Here's a bike we put together for Mr K's Trans Continental Race attempt this summer. He's a big mile eater and completes massive Audax rides at the weekends, riding overnight and in all weathers.
As he reached sixty year's young this year he thought it would be a challenge to ride across Europe virtually non-stop!
He chose the Tupelo based on reviews and for quite a personal reason; he'd ridden mountain bikes with Jules back in the early nineties around Epping Forest with said named club.
Mr K was ill for some time and off the bike for many years, but he's back now and making up for the lost time on the bike.
Mr K visited us a few time to look at the bikes in our showroom and to discuss his ideal spec for the TCR; he then had a Cyclefit with Jules that found his best place to ride and included installing the aero extensions. His crank length was reduced, feet stabilised and also the saddle was changed to an SMP as numbness and saddle sores could be an issue after 400km!
Here is the bike we put together for Mr K and also some photos from during the ride. Unfortunately, Mr K contracted cellulitis after 850km and had to withdraw. Pushing yourself in your sixties (or at any age) can reduce your immune system. Another customer had to pull out in 2023 with the same issue, but, you can't keep a good man down and Ray successfully completed the 2024 edition.
Frame size is XL, saddle height 771mm.
Profile Design Aero extensions, these are great for long distance rides as they offer a different position to ease the shoulders and neck and great for long flat sections as reduce drag. They can be raised high above the handlebars with the spcaers too; we like to start around 30-40mm above the saddle as a staring pint in the Cyclefit.
Redshift Shockstop suspension stem is fitted to absorb the vibration.
Remote Di2 gear shifters are installed in to the end of the aero extensions. And a bell!
The SMP Avant saddle supported Mr K's sit bones without any bruising which had been a problem and the cut-out relieved pressure on his Perinium. The Cane Creek eeSilk suspension seatpost complemented the Redshift stem and added to the overall comfort on the bike.
Gearing selection is crucial on these long rides, it needs to be as easy as possible but with the differences between the gears not too much so cadence can be maintained when resistance goes up or down.
This bike has an 11 - 42 cassette that was supplied by the owner and a Spa Cycles extender link as the maximum sized cog for the Ultegra Di2 cassette is 34T. The chainset is the cheaper and slightly heavier Shimano GRX 610 which offers a generous 30/46 T chainring option. (Please note: Shimano warranty is void for such a set-up!)
Here is the bike equipped with Tailfin rack and luggage, 3 x bottle cages and Mr K's Zolla wheels. Set up tubelss with 32mm Continental GP 5000 tyres. Time Atac pedals.
The Tupelo, somewhere in Europe and full loaded, lights or on now as well.
