First Cape Epic 2026

[Ruan Fick]

Hi All, I got a invite to Cape Epic 2026 and this will be my first attempt. Need some advise on my bike and training. I'm a proper weekend warrior and have an older 2019 Top Fuel 9.7 GX bike. Firstly, should I be upgrading or just keep using my top fuel. Of course I need to make it as easy on myself as possible.

I love training as Ill also be doing the Gravel burn - but not sure I want to invest in a new MTB.

Thoughts? 

Cheers

[Lynskey]

Absolutely no need for a new bike. Your bike sounds good. Be careful of all the hype you hear. Just up your training a bit. Personally I would not really change much. Just add a 3 or 4 hour ride on the weekends if you can. Everything you do now will benefit you if you keep it up. I know the excitement of doing it. Enjoy it. And just remember to enjoy yourself. 

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, Ruan Fick said:

Hi All, I got a invite to Cape Epic 2026 and this will be my first attempt. Need some advise on my bike and training. I'm a proper weekend warrior and have an older 2019 Top Fuel 9.7 GX bike. Firstly, should I be upgrading or just keep using my top fuel. Of course I need to make it as easy on myself as possible.

I love training as Ill also be doing the Gravel burn - but not sure I want to invest in a new MTB.

Thoughts? 

Cheers

No need for a new bike if yours is that current.

focus on the training and getting to know your partner 

[tsdutweet]

Agreed, your bike is 100% - make sure it's properly serviced before you arrive at the prologue. 

I, of weekend warrior descent, engaged a coach, and I honestly believe that is what got me through 2 pretty rough Epics (2023, 2025) *thanks Johann and the Absolute Motion Family 

Then work on your nutrition plan.....fuel your body. 

[tsdutweet]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

No need for a new bike if yours is that current.

focus on the training and getting to know your partner 

Partnerships are KEY

[OVERDRIVE]

Good luck!

[Robbie Stewart]

But, but, but, surely you need the latest S-Works Epic Evo with AXS everything to do the epic? 😉

 

[GLuvsMtb]

Is there perhaps a stat of % dropouts in the ACE that rode bikes less than 12 months old... ek wil gou iets check. 

[ChrisF]

30 minutes ago, GLuvsMtb said:

Is there perhaps a stat of % dropouts in the ACE that rode bikes less than 12 months old... ek wil gou iets check. 

 

Few years back there were some seriously nice stats about the riders and the gear, and much more. (think it was 2018 or 2019)

 

Majority of the field bought a new bike in the 12 months leading up to the Epic.

 

EDIT - Then again, two people we know who have done multiple Epics only replace their bikes as needed, not because of any race entry.  Sure, they DO make sure it is maintained and serviced regularly.

 

Would actually be more interesting to see the correlation between new bike purchases and first Epic entries ......

Edited June 24 by ChrisF

[ajnkzn]

20 hours ago, Lynskey said:

Absolutely no need for a new bike. Your bike sounds good. Be careful of all the hype you hear. Just up your training a bit. Personally I would not really change much. Just add a 3 or 4 hour ride on the weekends if you can. Everything you do now will benefit you if you keep it up. I know the excitement of doing it. Enjoy it. And just remember to enjoy yourself. 

I personally, for under R 1 000 a month, would engage with a good coach. 
 

I’ve started with a coach here in KZN for the last three months and the difference it has made to my riding is massive. 
 

Keeps you accountable, makes it easy (just sync your Trainingpeaks to your Garmin and your sessions are ready)  and you can learn so much from the right person (strategy, pacing, nutrition etc etc). 

[Underachiever]

The Go2Berg or CPT in Sept/Oct will be excellent prep if you are new to stage racing.

 

[Shebeen]

15 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Few years back there were some seriously nice stats about the riders and the gear, and much more. (think it was 2018 or 2019)

 

Majority of the field bought a new bike in the 12 months leading up to the Epic.

 

EDIT - Then again, two people we know who have done multiple Epics only replace their bikes as needed, not because of any race entry.  Sure, they DO make sure it is maintained and serviced regularly.

 

Would actually be more interesting to see the correlation between new bike purchases and first Epic entries ......

treas used to do this annually, this is the last one on their site i could find

 

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/gear-choice-at-the-2019-absa-cape-epic/

[Geoff Jardine]

On 6/24/2025 at 10:49 AM, Ruan Fick said:

Hi All, I got a invite to Cape Epic 2026 and this will be my first attempt. Need some advise on my bike and training. I'm a proper weekend warrior and have an older 2019 Top Fuel 9.7 GX bike. Firstly, should I be upgrading or just keep using my top fuel. Of course I need to make it as easy on myself as possible.

I love training as Ill also be doing the Gravel burn - but not sure I want to invest in a new MTB.

Thoughts? 

Cheers

My only advice is you need gearing to go uphill. Your bike is perfectly fine. But there is climbing and more climbing.  

 

[Titleist]

Bike is fine, but if you don't have carbon wheels yet, buy some and you're sorted.

[Lynskey]

22 minutes ago, Titleist said:

Bike is fine, but if you don't have carbon wheels yet, buy some and you're sorted.

I am not sure if you are being serious or not 🤔🤷‍♂️😂

[ChrisF]

33 minutes ago, Lynskey said:

I am not sure if you are being serious or not 🤔🤷‍♂️😂

 

Surely he also NEEDS wireless gears ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOT serious