Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i Bicycling South Africa

ALL IN No matter their ability or level of experience all members of our team are encouraged to ride as much as possible. Whether it's an early morning road ride before work, the weekly Wednesday lunchtime MTB ride or even the Tuesday/Thursday Crossfit gym session, an active lifestyle is a core element at Specialized. GIRL POWER Together with Chantelle and Kristy from our Stellenbosch office, Marketing Manager Bianca Grobbelaar has spearheaded a campaign to create a confidence-inspiring environment where girls can learn more about riding, become better mechanics as well as improve their training. During August's'Women's Month' over 100 one-on-one sessions were held nationwide to encourage more girls to ride more regularly. THE BIGGER PICTURE As they carve through G-Spot's singletrack or tear up the BMX track in Kayamandi, the…

DOUBLE TREACHERY Was it okay of me to ditch my Coronation Double Century teammates just to go off on honeymoon to Zanzibar with my lovely new wife? – Mike, Newlands No, Michael, it was not. Your friends needed you over those 209 kilometres. They missed your company, your banter, your ability to be the first at the halfway-point refreshment table, the drinks afterwards at the Full Stop in Swellendam and the boozy lunch at Van Loveren the next day. They missed your friendship, Michael. They missed your voice and face. Besides, because you weren’t there, someone else had to be the last person over the line. UBER-LAZY During the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, riders had the option of calling a mechanic on the route, via Uber. I don’t mean to…

MEET THE PURPLE PINNER PRICE R 12 295 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN DESIGNED FOR ALL-DAY COMFORT SUPPLIER: GIANT-BICYCLES.COM The Avail range has been designed for comfort rather than all-out racing, and features an oversized ‘PowerCore’ BB, which maximises pedal efficiency. Relaxed geometry means the front end is less twitchy, improving confidence, while a higher headtube makes for a more upright riding position. A nice touch is the extra set of brakes positioned at the centre of the handlebar (see pic on p56) allowing you to brake at any moment. This is really cool for beginners, who may be jittery when getting to grips with cycling. A NICE TOUCH IS THE EXTRA SET OF BRAKES POSITIONED AT THE CENTRE OF THE HANDLEBAR,…

SMOOTH OUT ANYTHING THE ROAD THROWS AT YOU PRICE R160 000 BEEN HERE BEFORE In 2005 Trek unveiled Suspension Performance Advantage, offering 13mm of rear-end compliance. Used in the 2005 and 2006 Paris-Roubaix by Team Discovery, it was never brought to market. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IDENTICAL FRONT TRIANGLE TO DOGMA F8 WITH SHOCK-EQUIPPED REAR TRIANGLE ELASTOMER PROVIDES UP TO 10MM OF DAMPING WITHOUT COMPROMISING REAR-END STIFFNESS SUPPLIER: ASGSPORT.CO.ZA The Dogma K8-S, developed with Jaguar, is no ordinary bike. Designed to take the edge off the brutally harsh cobbles of northern Europe in races like Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, it features the aerodynamic front triangle of the award-winning F8 twinned with a shock-equipped rear triangle, providing 10mm of travel. Testing revealed that for us mere mortals, the K8-S…

THE CLASSIC PRICE R47 995 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW CLAIMED TO BE THE STIFFEST PRODUCTION ROAD BIKE AVAILABLE CRAZY-GOOD DEAL FOR THE ADVANCED PRO 1 VERSION WE TESTED, WITH ULTEGRA AND CARBON CLINCHERS SURPRISINGLY COMFORTABLE SUPPLIER: GIANT-BICYCLES.COM In making its 2016 TCR, Giant focused on one goal above all: increased stiffness-to-weight ratio. So it’s a bit ironic that the first thing I noticed about the new TCR was how comfortable it is; there’s a new quietness to its ride. Giant’s road product manager, Jon Swanson, admitted that ride quality was secondary, but pointed out that in a three-hour race, nobody wants a bike that’s going to beat them up. But about that stiffness. We generally discuss it in two areas: bottom bracket and torsion. With the BB, it’s…

