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With Gravel Burn just around the corner, we’ve heard a lot of debate around setup choices. To get an informed perspective, we called on Kevin Benkenstein, South Africa’s original ultra-endurance racer and a pioneer of gravel riding, to unpack his setup choices and share his thoughts ahead of the event. Hear it straight from the horses mouth below: Benky’s Gravel Burn Setup My bike for Gravel Burn is the culmination of far too much tinkering, testing, and learning. I’ve prioritised both speed and comfort, knowing that those two are closely linked, along with the all-important factor of reliability. Ultimately, I’ve […] View full article

Counterfeit SRAM XX1 Eagle chains are entering the South African market, and they could damage your bike or put you at risk. These fake chains are widely available on overseas marketplaces like Temu and have even appeared on Bike Hub Classifieds. Bike Hub has a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit goods, and anyone caught selling them will be banned. Here’s how to protect yourself: How to Avoid Buying a Fake Chain Check the Seller The safest way to avoid counterfeits is buying from the right places: Watch for Suspiciously Low Prices If a chain is heavily discounted compared to everywhere else, […] View full article

The Old Mutual go2berg is a celebration of the people and the countryside it travels through. At its core, it’s a bicycle race, but it’s deeply woven into the lives of the communities along the route, creating a shared experience that feels genuinely special. My interest in cycling events waned after I’d saturated myself in the lifestyle for a number of years. These days I still bang out my local road loop for the socialising and coffee stops, but my focus has shifted to exploring other sports. However, when the possibility of a go2berg entry was raised at the virtual […] View full article

Since 2024, we’ve been tracking marketplace data each quarter to spot trends on Bike Hub. During and directly after the Covid-19 pandemic, demand and interest in cycling surged. Activity in the Bike Hub marketplace has since stabilised, and we’re now starting to see clear seasonal patterns and shifts across categories. Here’s what we found in the third quarter of 2025: Marketplace Activity Continues to Grow Enquiries across all categories are up 20.5% year-on-year in Q3 2025 compared with Q3 2024. Enquiries (responses to ads) are not a direct measure of sales, but we view them as an indicator of demand. We assume […] View full article

The 2025 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, came to a sweltering and thrilling conclusion in Oudtshoorn on Saturday, 4 October. Vera Looser and Samantha Sanders completed a clean sweep of victories across the five stages to win the UCI Women’s title by over 40 minutes. The UCI Men’s competition was a closer affair, with Tristan Nortje and Travis Stedman winning by 3 minutes and 55 seconds after claiming two stage victories during the week of racing. The fifteenth edition started in Wilderness on Tuesday, 30 October. Only two teams wore the UCI category leaders’ jerseys. Toyota Imbuko […] View full article

The Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, is far more than the standard mountain bike stage race. It is the Race with Soul. An event that blends highly competitive UCI and age-category racing with a relaxed race village atmosphere. Even for the elite men and women lining up to fight it out over the five days of the 2025 event, from 30 September to 4 October, there are reasons to look forward to both the racing and the off-the-bike time. It is for this reason that two of the defending champions are so eager to return to the […] View full article

RideWrap is a rider-owned and operated business, founded in Canada. Their mission is to help cyclists keep their bikes looking and performing their best for longer, and it has grown into a global brand with offices and warehouses worldwide. We put their Covered Protection kit and Tailored fork kit to the test in the real world. Overview & Product Range RideWrap offer a comprehensive selection of solutions designed to protect frames, forks, cranks, wheels, and more. They produce protection kits for a wide variety of bicycles, covering categories such as road, gravel, mountain, commuter, e-bikes, and children’s bikes. To date, […] View full article

The South African cycling community is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved figures, JP van Zyl (52), founder of Recycles Bike Shop in Bellville. JP and his close friend, trail pioneer Meurant Botha, tragically died in a car accident near Calvinia on Saturday, 13 September. Known for his ready smile, generosity, and encyclopaedic knowledge of bicycles, JP was far more than a mechanic. His technical knowledge was immense – having lived through the MTB suspension, wheel size and carbon-fibre revolutions. And to thousands of cyclists, he was a friend, mentor, and lifeline – the one who could get them back on the trail or […] View full article

PedalForGood (P4G) is on a mission to inspire a new generation of youth through the power of bikes. This is the third edition of the SA DreamBike Raffle, offering riders more than just a chance to win top-tier prizes but a way to shape a brighter future for at-risk youth. Supporting youth development with Trail Therapy has never been easier; you can get in on the awesome raffle for only R300, which buys two tickets, and every two tickets sold contributes directly to 3 hours of evidence-driven Trail Therapy for a participant each week. Proudly SA, Quality & Community What […] View full article

