TEST ZONE: Putting products to the test

FRESH BIKES FOR 2021

Most brands have released their 2021 bikes and for our current gear section we picked four of our favourite rides across different disciplines.

GRAVEL: GIANT REVOLT 2021

Description: A section that deserves more credit and certainly gets us excited is gravel. Affordable, fun, long days and it doubles as a road bike – sign us up.

For 2021 Giant refreshed their aluminium gravel machine the Revolt. This all-rounder mixes great value, good looks and modern tech to easily crush your goals. With disc brakes and clearance for up to 45c tyres, the Revolt should be on your shopping list.

Check out for more: www.giant-bicycles.com/za/ revolt-1-2021 Rival: Momsen GP500 RRP: R27 000

Description: Canyon is now established in South Africa and their short travel trail bike, the Neuron, is something that deserves more attention. Too many weekend warriors ride and barely survive on their 100mm sketchy XC bikes. This is where the category in which the Neuron finds itself starts to make more sense. 140mm of front travel, a solid and reliable RockShox Pike, full carbon frame and a dropper seatpost at this price is unreal! Check out for more: www.canyon.com/en-za/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/ neuron/neuron-cf-8/2629.html?dwvar_2629_pv_ rahmenfarbe=GN%2FBK Rivals: Scott Spark 930 RRP: R71 199

Description: The Rail 5 is an electric mountain bike built for ripping the big stuff. It features the same high-end trail tech as our analogue trail bikes, plus a powerful new Bosch drive system that’s basically like having your own shuttle. Rail 5 is Trek’s best-value long-travel e-MTB. It’s equally as capable as their regular long-travel trail bikes, it just gets you back to the top in a flash. The powerful Bosch drive systems and durable part spec make for long-lasting fun. Check out for more: www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountainbikes/electric-mountain-bikes/rail/rail-5/ p/30913/?colorCode=greendark_black Rivals: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp RRP: R99 999

Description: The all-new Chisel Comp is the perfect bike to begin your journey into XC riding and racing, with all of the features to get you to that elusive “top step” at a price that leaves some jingle jangle left over for race entries. This Chisel comes dressed with Shimano’s crisp-shifting SLC 1x12 drivetrain and powerful M6100 hydraulic disc brakes, a 100mm (Size XS: 80mm) RockShox Judy Gold fork, and 25mm internal width alloy wheels wrapped in 2.3 Fast Track Control casing tires. Check out for more: https://www.specialized. com/za/en/chisel-comp/p/184105?color=291516184105&searchText=91721-5101 Rivals: Titan Racing Drone Expert RRP: R29 000