Fastest bikes at the 2016 Leadville Trail 100 MTB race
Todd Wells adapted his Scott Scale RC for the dirt road style racing of the Leadville with not only aero bars, but also Look Road pedals and Scott road shoes. His RockShox Sid with 100mm of travel was set at 95psi, and his Maxxis Ikon tires were prototypes with 27 psi in the front and 29 psi in the rear. Photo by Eddie Clark
Colorado’s Todd Wells and U.K. ace Sally Bigham each scored victory at the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race this past weekend. Wells, now a three time winner of the high alpine cross country race, had to beat back the hard charge of U.S. road pro Joe Dombrowksi, who ended up less than three minutes behind at the end of arduous 100-mile race. Wells winning mark was 6:19: 43. Fellow American Jeremiah Bishop took third. To see complete results go here.
Bigham didn’t set a new record this year, but her Canyon Exceed CF SLX served her well to take another Leadville win. Photo by Eddie Clark
Meanwhile, now three-time champ Bigham was in charge from the get-go. The Topeak-Ergon rider finished in 7:05:47, nearly an hour ahead of Mexico’s Lorenza Morfin, who was second, crossing the line in 8:01:02. Gunnison, Colorado-based racer Jennifer Smith was third at 8:04:19.
Mtbr contributing photographer Eddie Clark was in Leadville and captured these photos of the two fastest bikes. Wells was aboard a brand new 2017 Scott Scale RC, while Bigham piloted a Canyon Exceed CF SLX.
Wells’ Scott Scale RC is a new bike for him, and he hasn’t weighed it yet, but thinks it comes in at about 19.5 pounds. Photo by Eddie Clark
The Leadville 100 is one of the few, if not only, mountain bike races where you’ll see aero bars. In previous editions, Wells has double wrapped bar tap near the stem to rest his forearms on, but opted for zipties and pads this year. Photo by Eddie Clark
Wells has his chain treated by Ice Friction in Chicago where it receives a wax based lubrication that is rated at 600 miles and is claimed to reduce friction by six watts. The process is popular with many triathletes and was developed for mountain bikers racing in the grueling conditions of the Iceman Cometh race in Michigan. Wells said his chain didn’t squeek once during the race. Photo by Eddie Clark
Yes, this is Wells’ bike, and Cooper is his baby boy. Photo by Eddie Clark
Wells ran a 1×11 last year with a 34 tooth chainring, but now that he’s on the new SRAM Eagle drivetrain he’s running a 38t ring. Supposedly the larger chainring produces less friction, not to mention he’s got a bit top end for the smoother downhills. Photo by Eddie Clark
Continue to page 2 to see Sally Bigham’s Canyon Exceed »
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