Tech

Building a bamboo mountain bike

I’ve always loved the feeling of hitting a trail with a good machine underneath me. The roads just don’t have that same kind of adrenaline. But in a large way it also lets me take a break from my everyday. Because of this, I always want to have a mountain bike in my life, even […]

Tech

First Look: Cannondale Scalpel-Si

After hearing many mumblings about a new Cannondale and then spotting an unbranded prototype at the Absa Cape Epic, it was clear that there was a new bike coming soon. And here it is, introducing the all-new Cannondale Scalpel-Si. An all-round nip and tuck with super slick cable routing Cannondale have applied what they call […]

Tech

Review: Cube AMS 100 C:62 Race 29

The Cube AMS 100 is a 100mm travel dual suspension cross-country and marathon bike from German manufacturer Cube. The bike The frame is carbon through out with internal routing for the gear cables. Each AMS 100 frame size has a unique carbon rocker to keep the suspension tuned throughout the size curve. It is worth […]

Adventure and Travel

Trail Daze | Bobsledding down Welvanpas

Back on home soil after exploring some fine trails up North. We headed out to a destination that needs no real introduction. Known simply as Welvanpas, the trail network merely originates on the farm, but actually spans across six farms in the greater Bainskloof area. Naturally when covering such a large expanse, you can expect […]

Tech

First Look Friday: Fox Metah, Specialized Power Pro, and Stages Cycling SC3

First Look Friday is an introduction to the products that we are currently testing for review. This week we’re previewing the Fox Metah helmet, Specialized’s Power Pro saddle, and the Stages SC3 indoor trainer. Fox Metah Helmet Fox’s Metah builds on their original trail helmet the Flux with the Metah adapting to the demands of […]

Tech

Review: Evil Bikes The Following

Evil Bikes entered the short and slack 29er category with their new bike, The Following. A full carbon affair, that uses a refined version of the DELTA link suspension found on Evil’s 26” Uprising, The Following has 120mm of rear travel with adjustable geometry. The Frame The Following, like Evil’s other full suspension bikes, is […]

Tech

First Look Friday: fi’zi:k Gobi M5 saddle and M5 BOA shoes, and Vittoria Mezcal G+ tyres

First Look Friday is an introduction to the products that we are currently testing for review. This week we’re previewing the Gobi M5 saddle and M5 BOA shoes from fi’zi:k and Vittoria’s Mezcal G+ tyres. fi’zi:k Gobi M5 VS Manganese Gobi M5 VS Manganese: Versus MTB saddles combines the best of fi’zi:k’s proven saddle designs […]

Tech

Review: Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 750 MSL

First announced in late 2013, the Thunderbolt was billed as being equally at home on long, technical climbs as it is on flowy singletrack descents, having you powering through the rough stuff and popping off every trail feature you lay your eyes on. This was quite a bold claim for a bike with 120mm travel […]

Tech

First Look Friday: Silverback Sesta and Schwalbe Nobby Nic

First Look Friday is an introduction to the products that we are currently testing for review. This week we’re previewing the Silverback Sesta Pro and Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres. Silverback Sesta Pro Silverback have gained a reputation for offering good value bikes with well thought-out component choices. The Sesta sees the company translate this to […]

Tech

Review: Five Ten Kestrel shoes

Last year, Five Ten released the Kestrel clipless mountain bike shoe. The Kestrel is a departure from the skate shoe look Five Ten are known for. The minimalistic Kestrel was developed for enduro racers and all-mountain riders with a preference for efficient pedalling achieved using a carbon infused shank to make the stiffest shoe Five […]

Adventure and Travel

Series Report: Subaru WC XCO Series 2016

I have wanted to ride XCO since I first saw Burry Stander riding in the Olympics in 2012. Never mind that at the time I hadn’t touched a bike since I was nine years old- a trivial detail. To me XCO is the ultimate athletic achievement- it requires above average bike handling skills, strength and […]

Tech

First Look Friday: Cube AMS 100 and YT Capra

First Look Friday is an introduction to the products that we are currently testing for review. This week we’re previewing two German bikes, the Cube AMS 100 Race 29 and YT Capra CF Comp. Cube AMS 100 Race 29 The AMS 100 aims to be a stiff and efficient cross-country and marathon racer. The full […]