Review: Momsen Mount Graham tyre
Momsen teamed up with Arisun to launch a South African specific Mount Graham casing under the Momsen Bikes banner, specifically designed for our XC and Marathon race conditions. What sets the Momsen apart from the standard Arisun is the development and use of a 120tpi (threads per inch) casing. Higher thread-count casings are lighter, more […]
Exclusive: 2016 Momsen VIPA Trail Prototype
Planned as a 2016 Model, the VIPA Trail has been in development for several months and a couple of running prototypes have started to hit our trails for feedback and further design improvements. Following on the success of the full carbon VIPA and the recent Team Issue with dedicated 1x chainstays, this new frame is […]
Review: 2015 Giant Trance 2
For 2015 Giant builds on the foundation it has laid for it’s Trance in 2014. The latest model makes a worthy claim at being the true do-it-all trail ripper that it’s always promised to be. The Frame At the heart of the Trance is the hydroformed ALUXX SL frameset with Maestro suspension. Giant is proud […]
Review: Merida One-Forty 1-B
Once in a while a bike comes along that exceeds my expectations and reminds me why I enjoy riding. The 2014 Merida One-Forty 1-B has been one of these bikes. The Frame Mountain bike geometry has changed dramatically over the last couple of years. Advances in suspension design, shocks and forks have allowed faster and […]
Long term review: Five Ten Impact Low
Five Ten and their Impact Low flat pedal shoes need little introduction. They have been the benchmark flat pedal shoe since 2005, when the Impacts returned to the market. In the 9 years since then, they have expanded their line to include grippy sole shoes for just about any mountain bike application. The Impact Low […]
Review: 2014 Trek Superfly FS 9
Thanks to the friendly folk at Cycle Factory, the opportunity to ride Trek’s 2014 Superfly FS 9 came my way. I only had the bike for a week so what follows is a quick ride review. Frame The Superfly is by no means short on technology. It features Trek’s Active Braking Pivot (ABP), G2 Geometry, […]
Review: Spank Spike pedals
When Spank set out to create the Spike flat pedals, they aimed to create a thin, lightweight platform pedal that could still withstand the kind of abuse dished out by amateurs and pros alike, week after week in all weather conditions. The Spike design incorporates a total of 20 pins (10 per side) of which […]
Single speed build project: Final build
What feels like an eternity is finally coming to a close: My Momsen STR29 Single speed is ready to ride in all it’s Gulf Oil racing colors glory. Looking back at all the installments and browsing through the pictures I’ve taken along the way it’s hard to believe where it all started and where we […]
Review: Lezyne Port-a Shop Tool Kit
Lezyne’s Port-a Shop Tool Kit has been designed as a cycling specific tool kit that is small enough to take traveling, yet functional enough to use in the garage. The A5-sized carrying case, which measures L22cm x W15cm x D5cm when zipped close, is made from durable Cordura with neoprene sleeves on the inside for […]
Review: Topeak JoeBlow Mountain floor pump
The idea behind designing and manufacturing a floor pump seems simple. Build one that will inflate a wheel and have a reliable, trustworthy gage. You only have to look at Topeak’s range of floor pumps to realise it’s not that easy, especially when taking the added demands of mountain bikers into consideration. Enter Topeak’s JoeBlow […]
Single speed build project: The build kit part 1
I am finalising my Single speed build kit and have been finding it more difficult than what I had anticipated. I have solved most riddles, but I still need a fork and haven’t decided yet on tyres. Ideally I want a steel rigid with a 15mm axle, but that’s proving a bit difficult. I have […]