Launched in 2019, Signal Bicycles has not only written its own chapters as a brand, but it has become integrated into the South African mountain biking culture, which is both unique and dynamic. Get ready for another chapter as the 2026 range drops.
Brand credibility is earned, not given. Actions are more convincing than marketing spin. That’s why the Signal Bicycles team ensured the brand’s 29ers are South African race-proven.
South Africa’s toughest one-day mountain bike marathon, Attakwas Extreme, takes both rider and bike to the limit along its 120km route through some of the country’s most hostile terrain. Signal’s Elite alloy hardtail conquered it and next up, the Absa Cape Epic – eight days of rugged mountain biking in the world’s most prestigious mountain bike stage race. Signal’s Elite alloy hardtail conquered that too…
Both events are dominated by full-suspension bikes, so when a hardtail crosses the finish line, everyone notices. If a Signal hardtail is durable enough to finish the country’s two toughest mountain bike races, it’s a bike that can be trusted for anything else, including schoolboys who race, jump, rail and skid through school holidays, weekends and schools series races.
With over 10 000 participants, the Spur High Schools Series was at its peak in 2019. Signal hardtails not only added value to teenage racers in the series, but added a fresh energy to the series as an official partner. An investment in the future of South African mountain biking. Fast forward six years and Signal bikes are ubiquitous at schools lap races and youth XCO races around South Africa. That investment has paid off…
In a market flooded with imported brands and inflated price tags, Signal has carved its niche by focusing on value for money without compromise. Every model is designed to deliver proper performance, reliability and confidence, whether you’re a first-time rider, a high school racer or a weekend warrior who yearns for adventure.
If the new Signal Bicycles range, which starts dropping in November 2025, were to be defined in one word, it would be ‘REFINED’. The addition of Boost width to frames, upgraded finishes to smooth welds, the inclusion of Tubeless Ready rims and tyres, SR Suntour suspension forks on most models and the new Shimano CUES and ESSA drivetrains, which deliver increased durability and a wider gearing range.
Signal offers a full range of mountain bikes designed for all ages, starting with the 16-inch-wheeled Stormer and Starlet right through the wheel sizes to the S950 29-inch bike. You will find an ideal first bike for kids as well as a brand focussed on keeping kids riding with confidence as they grow.
“The 2026 Signal range builds on the foundation of the previous ranges. We’ve maintained our commitment to value and durability. Some of the models have small refinements that deliver a more high-end look and feel, while other models have more significant component upgrades that improve riding efficiency and confidence,” said Phillip Erasmus, Produce Director at Rush Sports, the company that created the Signal Bicycles brand.
“On the kids bikes the main new features are the SR Suntour suspension forks and the Shimano CUES systems, which are mid-tier, all-in-one groupsets designed to unify and replace previous entry-level groupsets like Alivio, Acera, and Altus, which did not offer wide range cassette options,” explained Erasmus.
“Shimano ESSA systems are a lower level than CUES, but also offer wider range gearing options – something you won’t find on most other brand’s juvenile models. Shimano says that their CUES and ESSA drivetrains can last up to three times longer than their previous drivetrains,” added Erasmus.
“When we set out with Signal Bikes the schools league was very important for us, and we wanted to develop product for kids bikes that can match adult bikes when it comes to 1x drivetrain systems and gear ratios. We’re encouraged to see the resurgence of schools racing and, as with Spur Schools League, we are committed to delivering suitable bicycles for these young riders,” said Erasmus.
At its core, Signal Bicycles isn’t trying to be fancy. It’s trying to be fair. With the 2026 range featuring more reliable components, cleaner designs, trusted age-appropriate brake systems and local market understanding – all backed by a solid dealer network, Signal Bicycles is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to ride with pride.
Check out the full range of Signal Bicycles here. https://signalbikes.com