WHERE’S THE THROTTLE? PRICE R98 000 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW KTM’S FLAGSHIP MODEL OFFERS A NO-NONSENSE SPEC FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE REAR BRAKE IS NOW TUCKED AWAY UNDERNEATH THE CHAINSTAYS SUPPLIER: KTM-BIKES.CO.ZA Though better known for their motorbikes, in fact KTM have been building bicycles since 1964, giving the company 52 years of experience in the industry. The local agents beam with pride when telling us that every KTM, from entry-level hardtails to this top-end full-carbon road racer, is built in Austria. The Revelator range is KTM’s flagship racing frameset, with the Prestige Di2 being the highest-specced model. A high-performance carbon lay-up in the frame and fork ensure crisp handling and acceleration, on par with other leading models. For 2016, the rear brake is now mounted below the chainstays, making…

GO (LITERALLY) ANYWHERE PRICE R48 199 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TACKLE ANY ROAD, WITH RDO CARBON LAYUP AND 33C TYRES FRONT AND REAR THRUAXLES FOR ADDED STIFFNESS DISC-ONLY FRAMESET SUPPLIER: NINER.CO.ZA few weeks ago, Bicycling received a squeaky-clean BSB 9 RDO, with a handwritten note from Niner asking for it to be returned covered in dust, mud, and if possible, a few squished bugs on the fork legs or handlebars. Challenge accepted! Before we get cracking on the ride experience though, let’s just make sense of the acronyms that describe this full-carbon cyclo-cross weapon. BSB stands for ‘Blood, Sweat and Beers’, while RDO stands for ‘Race-Day Optimised’. BSB pays homage to the culture of cyclo-cross lap racing in the US and Europe, which involves thousands of rowdy spectators consuming…

ROMEO’S JULIET PRICE R13 999 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 650B WHEELS GIVE RIDERS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS WOMEN-SPECIFIC SUPPLIER: MERIDA-BIKES.COM In 2016, engineers at Merida were able to lower the swoop in the Juliet’s top-tube, further reducing the stand-over height and making getting on and off even easier – especially in those unplanned emergency stops when the terrain gets a bit tricky. The frame has been designed with internal cable routing, making for a very neat look. The 27.5” wheels are specced with Maxxis Ikon tyres, while a triple chainring offers more than enough gearing for any challenge.…

THE NEW EPIC 29 PRICE R139 999 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS IS THE SPECIALIZED YOU SHOULD BE RIDING ENOUGH SAID SUPPLIER: SPECIALIZED.COM iven the nature of South Africa’s growing trail network, and the shift towards event routes being spoilt with singletrack, this S-Works Camber – with 120mm of travel, and a 68.5-degree head angle – represents the absolute pinnacle of Specialized’s mountain-bike range. Gone are the days of long arduous routes on open district roads, where the S-Works Epic reigned supreme. Mountain bikers in 2016 require a tool that offers a reassuring experience on the trail, while (dare I say it) being as efficient as the Epic on the ups. The Camber ticks this box. To reinforce this message, in December Bicyclingawarded the Camber Comp Carbon 29er the…

CALLING ALL DIE-HARD RACERS PRICE R68 999 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW EXPLOSIVE AND SNAPPY PURE RACING MACHINE PERFECT FOR WEIGHT WEENIES SUPPLIER: SPECIALIZED.COM With modern dual-suspensions being incredibly efficient and light, they’ve become the go-to for most racers. There are still those, however, who swear by the humble hardtail’s precise handling and snappy acceleration. With a full-carbon chassis, Specialized’s World Cup XC 29 geometry, 1x11 drivetrain and a set of Roval carbon wheels, the Stumpjumper Expert Carbon is designed and built to satisfy the hardcore racer. While a 27.5mm seatpost offers added compliance, some riders have upgraded to a cobble-gobbler seatpost (more popular on the endurance road bikes like the Roubaix), which has a built-in Zertz insert providing extra vibration-damping. For good measure, a SWAT box and SWAT tool…

