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Bikes of the Cape Epic: Yolandi Swanepoel’s Merida Ninety-Six RC

November 1, 2021
By Myles Kelsey

Yolandi and Ben Melt Swanepoel finished fourth in the Mixed Category and were the first South African team across the line. This power couple of SA endurance racing has decades of experience between them and are very particular about their setup. This is Yolandi’s race whip, the all-new Merida Ninety-Six.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Yolandi is 1,76m tall and rides a size medium frame.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — The Merida Team carbon bars are trimmed down to 680mm.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — As with most endurance race bikes the cockpit is busy – dropper post lever, lockout levers and so on.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — There is also insulation tape wrapped around the bars to reduce scuffing from cable ties and the number board over the course of the race.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — ESI Chunky grips.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Yolandi is quite particular about her position on the bike and has 20mm of spacers under the 70mm stem.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — It’s a 100mm bike (front and rear) with dual suspension lockouts.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Fox 32 fork with 68psi which Yolandi generally sets up by feel as opposed to a specific sag number.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Fox Float DPS Factory shock set at 135psi.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Shimano XTR brakes with the levers set inwards from the grips and tilted down to prevent wrist pain which can be a thing on long days in the saddle.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — 160mm rear rotor.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — 175mm Race Face Next SL cranks, 34T chainring and Shimano XTR pedals. With hindsight, Yolandi says she needed a smaller chainring for the last 3 days and for the beast known as Fanties Pass.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Shimano XTR 12-speed cassette.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — DT Swiss XRC 1501 carbon wheelset with a 30mm inner width.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Yolandi opted for fast-rolling tread patterns…

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — … in the form of a Maxxis Rekon Race in a narrow 2.25″ width. Interestingly she runs really low pressures: 12psi front and 13psi rear. She uses Squirt Seal sealant and no inserts. Normally she would run wider tires for the rocky terrain but didn’t want to make any tire changes during the Epic and the narrower tires allowed her to run them as is, in dry and wet.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — She uses the Sahmurai Sword tubeless plug system.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Yolandi is now a massive fan of dropper posts and says she will never ride without one again. This is the Fox Transfer SL, with zero setback and 100mm travel.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — She also carries a multi-tool – under the water bottle cage.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Yolandi uses the now discontinued 155mm Specialized Ruby Pro saddle. Fortunately, she has stocked up on them (with 2 in the cupboard at home) but since this has been her go-to saddle for years, has no idea what to replace them with.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — Yolandi in action during Stage 4 from Saronsberg in Tulbagh to CPUT in Wellington.

Merida Ninety-Six as ridden by Yolandi Swanepoel at the 2021 Cape Epic — All the best for the rest of the season Yolandi!

| IMAGES: Gary Perkin |

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