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2016 Year in Review – Best Cycling Products we’ve Tested!

This is our selection of 2016’s best cycling products!

The year absolutely flew by, and we saw many game changing technological advancements, some of which brought us closer to 2017 than you’d think! Once again we were very privileged to have tested the stuff that we had, and we look forward to working with those brands in the future!

  • Best MTB: Scott Spark 910

The technological advancements of the Spark set the pace for any other bike brand. In-fact you’ll see similar technologies on Giants, Specialized and Cannondale.

But what sets the Spark 910 apart from rivals, is the blend between race geometry and trail geometry. The reason we choose the Spark as the best MTB, is frankly, because of its versatility on the terrain.

 

  • Best E-Bike: Specialized Levo

The Levo not only qualifies as the best E-Bike, but also as the bike for off-road pleasure. Its pushy enough to get you up even the toughest of climbs, and “trail-like” enough to get you downhill smiling. Then motor, when compared to others, was like the Hercules of all!

  • Best Road Bike: Swift Carbon ATTACK G2

The second generation of Swift’s ATTACK ticks all the boxes for performance at a competitive price. With a Shimano 2×11 gear set, we were particularly impressed with manner and attitude the bike climbed with.

While it’s not Swift’s top notch model, it does exhibit everything you need in a road bike, and that’s why it’s our no.1!

  • Most Dreamy Bike: Specialized S-Works Epic WC

9.7 kg and tough enough, this S-Works Epic WC is the one of the best Epic’s ever made. Light-weight components do all the talking on the climbs, plus our favourite, Specialized’s Brain Technology. This bike is the pinnacle of XC racing today!

  • Best Cycling Gadget: Garmin Varia

It’s got an eye on the road and an eye on its user; the innovative Varia! This rear-view radar system for cyclist makes roads safer, by sensing cars up to 140m away coming from behind, and warning the cyclist of danger. The cycling world needs more of these!

  • Best Apparel: Specialized S-Works 6 Road Shoes

South African riders have a real taste for looking snazzy! We can’t say much less about these road shoes. With a blend of carbon fibre and other light-weight material, the S-Works 6 comes in at 80g lighter than Giro’s Empire!

  • Best Bike Upgrade: Dark Horse 29 MTB Rims

Carbon rims for mountain bikes, what next! These Dark Horse rims are so stiff and light, you’ll wish you had never rode any others! They’re laced to Bitex hubs, which are awesome at being functional.

  • Best Training Accessory: Garmin Fenix 3 HR

This stylish watch doesn’t just tell the time! Its equipped with a heart rate monitor, altitude metre and GPS. Plus, it connects with other external Garmin sensors, so you have all the stats coming in at one place. And it’s pretty insightful too!  

 

  • Best Bike Transport: Renault Duster + Thule Hybrid Rack

Finally, to finish off our Bike and Gear and of the year article, is the spacious and innovative Renault Duster alongside Thule’s Hybrid Bike Rack. These two transporters of bikes and gear, complement each other; the Duster has the space for all your passengers and their luggage (seriously the boot is huge!), then the rock-solid rack from Thule for carrying up to 3 bikes at a time!    

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