Ah, the South African summer! Long, hot days and coastal, bush or mountain holidays. There are mountain bike trails just about everywhere you go in the country these days. What a time to be a mountain biker!
Most of us will be relieved to ride into a more positive 2017. Some of us will be keen to ride into the new year with some cool new upgrades.
What are the hottest upgrades this summer? The TREAD team discussed this question with some intent and we reckon these are our five hottest picks right now.
We have teamed with ADDaBIT, South Africa’s Simple Social Saving Platform to make sure you can get your hands on one of these five hot upgrades. Click on any of the product images and we will create your very own ADDaBIT fund for the item you clicked on – and you can start sharing immediately. Once your fund is full, we will contact you to make arrangements for delivery.
SOUTH INDUSTRIES CUSTOM-BUILD WHEELSET
A high quality custom-build wheelset transforms any bike by saving weight, improving handling and enhancing your own sense of bike style. South Industries is a South African brand that specialises in creating ‘Handgemaak’ (Handmade) carbon fibre rims, which are light, strong and classy. They’ll mate their 29XC carbon rims to a high quality pair of Tune King/Kong hubs with Sapim CX-Ray spokes with aluminium nipples. The total weight is svelte 1420g.
PRICE: R28 140
SRAM XX1 EAGLE 1×12 DRIVETRAIN
SRAM’s new 12-speed XX1 Eagle drivetrain simplifies your bike without robbing you of that those all-important gears for steep climbs. This cross-country-optimised drivetrain combines SRAM’s 1x drivetrain technological advancements with lightweight materials. With a greater gear range of 500-percent, XX1 Eagle gives you smoother, more precise shifts with greater durability for long lasting performance.
PRICE: R23 500
FOX TRANSFER DROPPER SEATPOST
A remote dropper seatpost allows you to tackle more challenging terrain with confidence. The Fox Transfer isn’t the lightest (although it’s not heavy), but we reckon it’s the most efficient and reliable dropper seatpost on the market. Fox spent years working on developing a dropper post that’s durable and believes the Transfer will last longer than any of its rivals.
PRICE: R4 500
BONTRAGER XXX SHOES
Everyone likes new shoes and Bontrager has just raised the bar with its new XXX model, which comes in men and women versions. The XXX MTB is an exceedingly light and stiff, zero-compromises trail shoe. Boa dial closures provide a superior fit while GnarGuard, Tachyon rubber, and a super-stiff carbon outsole bolster the XXX MTB’s performance.
PRICE: R5 899
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ADIDAS ZONYK PRO EYEWEAR
The Zonynk Pro has the ideal blend of good looks with cycling-specific functions, including two different sizes and in-vogue colours, which have propelled it to the top of many want-lists. The Zonyk Pro offers industry-leading lens technology that allows the lens to change tint according to the light, ensuring you’re better able to pick out trail obstacles in forests, giving you greater control.
PRICE: R2 900
Why ADDaBIT works:
- It’s a secure online platform to help you save for something you truly want. Add a bit of funds each week (or when ever you can) and create yourself a savings target with a reward that you choose!
- It’s like a wish list that those close to you can contribute to make your wish come true!
- It allows anyone, no matter where they are in the world, to help you get that special something you really want. So your family abroad can give you something more than just a Facebook wish on your birthday!
ADDaBIT is backed by Sanlam, one of South Africa’s largest registered financial services providers. Sanlam has been at the forefront of smart saving for 97 years!
