With the year drawing rapidly to a close, we take a look at our ten most popular gear review articles published in 2016.
1. Scott Spark 940
The launch of the new Scott Spark range generated much excitement in the office. The Spark 940 features completely redesigned geometry, and suspension for a more aggressive riding style, making it a super capable all-rounder. It’s no surprise then, that the Scott Spark 940 tops our list of most popular reviews for 2016.
Read the full Scott Spark review here.
2. Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie
2016 has seen a huge rise in the popularity of E-bikes (or electric pedal-assist bikes), as users have become aware of the incredible scope offered by the technology. The Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie is a full suspension 27.5-plus pedal assist trail bike which lets riders have their cake, eat it, and shred all the trails too.
Read the full Turbo Levo review here.
3. Silverback Sesta Pro
The Sesta Pro is the long-awaited carbon dual suspension XC marathon race crusader from Silverback. Given Silverback’s reputation for producing quality bikes at a good price point, it is not surprising that the release of the Sesta Pro generated waves, and we were impressed by our experiences on it.
Read the full Silverback Sesta review here.
4. Specialized Power Pro Saddle
The Specialized Power saddle is an updated saddle design, created for aggressive riding, both on and off road. Designed for comfort and efficiency, it features a shorter nose than traditional saddles, as well as a longer, wider cutout for increasing blood flow to sensitive soft tissue, and a broad, slightly flared tail end to keep your ass planted while producing power. In the quest for the holy grail of saddle comfort, this seems to be a leap in the right direction.
Read the full Power saddle review here.
5. Pyga Stage Max
The Pyga Stage Max is a carbon 29er, dual suspension machine, designed as a “marathon bike on steroids, for trail riders that want to ride marathons”. With 140mm up front, and 126mm rear travel, Pyga’s +FIVE chain line concept, and space for two water bottles inside the front triangle, the Stage Max really hits the nail on the head for riders that want to go big and still have it all.
Read the full Stage Max review here.
6. Cube AMS 100 C:62 Race 29
The Cube AMS 100 is a German engineered dual suspension cross country race bike. With 100mm of travel front and rear and full XT components throughout, it offers a fast and efficient ride at a very good price point. An exceptional offering for anyone whose priorities are race oriented.
Read the full AMS 100 review here.
7. 2017 Specialized Roubaix Expert UDI2
The Specialized Roubaix Expert UDI2 draws it’s name and inspiration from the cobbled streets of the infamous Paris Roubaix, the “Hell of the North”. It is at heart an endurance road race bike, and the 2017 model has changed the game with a new Future Shock vibration damping system. This makes it ideal for our rough South African roads, where smoother means faster.
Read the Roubaix first ride here.
8. Pyga Stage
The Pyga Stage is a 29er, dual suspension, XC marathon bike featuring progressive geometry with a long reach and slacker head angle, designed to give more control and stability on technical descents, while still providing a solid pedalling platform. Like it’s big brother the Stage Max, it features Pyga’s +FIVE chain line concept, and space for two water bottles inside the front triangle, but with 120mm of travel up front and 95mm on the rear, it ticks all the boxes as a versatile and capable race bike.
Read the full Stage review here.
9. YT Capra CF Comp
The YT Capra CF Comp is a monster all-mountain bike, with 170mm of travel on the front, 165mm on the rear, 650b wheels and long slack geometry, designed to chew up trails and spit them out. While some might call it too much bike for South African trails, we call it fun, and if pedalling up slowly and bombing down fast are your thing, then the Capra is worth a look.
Read the full Capra review here.
10. Evil Bikes The Following
The Following is a short(er) and slack offering from boutique brand Evil Bikes. Available as a frameset with the Monarch RT3 Debonair rear shock, it is designed for 120mm travel front and back, with adjustable geometry which allows the rider to tweak head angle and BB height. Agile and playful, this is a bike which cannot be easily be boxed into a category, all that needs to be said is that it is a blast to ride.
Read the full The Following review here.