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Pro bikes, May 3, 2007
Liam Killeen's Team Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon
Light makes rightBy James Huang
One could say that second-year Team Specialized rider Liam Killeen has a bit of a weight problem… at least as far as his bike is concerned. Like so many top-level mountain bike racers these days, Killeen races on a full-suspension machine for its bump absorption, fatigue, and traction benefits. However, he is under no false impression that those competitive performance advantages also carry with them a distinct disadvantage on the gram scale. While quite lightweight at approximately 2.3kg (5.07lb), Killeen's S-Works Epic Carbon still typically gives up 1kg (2.2lb) or more over competitors that opt for a hardtail on race day. "The most important thing is trying to get the weight down," said Team Specialized mechanic Benno Welliet. "Other guys are riding a hardtail, and just to get close to them, we try everything to get the weight down. But it's also performing better because it's a full suspension bike." As a result, nearly every possible resource was tapped to massage, tweak, and tune as many grams off as possible from the UK star's rig. Even the frame itself wasn't immune to the weight loss program: Killeen's custom Epic Carbon wears no paint at all (only decals) and also does without any cosmetic filler materials that normally grace production items. "A small company in Switzerland" also provides a custom 5g carbon fiber and aluminum seat clamp (with titanium bolt, naturally) to replace the stock aluminum unit. The end result is a little rougher-looking than what you'd find on your showroom floor, but is "between 100 and 150g lighter", too, according to Welliet, and that doesn't even include the prototype forged magnesium shock components which lop off an additional 40g. Speaking of the shock, old habits still die hard: at just 66kg (145lb), Killeen runs a relatively firm 90psi out back and also sets the threshold adjustment at its firmest setting to ensure that the rear suspension only moves on bigger impacts. Killeen also borrows Specialized's fully integrated FACT carbon crankset from its road lineup, along with a 110mm compact two-chainring spider. The two-piece carbon fiber setup rolls on large-diameter cartridge bearings that are pressed directly into the proprietary team-only oversized bottom bracket shell. While lighter than a conventional configuration, Welliet contends that it also makes the drivetrain noticeably more rigid. Elsewhere, Killeen's component selection would likely drive most of us to verify that our health insurance coverage is up to snuff, including a full complement of exotic hardware made of titanium, aluminum, and even carbon fiber (!). Not surprisingly, many of the parts hail from Germany, including the 120g AX-Lightness seatpost (with a 16g custom sizing shim made by Welliet), Carbon-Ti quick-release skewers, Syntace Duraflite Carbon bar and Force 99 stem, and Magura Marta SL hydraulic disc brakeset. The Marta SL brakes are already about the lightest available, but Killeen swaps the standard stainless steel rotors with coated aluminum ones from one of his favorite component suppliers, Stan Koziatek, of Stan's NoTubes fame. Last year, Koziatek also supplied the rising star with a set of his ultralight wheels, but Killeen was running Specialized's new Roval Contróle wheelset at the recently held Sea Otter Classic. Apparently he hasn't gained much weight in that arena, though, as Welliet claims the set weighs in at just 1340g (620g/720g front/rear). Even as a verified weight weenie, Killeen still runs bar ends, and not even particularly light ones at that. His Titec Pluto Carbon bar ends weigh a relatively significant 110g a pair, but their ergonomic shape is apparently to his liking. The end result is a race-ready full-suspension bike weighing just 9.45kg (20.8lb). Killeen nailed a respectable sixth place in the XC event at this year's Sea Otter Classic and a virus forced him to miss the first World Cup in Houffalize, Belgium, but his S-Works Epic will continue to improve nonetheless. Welliet is confident that they can duck under the 9kg mark at some point this season, courtesy of even-lighter wheels and other small improvements, and a full set of ceramic bearings is on tap for the rest of the World Cup season. PhotographyFor a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Images by Nic Sims/Specialized
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Full specificationFrame: Custom Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon, FACT M10 carbon
front triangle, Az1 construction, M5 aluminum rear triangle, sealed
cartridge bearing pivots, 100mm travel, FACT carbon link Critical measurements Bottom bracket: Specialized integrated |
Wheelset: Specialized Roval Contróle converted with Stan's
NoTubes kit Bars: Syntace Duraflite Carbon, 580mm Pedals: Crank Brothers Egg Beater Four Ti Total bike weight: 9.45kg (20.8lb) | ||||||||||||||||
