CUSTOM CONVERSION
Chainrings , from R800 | Gladiator cages , R1 850 for standard , R2 100 for custom | Derailleur pulley wheels , R850 | aliracing . co . za Like many of us , you probably have an old 2x10 hardtail hanging in your garage that you were about to flog for an upgrade , but you can ’ t decide if you should rather save up for a gravel grinder . We found a solid solution by converting to 1x and pimping up an older model to be a stable gravel weapon – perfect until you decide whether curly bars are justified for where and how you ride . The team at Ali Racing Worx manufacture affordable chainrings and strong , light derailleur cages that proved just the trick for falling in love with the old dust gatherer .
The chain rings are machined from a solid block of 7075 T6 aluminium , deburred and anodized , making them strong and robust . The standard colour is black , but they ’ re also available in purple , blue , red and gold to match your frame . A narrow / wide tooth profile design allows for better mud release and a smoother ride in wet , muddy conditions . These direct mount chainrings also come in three unique inner pattern designs to suit your personal taste .
Also made from a solid block of 6082 aluminium and precision machined , the Gladiator cage offers you a great performance upgrade at an even better price . The cerekoted finish comes in
almost any colour option and you get to choose your design – plus add your name like we did if you like .
Fit them with pulley wheels – available for SRAM or Shimano 11- or 12-speed in five sharp colours – and you ’ ll get crisp , responsive and durable shifting . The 688 2RS bearings with titanium dust / dirt caps are replaceable .
We tested the combo on the sodden clay roads near Swellendam at Around the Pot – you can read our report on page 96 .
SHRED THREADS
Ciovita Adventure trail top , R1 299 | baggies , R1 399 | ciovita . co . za Yes , we too once found baggies a hindrance , often getting caught on saddles or flapping in the wind . Same went for logger-style trail tops . They were too warm for SA and impractical , a fashion statement about being super chilled when you were probably roasting hot . Thankfully over time the long overdue demand for less body hugging coffee shop lycra cringe has led to a locally manufactured , world class range of funky , functional bike wear you can hang out in off the bike . Ciovita is the Saffa bike
industry story of the decade , having grown from two employees when we met in 2015 to well over 200 in 2022 , with expansions into Europe and Australia . It ’ s easy to see why – its kit is world class .
The Ciovita Adventure Series brings its high-tech approach to gravel and MTB . The shirt features a relaxed fit , with secure button closures at the front , while a pleated back yoke allows for increased range of movement . Basic storage in the form of side pockets as well as an invisible zipper pocket are suitable for a gel , bomb and car key . The Dry Check fabric is a bit warmer than a short-sleeved trail tee , so not ideal for hot days , unless you wanna open up the buttons and flex your abs , but it is water repellent with a Polygiene mesh layer for airflow and reduced odours .
The new All Range trail baggies are slim fit so no more flappy sails , but do include a gusset inset for range of movement , plus an adjustable elasticated waistband for custom fit . The baggies are made of Italian fourway stretch nylon – they feel super comfortable yet durable enough for technical terrain . They also feature a moisture wicking inner and waistband . A zipper pocket adds room for a few more tools or bucks , and reflective trims for better visibility .
22 | MTB | gotta have it