Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2018 i Bicycling South Africa

I’M NOT SURE THAT GEAR EDITOR AARON BORRILL IS STILL MARRIED. It seems unlikely, given the work that’s gone into the biggest Bike Buyer’s Guide we’ve ever done – 56 pages in all! Over the last two months Aaron has been putting in the hours, and with the help of our international team of experts and designer Alana Munnik, he’s put together an impressive guide to the best bike choices you can make in 2018. A few years ago, you were either a ‘roadie’ or a mountain biker. When it comes to choosing a bike these days… it’s not that easy. There are so many different specialist pockets and genres within those categories, it’s difficult to keep up with it all. In mountain biking, enduro and trail riding are growing…

PUMP ACTION  WHICH IS BETTER TO CARRY ON A RIDE – CO2 BOMBS, OR A MINI-PUMP? Both. CO2 bombs are ideal for quick and efficient inflation on the road or trail. “They’re also easier to carry than mini-pumps,” says Santa Cruz marketing manager and former BICYCLING Gear Editor Oliver Munnik. “The catch is that when your bombs have run out and you don’t have a pump with you, you’ll be calling Uber! With a mini-pump, you can inflate the tyre and get home.” Sometimes air escapes while using a bomb, which can lead to an underinflated tyre; and this is when a mini-pump comes in handy, either to top up pressure or as a back-up if all your bombs are finished. The mini-pump may not completely inflate your tyre; but…

 Aero road bikes are becoming increasingly popular in both the pro and the amateur racing peloton, and there’s a very good reason – they’re fast. This extra performance often comes with a pretty substantial compromise, though: loss of pliancy. But the Madone nullifies this by employing an IsoSpeed decoupler (a device that essentially allows the seat tube to flex, like suspension). It works. What makes it so special – apart from the stealth-jet looks – is its versatility, particularly when it comes to the relationship between speed and pliancy. The power delivery is immediate, and the sound from the drivetrain and aero wheels adds to the sensation of speed. Ah yes, that noise… the sound effects from the wheels are simply amazing – TIE-fighter-like, in fact – and they coerce…

Raleigh Grand Vitesse PRICE R39 000 WEIGHT 9.2KG (54CM) EVOGROUPSA.COM I DROVE A toffee-apple-red, 1972 Ford F100 – manual steering, column shift, no damn radio – until I couldn’t anymore. At eight months pregnant, slipping a lap seatbelt under my belly wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was irresponsible. So I parked the truck and bought a Subaru. While I missed the throaty rumble of the Ford’s exhaust when I hit the accelerator, the way it hummed across the road like a tank, and how indestructible I felt inside its steel cab, I embraced my new car’s modern amenities. I live my life this way – torn between the romance of classic vintage and the appeal of modern convenience. I recently came close to scrapping my 1950s oven and replacing it with…

As far as entry-level mountain bikes go, the proudly South African Momsen AL029 offers unparalleled bang for your buck. Featuring the company’s ‘Long Slack Geometry’ (LSG) design, the alloy frameset is tough and resilient; the geometry’s balanced underpinnings have been engineered to instil confidence on the trail in beginner riders. In terms of spec, the AL029 benefits from a 100mm HL Zoom fork complete with hydraulic lockout and pre-load adjustment, Shimano brakes, and a 3x8 Shimano drivetrain. Vee Tire Co tubeless-ready tyres complete the package. It’s a superb offering – a bike that makes complete sense to the novice rider wanting something strong, reliable, and – most of all – affordable.…

When it comes to bikes, I’m often asked ‘What do I need?’ But I think the thing people really want to know is, ‘What do I want?’Because you could do laps at Tokai on a bike with 100mm of travel, or you could toe the start line of an XC race on a 160mm bike, but that doesn’t mean you’d want to. If you know how you intend to ride most often, you can determine the best amount of suspension travel for your new bike. Here are the general characteristics of bikes in common ranges of travel, using models from Specialized’s 29er mountain-bike line as examples. 100mm Epic Comp Price R40 000 Most full-suspension cross-country race bikes have about 100mm of travel. They’re the fastest-feeling bikes, and (generally speaking) the…

1 WE’RE CULTIVATING WATER SAVINGS As part of our Farming for the Future programme, our produce, wine and flower farmers are saving water by only irrigating when necessary. We’re also committed to using less water in our own business. 2 KEEPING OUR WATER CLEAN AND CLEAR Farming for the Future means reducing the amount of chemical fertilisers and other chemicals that go back into our water sources. We also partner with fabric and clothing suppliers who are committed to putting clean water back into the environment. 3 A PARTNERSHIP FOR PRESERVATION Water stewardship is all about Government, NGOs and the community working together to save and protect the precious water resources we all share. Together with the WWF, the Alliance for Water Stewardship and Marks & Spencer, we’re helping our…

