Karl Platt and the BULLS team are legends of the Absa Cape Epic. Karl having won the race on five occasions (in 15 attempts) with a number of other podium positions. In 2018, Karl and his teammate Urs Huber had a tough race finishing in 10th place.
Karl Platt is riding a revised Bulls Wild Edge frame from last year. The new frame features a modified suspension linkage which now uses bearings replacing the bushings found on the previous bike. The chainstays and seatstays have also been modified to allow for a shorter rear end. There is a flip chip on the top tube mount to allow for the frame to accept metric or non-metric sized shocks.
Karl is testing a new front / rear tyre combination from Schwalbe. A Racing Ralph in the front and Racing Ray for the back. The Racing Ray is a prototype tyre using the Addix Speed compound where the Racing Ralph uses the tackier Speedgrip compound.
The team use the BULLS in-house Hattori SL carbon rims with a Shimano XTR hub on the rear wheel and a predictive steering hub on the front to accommodate the RockShox RS-1 fork.
Team BULLS have been using the titanium King Cage at the Absa Cape Epic for a number of years.
SRAM might have the gold bling but Shimano has the (crank) shine. BULLS ride Shimano using XTR drivetrain and brake components. Karl has chosen a 36-26 double chainring configuration with an 11-40 cassette. Shifters and derailleur are Shimano’s electronic Di2 type with a Stages XTR crank arm.
Karl has set up his cockpit with FSA’s K-Force handlebar measuring 700 mm and a 90mm Force Light carbon stem. The seat post is a BULLS creation, the compliant Duroflex provides some added comfort. Sahmurai Sword bar ends conceal a plug tool with ESI grips and road bar tape providing comfort on the handlebar.
Specification list:
- FrameBULLS Wild Edge Prototype
- ForkRockShox RS-1
- ShockRockShox Monarch
- RimsHattori SL
- HubsRear: Shimano XTR / Front: SRAM
- Front TyreSchwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25″
- Rear TyreSchwalbe Racing Ray 2.25″ prototype
- HandlebarFSA K-Force 700mm
- GripsESI
- StemFSA K-Force Light
- HeadsetFSA
- SeatpostBulls Duroflex
- SaddleFizik Tundra
- BrakesShimano XTR
- Brake rotorShimano XTR
- ShiftersShimano XTR Di2
- Front derailleurShimano XTR Di2
- Rear derailleurShimano XTR Di2
- CassetteShimano XTR 11-40T
- Crank armsShimano XTR
- ChainringsShimano XTR 36-26
- ChainShimano XTR
- PedalsShimano XTR
- Bottle cagesKing Cage
- Power meterStages left crank