BOOST YOUR RIDE PRICE R92 500 (ESTIMATED) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW INCREASED TRAVEL AND SLACKER GEOMETRY COMPARED TO NORMAL VIPA FITS BOTH 29ER AND 27.5’+ WHEELS SUPPLIER: MOMSENBIKES.COM While rumours of a brand-new Momsen have been circulating, the PE-based company has kept mum as to what they have up their sleeve – until late last year, when we received an email with the enticing subject line ‘Confidential Spy Pics’. It revealed Momsen’s all-new Vipa dual suspension, called the Vipa Trail – a souped-up, trail-slaying version of their popular XC/marathon frameset. While rear travel has been upped from 80mm to 115mm, and geometry slackened to be more trail-friendly, the most exciting element of the Vipa Trail is its ability to fit either 27.5”x2.8” or 29”x 2.4” wheels. A few tweaks…

PROJECT DUNERIDERS As photographers, we’re constantly on the lookout for new concepts and themes to photograph. This project took months of planning. The idea was to take two athletes from totally different sports, and put them together in an unknown environment. And that’s how we got BicyclingGear Editor Oli Munnik and freeride skier Fabio Studer to pin it together down a massive sand dune on the Skeleton Coast. WHERE Skeleton Coast, Namibia WHEN 8 October 2015 METADATA Nikon D4s, Lens 24-70mm, ISO 400 WATCH THE VIDEO www.redbullphotography.com/projects/duneriders…

1 CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON.Road or mountain? Competitive or chilled? Budget or premium? Set down your parameters as a starting point. 2 SPREADSHEET IT. Call it OCD, but putting all the options on a spreadsheet and comparing them will help a lot in making the right decision. 3 RIDE WHAT YOUR FRIENDS RIDE. Most of your mates enjoy long mountain-bike rides? Buy a 29er, so you can enjoy riding with them. 4 GET THE RIGHT FIT. Go to a bike shop that gives you a proper fit and get the right bike. Never compromise on this. The wrong-size bike will never fit properly, no matter how much you tinker with it. 5 GET A GIRL’S BIKE. There are so many options for women now, there’s no need to settle for a…

WINNING TIP STRAIGHT AND NARROW To get an adjusted MTB saddle back into position, take a 2m piece of string and tie one end to the rear tyre. Centre the knot in the middle of the width of the tyre, then run the string through the centre of the back of your saddle and your headset, and tie it to your front tyre. Rotate the front wheel to make the line taut, then adjust the front point of your saddle so that the string runs under its midpoint. – Peter Steele Steer Clear To avoid clipping tree branches when riding on narrow forest tracks, just concentrate on missing the tree or branch on one side of your bars. The other side will miss too. – Mike Marais Cyclism:…

‘Drinking fluids’ and ‘hydration’ are two different things. Drinking is putting fluids into the body, while hydration is a term used to describe the body’s ability to manage water. To maintain a healthy fluid balance, the body will either hold onto or release water. This becomes challenging during physical activity, so the volume and type of fluids you drink become important, for both performance and health. WHEN JUST DRINKING IS ENOUGH For short-duration activity, mild temperature and moderate sweat rate, water works just fine. But for longer rides in hot weather, a sports drink containing sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium will hydrate you better, while replacing minerals lost through sweating. In extreme endurance activities with heavy sweat rates, where sodium loss can be anywhere from 400mg to 800mg per litre…

SPEED ON A BUDGET PRICE R14 999 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING GIVES A CRISP, CLEAN FINISH A CARBON FORK SMOOTHS OUT THE RIDE AND IMPROVES STIFFNESS SUPPLIER: MERIDA-BIKES.COM Constructed from 6066 triple-butted and formed aluminium, the Scultura 300 features smooth welding and internal cable routing for a clean finish, while flex stays translate into a more compliant ride experience. A nice touch is the carbon fork, which improves compliance on harsher surfaces while also improving braking and lateral stiffness. As with others at this price point, a 10-speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain with compact crankset ensures crisp shifting – and great value.…