It’s hard to overstate the sense of freedom that Nishiki gave me. It was maroon and had 16 gears – eight more than my current machine. ‘Nishiki’ was emblazoned across the down tube, and I had been eyeing it out for months at the local bicycle shop. My older brother had been lending me his bike, but this was the ultimate. I simply had to find a way to make it my own; but I was young, and dependent. Still, with the confidence that only a nine-year-old could muster, I quizzed the shop owner about the price. “Twelve hundred,” he said gruffly. I was devastated. R1 200 was far more than the R20 I earned a week, doing dishes, washing cars, and cleaning up around the house. I had budgeted…

 If you’re looking for a road bike that’s just as fast up the climbs as it is on the flats, there’s nothing quite like the Merida Scultura. The Scultura range is pretty comprehensive, in that it offers frames fabricated from both carbon and alloy. The company also offers a disc option, guaranteeing something for everyone. A road bike that’s just as fast up the climbs as it is on the flats... The model pictured here, however, is the Scultura 6000 – a carbon-fibre rocket laced with all the go-faster attributes needed to overcome gravity when you need them the most. The carbon-fibre lay-up on this particular bike has been reworked to increase overall stiffness, while still retaining a certain level of compliance for added comfort. Spec-wise, it benefits from a…

The American-based company has fitted this bad boy with an IsoSpeed Decoupler – Trek talk for added compliance. DECOUPLERS FTW! ESSENTIALLY, A DECOUPLER IS A COMBINATION OF BEARINGS AND BUSHINGS AT THE SEAT-TUBE AND TOP-TUBE JUNCTION THAT ALLOWS THE SEAT TUBE TO FLEX UP TO 11MM – JUST LIKE SUSPENSION. The hardtail concept is not dead. In fact, quite the contrary – and Trek’s Procaliber is living proof. There’s something just so pure and unfettered about riding a bike like this; and a lot of that stems from the firmer ride quality, which provides a heightened sense of feel and detail from the underpinnings. And while this does sometimes translate into a firmer ride, the American-based company has fitted this bad boy with an IsoSpeed Decoupler – Trek talk for…

1 THEY’RE HEAVY. This is not always the case. If you compare top-of-the-line hardtails with their dual-suspension equivalents, there’s usually a kilo’s difference, if that. That’s a relatively small compromise to make, considering the benefit of the suspension. And in this price category, hardtails and full-suspension bikes will probably come with similar wheels (the most significant place where you might feel a weight difference). 2 THEY’RE MORE EXPENSIVE. While this holds true in the upper echelons, a mid-range dualsus machine (while a bit heavier) is just as capable. Besides, the money you save can add a dropper post for more confident descending, and tubeless tyres for fewer flats (and lower pressures for better traction). 3 THEY’RE SLOW ON CLIMBS. Rear suspension cushions the rider from bumps and offers more traction…

It’s no secret we’re suckers for the uncomplicated simplicity of the hardtail – it’s pure theatre. Just look at Specialized’s all-new Epic: an amazing piece of kit, and the S-Works version builds on this with even more tech, bling and spec. For starters, the carbon-fibre frame claims to tip the scales at just 800g or less – ludicrous, I tell you! That’s road-bike territory… Coated in a spectacular hue Spez likes to call Stain-gloss Chameleon, the frame is offset exquisitely by red S-Works and Roval decals – there’s no hiding this bike’s calibre. The geometry is slacker and more relaxed than that of its forebear, and a 69.8-degree head angle and shorter (430mm) stays bear testimony to its enhanced trail manners; it’s in tricky and appreciably steep (up or down)…

The 648km (and almost entirely gravel) road after which this bike is named links Ceres in the Western Cape to Springbok in the Northern Cape, and has a reputation as a brutally tough but richly rewarding route. Victor Momsen, owner of Momsen Bikes, stresses the fact that his R355 is not a CX bike intended for lap racing – its taller head tube, slacker head angle and longer wheelbase offer stable, predictable handling, intended for long days turning the pedals. Straight out the box the R355 is ready to hit any road, with a SRAM 1×11 drivetrain, SRAM Hydro disc brakes, Stan’s ZTR Grail tubeless-ready wheels and a set of 700x40C Clement X’Plor tyres. Flared handlebars are a nice touch, adding extra control and allowing a bar bag to be…

As a mountain biker who’s watched the sport ‘grow up’, my passion has always been off-road. I was involved in the MTB scene in the early 90s, earning provincial colours for XCO and DH. In 1994 I began studying mechanical engineering, and was fortunate enough to get an internship at Wheeler Industrial Co. Ltd, a bicycle assembly factory in Taiwan. I got a permanent job at Wheeler, but eventually left to become one of the founding members of FUNN MTB, designing and developing products. I then relocated to South Africa in 2000, and worked for Raleigh. In 2009, I finally felt ready to take the leap and fulfil my dream of starting my own bike brand, and Momsen Bikes was created. My goal with the Momsen brand is to develop…

