MERCER HUNGRY MONKEY

A HARDTAIL REQUIRES LESS MAINTENANCE THAN A DUAL-SUSPENSION BIKE–AND THEY’RE JUST PLAIN FUN TO RIDE. SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT WITH THESE AWESOME MODERN HARD TAILS THAT CAN HANDLE ANYTHING.

A FEW YEARS AGO, I WANTED TO BUILD WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE COOLEST MOUNTAIN BIKE EVER – a hardtail with 26-inch wheels, wide tyres, and a long-travel shock. But even as a bike shop owner, I couldn’t find anything to do with 26; no decent wheels, or tyres, or anything.

Then I saw that local Cape Town frame-builder David Mercer was building a similar kind of hardtail, but with 27.5-inch wheels. I ordered a frame, cobbled together the other parts, and we built it. Suddenly, from no bike, I had a bike that could do everything: it was light enough for cross-country, and it had the right angles and geometry to ride aggressive trails. I’ve done an enduro series on it, I’ve ridden Wine2Whales… I love it because it’s so durable and versatile. I didn’t spend a fortune on a beautiful paintjob

(I painted the frame myself), because I don’t want it to be something precious that I’m scared of damaging. It’s an implement of mountain destruction. I look after it, but I also smash it through sand and rocks. For me, that’s what having fun on a mountain bike is all about. It’s a simple bike that gives me immense pleasure. I’ve had it in and out of Dave’s workshop over the years to be repaired, and I love it even more each time it comes back.