Todd Wells (Specialized) switched from an aluminium frame to a carbon one for the ’09-’10 ‘cross seasonJames Huang
The front end of the bike features a straight 1 1/8in head tubeJames Huang
The massive Specialized S-Works Tricross carbon fork isn’t the prettiest thing on the block but Wells says it tracks extremely well and is rock-solid under braking and yet is still very comfortableJames Huang
The wide fork crown offers up plenty of mud clearance. Scallops on the inner surfaces allow the brakes to open widerJames Huang
Mounting the brake housing stop on the fork crown is a virtual guarantee against fork chatter but Wells says that even when his bike was fitted with a standard hanger up top, the burly crown and fork legs were still vibration-freeJames Huang
The top tube is wide and flat across the bottom for easier shoulderingJames Huang
An oversized BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell is joined to wishbone-style chainstaysJames Huang
The S-Works Tricross chainstays start out extremely tall at the bottom bracket but quickly taper down for more rider comfortJames Huang
The sculpted seatstays are notably curvier than the normJames Huang
Zertz inserts are added just below the reinforced brake mountsJames Huang
Specialized’s Zertz elastomeric inserts are said to damp low-amplitude, high-frequency vibrationsJames Huang
Wells’ frame is specially built just for him with unique touches such as omitted water bottle and rack/fender mountsJames Huang
Derailleur cables are run along the down tubeJames Huang
SRAM Red DoubleTap levers are set high on the anatomic barsJames Huang
Wells’ white brake hoods are gleamingly clean in the late day Oregon sun but ugly weather conditions ahead will likely guarantee that they won’t stay that way for longJames Huang
Wells is among the minority of riders using a carbon bar.James Huang
Wells runs his Specialized S-Works Pro-Set stem at the -13° positionJames Huang
Like many racers, Wells opts for TRP’s ultralight EuroX Magnesium cantileversJames Huang
Colour co-ordination isn’t the motivation behind Wells’ choice of brake pads. He says the Specialized Roval carbon-specific compound (made by SwissStop) provides better initial bite than most carbon padsJames Huang
Wells’ ultralight S-Works carbon crank is fitted with 39/46T SRAM chainrings.James Huang
A big ‘white carbon’ patch on the chainstay guards against chainsuck.James Huang
A steel cage on the SRAM ‘Red’ front derailleur offers up more stiffness than the usual titanium bitJames Huang
CrankBrothers’ Eggbeater 4Ti pedals are a common sight in ‘cross on account of their light weight and nearly infallable performance in mudJames Huang
Wells’ SRAM Red rear derailleurJames Huang
Wells is running a shaved-down Specialized Captain tread mated to an FMB tubular casing for now but says a proper Specialized house-brand tubular may be in the worksJames Huang
The 34mm casing offers more cush for Wells’ size and is already coated with latex from the factory so Aquaseal isn’t necessaryJames Huang
Wells has also made the switch to a Specialized saddle for this seasonJames Huang