BUMP-BUSTING RIDE PRICE R40 000 If it’s good enough to get the Cannondale Pro Cycling riders over the cobbles of northern Europe, it’s certainly good enough for you to make mincemeat of South Africa’s rough roads. Featuring what Cannondale call ‘Synapse Endurance Race Geometry’, the Synapse is the American brand’s smoothest, most comfortable frameset yet. Comparing it to the more aggressive SuperSix Evo frameset, all Synapses are designed with longer seatstays, slacker head angles and slightly longer head tubes, culminating in a riding position aimed more at comfort than break-neck racing (pun intended.) Available in disc and non-disc versions, the carbon lay-up of the Synapse is based on SAVE Plus Micro-suspension tech. Built into the fork, rear triangle and 25.4mm seat post and seat tube, its primary goal is to…

LONG LIVE ALUMINIUM PRICE R28 000 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ACCELERATES LIKE A ROCKET, TURNS ON A TICKEY AT SPEED RACEWORTHY BUT AFFORDABLE SHIMANO DISC BRAKES ARE POWERFUL AND RELIABLE SUPPLIER: OMNICO.CO.ZA Despite most manufacturers picking carbon over alu as the material of choice for racing frames, Cannondale have stuck to their guns, continuing to develop and improve their CAAD range. The CAAD 12 (which replaces the CAAD 10) shares almost identical geometry to Cannondale’s flagship carbon SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod frames, making it a thoroughbred racer. Bicyclingrode the Ultegra-specced CAAD 12 Disc late last year, and we were blown away by its overall capability. It simply did everything well. The ride was so enticing that we chose to celebrate aluminium (in a carbon-dominated world), voting it our Bike of…

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK PRICE R13 999 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FEATURING A GREAT SPEC, IT WON’T LET YOU DOWN SUPPLIER: TITANRACINGBIKES.COM The 29R Elite is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable performance hardtail. The 2x10 Shimano SLX groupset is a proven system that offers crisp, reliable shifting. With a 180mm disc up front, and 160mm at the rear, the Shimano hydraulic brakeset’s performance is sure to be sharp and pinpoint-accurate, while a set of high-volume 2.25” Schwalbe Racing Ralph tyres, a popular choice at the Cape Epic, will keep you in touch with the trail.…

NEW AND IMPROVED PRICE R55 000 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ALL-NEW SUSPENSION PLATFORM OFFERS 96MM OF TRAVEL SPLIT WHEELSIZING: SMALL FRAME 27.5”, MED 27.5” OR 29”, LARGE & EXTRA-LARGE 29” SUPPLIER: MERIDA-BIKES.COM Debuted back in 2007, Merida’s Ninety-Six flagship marathon and XC race machine has received a welcome makeover for 2016 that sees a totally new suspension design, updated geometry, and a few tweaks that keep it at the cutting edge. The Ninety-Six 9 7000 features a full-carbon frame and Merida’s ‘Smart Entry’ internal cable routing solution, which eliminates rattling by keeping cables under tension with clamps. Shimano’s updated 11spd XT drivetrain is a welcome sight. While 1x set-ups are all the rage these days, a 2x11 configuration is still a great option for those looking for a wider…

TRAIL-SLAYING SPEEDSTER WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THE TOP FUEL REPLACES THE SUPERFLY AS TREK’S FLAGSHIP XC/MARATHON FRAMESET FLIPPABLE ‘MINO LINK’ ADJUSTS HEAD ANGLE AND BB HEIGHT TO SUIT RIDER’S NEEDS SUPPLIER: TREKBIKES.COM/ZA First introduced in 2005 but discontinued in 2012, the Top Fuel makes a welcome return to Trek’s line-up in 2016 as its flagship XC/Marathon dual-suspension model. Having shed its 26” wheels and 2x10 drivetrain, the all-new Top Fuel is modern in every sense, incorporating a lightweight carbon chassis, 29er wheels, 11spd drivetrain, adjustable geometry and wider ‘boost’ hub spacing – not to mention the latest Fox and RockShox suspension (depending on spec). When designing the Top Fuel (which replaces the SuperFly 100), engineers at Trek realised that XC and Marathon disciplines were becoming a lot more technical.…

