Advice needed for new bike to tackle 36One and Transbaviaans

[Me rida my bicycle]

I had a Niner air 9 after each ride I felt broken. Then a Rocky Mountain vertex 990 much better but not there yet in comfort. The cannondale FSI was like riding a short travel dual, but I like changing things on my bikes and I don't think cannondale wants you to mess with their sub 9kg bike. With the save seatpost and rear stays it's probably the most comfortable HT.

Currently riding a Scott Scale custom built with the fatest tyres and rims I could fit in the frame comfort is great I have only done the K2C on it. But it's much more fun on the trails than any of the other.

I would say big tyres lower pressure and most importantly a comfortable saddle.

[Shebeen]

VERY NB issue is seatpost.

 

https://www.cyclingabout.com/seatposts-overlooked-yet-critical-for-cycling-comfort/

 

damping test

[ajnkzn]

Also where the Epic HT rules - 27.2mm seat post and the seatstays definitely have a bit of give.

[Velouria]

... dual suspension XC bike with space for 3 bottles (I don't want to carry a pack on those long rides) - so that would be 2 in the main frame, 3rd on the seatpost with some onboard storage. 1x11/12 gearing.

 

 

36One is pretty much just 12 water points 30kms apart. You shouldn't really be hauling almost 3kgs of fluid around with you. Granted, I haven't experienced the full value of 36One, but even then, drink 3 bottles between each waterpoint and you're going to be spending more time in the bushes weeing than you're going to spend on the bike pedalling.

 

Baviaans is another story, especially for the first half, although you have two opportunities to get new bottles, and a total of 3 places to fill bottles. From Bergplaas onwards, you should only need a bottle, maybe two if you're a super sweater. Plenty of stops to refuel. I've done several Baviaans races where I just ended up carrying a 750g weight for 230kms (there is a certain degree of comfort knowing that you have the extra bottle should you be abducted by the locals or fall down the pass. Beats having to do a Bear Grylls and drink your own wee.)

 

 I am contemplating doing the TB this year on my alu hardtail again instead of the dual suspension just because of that. Then I remember how terrible that last 6km single track next to the railway was. 

 

You've hit the nail on the head. And even then, I don't think a dual sus makes those last 6kms any less k@k! I miss the tar run into the campsite...

[Grease_Monkey]

36One is pretty much just 12 water points 30kms apart. You shouldn't really be hauling almost 3kgs of fluid around with you. Granted, I haven't experienced the full value of 36One, but even then, drink 3 bottles between each waterpoint and you're going to be spending more time in the bushes weeing than you're going to spend on the bike pedalling.

 

Baviaans is another story, especially for the first half, although you have two opportunities to get new bottles, and a total of 3 places to fill bottles. From Bergplaas onwards, you should only need a bottle, maybe two if you're a super sweater. Plenty of stops to refuel. I've done several Baviaans races where I just ended up carrying a 750g weight for 230kms (there is a certain degree of comfort knowing that you have the extra bottle should you be abducted by the locals or fall down the pass. Beats having to do a Bear Grylls and drink your own wee.)

 

You've hit the nail on the head. And even then, I don't think a dual sus makes those last 6kms any less k@k! I miss the tar run into the campsite...

I did the half last year, my frame had a 750ml bottle and another 600ml on the seatpost (that's the biggest that could fit without hitting the rear tyre when the suspension bottoms out). So that's 1,35L. I ran out of water 3 times between water points - in the middle of the day I ran out 15km from a waterpoint - not fun.

 

But I am heavy on water... I finished off my bottles between each point and on average drank another 750ml at each waterpoint. Didn't stop to pee once and was very dehydrated at the end of the day.

 

So ja... for me 3 water bottles is ideal. Setup I am looking at this year is a 750ml and a 600ml in the main frame, and a 750ml on the seatpost (that's if I go hardtail which makes water storage MUCH easier as you can fit 2 in the frame and you don't have to worry about suspension bottoming out and buzzing the bottle behind the post). That, and better fitness should mean that I will be fine on water.

[Hairy]

so this would be a good setup for you?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/lyne-components-launches-the-holy-rail-on-bike-storage-system-r7654

 

I did the half last year, my frame had a 750ml bottle and another 600ml on the seatpost (that's the biggest that could fit without hitting the rear tyre when the suspension bottoms out). So that's 1,35L. I ran out of water 3 times between water points - in the middle of the day I ran out 15km from a waterpoint - not fun.

But I am heavy on water... I finished off my bottles between each point and on average drank another 750ml at each waterpoint. Didn't stop to pee once and was very dehydrated at the end of the day.

So ja... for me 3 water bottles is ideal. Setup I am looking at this year is a 750ml and a 600ml in the main frame, and a 750ml on the seatpost (that's if I go hardtail which makes water storage MUCH easier as you can fit 2 in the frame and you don't have to worry about suspension bottoming out and buzzing the bottle behind the post). That, and better fitness should mean that I will be fine on water.

[Grease_Monkey]

so this would be a good setup for you?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/lyne-components-launches-the-holy-rail-on-bike-storage-system-r7654

My wife's bike (dual suspesnion XC bike which I used last year) only physically has space for one bottle in the main frame.

 

On my hardtail it's not an issue, has space for three.

