First Cape Epic 2026

[Baracuda]

19 hours ago, Headshot said:

Precisely. There are of course quality differences between rims and if you're riding some alloy own brand Spesh, for instance, rims and not DT or equivalent, you could have issues. The fact that many if not the majority of DH and Enduro racers at WC level ride alloy rims over carbon should also inform your choices. Do Stans rims still exist? Their 6069 alloy rims are plenty tough too. A 32 spoke  DT XC rim should cope with anything you can throw at it. 

Yip, I was in Morzine and other areas in the Alps last year and interesting to see most top DH / Enduro guys on aluminum rims, but decent DT Swiss. Viewed as stronger, more flexible and easier to fix. Not the alu rims issued as standard on a Spec, Trek or Scott. 

And big boys on big DH rigs going off massive jumps.

[Headshot]

25 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

Yip, I was in Morzine and other areas in the Alps last year and interesting to see most top DH / Enduro guys on aluminum rims, but decent DT Swiss. Viewed as stronger, more flexible and easier to fix. Not the alu rims issued as standard on a Spec, Trek or Scott. 

And big boys on big DH rigs going off massive jumps.

One of the favourite WC DH/enduro rim is the EX471 25mm ID which is not even the strongest out there. FR500's are the tough ones.

I have a Spank Spike DH rim on the back of my enduro bike and its the strongest rim I've ever ridden. They don't do XC rims but if you're a heavy rider they are another option to beef up your wheel set especially out back. I decided to leave the soft but  but well built WTB rim on the front of my bike and it has more dings than the Spank rear wheel. 

[Pandatron]

New bike with flight attendant and power meter at the minimum

[Headshot]

22 minutes ago, Pandatron said:

New bike with flight attendant and power meter at the minimum

I think any new Epic rider should hold out for one of the new 32" wheeled bikes. This will make up for almost any amount of lack of training or skills deficit and incur the envy of every other rider on those tiny 29er wheels...

[Stephan]

No need to buy a new bike. I did my first Epic this year on a five year old alu frame and wheels bike. If you are thinking of upgrading anything, do it now so that you can pick up issues well before ACE. 

What I personally would do:

Now to August: two to three chill rides a week, just have fun and get time in the saddle. If you are not in the mood for riding, don't. Keep the fun factor high (the weeks where it's a slog a little fun come later). 

August to October: three to four rides a week and start hitting hills and an interval session once in a while. Do as many of the day races around CPT as possible. 

October: do Eselfontein 3-day stage race and then start getting good mileage per week. 

November and December: proper training block. Ride every hill you see. Do W2W if budget allows. In Dec and Jan try ride five times a week (I did Tues morning, Wed afternoon, Fri, Sat and Sun mornings into afternoons).

Jan: do Attakwas. Keep riding as much as you can until it stops being fun. 

Feb: do Imbuko Big5. Keep training. End Feb start ramping down. 

Agree with getting a coach, or if you are very disciplined work out your own training plan on intervals.icu 

Most importantly, listen to your body and try to keep it fun. When training stops being fun take a week or two off. 

Oh, invest in a good saddle. If it is not comfy, try another one until you find the best one. 

[Michael S]

Did everyone misread that he is doing Gravelburn in October?

Edited June 28, 2025 by Michael S