy, but after 13 hours it was a comfort.

[Blackheart]

I've done the last two TK's.

i think it depends on how long you plan on being out there, and which Hardtail and Full Suss you have access to.

As for climbs, there is really only one - but it's 10km long, rises about 1000m and comes after 180Km....

[Smurfy]

My forth one. Done 2 on Hard tails. Eina, Last one on Ds. What a Pleasure. Doing on DS again.

[Blackheart]

Did both on Hardtails....

First on a Cotic Solaris steel, second on a Niner Air9 Carbon.

[Skubarra]

 

As for climbs, there is really only one - but it's 10km long, rises about 1000m and comes after 180Km....

 

The question you should ask yourself really is - do you prefer pushing a hardtail or a full suspension bike up a mountain? - because no matter the bike, walking that is what you will be doing at Ouberg.. 

[Shrek1]

I have a trek FS 7 DS. Its a marathon specced bike so I can lock the suspension out for the climbs. I am also contemplating changing my spd's to flats at the third checkpoint as I am sure to do a bit of walking and will change out of my cycle shoes into trail shoes to ease the walking.

[Skubarra]

I have a trek FS 7 DS. Its a marathon specced bike so I can lock the suspension out for the climbs. I am also contemplating changing my spd's to flats at the third checkpoint as I am sure to do a bit of walking and will change out of my cycle shoes into trail shoes to ease the walking.

 

Shrek - I think the changing of shoes is a good idea, the vast majority of the field walk the most of Ouberg pass, even the winner of 2 years ago walked parts of it.

 

Even though it is district road, the 16km of the pass took me more than 2 hours to complete (and I was in the front half of the field)

[Blackheart]

I have a trek FS 7 DS. Its a marathon specced bike so I can lock the suspension out for the climbs. I am also contemplating changing my spd's to flats at the third checkpoint as I am sure to do a bit of walking and will change out of my cycle shoes into trail shoes to ease the walking.

Not sure this is a great idea, the checkpoint at the bottom of the climb is not where you leave gear boxes (lights etc..). That one is way before. The next one is at the top the pass. From there to the finish there's still 40 odd km of hard riding still to be done.

[Shrek1]

Not sure this is a great idea, the checkpoint at the bottom of the climb is not where you leave gear boxes (lights etc..). That one is way before. The next one is at the top the pass. From there to the finish there's still 40 odd km of hard riding still to be done.

Checkoint 3 is where the support crew can meet up and I plan to stick the shoes and spds in my backpack and change over at the bottom of the climb.