 

But.... if I had something like an Anthem or Spark the Holy Rail would be a no-brainer for me - very innovative!!

[fanievb]

I did the half last year, my frame had a 750ml bottle and another 600ml on the seatpost (that's the biggest that could fit without hitting the rear tyre when the suspension bottoms out). So that's 1,35L. I ran out of water 3 times between water points - in the middle of the day I ran out 15km from a waterpoint - not fun.

 

But I am heavy on water... I finished off my bottles between each point and on average drank another 750ml at each waterpoint. Didn't stop to pee once and was very dehydrated at the end of the day.

 

So ja... for me 3 water bottles is ideal. Setup I am looking at this year is a 750ml and a 600ml in the main frame, and a 750ml on the seatpost (that's if I go hardtail which makes water storage MUCH easier as you can fit 2 in the frame and you don't have to worry about suspension bottoming out and buzzing the bottle behind the post). That, and better fitness should mean that I will be fine on water.

so this would be a good setup for you?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/lyne-components-launches-the-holy-rail-on-bike-storage-system-r7654

Mr. V MAN is too fast, he does not get to appreciate the heat

 

I had 3 bottles for this year, one on the seat post and 2 in the frame (fitted with wolftooth B-RAD)

 

I only started filling up all 3 bottles from the water point just before Rooiberg.

[Grease_Monkey]

Mr. V MAN is too fast, he does not get to appreciate the heat

 

I had 3 bottles for this year, one on the seat post and 2 in the frame (fitted with wolftooth B-RAD)

 

I only started filling up all 3 bottles from the water point just before Rooiberg.

That makes sense, pretty much when the heat hits you?

 

Haha ja the fast okes do not appreciate what the slower ones go through. The guy I was camping with did the full and ended up coming 3rd overall, he just stopped once!

[Velouria]

Mr. V MAN is too fast, he does not get to appreciate the heat

 

I had 3 bottles for this year, one on the seat post and 2 in the frame (fitted with wolftooth B-RAD)

 

I only started filling up all 3 bottles from the water point just before Rooiberg.

Hey - it's starting to get hot at 10 in the morning! The mercury was hitting 27C when we finished!

 

My favourite part of 36One is coming back to the finish at around 4 pm, grabbing a beer, and watching the guys and girls finish as day turns back into night. This is where the battles are won, demons are conquered, and the sense of achievement is palpable as riders cross the line. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it...

[Grease_Monkey]

Hey - it's starting to get hot at 10 in the morning! The mercury was hitting 27C when we finished!

 

My favourite part of 36One is coming back to the finish at around 4 pm, grabbing a beer, and watching the guys and girls finish as day turns back into night. This is where the battles are won, demons are conquered, and the sense of achievement is palpable as riders cross the line. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it...

If I could have my way the half would start with the full - would be awesome to do a night race and escape the heat. But I understand why it cannot happen - would be lame to have the half okes come in before the winners of the full.

 

You have one thing right though, it's when it gets dark that demons are faced. Cannot even imagine how much more true that is for the full 36One competitors!

 

I do think it was the right move to have it closer to winter this year. Hopefully we have a much cooler day!

[hboli4]

Hey - it's starting to get hot at 10 in the morning! The mercury was hitting 27C when we finished!

 

My favourite part of 36One is coming back to the finish at around 4 pm, grabbing a beer, and watching the guys and girls finish as day turns back into night. This is where the battles are won, demons are conquered, and the sense of achievement is palpable as riders cross the line. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it...

Were you at least still awake when I rolled over the line just after 22.00?

[fanievb]

Hey - it's starting to get hot at 10 in the morning! The mercury was hitting 27C when we finished!

 

My favourite part of 36One is coming back to the finish at around 4 pm, grabbing a beer, and watching the guys and girls finish as day turns back into night. This is where the battles are won, demons are conquered, and the sense of achievement is palpable as riders cross the line. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it...

That's about my finish time

 

I still have nightmares about that last 80km

[DuncanCT]

Also where the Epic HT rules - 27.2mm seat post and the seatstays definitely have a bit of give.

 

What are the widest tyre that could fit at the back of your Epic HT?

[Velouria]

I do think it was the right move to have it closer to winter this year. Hopefully we have a much cooler day!

I'm not that impressed with the move - it means the night is longer, it's harder to train for, and I hate the cold. I will take the heat over the cold any day!

 

Were you at least still awake when I rolled over the line just after 22.00?

We were awake, still drinking beer, but at our guesthouse, trying to watch a dodgy movie on TV. I'm always amazed at how short our attention span is after 36One!

 

That's about my finish time

 

I still have nightmares about that last 80km

I get a serious case of white line fever every year as soon as we crest that last hill. Pretty much a 40km TT of death. It does cause some internal team friction, but I figure the sooner we're drinking beer with our feet up, the sooner we can patch things up

[ajnkzn]

What are the widest tyre that could fit at the back of your Epic HT?

 

I'm pretty sure the 2.35 Ikon will fit - will test in the next few weeks as my 2.2 on the back is a semi slick these days.

 

Definitely nothing bigger than that.

 

On the front there's obviously tons of space.

 

Maybe I should go 2.4 Rekon on the front.

 

And a 120mm Fox 36 SC.

 

And a dropper post.

 

Make it a Hardtail Downcountry bike haha.