The 2024 South African Mountain Bike Survey, presented by Garmin attracted a total of 2927 respondents. Of the that number, a total 2661 answered every one of the 70 questions (not every question relates to everyone). Here’s the first of four reveals about what South African mountain bikers prefer when it comes to racing, training, sports supplements, motor car brand, bike rack brand, media consumption and more…
Since this has tables, it’s best viewed on a laptop or desktop computer. On a mobile phone, turn to landscape for best viewing.
We split the survey results reveal into four parts – Rider Stats, Bike Stats, Performance Stats and Gear Stats. Where relevant, we include a comparison to the same question from the previous five years. On some questions, six years. We ran the survey for a period of six weeks, promoting it on our website, in our weekly mailer and via our social media channels. Garmin, our presenting partner, also shared the survey via its channels.
Where do you live?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 47.56% | 48.03% | 44.67% | 47.66% | 51.18% | 48.90% |
| Western Cape | 30.34% | 32.79% | 38.23% | 32.36% | 27.08% | 27.31% |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 9.02% | 8.51% | 7.73% | 8.86% | 8.50% | 8.29% |
| Mpumalanga | 3.07% | 1.86% | 1.63% | 2.30% | 1.85% | 2.74% |
| Eastern Cape | 2.77% | 3.24% | 2.77% | 3.39% | 5.18% | 4.93% |
| North West | 1.98% | 1.42% | 1.73% | 1.62% | 1.82% | 2.50% |
| Free State | 1.57% | 1.22% | 1.03% | 1.42% | 1.57% | 2.03% |
| Limpopo | 1.13% | 1.50% | 0.67% | 0.74% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
| Northern Cape | 0.72% | 0.36% | 0.37% | 0.58% | 0.54% | 0.63% |
| I live in a neighbouring country | 0.89% | 0.49% | 0.57% | 0.36% | 0.64% | 0.94% |
| I live outside Southern Africa | 0.96% | 0.57% | 0.60% | 0.71% | 0.61% | 0.70% |
Gauteng remains the most populated mountain biking province and a total of 77.79% of South Africa’s mountain bikers live in just two provinces. There were small shifts with Mpumalanga moving up a bit and Eastern Cape moving down.
How long have you been mountain biking for?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One year or less | 6.18% | 4.82% | 3.60% | 3.85% | 6.30% |
| 1-2 years | 6.70% | 7.62% | 6.07% | 6.76% | 7.03% |
| 3-4 years | 12.33% | 13.30% | 8.10% | 7.24% | 8.38% |
| 5-6 years | 12.06% | 13.13% | 11.87% | 13.45% | 13.97% |
| 7-10 years | 16.60% | 16.17% | 24.00% | 26.48% | 27.78% |
| 11-15 years | 18.65% | 18.81% | 21.13% | 22.50% | 17.87% |
| 16-19 years | 7.99% | 8.88% | 11.20% | 9.67% | 8.92% |
| More than 20 years | 19.47% | 17.27% | 14.03% | 10.05% | 9.75% |
Not too much change from the previous year, but the important thing for the industry is that according to this survey, newcomer numbers are growing. By the same token, it looks like more and more experienced (more than 20 years) riders take this survey each year.
What level of mountain biker would you say you are?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very social | 7.11% | 5.51% | 4.40% | 3.04% | 4.38% | 2.50% |
| Recreational | 25.49% | 27.20% | 22.57% | 23.21% | 25.83% | 22.14% |
| Very keen | 41.72% | 43.13% | 48.60% | 51.08% | 47.15% | 51.10% |
| Highly committed | 25.69% | 24.16% | 24.43% | 22.66% | 22.63% | 24.26% |
Some increases on the two extremes over the previous year.
Which is most applicable to you in terms of your occupation?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am a learner (still at school) | 4.68% | 4.05% | 2.33% | 2.33% | 2.08% | 0.55% |
| I am a student | 2.25% | 2.39% | 1.70% | 1.68% | 2.11% | 2.11% |
| I am currently unemployed | 1.74% | 1.78% | 1.43% | 1.68% | 2.37% | 0.86% |
| I am a stay-at-home parent/spouse | 1.09% | 1.86% | 0.80% | 1.36% | 1.79% | 1.80% |
| I work part-time in one or more jobs | 3.07% | 3.40% | 3.30% | 3.59% | 3.42% | 2.58% |
| I have a full-time job with a salary | 53.64% | 50.10% | 55.37% | 58.135 | 59.49% | 61.50% |
| I own a business | 24.39% | 26.02% | 26.83% | 24.64% | 23.95% | 27.39% |
| I am retired | 5.50% | 6.08% | 4.23% | 1.65% | 4.80% | 3.21% |
| I am a pensioner | 2.05% | 2.43% | 2.33% |
Only slight shifts in most segments. Learners are the least likely to commit 10 minutes to taking a survey, but it’s still good to see that percentage increase since 2019.
