EQUIPMENT

A light, compliant, un-suspended frame is capable of carrying you through 750km without excessive punishment. Gravel suspension will insulate you more effectively from the road buzz, so consider this option as well. Some riders converted full-suspension mountain bikes to drop-bar setups and concluded that the weight and efficiency trade-off wasn’t favourable. 

A tubeless setup with a liberal addition of sealant and rim liner inserts will best mitigate the risks associated with tackling 750km of varied gravel surfaces at high speeds. Riders’ tyre widths ranged from 38C to 2.1″ and beyond. We all agreed: the wider the better. Fit the widest tyre your frame can accommodate – our new bare minimum is 45C. (If your frame cannot accommodate 45C tyres, replace your frame…)

There’s no sense in resisting the trend of going narrow for an aero position while riding on the hoods, with a flare for more control on descents. Consider double-wrapping or installing gel inserts. 

For the safety of all participants, the use of clip-on or out-front aero bars is prohibited. This decision reflects the nature of the race, which may involve tight, fast-paced group riding and often unpredictable road surfaces over the 750km course. The reduced braking capability and compromised control associated with aero bars make their use incompatible with the safety standards and fairness we aim to uphold.

Many 2025 riders opted for a road setup and were compromised on a few key sections. The route passes through remote areas over highly varied surfaces, with river crossings and other obstacles. Play it safe and opt for MTB shoes and pedals. If you’re concerned about pedalling efficiency, choose a gravel-specific shoe with a stiff sole.

The main point in question is 2x or 1x. Either works – 1x for simplicity and 2x for closer ratios to find the perfect gear, especially on the fast flats. Either way, ensure you have a long gear for the fast sections and a bail-out gear for the steep climbs (after several days in the legs).

Leaving the shelter of a fast-moving pack to retrieve a bottle that has bounced out of its cage is not ideal. While we’ll do all we can to keep the surfaces smooth, but corrugations happen. Test various cages, apply gripper tape, use elastic bands… Test test test.

Conditions are typically dry and dusty but we’ve seen rain too. Pack options and apply regularly.

As far as variable conditions go, the Karoo showed it all during Edition #1. In the time-honoured tradition of ‘covering all the bases,’ we recommend a little bit of everything. We hope for clear skies, but we pack for extreme conditions. Nedbank Gravel Burn will have limited laundry packages available as well as handwashing powder, washing lines, and pegs, so 7 full sets of kit are unnecessary. Bibshorts, cycling jerseys, gilets, a long-sleeve riding jacket, undershirts, shoes, socks, gloves and eyewear should be among the first items you pack.

As you know by now, after diligently reading through all the information on our site, service stations are positioned at regular intervals along the route. However, the Great Karoo warms up considerably during the day and you’ll need to stay hydrated. Riding with two bottles is essential, ideally refilling both at each service station. You might also consider a hydration pack. They’re so good these days that you’ll hardly notice it. Plus you’ll even see the road pros wearing them!

We recommend carrying at least 2 CO2 canisters, your best tyre plug system (including several spare plugs / strips) and also a fully charged electric pocket air compressor.