At 4 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, two hours before the gun at Unbound 200, I sat at a small Airbnb dining table across from two of the world’s best gravel riders, Russell Finsterwald and Sofía Gómez Villafañe. Instead of talking about their race-day strategies, however, we were stuck on bike accessories.
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Roval Terra CLX EVO Wheelset Read More -
CushCore Pro Set Read More
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Rene Herse 700C x 48 mm Oracle Ridge TC Tire Read More
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SRAM RED eTap AXS Groupset Read More
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Ice Friction Chain Read More
In that short hour, I learned quite a few ways to improve the performance, durability and speed of a bike. The Flint Hills around Emporia, Kansas, are notoriously rugged — mud, river crossings and sharp, tire-shredding roads — which makes the iconic event a de facto testing ground for new components, from durable tires to smoother drivetrains, comfortable saddles and futuristic forks. Finsterwald and Villafañe are at the forefront of this movement, always trying to get an edge in a highly competitive sport, where even 200-mile races are decided by mere seconds.
Improving your tires helps reduce fatigue, so you have a little extra juice at the finish. Tire inserts can mitigate the risk of a flat, which could cost you a race — or ruin a long day out. Some of the upgrades collected here help reduce the odds of mechanical failure while others lessen the wear and tear on your body. A few simply increase the speed and efficiency of your bike in new and clever ways.
Roval Terra CLX Evo Wheelset
The fastest way to improve traction and create a smoother ride is more tire surface area. To allow that, you’ll likely need wider wheels. Professional adventure cyclist Sarah Swallow, who rides remote routes across the globe, recommended these wheels while on a bikepacking trip in Colorado.
Cush Core Inserts
The minimal weight of tire inserts is easily offset by the benefits: absorbing shock and reducing fatigue, increasing both traction and cornering, and mitigating flats. Sofía Gómez Villafañe used these inserts to help win Unbound 200 last year.
Rene Herse Oracle Ridge TC Tires
If you’re looking to improve your handling on gravel and dirt without sacrificing a ton of speed on roads, you’ll want a knobby tire with a smooth top edge. Lael Wilcox, perhaps the best ultra-endurance rider ever, has used these wheels to win races and set FKTs all over the world.
SRAM 1x Red eTap AXS Drivetrain
Two trends have dominated the evolution of drivetrains: electronic shifting and one-by groupsets. In this year’s historic Paris-Roubaix Femmes, Lizzie Deignan used this drivetrain to break away for the win, eliminating the possibility of her front derailleur breaking down in torrid conditions.
Ice Friction Chain
A replacement for chain lube, this technology helps improve your efficiency by reducing friction, leading to power and speed gains. Lab tests show 80 seconds per hour improvement. Russell Finsterwald proved it works in the real world, winning Big Sugar Gravel last fall.
Specialized S-Works Romin Evo
Whether you’re preparing for the biggest race of the year or a big bikepacking adventure, comfort matters. Replacing foam with this 3D-printed saddle reduces sit bone pressure by a reported 26 percent. Ian Boswell, the only person to podium in both of the past two Unbound races, uses it.
SRAM Reverb AXS XPLR
Milan-San Remo, the start of the road classics season, historically isn’t a hot spot for new technology. In a stacked field, Matej Mohorič took a surprise win and credited his dropper post for breaking away on the final descent. While Mohorič’s dropper was custom, the XPLR is my go-to option.
Hammerhead Karoo 2
Whether you’re trying to win races or just avoid getting lost on your next adventure ride, a reliable computer is a handy tool. The Karoo 2 has an intuitive UI, route building tool, beeper notifications and much more. Justin Williams and the entire L39ION team use it daily.
Specialized/Fjällräven Snack Bag
Of all the changes I made to my bike this year, the best bang for the buck is a simple and burly handlebar holder. Easy access for a spare bottle on long rides, or any small item like snacks, sunnies or gloves. Intuitive to attach and easy to remove, and it cinches tight on rough roads.
