Team Topeak Ergon’s top team featured Alban Lakata, who has completed the Cape Epic an impressive 7 times (finishing as an individual rider on one occasion), and last year’s winner Kristian Hynek. This year the pair rode Canyon’s Lux CF marathon race bike.
To my eyes, Lakata’s bike is looks pretty good. The first detail I noticed was the aggressive forward saddle setup.
The bike is kitted out with the SRAM’S XX1 drive train and a SRM PowerMeter. Alban went with the slightly easier 34t chainring this year. Interestingly Lakata has chosen the Crank Brothers Candy 11 pedals over the weight weenie Eggbeater.
Canyon’s Flex Pivot is used to connect the stays and provides enough movement for the rear suspension to function. This system does away with the need for a bearing or bushing.
A RockShox Monarch XX and RS-1 do suspension duty on the Canyon. Both with remote lockout using RockShox’s single XLoc Full-Sprint remote.
In the cockpit you’ll find SRAM XX brake levers, a GoPro, mounting for a SRM Power Control 7, the XX1 shifter with the XLoc Full-Sprint remote tucked neatly beside the left brake lever, Ergon GS-1 grips and a XX1 grip shift. To make space for the grip shift, the right Ergon grip has been cut and shortened.
The Carbon Ti steerer cap and removed handle bar protection (note the two holes on the top tube) all help to reduce weight on the Canyon.
Alban’s bike rolls on a set of SRAM Rise 60 carbon wheels featuring the ‘predictive steering’ front hub required for the RS-1 fork. Continental Race King ProTection tyres feature on front and back.
There’s no mistaking who’s bike this is. The name on the top tube should give it away, but in case you’re unsure Alban Lakata’s nickname “Albanator” is neatly etched into the seat post clamp.
If you interested in Team Topeak Ergon’s 2015 Cape Epic, check out this interactive website by Ergon detailing the team’s efforts on each stage.
Now that is one of the better marathon rides shown thus far