The attraction of the Absa Cape Epic is growing. The participation of 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and his trusty super-domestique George Hincapie is testament to this. The pair are not here simply to make up the numbers and are currently sitting in a respectable third place in the highly competitive Masters category.
Cadel’s BMC Fourstroke features a full Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain with a XTR brakeset. Perhaps it’s Cadel’s roadie preference but he has gone with the bigger 38-26 chainring configuration.
Complementing the Di2 drivetrain is a Fox iRD suspension system with remotely actuated electronic lockout. In this case, it’s a 32 SC fork and Float EVOL shock both from the glossy Kashima coated Factory Series. Among the many benefits, the system makes use of a very tidy lockout lever.
In the late 90s, Cadel won back-to-back World Cup cross-country mountain bike titles. Back then mountain bike cockpits still mimicked what was being ridden on the road with long stems and narrow handlebars. Today, Cadel seems to still prefer this formula on his mountain bike with a 640 millimeter handlebar and 110 millimeter long stem.
The Cape Epic traverses rugged terrain and tyres are definitely not something worth trying to cut corners with. It seems Cadel and George got the memo and have fitted reliable Vittoria Saguaro tyres.
Specification list:
- FrameBMC Fourstroke 01 (Medium)
- Rear ShockFox Float EVOL iRD
- ForkFox 32 SC iRD
- Stem3T ARX Team 110mm
- HandlebarBMC Carbon 640mm
- GripsESI Chunky
- SaddleFizik Antares
- Seatpost3T Stylus Team
- BrakesShimano XTR
- RotorsShimano RT-99
- ShifterShimano XTR Di2
- Front DerailleurShimano XTR Di2
- Rear DerailleurShimano XTR Di2
- CassetteShimano XTR
- ChainShimano XTR
- CrankShimano XTR
- ChainringShimano XTR 38-26
- WheelsetDT Swiss 1200
- TyresVittoria Saguaro
- Bottle CageElite
- Bar end plugsSahmurai Sword