Cycling from Cairo to Cape Town requires a wide range of bike touring equipment. From a durable titanium frame to reliable carbon bike wheels, you have to carefully consider what works best for long distances. In October 2022, Tegan Phillips embarks on her long-distance cycle from Cairo to Cape Town, attempting to set the women’s world record. And of course, she’ll need some cutting-edge bike equipment to set her up for success!

Here’s a comprehensive list of the cycling equipment Tegan has chosen for her Cairo to Cape Town record attempt. She also shares her personal thoughts on each of the products.

Bike Frame: Sling Cycles Titanium Sling Tagati

The durable and lightweight Tagati bike frame is ideal for long-distance tours. The word ‘Tagati’ is derived from the isiZulu word “umthakathi”, meaning ‘mixer of medicines’. It highlights the magic behind a bike frame with a mix of riding capabilities.

“This trip demands a bike that is indestructible, comfortable and fast, and my Titanium Tagati is all of those things. It’s got clearance for 32mm tires and I’d be comfortable taking it onto gravel if needed. The Sling Company, based in Johannesburg, are originally aircraft makers, so they know how to weld things to be safe and strong. The frame has minimal proprietary elements which is helpful as adventure bike parts are relatively easy to replace.”

Bike Cockpit: Carbon-Coated Alloy Drop-Bars and Clip-On Aero Bars

To achieve ultimate performance when endurance cycling, you’ll need a cockpit with unmatched aerodynamic features. That’s where a combo of carbon-coated alloy drop bars and clip-on aero bars come into play.

“I modelled this bike cockpit off the standard ultra-cycling setup. It has clip-on tri-bars with 30mm spacers for extra height (i.e. extra comfort). I have two bike computers clipped directly onto the tri-bars, and I have a rechargeable Red-E light with a bolted fitting attached to the handlebars below.”

Bike Wheels: Zipp Carbon 303s

The Zipp 303 is an adaptable bike wheelset for all types of roads. In particular, the wheels are tough enough to handle bumpy gravel and cobblestones.

“South Africa’s gravel machine, Kevin Benkenstein, recommended the Carbon Zipp 303s. After reading the reviews online, I am confident they’re the best choice, being the ideal combination of light and strong. I have two sets of wheels for the cycling trip, one with 28mm tires, and one with 32mm. For tires, I’ve bought a selection of different brands, all tubeless.”

Groupset Bike Gearing: SRAM Force eTAP AXS Groupset

Pushing the limits is a little bit easier with modern gearing and advanced chain management. Fortunately, an electronic system makes it possible to seamlessly shift gears without much strain on the wrists.

“The biggest thing I wanted for this trip from a new bike perspective was electronic gearing. With riding long hours in hot and sandy conditions on rough roads, I’d found myself having to frequently replace cables and adjust gear alignment. Grant Clark, who cycled the same route, told me that he found the easier shifting saved his wrists a lot of strain. The only challenge with going electronic is that the gear batteries need to be charged every few days, and if I was to lose the charger and the spare charger — I’d have a big problem.”

Bicycle Saddle: Brooks England B17 / Selle SMP Pro

When it comes to choosing a saddle, comfort is key. It needs to be the right size for your body and effectively support your weight and ‘sit bones’.

“These are two of the best-known saddles for ultra-cycling. I spent a year on my Brooks riding through Africa in 2015, without a single saddle sore. However, ultra-riders like Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham ride the slightly less comfortable SMP Pro because it is designed for spending hours in the TT position, with a lot of weight towards the front of the saddle. I have both saddles with me, and I might swap between them until I’ve chosen a clear favourite.”

Bike Pedals: Time Sport Road Pedals

Time pedals allow for stability and optimal aerodynamics. In particular, the road pedals are light yet sturdy, allowing for the cycling cleats to easily engage.

“A few months ago, somebody recommended Time pedals as they’re super light. I remembered to bring a spare set of pedals after Mark Beaumont stripped a pedal on his self-supported Africa tour. I’ve also brought a set of flat pedals, inspired by Lachlan Morton who solved his knee problems on the Alt Tour by switching to flat pedals and sandals for a few days.”

Cycling Bags: Restrap Race Top Tube Bag

The Restrap Race Top Tube Bag is designed to be functional while remaining firmly attached to the bike frame. There’s a rigid internal structure to keep the bag upright.

“On my long training rides in the US, I realised that a top tube bag is a game changer for carrying snacks, power banks, a small bike lock and spare lights. The Race bag which I have for this trip has a double zip for easy opening and closing, as well as hard sides that make it aerodynamic and stable.”

Extra Cycle Touring / Bikepacking Equipment

The typical cycle tour / bikepacking adventure requires some extra equipment and accessories that haven’t been mentioned yet. Tegan’s cycle from Cairo to Cape Town is backed by a support crew that will carry food, water, equipment and more, hence we have listed her on-person bike equipment. But if you’re planning your own cycle tour, you’ll have to consider items like a bikepacking tent and sleeping bag, especially if you can’t stay at B&Bs or hotels.

Bicycle Tour / Bikepacking Checklist

Biking gear and accessories
Water bottles
Camping shelters / tents
Sleeping bag
Cycling kits
Lightweight “off-the-bike” clothes
Electronics
Cooking gear for breakfast, lunch or dinner
Toiletries
Tools and spares
First-aid and medicines

Whether you’re bikepacking in South Africa or interested in self-supported international touring, your equipment can make or break the trip. Hopefully, Tegan’s cycling equipment list gave you some valuable insight into the sort of brands / products cycle tourers might want to consider for their own bike trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bike touring can be considered a mix between long-distance bike riding and backpacking. A standard bike tour involves adventure cycling for several days, weeks or months on both tarred and dirt roads. Off-road routes are rarely used, but can form part of the journey.
Every cyclist has their own needs for multi-day bikepacking, but a good starting point includes the following equipment:
- Road bike / mountain bike / any bike you enjoy riding
- Backpack / cycling bag with a strap
- Sleeping bag / kit
- Basic toiletries
- Cooking equipment
- Cycling kits / day-to-day clothes
The standard equipment you need for cycling includes:
- Helmet
- Bike bag
- Pump
- Patch kit
- Tire pressure gauge
- Spare bike parts
You can find this equipment at most bike shops.
Touring bikes are good for commuting — they’re sturdy and reliable. They can also handle gravel roads and potholes that you may encounter in areas of your neighbourhood or city that aren’t well maintained.