What is your age category?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-15 years | 2.05% | 1.74% | 1.00% | 1.13% | 0.86% |
| 16-19 years | 3.89% | 3.24% | 2.47% | 1.75% | 1.95% |
| 20-24 years | 3.11% | 3.45% | 2.33% | 2.30% | 2.40% |
| 25-29 years | 4.68% | 5.39% | 4.40% | 3.91% | 5.05% |
| 30-34 years | 6.66% | 5.80% | 7.60% | 7.66% | 7.61% |
| 35-39 years | 11.07% | 11.19% | 12.47% | 12.32% | 13.20% |
| 40-44 years | 14.04% | 13.30% | 14.07% | 17.01% | 16.24% |
| 45-49 years | 13.84% | 15.77% | 16.10% | 17.56% | 18.70% |
| 50-54 years | 14.45% | 14.75% | 15.03% | 15.78% | 15.03% |
| 55-59 years | 11.58% | 10.58% | 11.03% | 10.77% | 10.23% |
| 60-64 years | 7.82% | 8.31% | 8.73% | 5.95% | 5.56% |
| 65-69 years | 4.78% | 4.54% | 3.47% | 2.65% | 2.24% |
| 70 and older | 2.02% | 1.95% | 1.30% | 1.23% | 0.93% |
Some minor changes over the previous year, but some rather big shifts in certain age categories when comparing 2024 to 2020… We will dig deeper into these shifts in an upcoming article.
What is your sex?
| Sex | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 20.23% | 24.77% | 17.87% | 20.98% | 19.12% |
| Male | 79.77% | 75.23% | 82.13% | 79.02% | 80.88% |
After a big increase from 2022 to 2023, a drop of more than 4% for women in 2024. We’re a bit stumped by this fluctuation to be honest. The average female percentage over the past five years, however, is 20.59% which is likely the most balanced way to examine this split.
How often would you say you participate in a MTB race – on average – in a year?
| Participation frequency | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As often as I can/more than twice a month | 9.40% | 9.57% | 7.43% | 8.21% | 7.96% |
| About once a month | 9.36% | 9.32% | 10.33% | 12.38% | 16.11% |
| About 3-6 times a year | 39.32% | 41.51% | 45.83% | 45.13% | 45.24% |
| Not often – two or fewer times a year | 41.92% | 39.60% | 36.40% | 34.27% | 30.69% |
Minor shifts from the previous year, but since 2020, some larger shifts, which established race organisers will no doubt be keenly aware of…
What type of mountain bike races/events do you participate in mostly (you can choose more than one)?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fun Rides (less than 20km) | 7.96% | 6.89% | 5.57% | 4.95% | 5.82% |
| Fun Races (20-25km) | 12.33% | 12.57% | 11.37% | 11.74% | 15.60% |
| Half-marathons (30-45km) | 32.70% | 32.96% | 34.57% | 36.76% | 41.59% |
| Marathons (50-90km) | 47.80% | 48.72% | 51.97% | 51.73% | 48.82% |
| Ultra-marathons (90-180km) | 20.05% | 20.31% | 23.33% | 22.05% | 18.22% |
| Ultra-endurance Races (180km+) | 12.03% | 10.01% | 12.27% | 12.77% | 12.18% |
| Gravel Races (40-180km) | 20.33% | 19.70% | – | – | – |
| Short stage races (2-4 days) | 33.28% | 34.45% | 38.27% | 39.28% | 37.21% |
| Long stage races (5-9 days) | 9.22% | 10.01% | 10.93% | 9.57% | 10.36% |
| Cross-country (XCO) | 13.53% | 13.05% | 13.70% | 13.39% | 11.25% |
| Downhill | 2.97% | 2.15% | 2.43% | 2.20% | 1.66% |
| Enduro | 9.57% | 8.47% | 10.27% | 7.53% | 6.62% |
| Dirt jumping | 1.02% | 0.97% | 0.87% | 0.97% | 0.80% |
| I don’t do races/events | 11.21% | 10.01% | 9.17% | 9.09% | 8.06% |
Half-marathons, marathons and short stage races are still the most popular types of events in South Africa. We added Gravel Races as an option in 2023 and note an increase in popularity in one year.