ELECTRIFYING RIDE PRICE R49 990 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW VERY EASY TO USE AND RECHARGE PEDAL ASSIST MAKES LIGHT WORK OF ANY GRADIENT BETTER SUITED TO OPEN ROADS THAN SINGLETRACK SUPPLIER: EVOLUTIONCYCLING.CO.ZA If you think E-bikes are for lazy people, think again. Fitted with electric motors and lithium-ion batteries, E-bikes are about assisting you to pedal rather than doing all the work for you. This isn’t a ‘free’ ride. Built in Germany, Haibike’s Sduro range of pedal-assist E-bikes is specced with 250W Yamaha crank-drive motors that produce 70Nm of torque. In South Africa, E-bikes are only now starting to trickle into the market; but Yamaha have been building E-bike systems since 1993, and have fitted them to over 2.7 million bikes since then. A handlebar-mounted display unit allows you…

If you visit the website of Cape Town’s #Moonlightmass, you’re greeted with bold yellow text that reads, “Moonlight Mass Is Back On!” But the next scheduled ride, it says, is on 6 November 2014, and in fact, #Moonlightmass is no more. Started to raise awareness about non-motorised transport, #Moonlightmass grew exponentially, from just 12 participants to 4 000 – but as the numbers increased, so did the demands. At the event’s peak, the City of Cape Town became concerned about logistical and safety issues. Co-founders Daniel Graham and Elad Kirshenbaum met with a variety of local council departments to find solutions. They received backing from ward councillor Beverley Schaefer and Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde. But the City’s concerns persisted; and according to Graham, the only way…

AFTER MONTHS OF HARD WORK BY CYCLING SA WOMEN’S COMMISSION DIRECTOR LISE OLIVIER, WE ARE ABLE TO REPRESENT SOUTH AFRICA AT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS IN EUROPE. It started with a bang at the GP Plouya World Cup. My bunch positioning was good but I struggled with the surges and intensity, having ridden mostly MTB the past few years. I could ride 170-180bpm for four hours, but I couldn’t hold 200bpm for one minute (my max is around 210bpm). From there we moved onto the Tour of Ardeche, which is a tough race with lots of climbing. During this tour I suffered stomach issues, and joked about being pregnant. I put it down to being unused to the different foods we were eating. However, by the last tour in Italy – the…

ARRIVED HOME FROM MY COMMUTE, DISMOUNTED, AND REACHED DOWN TO TAKE MY LIGHT OFF THE HANDLEBARS. THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. Perhaps I’ve left it at work, I thought hopefully. Because if it wasn’t at work, then it was somewhere on Table Mountain, whose rocky slopes I ride to and from work – and if it wason Table Mountain, there would be more chance of President Zuma paying back the money than of me finding it. I checked when I arrived at the office the next day – no light. It had cost me about R1000, and I’d just spent R500 on an extra mount for attaching to my road bike, a helmet mount, and a new battery. I was bleak – and not just because of the money; I loved…

RACE-WINNING PEDIGREE PRICE R12 495 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW A GREAT VALUE OPTION FOR BEGINNERS SHIMANO TIAGRA GROUPSET ENSURES CRISP SHIFTING AND SHARP BRAKING SUPPLIER: OMNICO.CO.ZA In 2013, Nolan Hoffman (racing for Team Abantu) stormed to victory – in both the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Amashova road races – aboard a top-of-the-range GT. This race-winning pedigree will have filtered through the GT range, with the GTS Tiagra offering a well-rounded package that’s an ideal entry point for those looking to get into the sport without spending too much cash. The spec is well thought out, with a Shimano Tiagra drivetrain providing hassle-free shifting. You’ll be glad to hear that the carbon fork helps reduce vibration up front.…

