SOLAR-POWERED SMARTS
Garmin Edge 540 Solar | RRP R9 899 + Rally XC 200 pedals | RRP R21 999 | garmin. co. za Riding bikes takes two hands on and steady focus over your handlebars. As such, a decent-sized computer with bright-coloured graphics is key to following your route, knowing what lies ahead, eyeing your HR, time, power stats and so on. It also needs to be robust, too, cos us mountain bikers all fall over, often hard. We have had some time trying out the Garmin Edge 540 Solar which is a compact, performance-driven GPS cycling computer which packs in serious smarts. With Power Glass™ solar charging extending battery life to up to 60 hours, this sleek unit with multi-band GNSS ensures accurate tracking even in the bushveld, while adaptive coaching and stamina tracking help you train smarter.
We connected ours to the Garmin Rally XC 200 power pedals and the info available literally makes it feel like you’ re riding with a coach on your shoulder. Do you have time for junk miles or starting a race not knowing if you’ re race ready, and if and how the
course suits you? Thought so! With this neat, intuitive-to-use unit you get realtime ClimbPro info, power guidance, and a streamlined interface that lasts much longer than our previous edition computers – great for stage races when power stations are packed solid and beer calls.
Unlike roadies and triathletes, it seems far less mountain bikers have moved to using power metrics. Heart rate is extremely useful for performance and health stats but knowing what power you’ re putting out and when is ultimately what dictates how fast you ride. There are many versions of power meters, usually based in your cranks, but the one part of your bike you can most easily switch from bike to bike and access for battery changes or shop checks is your pedals. After all this is where your power ends up …
The Rally XC200 dual-sensing power pedals are purpose-built for off-road performance. These slightly heavier than standard SPDs measure total power, cadence, left / right balance and advanced cycling dynamics – including power phase and pedaling position. Compatible with Shimano SPD cleats, they install just like regular pedals, offer instant secure cleat in and out, and can be quickly swapped between bikes. With the sensors housed inside, they offer clean lines and durability, plus up to 120 hours of battery life. Paired with Garmin Edge or the Connect app to sync data and you have every metric at your fingertips. No more excuses or worries that you wasted Watts out there.
RIDE IT COWBOY Bontrager Montrose RSL XT TLR tyre | R1 300 | trekbikes. com Montrose is Bontrager’ s uber-grippy, do-it-all trail tyre. With more aggressive tread than its Sainte-Anne and a more durable XT construction, it’ s the perfect blend of grip, durability and speed for fast trail riding. It’ s made for hard-packed dirt – like that found in Montrose, Colorado, home to super-fast singletrack that demands solid cornering traction and braking performance. RSL XT Construction provides a supple 120 TPI casing that’ s paired with bead-to-bead and apex puncture protection. A trail triple-compound delivers the ultimate combination of grip and speed with a firm and supportive base compound to maintain rolling speed, a softer centre tread for braking and climbing traction, and even softer side knobs for ultimate bite in corners. It’ s a wise choice for winter. gotta have it | MTB | 23