Meurant Botha (50), founder of Dirtopia and widely regarded as a founding father of mountain biking in South Africa, died in a car accident near Calvinia on Saturday, 13 September. His close friend and fellow cycling icon JP van Zyl of Recycles Bike Shop also died in the accident. “Meurant’s life was dedicated to the trails he built, the people who rode them, and the communities they created,” said his wife and business partner, Arina Botha. “He was a husband, father, son, brother and friend who will be deeply missed.” He is survived by Arina, their children Kaylee and Meurant, his parents Carol and Meurant, and his […] View full article

Travis Stedman and Hayley Preen won the 2025 edition of the King Price Race to the Sea in near-perfect conditions on Saturday, 6 September. The 157-kilometre route from Franschhoek, in the Winelands, to Benguela Cove, on the Whale Coast, took in spectacular Overberg canola and wheat field scenery. After a crisp start to proceedings, the temperature warmed through the morning, while a light wind ensured tactics came into play as well as sheer strength. Stedman’s victory was built on a foundation of intelligent racing as well as strong riding at the key moments. The Toyota Specialized rider was instrumental in […] View full article

Titan Racing has announced their first dual-suspension alloy eMTB.Designed to tackle good old-fashioned all-terrain riding in a confidence-inspiring platform, the Volt comes with 140mm rear and 150mm front suspension travel out of the box, with progressive suspension design and geometry, perfect for today’s trails and riders. With lessons learned from the Gen2 Cypher and Skyrim range, the Titan Racing Volt will feature other rider-first designs, including clearance for up to 2.6” tires, custom moulded chainstay protection, full internal cable routing and a Utility Mount under the top tube for additional storage. Great emphasis was placed on motor and battery integration […] View full article

Grinduro, a global gravel phenomenon that blends racing with festival energy, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025. This year, presented by Leatt, Grinduro will make its South African debut at Oewerzicht Farm in the heart of the Overberg region: a serene riverside retreat perfect for relaxation, tubing, and outdoor adventures. Here’s what riders can expect: What is Grinduro? At its core, Grinduro combines timed racing stages with untimed social riding. Riders tackle a challenging route featuring a mix of pavement, gravel roads, flowing singletrack, and demanding climbs. Between stages, the focus shifts from competition to camaraderie, with participants enjoying great […] View full article

I’ve had the Titan Racing Cypher DC Carbon Empire in my fleet since March and was fortunate enough to put it to the ultimate test at the 2025 Absa Cape Epic. Here are my thoughts after six months of riding, with a few marathon stage races thrown in for good measure: Out of the Box The second generation Titan Racing Cypher is available in two variants: the Cypher RS, with 100mm of travel for serious racers, and the Cypher DC, offering 120mm of travel for riders seeking a more forgiving and capable ride. Knowing my riding style and marathon stage […] View full article

Having shattered the course record in 2024 by over 20 minutes, Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning shaved a further 3 minutes and 44 seconds off last year’s time to cross the finish line in 7 hours, 25 minutes, and 21 seconds on Saturday, 9 August 2025. The Insect Science team was pushed hard through the first 140 kilometres of the 230-kilometre course by the FuelX team and then Imbuko ChemChamp. Once they seized the lead, approaching Bergplaas, the only question was whether they would break their record, and break it they did. In the women’s race, the Complete Cyclists […] View full article

Our favourite quarterly report is back. Since 2024, we’ve been tracking marketplace data each quarter to spot trends on Bike Hub. The first quarter of 2025 showed positive momentum, with growth in key categories. Looking at the second quarter in 2025, we have fresh insights into buyer interest, category shifts, and new emerging patterns. Dive into the full report below to see what we found: Demand is Up Overall enquiries are up 13.7% year-on-year for Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024. Enquiries (responses to ads) are not a direct measure of sales, but they are an excellent indicator of demand. We […] View full article

So, you’re ready to trade traffic jams for scenic climbs, cafés for countryside picnics, and city noise for the satisfying hum of tyres on tarmac? Welcome to the world of self- guided cycling tours – where freedom meets structure, and the journey really is the destination. At Edusport, we help you cycle through Europe on two wheels with curated routes, pre-booked accommodation, and luggage transfers – all while giving you the freedom to ride at your own pace. Whether you’re cycling for the scenery, the challenge, or thecharm of sleepy towns along the way, we’ve got a self-guided tour that […] View full article

