The Orbea Lobular ‘cross frame earns its name by virtue of its lobed tubesJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The straight forward bottom bracket area omits a chainstay bridge for more mud clearanceJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The all-aluminum frame includes S-bend staysJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The full-length seatstays are fitted with a stout brake housing stopJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Standard toptube routing keeps the cables out of the wayJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Easton’s all-carbon EC90X fork makes for a lightweight front endJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Gould’s Dura-Ace crankset was fitted with just a single 42T ring for the Boulder CupJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The N-Gear Jump Stop is arguably the best of its breedJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The Dura-Ace STI Dual Control rear lever is matched to a standard BR-600 front brake leverJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The Dura-Ace rear derailleur shifts across a wide-range 12-27T cassetteJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Brakes are effective, if somewhat unspiring, Shimano BR-550sJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The ultralight Easton EC90 Equipe SL carbon handlebar is clamped with an equally superlight EA90 forged aluminum stemJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Shimano XTR pedals are a staple of the ‘cross circuit for their durability and consistent performanceJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The minimal Selle Italia SLR saddle is anchored to Easton’s all-carbon EC90 seatpostJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Gould’s cables are sealed in-between the housing stops for better all-weather performanceJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Gould puts Mavic’s carbon-spoked R-SYS Premium wheels to use on the ‘cross circuitJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The tubular carbon spokes supposedly act in both tension and compressionJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The open block pattern of the Maxxis Raze tyre provides good traction in wide variety of conditionsJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Georgia Gould powers through the gravel on her Orbea Lobular cyclo-cross bikeJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Georgia Gould’s Orbea Lobular Cross bike may not be quite as fancy as the Alma hardtail on which she campaigns the cross-country mountain bike season but she wields the lesser weapon with just as much potency.
Advertisement
The 28-year-old won four out of six rounds of the 2007 USGP (US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross) series – she finished second in the other two – and took home the overall title.
She even qualified to represent the United States at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships last season but declined the invitation in order to focus on the mountain bike event at the Olympics.
In contrast to the Alma’s all-carbon construction, Gould’s Lobular frame is a relatively straightforward all-aluminum construction, TIG-welded from 6000-series tubing.
Orbea says the lobed cross-sections lend more lateral stiffness and comfort than more common round or oval shapes – key attributes for any ‘cross rig – and the proprietary heat treatment process provides more strength and durability than usual.
The orbea lobular ‘cross frame earns its name by virtue of its lobed tubes: the orbea lobular ‘cross frame earns its name by virtue of its lobed tubesJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Light weight is also a major concern, and the Lobular is easily within the ballpark of other top offerings. Claimed frame weight is approximately 1400g and Gould’s complete bike weighs in at a competitive 7.57kg (16.69lb).
More weight could have been saved with tubular wheels and tyres but as team sponsor Maxxis only produces clinchers, Gould’s bike is fitted with standard carbon-spoked R-SYS wheels from Mavic with aluminum hook-beaded rims.
The tubular carbon spokes supposedly act in both tension and compression: the tubular carbon spokes supposedly act in both tension and compressionJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Plenty of other bits are decidedly feathery, though, including the carbon fibre Easton EC90 seatpost, EC90 Equipe SL handlebar and EC90X ‘cross fork, and forged aluminum EA90 stem, all of which are among the lightest in their categories.
The ultralight easton ec90 equipe sl carbon handlebar is clamped with an equally superlight ea90 forged aluminum stem: the ultralight easton ec90 equipe sl carbon handlebar is clamped with an equally superlight ea90 forged aluminum stemJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Gould, from Fort Collins, Colorado, adheres to the single-chainring school of thought and opted for a single 42T ring setup for both rounds of the Boulder Cup in spite of the second day’s significant dose of climbing.
The n-gear jump stop is arguably the best of its breed: the n-gear jump stop is arguably the best of its breedJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
An aluminum outer guard and N-Gear Jump Stop keep the chain reliably in place and the standard Dura-Ace STI Dual Control left-hand lever has been swapped in favour of a more basic BR-600 brake lever from Shimano.
The dura-ace rear derailleur shifts across a wide-range 12-27t cassette: the dura-ace rear derailleur shifts across a wide-range 12-27t cassetteJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
The Dura-Ace label also graces the right-hand lever, rear derailleur, chain and wide-range 12-27T cassette but another non-group substitution comes with the BR-R550 cantilever brakes. SPD pedals are borrowed from Shimano’s XTR group.
Shimano xtr pedals are a staple of the ‘cross circuit for their durability and consistent performance: shimano xtr pedals are a staple of the ‘cross circuit for their durability and consistent performanceJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
This formula may strike some as a bit boring as compared to some of the carbon fibre wunderbikes out there but history has shown it to work in the past regardless. Based on this past weekend’s performance, where Gould took home back-to-back victories, it is apparently still working now, too.
Georgia gould powers through the gravel on her orbea lobular cyclo-cross bike: georgia gould powers through the gravel on her orbea lobular cyclo-cross bikeJames Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Complete bike specifications:
Frame: Orbea Lobular Cyclocross
Fork: Easton EC90X
Headset: FSA integrated
Stem: Easton EA90 90mm x 0°
Handlebars: Easton EC90 Equipe SL, 42cm (c-c)
Tape/grips: Easton cork
Front brake: Shimano BR-R550
Rear brake: Shimano BR-R550
Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7800 right, BR-600 left
Front derailleur: N-Gear Jump Stop
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace RD-7800-SS
Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7800, rear only
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7800, 12-27T
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7801
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace Hollowtech II FC-7800, 42T w/outer guard, 172.5mm
Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace Hollowtech II SM-FC7800
Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M970
Wheelset: Mavic R-SYS Premium clincher
Front tyre: Maxxis Raze, 700x35c
Rear tyre: Maxxis Raze, 700x35c
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR
Seatpost: Easton EC90
Bottle cages: n/a
Computer: n/a
Other accessories: n/a
Critical measurements:
Advertisement
Rider’s height: 1.73m (5′ 8″)
Rider’s weight: 61.2kg (135lb)
Seat tube length: c-c 545mm
Seat tube length: c-t 585mm
Saddle height: from BB (c-t) 748mm
Tip of saddle nose to c of bars (next to stem): 510mm
C of front wheel to top of bars (next to stem): 635mm