Bike choices for Stage Races have been ever expanding. Some may choose a 26″ wheeled hardtail, others a 26″ wheeled short travel dual-suspension design. But 29″ wheeled bikes are also very popular, in both the hardtail and dual suspension versions.
At the competitive end, the Absa Cape Epic is divided by 29″ hardtails and 26″ dual-suspension designs. Obviously sponsorhsip has an impact on this, but I spoke to Rockstar Racing’s Shaun Lewis about his bike choice. Being able to choose between a 29″ hardtail, 26″ hardtail and 26″ dual suspension from his stable of Giant bikes, his choice was easy.
Mike Hogan and Thomas Dooley (Justin’s Nut Butter/Singletrack.com) are racing on Specialized Epic S-works, of the 26″ wheeled variety.