Are you a member of an established/official cycling club?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 49.64% | 49.66% | 55.33% | 45.20% | 41.98% | 45.15% |
| No | 50.36% | 50.34% | 44.67% | 54.80% | 58.02% | 54.85% |
Almost the same as the previous year!
Do you normally take an annual Cycling South Africa (CSA) membership?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 32.52% | 33.20% | 35.03% | 34.17% | 33.70% | 40.30% |
| No | 30.24% | 31.94% | 28.70% | 41.13% | 42.07% | 35.68% |
| Only if I have to | 37.24% | 34.86% | 36.27% | 24.70% | 24.23% | 24.02% |
Quite similar to the previous year. For those that are highly committed to racing, it makes sense to buy an annual licence at R250 (R150 for 16-and-unders). A full racing licence – for those intent on racing at provincial, national and international level – costs R500 per year.
Do you have a Strava account?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes, I’m a subscriber | 44.89% | 41.51% | 42.27% | 41.32% | 34.78% |
| Yes, I use the free version | 44.89% | 48.44% | 50.17% | 49.43% | 55.56% |
| No | 10.22% | 10.05% | 7.57% | 9.25% | 9.65% |
Very similar to the previous year, although an increase in those who invest in the subscription version. It’s still an extremely popular app and very difficult to imagine bike-riding life without it! A Strava subscription costs R600 per year (upfront payment), or R89.99 per month. It’s really very useful with loads of insightful features. There’s a Family Plan now too, which makes it cheaper for groups or families to subscribe.
Do you use sports supplements for riding/racing energy/recovery?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 71.23% | 68.87% | 64.07% | 63.30% | 58.95% |
| No | 12.44% | 11.15% | 13.27% | 14.71% | 15.47% |
| Sometimes | 16.33% | 19.98% | 22.67% | 21.99% | 25.58% |
The number of mountain bikers that use sports supplements continues to steadily increase each year.
If you use sports supplements, which brand do you prefer?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biogen | 23.62% | 18.63% | 14.69% | 15.00% | 16.94% | 18.09% |
| 32GI | 20.49% | 17.31% | 13.66% | 15.91% | 13.03% | 10.97% |
| USN | 10.04% | 11.12% | 12.41% | 13.23% | 13.18% | 15.40% |
| Enduren | 6.71% | 6.06% | 5.82% | 5.24% | 3.31% | 2.80% |
| Cadence | 5.52% | 6.02% | 7.47% | 6.26% | 5.85% | 6.18% |
| Named Sport | 4.59% | 4.39% | 4.93% | 4.11% | 2.32% | – |
| PVM | 3.24% | 4.44% | 5.04% | 4.90% | 5.77% | 2.57% |
| Hi5 | 2.38% | 3.60% | 3.35% | 4.86% | 4.88% | 5.48% |
| GU | 2.35% | 2.72% | 3.35% | 4.18% | 3.98% | 4.78% |
| RaceFood | 2.31% | 2.37% | 3.98% | 4.79% | 5.21% | 1.63% |
| Powerbar | 2.12% | 4.13% | 6.00% | 4.79% | 6.18% | 4.55% |
| Hammer | 1.90% | 3.56% | 3.24% | 4.15% | 4.50% | 5.83% |
| Maurten | 1.23% | – | – | – | – | – |
| SISS | 1.15% | 1.10% | 1.03% | 1.32% | 1.38% | 2.68% |
| Fit | 0.75% | – | – | – | – | – |
| Others | 11.53% | 12.13% | 11.89% | 7.61% | 7.58% | 14.49% |
The same three brands hold the top three positions, but Biogen and 32Gi both increased market share over the previous year, while USN continued to drop slightly but still sits in double digits. PVM and Powerbar both dropped down a bit, while Maurten and Fit made a first appearance in the top 15 most popular sports supplement brands. A total of 48 brands were named.
