Almost one year ago I placed an order for a carbon mountain bike wheel set from Light Bicycle. I used their online wheel builder and chose the XC923 asymmetric rims, 28 DT spokes per wheel, and the always reliable DT240 hubs. It was less than two weeks until the wheels were built and delivered to […]
Buying the right bike for marathon and stage racing
What bike should I buy for marathon racing? Or, what bike should I buy for… *enter a massive stage race here*? These are not uncommon questions for bike shop staff, and one that we get sent via email or social media quite frequently. The range of bikes continues to expand, as does the type and […]
Light Bicycle XC923 carbon wheel set – first look
Carbon wheels have been making inroads in mountain biking for well over 5 years. Although the first options were limited, and eye-wateringly expensive, the options for mountain bikers have grown – there is now so much choice on the market. From major manufacturers like Enve, who keep on expanding their range as the market changes […]
Curve 29er Race 30×30 MTB wheels – just landed
There are no shortage of carbon mountain bike wheels on the market at the moment. But understanding what is a good wheel and what isn’t might not be as easy. We’ve just had a set of Curve Cycling’s 29er Race 30×30 XC Race wheels land at the MarathonMTB.com service course, and we’re about to get them […]
ENVE launch new mountain handlebars
ENVE composites have launched a new range of carbon fibre handlebars, from wide and flat handlebars to a high rise downhill specific handlebar. All items use unidirectional carbon fibre construction, have 31.8mm clamps and are pre-marked for cutting. Which is good, as out of the box the flat and low rise bar are 760mm! The […]
Reviewed: ZTR Valor 29″ Carbon MTB Wheels
The ZTR Valor wheels have been long-awaited from the brand that brought us lightweight tubeless rims, and the ZTR Crest, Arch and Race Gold wheel set are be found on many marathon and stage racing bikes. But light alloy rims aren’t without their downsides. Flex can be a problem, if not for lighter riders, for more […]
Reviewed: Kappius Components KR29 Wheelset
Our final review of the Kappius Components wheels is now online here. Carbon wheels have almost become par for the course, with carbon wheelsets available online for less than you might pay for a mid-range alloy wheelset. Yet, at the other end of the spectrum, brands like ENVE and FRM push the boundaries of what […]
The bike of a Sella Ronda Hero
The bikes of Marathon racers the world over have common themes: Carbon fibre, 29er wheels, and a hardtail. While there are many exceptions to this rule, these does typify the majority of bikes in a Marathon MTB race. For stage races, especially something like the Cape Epic, you tend to have a few other common […]