![\"ccs-62657-0-29579200-1489759136.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-29579200-1489759136.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Photo credit: Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\nTell us about the frames you\u2019re riding:<\/h2>\n
WW: <\/strong>SwiftCarbon Evil Twin full suspension, both size Medium. It\u2019s really great that frame holds two bottles \u2013 a must, as most of the Cape Epic stages are over 100km, sometimes in severe heat.<\/p>\n HB:<\/strong> I like a bike that is extremely stiff on the climbs and when you stand up, this bike goes forward. Climbing is great…<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> Yes it\u2019s very direct. It\u2019s go more of a \u2018hardtail\u2019 geometry so it\u2019s able to make direction changes quickly, but it\u2019s also pretty composed on the descents. Once you have the suspension dialed to your style, it handles very well.<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> I run around 85-90psi in the fork and 120psi on the rear shock. I like to have a softer, plush suspension and harder tires for puncture safety. I run the rear open mostly \u2013 the climbs are often very rough and this gives extra traction.<\/p>\n HB:<\/strong> We had the old RockShox forks and tried them at the early season races, and we swapped them out for the new SID World Cups for Epic \u2013 they\u2019re really nice.<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> I use nothing less than a 710mm bar. I prefer to have the wider bar for the control and comfort.<\/p>\n HB:<\/strong> We both have Ritchey WCS. I run a 100mm stem with 710mm bars, which fits my shoulder width \u2013 grips are ESI Extra Chunky.<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> Brakes are super important with the speeds we ride at, close to the other riders in the bunch with all the dust, and rocks flying up\u2026 we\u2019re really happy with the SRAM Guide Ultimates we picked. 160mm rotors front and back.<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> When we had 1×11 we would swap between a 32T and 34T depending on the stage profile. 1×12 has changed the game though, and riders are using 36T and we don\u2019t have to swap blades between stages because of the gear range.<\/p>\n HB:<\/strong> We run SRAM XO1 Eagle 1×12. I also will be riding 36T in front and the 10-50 combination at the back \u2013 perfect for the Cape Epic stages that require small gears up the steep climbs without spinning out on the flats and downhill sections.<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> I like the Rotor Rex 1 cranks because they make 172.5mm length arms (HB has 175mm). I like it to be the same as on the road \u2013 personal preference. I also prefer standard round blades. I have tried oval before but went back. Maybe I\u2019m just old school\u2026<\/p>\n HB:<\/strong> We will have full shifter\/cable\/derailleur spare in our tech boxes, with gears already preset. If we break a derailleur we just replace the entire setup, quickly.<\/p>\n WW:<\/strong> I do feel they last a bit better than standard bearing and possibly do give a slight advantage. At a race like the Epic I\u2019ll take any marginal gain I can so I\u2019ll be sure to have them on my bike.<\/p>\nWhat set up do you have, with shock pressures and dampening?<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo credit: Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat kind of cockpit setup do you like?<\/h2>\n
Any particular reason you went for a 1×12 setup on the drivetrain?<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo credit: Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\nYou are using ceramic bearings. Is there a noticeable advantage?<\/h2>\n
Any reason you picked Look MTB pedals?<\/h2>\n