Travis Stedman and Warren Moolman, Team Toyota Specialized Melon Mobile, are the champions of KAP sani2c nonstop 2025, after covering 256.9 KMs in 11 hours, 25 Minutes and fourteen seconds, on the trails between Underberg and Scottburgh. Werner Moolman was the support driver. In an impressive ride, the pair claimed a convincing win, 47 minutes and 9 seconds faster than the previous fastest time set at the 2024 edition. The next team to reach the beach finish at Cutty Sark was Kevin Benkenstein and Tyronne White, Team Benky Rides (11:55:31), with support driver Mikayla Benkenstein. In third place was Team […] View full article

Before we get to the selling points that may get you to the start line in September, here is a recap of what the Old Mutual go2berg is… It is a longer seven-day point-to-point mountain bike journey through the heart of South Africa, from the Northern Free State to the majestic Drakensberg in KZN. It starts at Villiers (1h30 south of Joburg) and finishes at the Champagne Sports Resort: 575km, and 7 days later. The Old Mutual go2berg is a follow on from joberg2c. It is the perfect way to experience a wonderful part of South Africa on your bike. […] View full article

Our most effortless braking, shifting, and wireless integration is now expanded to Force and Rival AXS, in both 2x and XPLR configurations. One-finger braking, refined ergonomics, faster shifting, and lighter weight add up to an effortless ride. All performance, no compromises. Force AXS wins with fully wireless technology, refined ergonomics, and further AXS integration. This pro-level, lightweight drivetrain delivers effortless braking and faster front shifting so you can focus on performing your best on the road. Rival XPLR AXS is a workhorse groupset. It features the unmatched resilience and precision of a Full Mount rear derailleur with gravel-specific 13-speed gearing. […] View full article

From the foundational moments in the early 1980s when DEORE XT first revolutionised mountain biking, SHIMANO brings fast and reliable shifting, a robust drivetrain construction, and refined braking systems to more riders with the latest introduction of DEORE XT M8200 Di2 components. Following the recent launch of our flagship XTR M9200 race group, DEORE XT receives key technology and design cues from XTR, delivering a robust group designed to withstand the demands of real-world riding, and consistently redefining what’s possible on two wheels. Robust Drivetrain Construction Capitalizing on technological advancements introduced with the XTR M9250 rear derailleur, DEORE XT M8250 […] View full article

The KAP sani2c nonstop is not your average mountain bike race. Covering 250 km of uninterrupted, rugged terrain from Glencairn Farm at the foothills of Sani Pass in Underberg, to the beach at Scottburgh, this is one of the most demanding one-day endurance events on the South African calendar. This year’s nonstop takes place from 20-22 June, and has once again attracted a determined field of mountain bikers who are hungry for a challenge that demands not just physical endurance, but mental resilience and teamwork. Riders take on the bulk of the trails that make up the three-day KAP sani2c […] View full article

Experience Grit, Gravel, and Glory at the Inaugural Garden Route Giro South Africa’s Garden Route is about to make gravel racing history. Entries for the inaugural Garden Route Giro open on 17 June 2025 at 12:00 (SAST / GMT+2), giving riders a chance to take part in a six-day, 684km journey through mountain passes, forest trails, and coastal roads from 13 to 18 April 2026. Whether racing for stage wins or chasing adventure, this is the gravel experience South Africa has been waiting for. Starting in Mossel Bay and taking in race hubs in Riversdale, Calitzdorp, Prince Albert, De Rust, […] View full article

The Standard Bank Berg & Bush is one of my favourite mountain bike stage races on the calendar, and when the opportunity arose to join the Descent this year, I didn’t think twice. This year, the route for Stage One had to be changed due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on the farms in the area. The usual drop off the escarpment is a real highlight of the event, and losing it could have been a blow to the overall experience. However, in the space of just two weeks the team managed to pull together an alternate route that […] View full article

Shimano builds on its legacy of innovation and engineering with the introduction of its new fully wireless Di2 XTR M9200 mountain bike components. The no-compromise Di2 system delivers Shimano’s ultra-precise and lightning-quick electronic shifting capabilities, with increased durability across each component. Engineered to withstand the demands of real-world racing, the new group features Shimano’s most robust drivetrain construction to-date, more intuitive ergonomics, predictable braking control, and new customisation features that every rider can appreciate. Robust Drivetrain Construction You can’t hurt what you can’t hit—the XTR M9250 rear derailleur with new SHIMANO SHADOW ES technology is stronger than ever and features […] View full article