Current UCI world champion Jaroslav Kulhavy (Specialized) tackled the challenging Pietermaritzburg course on a full-suspension Specialized S-Works Epic 29erJames Huang/BikeRadar
Julian Absalon (Orbea) went old-school with his 26in-wheeled Orbea Alma in PietermaritzburgJames Huang/BikeRadar
Julian Absalon (Orbea) finished fourth using SRAM’s new XX Grip ShiftJames Huang/BikeRadar
Like many cross-country racers in Pietermaritzburg, Julian Absalon (Orbea) ran a 1×10 drivetrain – with just the big ring in this caseJames Huang/BikeRadar
Julian Absalon’s (Orbea) Orbea Alma was equipped with a RockShox SID World Cup BlackBox fork in Pietermaritzburg. Check out the spare master link taped to the hydraulic lockout hoseJames Huang/BikeRadar
Julian Absalon (Orbea) sneaked in a set of tubular Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels wrapped in Dugast tires – conspicuously covered in giant Hutchinson logos, of courseJames Huang/BikeRadar
Not only have 29in wheels taken hold in the World Cup but so have single-ring drivetrains, as seen here on Lukas Flückiger’s (Trek World Racing) Trek SuperflyJames Huang/BikeRadar
720mm-wide, flat carbon bars with contrasting-color ESI Racer’s Edge grips on Lukas Flückiger’s Trek SuperflyJames Huang/BikeRadar
Lukas Flückiger’s (Trek World Racing) single-ring setup for Pietermaritzburg, featuring a Shimano XTR crank and chainring secured with a cSixx carbon fiber chain guideJames Huang/BikeRadar
The Fox 32 Float 29 80 FIT Terralogic fork on Lukas Flückiger’s (Trek World Racing) Trek SuperflyJames Huang/BikeRadar
cSixx are a relatively new company based in South Africa who specialize in carbon fiber chain guidesJames Huang/BikeRadar
World Cup bikes need to be light but racers value function too, as evidenced by Lukas Flückiger’s (Trek World Racing) Trek SuperflyJames Huang/BikeRadar
Trek World Racing were yet another team in Pietermaritzburg using ultralight carbon fiber tubular wheels and tires made by DugastJames Huang/BikeRadar
Lukas Flückiger’s (Trek World Racing) race wheels are built with Bontrager’s latest prototype hubs laced to Trek-built carbon fiber tubular rimsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Trek World Racing used custom tubular tires built by Dugast with Bontrager treadsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Shimano’s XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur keeps things running quietly on Lukas Fluckiger’s (Trek World Racing) Trek SuperflyJames Huang/BikeRadar
A 140mm rear rotor, titanium hardware and a through-axle on Lukas Flückiger’s (Trek World Racing) Trek SuperflyJames Huang/BikeRadar
Much of the Cannondale Factory Racing team went with tubular wheels and tires but Jeremiah Bishop instead stuck to his familiar tubeless clincher tires – wrapped around new 29in versions of Mavic’s Crossmax SLR wheelsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Spencer Paxson’s (Kona) new Kona King Kahuna carbon 29er hardtail weighed 10.18kg (22.44lb) in PietermaritzburgJames Huang/BikeRadar
Kona privateer Spencer Paxson’s setup is impressively versatile. Here, he’s using Easton’s tougher Haven Carbon bars instead of lighter-weight, less durable or narrower optionsJames Huang/BikeRadar
SRAM XX controls and custom etched lock-on grip collars on Spencer Paxson’s Kona King KahunaJames Huang/BikeRadar
A SRAM Quarq power meter on Spencer Paxson’s Kona King Kahuna. Shimano XTR pedals are fitted here but according to Paxson, only because his sponsor-provided CrankBrothers pedals didn’t arrive in time for the raceJames Huang/BikeRadar
Carbon dropouts and post mount caliper tabs on Spencer Paxson’s Kona King KahunaJames Huang/BikeRadar