Atlas Mountain Race Bike and Kit Setup

The setup I ran at Atlas Mountain Race was very similar to that at Silk Road Mountain Race. I made some alterations based on the different terrain and exposure in Morocco, and a few changes to try new stuff out. I used gear mostly from my sponsors Canyon, Endura and Ride with GPS. Plus those that support me, who make gear I like: Rusjan, DT Swiss, Exposure, Fizik, WTB.

The bike I raced was a Canyon Exceed SLX 9.0 Race (currently in start of season sale). They gave me the top of the line one, a nice treat - thanks Matt! Having stuck 5,000km on my Silk Road Mountain Race bike, a fresh one for 2020 races is appreciated. Obviously, I then did my thing; I swapped the stock wheels out for some hand-built DT SWISS ones. The front was built in London by Arkane wheelworks and the rear hand-built at DT HQ in Switzerland, maybe by the same person that builds Nino’s wheels, cool! Shod with the WTB Ranger, as used at SRMR, a 2.4 on the front and 2.25 on the rear – mostly due to frame clearance. The SON dynamo upfront was powering an Exposure Revo light. Having run Jones handlebars at Silk Road I went with the stock flat bars at Atlas Mountain, with ergo GS2 grips. Sadly, these didn’t really work for me and I got some hand issues. Going back to Jones bars is not the answer, so I need to adjust that. Jack sorted out the forks, so the lockout was adjusted on the fork top cap, not by handlebar, reducing cables.

My kit was all from Endura, a mix match from their various lines to meet my weird needs. I was also using a few prototype bits from coming season ranges, which performed great. Products testing and development with them is an exciting part of working together.

For the first time I didn’t run a power meter, mostly due to it having broken and not getting that sorted. These days I sort of know what a power meter will say, a very small number, so it was not missed too much. I mainly have it present for post-race analysis.

From Silk Road to Atlas Mountain I ditched the PHD Sleeping bag as it was too warm, swapped tent for a bivi (did not use it), left the stove at home and brought less food. I also reduced the warmth rating of my insulated gear. The result was that I did not need to bring a backpack, without having the kitchen sink! This made me a bit more comfortable and agile.

I learnt a few things and would swap a few items in and out if I race again in 2021. We got really lucky with the weather, so even though I never used any waterproof stuff, I’d bring it all again.

Full Specs:

Bike: Canyon Exceed SLX 9.0 Race

Wheels: DT Swiss XM421 32h 30mm – Son 28 Dynamo/DT 240 hub, competition spokes

Tyres: WTB Ranger 2.4/2.25

Groupset: Shimano XTR 1×12 speed 30T chainring, 10-51T cassette

Bags: Rusjan custom; frame bag, saddlebag, handlebar bag, feed pouch

Lights: Exposure Revo and Diablo x2

Saddle: ISM PN1.0

Extra: Canyon VCLS seat post, Lezyne pump and tools, Sinewave USB charger, Ergon GS2 grips, Garmin etrex, Platypus bladder

Jersey: Endura MTR Adventure

Top: Merino sleeve

Top: Endura MTR prototype

Socks: Endura Merino

Tights: Endura Pro SL custom

Waterproof trousers: Endura MTR

Bib Shorts: Endura Pro SL custom pad

Insulation jacket: Endura Pro SL

Waterproof coat: Endura MT500 prototype

Gloves: Endura Windchill

Waterproof gloves: Outdoor research mitts (Goretex active)

Helmet: Endura FS260 Pro

Glasses: Endura FS260 Pro

Shoes: Fizik Terra

Sleeping bag: Mountain Hardware Phantom 32

Bivi: Mountain Laurel Designs eVent (not used)

Mat: Thermarest neo air x lite short

Lezyne multi tool

Lezyne pump

Brake pad pair x2

Length of chain

Chain quick links x2

Inner tube x2

Tubeless repair kit

Patch repair kit

Tubeless valve

Muc off hydrodynamic lube

Paraffin fluid + rag

Gear cable x2

Jockey wheels

Cleats spare x1

Exposure revo

Exposure diablo

Zendure 10,000mah battery

Charging cables

Samsung s9 + headphones

Spot Gen 3 tracker

Sea2summit ultra sil dry bags

Garmin etrex 35x

Platypus 3L bladder x2

Painkillers

Caffeine

Dermol cream

Antibacterial hand cream

Keniso tape

Toilet wipes

Micro scissors

Sunscreen (la roche posay is the best)

Lip balm (spf 50)

First aid kit

10,000 cal worth of butter waffles and Eat Natural bars