Review: Darkhorse Bikes Eclipse AL-D1
Darkhorse are no strangers to the South African market having made a name for themselves offering well priced, good quality carbon wheels. Recently the brand made the leap to bikes with the Eclipse range of electric bikes. We tested the Darkhorse Eclipse AL-D1 model. It is a drop bar configuration fitted with SRAM’s Apex1 1×11 HRD groupset, Darkhorse […]
Review: Mio Velo wrist-based heart rate band
The common complaint I hear from anyone new to heart rate monitors is the discomfort of the chest strap. Although I have found that with time and moving to higher-end devices the chest straps have become more comfortable, they are still a bit of a pain. The Mio Velo is a wrist-based heart rate band […]
Review: CycleOps PowerSync Indoor Trainer
If you’re anything like me indoor training can be a bit of a chore, but often the sensible option to supplement training through winter. Even with a decent trainer and the distraction of TVs or iPads, I quickly get bored and uncomfortable. Enter the CycleOps PowerSync and their Virtual Training software. The CycleOps PowerSync is […]
Review: Garmin fenix 3
Most sports watches I’ve owned have always shared a few common traits: they’re bulky, plasticy and generally a bit nerdy looking. Garmin’s fenix range of GPS multi-sport watches have changed all that. Their latest edition, the fenix 3, has been strapped to my wrist for the last month and as far as watches go, never […]
Review: Mio Cyclo 505 HC GPS computer
Mio may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a new GPS based computer for your bike, but with their new Cyclo 505 HC, that’s about to change. As far as premium GPS bike computers go, consumers are spoilt for choice. With a recommended retail price of R6,499, Mio places […]
Review: Borealis Yampa fat bike
Unless you’ve been hiding in the woods high up in the mountains enjoying your own private trail system for the last couple of years, you’re going to have heard about the fat bike phenomenon. Being an inquisitive bike rider, I couldn’t help but want to try one of these beasts. Thankfully, the team at Fat […]
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, […]
First ride: Mercer Bikes – Hungry Monkey
Despite all the high tech wizardry on display at the 2014 Africa Cycle Fair, it was a hand built steel hardtail that got us most excited. On the relatively flat test track at the 2014 Africa Cycle Fair, the bike was a tease begging to ridden hard. After getting off the Hungry Monkey, I couldn’t […]
First ride: Yeti SB95C
We took the gorgeous Yeti SB95C for a spin around the 2014 Africa Cycle Fair test track to get an impression of the ride. Watch the edit for our thoughts on Yeti’s 127mm travel 29er speed weapon. The Yeti SB95C comes in various build options. The bike we tested came with an SRAM XO1 drive […]
First ride: 2015 Giant Trance 2
There’s been much attention on our forums about the 2015 Giant Trance. We were lucky enough to get some time on the Trance 2 at the Africa Cycle Fair. Watch our mini-review of Giant’s R25,999 trail eater.