What motor vehicle brand do you drive? If more than one, choose the primary brand and add the other into the Other comment box.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 22.37% | 22.60% | 22.34% |
| Ford | 13.63% | 13.73% | 14.34% |
| Volkswagen | 13.11% | 15.86% | 12.25% |
| BMW | 3.99% | 3.96% | 4.28% |
| Nissan | 3.89% | 4.09% | 5.18% |
| Suzuki | 3.68% | 4.22% | 2.81% |
| Land Rover | 3.45% | 3.79% | 3.53% |
| Audi | 3.04% | 3.83% | 3.56% |
| Hyundai | 3.04% | 3.41% | 3.43% |
| Renault | 2.42% | 2.77% | 2.26% |
| Mercedes Benz | 2.42% | 2.68% | 3.39% |
| Mitsubishi | 2.35% | 2.17% | 2.40% |
| Isuzu | 2.32% | 2.08% | 2.12% |
| Kia | 2.15% | 2.21% | 2.12% |
| Mazda | 2.01% | 2.04% | 2.19% |
| Subaru | 1.70% | 1.66% | 1.78% |
| Honda | 1.53% | 1.36% | – |
| Volvo | 1.40% | 2.17% | 1.54% |
| Jeep | 1.09% | 1.10% | 0.89% |
| Haval | 1.09% | 0.98% | 0.92% |
| Porsche | 0.88% | 0.68% | – |
| Mahindra | 0.78% | – | – |
| Chery | 0.75% | 0.59% | – |
| Chevrolet | 0.75% | 1.23% | 1.57% |
| GWM | 0.58% | 0.68% | – |
| Other | 5.46% | 4.95% | 7.00% |
Toyota remains in the top spot, while Ford reclaims second spot from Volkswagen. BMW moved from 6th to 4th, with Suzuki dropping from 4th to 6th and Nissan holding onto 5th spot again.
How do you normally transport your bike by motor vehicle?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-mount towbar rack | 54.01% | 53.18% | 56.03% |
| In the back of a bakkie/van | 14.04% | 15.12% | 14.43% |
| Back seat or boot | 13.22% | 12.93% | 11.30% |
| Rear-mount clip/hanging rack | 6.66% | 7.34% | 7.73% |
| Roof rack | 6.83% | 6.24% | 8.43% |
| On top of a bakkie bin | 2.60% | 2.68% | – |
| On top of a trailer | 0.51% | 0.69% | – |
| Sucker pads | 0.41% | 0.20% | 0.23% |
| Other | 1.71% | 1.62% | 1.83% |
Largely quite similar to the previous year. That ‘back seat or boot’ percentage is rising! Why?
If you use a bike rack, what brand do you own?
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule | 64.40% | 67.04% | 68.50% |
| Buzzrack | 8.34% | 7.82% | 6.93% |
| Holdfast | 5.81% | 5.84% | 7.03% |
| I made my own | 1.30% | 1.13% | – |
| Raleigh | 1.26% | 0.61% | 0.36% |
| Peruzzo | 0.55% | 0.57% | 0.53% |
| Saris | 0.44% | 0.32% | 0.56% |
| Westfalia | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.40% |
| EZ Rack | 0.41% | 0.57% | 0.13% |
| Frontrunner | 0.38% | 0.30% | – |
| Yakima | 0.34% | 0.45% | 0.36% |
| Marvel | 0.34% | 0.16% | 0.40% |
| Double D | 0.27% | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| Bosal | 0.14% | 0.49% | 0.26% |
| Tree Frog | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.10% |
| Geof | 0.10% | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| I don’t own a bike rack | 12.20% | 11.47% | – |
| Other | 3.18% | 2.24% | – |
Thule is still by far the most dominant brand, but it has dropped a little in market share each of the past three years. Buzzrack, meanwhile, has gradually shown an increase each year.
Do you listen to/watch cycling/MTB podcasts?
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| No | 44.65% |
| Occasionally | 41.31% |
| Quite regularly | 6.97% |
| Yes, I listen to several | 6.80% |
| Other | 0.27% |
Another interesting reflection and a question we were keen to include because we were working on launching our own podcast, Getting to Grips, at the time of the survey.
Do you follow professional mountain bike racing (World Cups/World Series)?
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Yes | 74.03% |
| No | 25.97% |
In addition to being keen participants, the South African mountain biking market also has a strong pro-racing fan element.
If you follow professional mountain bike racing/competition (World Cups/World Series), which do you follow – (you can select more than one)?
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| XCO & XCC | 83.26% |
| Downhill | 44.10% |
| Enduro | 23.06% |
| Slopestyle | 4.17% |
| Other | 5.48% |
Another interesting statistic…
Look out for Parts 2, 3 and 4 reveals of our 2024 SA Mountain Biking Survey, presented by Garmin over the next few weeks.