Many beginner cyclists learn to balance and use their brakes, and then think they’re ready to ride. There is a murky understanding of what skills are, and very little value is placed on them. Yet cyclists will spend hours and hours developing fitness – trying to chase more speed through raw power. If they only knew that a single hour of skills practice would make them immediately faster (and safer). Skills are something you should develop, because safety, speed and energy efficiency can’t all be achieved unless you really know how to handle your bike. Here’s a brief overview of some important skills to practise, and how to practise them: Emergency Stop and Braking Using both the front and back brakes – in the right proportion – will help control…

IT’S COMPLICATED. SO WE MADE YOU THIS FLOW CHART. Bikes with disc brakes can be pricier than those with rim brakes – but not always; it depends on whether the brakes are mechanical or hydraulic, and on the mix of other parts. Beyond cost, consider the other key factors in the chart when deciding whether to go disc. footnotes 1) Some racers and team managers push for the improved braking of discs, while others cite safety concerns and equipment inefficiencies. After cutting short a trial period for disc brakes in UCI races because of injury concerns, professional cycling’s governing body sanctioned a new trial period that began in January 2017, requiring rotors to have “smooth or chamfered” edges. 2) Disc-brake systems aren’t necessarily heavier than rim-brake systems, but the wheels,…

You need this one! Bianchi Oltre XR4 Campagnolo Super Record PRICE R158 950 WEIGHT 6.4KG (53CM) JJCYCLING.CO.ZA IN 2013 BIANCHI started I weaving CounterVail, a vibration-damping viscoelastic material, into the carbon fibre of its road frames. The first CounterVail model was the Infinito, aimed at the spring classics. The material worked its way into all the company’s premium offerings, including the super-light Specialissima road race bike, with each subsequent CounterVail bike riding better than the ones that came before. Bianchi’s newest road frame, the aerodynamic Oltre XR4, tops them all for most of our testers. The Oltre XR4 is positioned as an all-round model for road racing and riding. In designing the bike, Bianchi were careful to pay attention to overall performance, not only…

 With a product portfolio brimming with depth, quality and vision, the Momsen brand has quickly evolved into a major player on the South African cycling landscape. WITH A PRODUCT PORTFOLIO BRIMMING WITH DEPTH, QUALITY AND VISION, THE MOMSEN BRAND HAS QUICKLY EVOLVED INTO A MAJOR PLAYER ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCLING LANDSCAPE. From the beginner to the aspiring racer, there’s something for everyone, even for the ardent professional – such as Marco Joubert, who recently recorded his most successful season yet (2017) with in excess of 20 podiums behind the bars of the race-focused and ultra-reliable Vipa. The newest entry to the stable is the AL529 – an aluminium hardtail that sits between the budget and race-ready MTB categories. Like the other AL models, the 529 employs the Long, Slack…

 ONE OF THE MOST abused enduro bike clichés is ‘It climbs like a cross-country bike and descends like a downhill bike’. From the standpoints of geometry, weight, and rolling resistance, that probably won’t ever happen, but Pivot’s completely redesigned carbon Firebird gets us closer to that grail than any bike I’ve ever ridden. Did you find enduro in your soul? Check out the PIVOT FIREBIRD PRO XT/XTR 1X. Good enduro bikes control chaos: a rough section of trail with rocks and drops, taken at a speed that’s just barely rideable for me on a trail bike, is right where the Firebird really starts performing. Credit goes to its extra travel, amazingly controlled Fox X2 shock, relaxed 65-degree head angle, and a front-centre (distance from bottom bracket to front hub) that’s…

FEATURED RACE THE FAIRVIEW ATTAKWAS EXTREME THE EPIC TEST RUN It’s known as ‘the Comrades of MTB’, and one of the toughest one-day MTB races in the country – you know what you’re getting yourself into when you enter this one. But it’s also pretty scenic, taking riders through some of SA’s most breathtaking indigenous vegetation while making its way towards the coast. The Extreme is a 121km test of mettle; for those looking to experience less burn for their buck, the Atta Mini is shorter at 52km, but no less scenic. Great for those training for the Cape Epic, or those who feel they need an early-year test of fitness – but it’s important to remember that you can’t tackle this one if you’re not at full strength. GAUTENG…

THE PICTURE-IN-THE-PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT L’EROICA SOUTH AFRICA IN MARCH 2017 BY MY FRIEND HENDRIK GROENEWALD (WHO ALWAYS RIDES WITH A HARMONICA). HE TOOK IT WITH HIS POLAROID CAMERA WHEN WE STOPPED AT THE ‘SPECIAL WATER STOP‘ AT KINGNA DISTILLERY. HE GAVE ME THE PICTURE ON ONE CONDITION... THAT I TAKE A CELLPHONE PIC OF IT, AND SEND IT TO HIM. THIS PICTURE IS ME STICKING TO MY END OF THE BARGAIN.…