NEWS: The latest #MTB skinny

MTB NEWS

MERIDA LAUNCH NEW NINETY-SIX FOR 2021

The new NINETY-SIX is a super modern cross country race bike. Modern, in this case, means that it is much more downhill capable than its predecessors. The key reason for this is that cross country races have become far more demanding over the last few years. On top of that, customers are expecting much more downhill performance from a bike in this category as they did a few years ago.

Worldwide the cycling press is even talking about a new category - downcountry bikes. Down-country bikes are as light as possible to climb even the steepest mountains with ease, but also able to handle challenging trails with more panache as the travel numbers would suggest. Depending on the configuration, the NINETY-SIX is available in a more classic cross-country (NINETY-SIX RC) or a down-country (NINETY-SIX) setup. The RC models have a 100 mm fork in the front, super fast rolling tyres and a lighter front brake. The (non RC) NINETY-SIX models have 120 mm in the front, more grippy tyres and a more powerful front brake.

However, whichever model you look at, they all have improved downhill capability due to the updated geometry and the more progressive suspension configuration. So, the range of use is even bigger as it was with the last generation. The NINETY-SIX can be used as a long-distance endurance bike, where two water bottles are always a big advantage, as a super-light trail bike, or as a classic cross-country race bike.

Two versions

Our new NINETY-SIX is available in two versions. The more race-focused RC version with 100 mm fork travel and the more trail orientated version with 120 mm upfront. The longer fork does not just offer the ability to handle rough trails better, but it also slackens the head angle and gives the bike a more playful character. Both versions are based on full carbon frames

Two water bottles

One big wish from race legend José Hermida was that two water bottles could be fitted into the front triangle. To fulfil that, and without having an impact on the seat post insert depth, we are using a unique adapter on the lower part of the seat tube. This gives us the ability to fit two big water bottles into the frame without affecting the ability to use long travel dropper posts or making the bottles difficult to reach. Perfect for long marathon races and extended trail sessions.For more info

www.merida-bikes.com

Check availability with your local bike shop.

02 RACE TO THE SEA ENTRIES OPEN

Ever since Faces Advendurance hosted the first hugely popular Race to the Sun 100 miler gravel race three years ago in Gauteng, we couldn’t wait to introduce a similar event in the Western Cape.

We mapped out a truly spectacular route starting in Franschhoek and finishing in Hermanus and named it Race to the Sea. In 2019 we were compelled to cancel the first edition of this event due to a rock fall rendering the Franschhoek pass impassable. In 2020 COVID-19 forced us to cancel again.

We are ecstatic to announce that Race to the Sea is finally on track to take place on 30 January 2021 and we believe it will be every bit as popular as its sister event in Gauteng, Race to the Sun.

Starting at the Huguenot Memorial Monument in Franschhoek and finishing at Benguela Cove in Hermanus, this route promises to be awe-inspiring with every pedal stroke. Enter here https://racetothesea.co.za

03 POC APPOINTS SWITCHBACK SPORTS AS EXCLUSIVE SOUTH AFRICAN DISTRIBUTORS

Switchback Sports strengthens portfolio, adding vogue cycling brand POC as they reach more South African bike stores.

Founded in 2017, Switchback Sports distributes a range of premium cycling products to over 200 South African bicycle stores. From December 2020 the Cape Town based outfit will add POC helmets, eyewear and apparel to their portfolio. The Swedish outdoor brand joins a stable of products which include Easton components and wheels, Rondo bikes, Panaracer tyres, Wheels Manufacturing hangers and bottom brackets, and Geosmina bikepacking bags. Customers will be happy to note more South African bike stores will be adding POC’s offering to their line-ups.

POC has built a formidable reputation, since Swedish founder, Stefan Ytterborn, took on the skiing market in 2005. 2014 saw the first introduction of cycling helmets as POC entered the road market, and a few years later the mountain bike scene. In the process they created POC Lab, an innovative collaboration of material and medicine led by medical experts, neuroscientists, specialists in spinal cord injuries, and even traffic accident professionals.

Although safety precedes form and function, POC has not allowed that to hinder their design process raking up over 60 international awards, including the coveted bike industry’s “Brand of the Year” award. Furthermore, The POC WATTS Lab work closely with their professional athletes, including EF Pro Cycling Team, to optimise performance and aerodynamics. Due to POC’s multi-disciplinary background they are able to draw on inspiration and knowledge gleaned in sports like skiing and snowboarding to create premium products for road, gravel and mountain bike riders.

Their drive to create safer products does not end with their helmets. POC’s AVIP collection (Attention Visibility Interaction Protection) brings an additional level of safety to their helmets and apparel through increased visibility measures.

Switchback Sports will ensure a wide range of POC helmets, eyewear and cycling apparel are available through their network of retailers.

POC helmets, eyewear and cycling apparel will be available in South Africa from early December 2020. For a full dealer list or to view the range of POC products sold by Switchback Sports please visit switchbacksports.co.za.

RIDES XC. AND THE STUFF THAT SCARES XC RIDERS.

TOP FUEL

Part trail bike, part XC race bike, and full-on singletrack ripper. Top Fuel is quick on the enough suspension (120/115mm) to pin even the sketchiest, most technical descents.

04

TRANS BAVIAANS 24HR MTB MARATHON – UPDATE

Images Jacques Marais

We have received all the necessary approvals for the events to go ahead as planned in January 2021. But it does not come without compromise.

The National Lockdown regulations with the curfew as set out by Government under the State of Disaster will play a role in your Trans Baviaans this coming Jan.

We have engaged in meetings with the necessary officials, but unfortunately we are not able to get permission to run our event as per normal Trans Baviaans rules which will have riders ride through the curfew period (24:00-4:00) in January.

Please note below the list of changes that will be incorporated to comply with the current State of Emergency laws. Should these laws be lifted, the event will revert back to our standard rules and timeframes.

We will START EARLY!

Yip Trans Baviaans will start early, super early this time round. Taking into account that Riders will need to travel to the start from their various accommodation locations, we will run the Events as follows.

Batched start times

We will have three starting times on the respective Saturdays to accommodate all riders that still need to travel to the start within the curfew time frames.

Timing will be done electronically and your time will be recorded as you cross the start line and again on the finish line. We will have timing pods out on the route to ensure teams stick together as well.

Batch 1 - 5am start Batch 2 - 6 am start Batch 3 - 7 am start (elites to start in this batch)

Teams should be batched in accordance with the timeframes applicable to their situation. E.g. teams with accommodation within Willowmore and surrounds should start 05:00 whereas those traveling from PE should start 07:00. If the batches are bigger than the allowance for batch sizes according to the Covid-19 Guidelines for Sport Events, we will break the batches up into smaller batches. For example we will start 250 riders at 5am, the next 250 at 5:10 and so forth.

Registration

There will be no registration on the Saturday of the event. All team crates, that need to be transported to the checkpoints will be loaded onto the trucks on the Friday evening by 9:00.

Unfortunately these are the cards we have been dealt with and we are still going to give it our best shot for you to have an enjoyable Trans Baviaans experience! The good news is that you will be able to see most of the amazing Baviaanskloof in daylight!

For more info make sure to visit https://www.transbaviaans.co.za/