Skubarra Posted May 23, 2017 Share Looks like an interesting challenge! Love gravel grinding in the Karoo. But 400km gravel over 2 days (including the infamous Ouberg pass it seems) with no suspension - seems a bit niche imo, probably beyond the ambitions of most weekend warriors so I wonder if it will attract the numbers to be sustainable? Also a bit odd to me that they host it during the week and not on the weekend Will add this one to the bucket list, good luck to the organisers nonky, the nerd and mikkelz 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Boab Posted May 23, 2017 Share I think excluding suspensions like the Lauf and The Slate cuts out a few riders who bought bikes to do events like this, this isnt a dig at the event, and I personally think its a great idea. But. He already has tour of ara which excludes any modern bikes and components, what makes this any different. That being said, if I could get my A into G I would be there in a heartbeat, with my 35c, steel, SSCX rig... I'd guess the door is open for Al or carbon frames/forks, wide tyres which aren't allowed in Ara? It just seems a bit disappointing that for such a minority industry sector here in SA currently, despite what the industry hopes for, eg gravel-grinding, that sub-sectors within that sector are being excluded. If you want to keep MTBs out, however one defines that, go ahead, but in such a rapidly changing sector, today's 'innovation' may become the norm tomorrow and it's a pity to be exclusionary. nonky and the nerd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted May 23, 2017 Share I'd guess the door is open for Al or carbon frames/forks, wide tyres which aren't allowed in Ara? It just seems a bit disappointing that for such a minority industry sector here in SA currently, despite what the industry hopes for, eg gravel-grinding, that sub-sectors within that sector are being excluded. If you want to keep MTBs out, however one defines that, go ahead, but in such a rapidly changing sector, today's 'innovation' may become the norm tomorrow and it's a pity to be exclusionary. Read the race about page. Its supposed to be a "anti-commercial" race/ride. I will be sure to arrive is full Rapha CX kit johannrissik 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milky4130 Posted May 23, 2017 Share any idea why 35c tires is the minimum? Rider advantage or do they envisage plenty of punctures? i have 33c's this now means i need to go & buy specific tires just for this event Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcza Posted May 23, 2017 Share I thought Attakwas was Hell of the South? Skubarra, nathrix, TIB and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Boab Posted May 23, 2017 Share Read the race about page. Its supposed to be a "anti-commercial" race/ride. I will be sure to arrive is full Rapha CX kit I did. So where's this 'anti-commercial' statement? I saw ..."modern gravel/cyclocross style bikes" and reference to Paris-Roubaix, and the exclusion of fork, seat-post suspension and 'flat bar' shifters (my quotes). Coil spring saddles and stems for the win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted May 23, 2017 Share Gets stupid. I'll just keep on riding it wherever I feel like on my own which is what I built it for .... the nerd, Fat Boab, mikkelz and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathrix Posted May 23, 2017 Share I thought Attakwas was Hell of the South? Should be renamed to "Hell of the Moordenaars Karoo" jcza 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V12man Posted May 23, 2017 Share I asked Stan the question about suspension on a CX bike and unfortunately it's no Lauf, or Cannonade Slate or new Specialized Roubaix. The fork has to be rigid.The fork on the Roubaix is rigid.... the handlebars are suspended.... mikkelz, Patchelicious and Fat Boab 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted May 23, 2017 Share The fork on the Roubaix is rigid.... the handlebars are suspended....Wait for it..... Jakkals., Fat Boab and V12man 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted May 23, 2017 Share some of you might be familiar with steel-frame aficionado Stan Engelbrecht's Tour of Ara (imho the best thing to happen to cycling, like, ever). Stan's new baby is something less vintage, no less poetic, more accessible and hopefully something that will continue to challenge the overblown commercialisation of cycling. check it out. do it. https://karoobaix.co.za/ and for interest tourofara.co.za I did. So where's this 'anti-commercial' statement? I saw ..."modern gravel/cyclocross style bikes" and reference to Paris-Roubaix, and the exclusion of fork, seat-post suspension and 'flat bar' shifters (my quotes). Coil spring saddles and stems for the win! There Fat Boab 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcza Posted May 23, 2017 Share Loads of moaning (as usual) but how many of the moaners own a gravel bike with suspension and actually plan to enter the event? Fat Boab, Patchelicious and Stan Engelbrecht 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted May 23, 2017 Share Loads of moaning (as usual) but how many of the moaners own a gravel bike with suspension and actually plan to enter the event?That's not really what my query was about. I definitely plan to ride this in the future. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJG Posted May 23, 2017 Share The fork on the Roubaix is rigid.... the handlebars are suspended.... True but the rule of no suspension would rule the Roubaix out. That and 35c minimum tyres. I think the Roubaix only takes 32c. It's Stan's race so he get to make the rules which is fair enough. ti guy, the nerd and Stan Engelbrecht 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V12man Posted May 23, 2017 Share True but the rule of no suspension would rule the Roubaix out. That and 35c minimum tyres. I think the Roubaix only takes 32c. It's Stan's race so he get to make the rules which is fair enough. Well yes - it is his race indeed - but if he doesn't want the new Roubaix in his race, then the rigid fork rule doesn't cut it... I don't have a Rouxbaix - just for the record.... I would use my steel fork Cotic Roadrat, which complies with the spirit of the rules - although I suspect the double wrapped Richey Roubaix tape might count as suspension.... if I enter.... but I suspect I wont because it's too close to Trans Baviaans... and my wife will shoot me. nonky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FCH Posted May 23, 2017 Share just a pedantic point here. 1: what you quoted is not on the "race about page" but a statement by Mokgan2: anti commercial? what a crock of merde..... the race is asking entry fees (unknown as yet-probably wanting to see how many people are keen to sign up first) and (hopefully for them) making a profit- the exact definition of commerce.3: "gravel grinders" is not something new or unique; it is what every bike in the world was before technology gave us razor thin road bike and fat-as-can-be mountain bike wheels and suspension; hence P-R being one of the oldest races in the world. There Edited May 23, 2017 by FCH the nerd and nonky 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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