Joaquim Rodríguez had a successful career racing on the road with stage and classification wins in the Grand Tours. He is now a member of the Bahrain-Merida staff and an ambassador for the team. He is riding his second Absa Cape Epic with teammate José Hermida.
Joaquim Rodríguez is riding Merida’s Ninety-Six carbon marathon race bike with Shimano’s XTR gearing and brakes (with the exception of the XT cassette).
The pairing is riding Fox Factory Series suspension with a Float shock and 32 SC fork both using Fox’s electronic lockout.
There is a lot for Rodríguez to look at in the cockpit. A custom top cap message should he need some insipration, his SRM PC8 computer, as well as the Di2 display. The handlebar (720mm) and stem (70mm) are from FSA’s carbon K-Force range.
Both Rodríguez and Hermida ride with a carbon JBG 2 dropper seat post with 60 mm travel. The team have drilled a hole in the top tube of the Ninety-Six to route the cable to the handlebars (do not try this at home).
The team have welded the spokes at the crossover. A trick from the old days, said to provide more stiffness and secure any broken spokes.
A saddle bag and Sahmurai Sword in the crankshaft deal with the stowing of spares. The #RIDEFORCHARLIE sticker adds a human touch to the team’s bike – its a British organisation seeking to help fund young riders in the memory of Charlie Craig, a promising young rider who died in his sleep.
Old meets new with the juxtaposition of bar ends on a bike with a carbon dropper post.
The team rides on Continental Race King Pro LTD tyres with Squirt sealant and foam inners to protect against snakebites.
Specifications
- FrameMerida Ninety-Six, Medium Size
- ForkFox Float 32 SC, Factory Series, FIT iRD
- ShockFox Float DPS iRD
- WheelsetFulcrum Red Passion 29
- Front TyreContinental Race King Pro LTD 2.2 with Squirt sealant
- Rear TyreContinental Race King Pro LTD 2.2 with Squirt sealant
- HandlebarFSA K-Force 720mm
- GripsESi Grips
- BarendsProcraft
- StemFSA K-Force Light 70mm
- Headset + top capFSA
- SeatpostJBG 2 60mm travel
- SaddlePrologo Dimension
- BrakesShimano XTR
- Brake rotorShimano 160mm
- ShiftersShimano XTR Di2
- Rear derailleurShimano XTR Di2
- CassetteShimano XT 11-46T
- Crank armsShimano XTR
- ChainringShimano XTR 36T
- ChainShimano XTR
- Bottom BracketShimano
- PedalsShimano XTR
- Bike computerSRM PC8
- Bottle cagesKing Cage steel
