Pyga: South African Frame Craft from Marathon Riding to Enduro

Pyga is a South African mountain-bike brand whose identity connects local frame production with distinct approaches to off-road riding. Its range stretches from the carbon MoBu’s cross-country and marathon brief to aluminium bikes built for trail and enduro terrain. For riders exploring Pyga bicycles, the useful starting point is the terrain each model targets, rather than frame material alone.

A mountain-bike company with a maker’s background

According to Pyga’s company history, Patrick Morewood founded the business in 2012 after years spent riding, racing, designing and manufacturing bicycles. The company describes itself as a boutique operation, with bespoke builds and South African heritage central to its direction. That background gives the brand a specific focus: mountain bikes developed around the riding its team enjoys.

The manufacturing story also extends beyond welded aluminium. Pyga’s MoBu product page explains its collaboration with South African carbon specialist Blackstone Tek. The project was intended to develop the earlier Stage concept while establishing local carbon-frame production. This is a useful distinction when comparing Pyga with other specialist brands: its local manufacturing ambition includes both alloy and composite construction.

Choose the riding brief before the badge

MoBu, Hyrax and Slakline serve different priorities

The current MoBu 2 is listed as a carbon 29er for XC and marathon riding, with 118 mm of rear travel and a 120 mm fork. Its shorter-travel layout gives distance-focused riders a clear reference point within the range. Pyga also lists clearance for 2.4-inch tyres and compatibility with direct-mount derailleurs.

The Hyrax V3 takes a broader trail-to-enduro approach. Its aluminium frame has 150 mm of rear travel, paired with a listed 150 mm fork. Pyga positions it for both flowing trails and enduro terrain, making it the model to examine when everyday trail riding and more demanding descents share the same calendar. Its name comes from the southern African animal also known as the dassie.

The Slakline HP4 moves further toward enduro, with 170 mm of rear travel and a mid-high-pivot suspension layout incorporating an idler pulley. It accommodates air or coil shocks. Compared with the Hyrax, the additional travel and different suspension architecture provide concrete reasons to investigate it for a more descent-focused riding brief.

The build matters as much as the model

Pyga invites buyers to discuss build options, upgrades and custom colours with its team or a dealer. Use that conversation to confirm fit, the exact frame generation and component choices. The practical appeal is a focused mountain-bike range with room to shape the build around your trails.