SUPREMELY AERO PRICE R38 000 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW SMOOTHER, FASTER RIDE COMPARED TO PREVIOUS MODEL SHIMANO 105 SPEC BALANCES PERFORMANCE AND VALUE SUPPLIER: SCOTT-SPORTS.COM A highlight of Scott’s 2016 line-up is the Swiss brand’s aero road bike, the Foil. Débuted in 2010, this second-gen frameset has been tweaked into a lighter, more aerodynamic, stiffer, and – importantly – more comfortable package. Scott’s brand manager says they strove for balance – improved aero, first and foremost, but also addressing the hard ride the Foil has been criticised for in the past. Engineers focused on improving the Foil’s vertical compliance, which now allows the full-carbon frame to better soak up road vibrations without compromising lateral stiffness. New tube profiles have improved the Foil’s real-world aerodynamic performance, while the BB, headset…

WESTERN CAPE MTB 16 JANUARY FAIRVIEW ATTAKWAS EXTREME MTB CHALLENGE 121km (Extreme), 56km (Mini) Chandelier Game Farm, Oudtshoorn Contact Dryland Event Management info@dryland.co.za, 044 279 1013 Web and Online Entries atta.co.za 23-24 JANUARY 24 HOURS OF OAK VALLEY: MTB RELAY Oak Valley Estate, Elgin Valley, Grabouw Contact Dirtopia 021 884 4752 Web and Online Entries dirtopia.co.za MPUMALANGA MULTI-STAGE 18-23 JANUARY THE MPUMALANGA TOUR 749km (6 days, 6 stages) Loskopdam, a FOREVER Resort Contact Ansie de Jager ansie@hatoere.co.za, 083 411 2480 Web hatoere.co.za Online Entries cycleevents.co.za MTB 30 JANUARY BARBERTON XCM 110km, 77km, 48km, 30km, 20km Barberton High School Contact Race Office info@barbertonxcm.co.za, 082 455 1765 Web barbertonxcm.co.za Online Entries cycleevents.co.za ROAD 24 JANUARY PREMIER CYCLE EVENT ELITE CRITERIUM 80km, 40km, 20km Halls Farm Stall, Nelspruit Online Entries cycleevents.co.za GAUTENG MTB…

WESTERN CAPE 24 HOURS OF OAK VALLEY 23-24 JANUARY This 24-hour format event is unique, because the distance you cover is totally up to you: just ride as far as you can in 24 hours. A 10km loop of Oak Valley is your battlefield for this one, and you can choose to enter a fun relay team of five to eight riders, a racing team of four riders, or (bravely) as a solo rider. Conditions change throughout the event as the track erodes, and riding through the night adds a totally different dimension. There’s a campsite as well, which makes this a great event for the whole family. For more info, visit dirtopia.co.za. – Renay Groustra FREE STATE BARBERTON XCM CHALLENGE 30 JANUARY The traditional MTB season-opener in Mpumalanga is…

THE TOUR OF ARA IS A SIX-DAY, ALL-GRAVEL STAGE RACE, RIDDEN EXCLUSIVELY ON VINTAGE SOUTH AFRICAN ROAD BIKES – AND THIS YEAR, PASSING THROUGH THE PICTURESQUE CEDERBERG AND HARSH KAROO. HERE MISHAQ DIESEL, ONE OF ONLY TWO RIDERS WHO RODE A FIXED-GEAR BIKE, WARMS UP FOR THE FIFTH STAGE, WITH EXTREME COLD PREDICTED FOR THE 100KM TRIP. Share your good times with us on Instagram. Tag @Bicycling_SA with your ride photos and next time it could be your pic featured in an upcoming issue! (Remember to mention where the shot was taken!)…