Jannes Strydom Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Hello, I'm looking for some help. I'm doing my first race, the cape town cycle tour, with a mtb. Is it necessary to buy slicks or not? Also, do I need to get a bike fit done? I don't really plan on road cycling again.
ChrisF Posted February 25 Posted February 25 (edited) No. There will be MANY mountainbikes, with MTB tyres EDIT - slicks not "needed", but yes it helps. Always a slippery slope to throw money at it ... Bike fit .... good idea, for another day ... dont make big changes just before the race Edited February 26 by ChrisF Dexter-morgan and Daniel de V 2
Mook Posted February 26 Posted February 26 9 hours ago, Jannes Strydom said: Hello, I'm looking for some help. I'm doing my first race, the cape town cycle tour, with a mtb. Is it necessary to buy slicks or not? Also, do I need to get a bike fit done? I don't really plan on road cycling again. Slicks will make a massive difference, having done this myself many, many moons ago. The question you have to answer is "would I ever use those slicks again?" If your aim is purely getting to the finish line, I would suggest you stay on MTB tyres. Bike fit .................... always a good idea, no matter when. Enjoy the ride ! ChrisF and Dusty 2
guidodg Posted February 26 Posted February 26 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK-n7GUS9ky/ mikkelz, Daniel de V, BMCfan and 2 others 1 4
Prince Albert Cycles Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Differ from Chris . Slicks make a massive difference . Personal experience. Did 2025 Tour with tubeless gravel tyres on a hardtail again huge difference with the added comfort of not worrying about punctures Mook and ChrisF 2
Alouette3 Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Slick are not necessarily but highly advised, they do make a huge difference. But if your aim is just too finish and you aren't worried about time, effort and don't want to spend the money, its definitely not a necessity. As for bike fit, have you got something you are concerned about? How long have you been riding or on that bike for?
WIPEOUT 1000 Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Please note that not all slicks are made equal. Without going into the physics, tread pattern is not the only factor that affects rolling resistance, and some slicks are really slow. I recommend you look at https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ before you buy. The other factor that's really important, irrespective of what tire you ride, is your tire pressure. Have a look at one of the online calculators. ChrisF 1
HdB Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Definitely not necessary, just ask the monsters keeping up with the racing groups at the CTCT, with their 2.4 knobblies sounding like a very angry beehive. But as others have said, it makes a huge difference in the amount of effort you need to put in. If you are not going to ride other road events with them in the future, I wouldn't waste the money. Gravel tyres are maybe a good compromise, they should be pretty quick at the CTCT and you can use them for gravel riding after. ChrisF 1
ChrisF Posted February 26 Posted February 26 3 hours ago, Prince Albert Cycles said: Differ from Chris . Slicks make a massive difference . Personal experience. Did 2025 Tour with tubeless gravel tyres on a hardtail again huge difference with the added comfort of not worrying about punctures Same as my Argus setup. But my hardtail permanently rides like this. Do FEEL the difference when I ride the full suss with noblies Mook 1
Paul Ruinaard Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Okay those are two proper noob questions from a guy who has clearly got in to a bet and now wants to make it easier on himself. Slicks will make a big diffeernce and seen as though you are clearly a noob cyclist owing to the setup question i would suggets you need all the help you cna get. Secondly the saddle , if the fit is incorrect, or your hands and arms, or neck, will start to feel like they are trying to kill you. At least get some idea of how to doa. fit adn then set your bike up accordingly - lots of info on this. If the bike is a loaner and its the wrong size - welcome to a world of pain. Make sure you have made the changes to the bike and ridden it for a number of hours prior to just rocking up at the tour. And i would be more worried about cramping and making sure I drank enough and paced myself. the mateches you burn at the start are the ones taht empty the tank later. Remember suikerbossie is at 98kms. If you are untrained and havent cramped by then from dehydration you are a very good cyclist. Make sure you drink enough and eat enough and pace yourself. Most first timers are bitten by the bug and come back for another bite at the cherry. careful - you dont want to get addicted... ChrisF 1
ChrisF Posted February 26 Posted February 26 9 minutes ago, Paul Ruinaard said: .... Most first timers are bitten by the bug and come back for another bite at the cherry. careful - you dont want to get addicted... Hiehie ... true words. I was doing close on 100km brekkie rides ... a friend twisted my arm .... late February I entered .... started last in the last group .... Yes, properly addicted. Mook 1
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