Trek Top Fuel 9.8 First Ride Review
Forget everything you know about Trek’s Top Fuel. The latest model still goes fast but with more travel, a longer and slacker frame geometry, and dropper seatposts across the range, the Top Fuel now looks to include a much broader scope of riding. In previous iterations, the Top Fuel has been a competitive cross-country race […]
Review: Momsen Vipa Ultra
The Momsen Vipa is a name many South African mountain bikers have become familiar with over the years. The local brand hit the market with the first Vipa back in 2013 and since then have released a number of iterations, many of which we’ve owned and tested over the years. In 2018, Momsen launched the […]
Review: Trek Domane+
The Domane+ is the electric, pedal-assist adaptation of Trek’s endurance Domane road bike. It was designed for riders who appreciate the reliable comfort of the Domane’s endurance geometry and IsoSpeed decoupler but want the additional function of powered assistance. The Bike Although the battery and motor add visual bulk to the look of the bike, […]
Bike Check: Jennie Stenerhag’s Silverback Stratos SBC
Silverback’s latest dual suspension cross-country race bike, the Stratos, was unveiled ahead of the 2019 Cape Epic. The Silverback – Fairtree pairing of Jennie Stenerhag and Mariske Strauss raced the Stratos in the 8-day event. Get a detailed look at Stenerhag’s new Stratos race bike below. The New Bike As the Silverback Stratos is a […]
Race Report: SRAM WC XCO Series, in association with Tygerberg MTB Club #3 Zevenwacht
Round 3 of the Western Cape XCO series arrived at an all-new venue and track. With the provincial champs taking place in less than a month’s time this would prove to be a good form tester before the final showdown. And what a test it proved to be. A few days prior to the event, […]
Bike Check: Nicol Carstens’s Giant Anthem Advanced 29
Nicol Carstens and Marco Joubert rode the 2019 Absa Cape Epic together as Team Imbuko Giant. The pair put in a solid effort just missing out on a top ten finish with 11th place overall and bagging second in the African Jersey competition. As the team name suggests, they rode the race on Giant bikes, […]
Epic Bike Check: Natalia Fischer Egusquiza’s MMR Kenta 29
Natalia Fischer Egusquiza and Oscar Freire Gomez finished second in the Cape Epic mixed category this year. The team is proudly Spanish with both riders, the bike manufacturer, and pro team all from the country. Fischer Egusquiza has tried her hand at a number of disciplines, competing in triathlon, duathlon, mountain biking, and road cycling. […]
Review: Commencal Meta Power 29
The Meta Power is Commencal’s offering for the evergrowing electronically assisted trail bike market. The Meta Power is available in 27.5″ and 29″ wheel sizes models. We tested the 29-inch version. The Meta Power 29 is built around an aluminium frame with 140mm rear travel. Late last year, Commencal re-entered the South African market with […]
Review: Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8.0
The Endurace is Canyon’s answer to the endurance bike category. It is a road bike that is not solely focused on going fast but considers the comfort needs of the rider. That’s not to say the Endurace isn’t fast. The most surprising feature of this bike happens to be its speed while remaining comfortably composed. […]
Epic Bike Check: Oli Munnik’s Signal Elite
In an event where R100,000 bicycles are the norm, the Signal Elite certainly stands out. Impressively, the Signal Bikes team of Oliver Munnik and van den Heever managed to surpass the majority of the more expensive bikes in the race, placing 38th overall in the general classification. We take a look at Oli Munnik’s Cape […]
Race Report: SRAM WC XCO Series, in association with Tygerberg MTB Club #2 Rhebokskloof
After record attendance at Round 1 of the SRAM WC XCO series, the show moved onto Paarl for Round 2. Sharing the limelight with the start of the Cape Epic is always tricky for a regional event like the Cross-Country series. Still, a healthy and excitable 200-plus riders turned out to set new heart rate […]
Epic Bike Check: Henrique Avancini’s Cannondale Scalpel Si
Despite hopes of taking the overall Cape Epic victory, Henrique Avancini and his race partner Manuel Fumic had a fairly successful race with a stage win and the second spot on the general classification podium. Team Cannondale Factory Racing took on the challenge with a pair of Cannondale’s racing dual suspension bike, the Scalpel Si. […]