Pro bike: Katie Compton’s Trek Boone 9 and Boone 9 Disc

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=45&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-332945 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing) is once again on Trek's smooth-riding Boone 9 carbon fiber racer for the 2014-15 cyclocross season. The 10-time US national champion has a custom painted stars-and-stripes version that's in the process of being built, too" title="1411421325100-1iia0an54xu9s-de1224f" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing) is once again on Trek’s smooth-riding Boone 9 carbon fiber racer for the 2014-15 cyclocross season. The 10-time US national champion has a custom painted stars-and-stripes version that’s in the process of being built, too James Huang / Immediate Media

Katie Compton is without doubt the most successful American cyclocross racer ever with nearly two dozen World Cup wins, three World Championship medals, two overall World Cup titles, and a dominating 10 US national titles. Not surprisingly, Trek Factory Racing showers the affable Coloradan with an enviable level of equipment support so she can be prepared for any course conditions, anywhere, at any time.

While many racers are locked into using either rim brakes or disc brakes, Compton has Trek Boone 9s set up with both. Compton and her husband/mechanic Mark Legg-Compton don’t travel the globe with both simultaneously, though. Compton generally prefers the lighter and less powerful rim brake bikes for the rigors of European racing, while the disc bikes are usually reserved for racing on home soil.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325398-12ozr54t0h2bh-1000-90-90a704f.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325398-12ozr54t0h2bh-1000-90-90a704f.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325398-12ozr54t0h2bh-1000-90-90a704f.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325398-12ozr54t0h2bh-1000-90-90a704f.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325398-12ozr54t0h2bh-1000-90-90a704f.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325398-12ozr54t0h2bh-1000-90-90a704f.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Katie compton (trek factory racing) also has a stable of disc-equipped trek boone 9s, these with custom stars-and-stripes paint jobs: Compton gets to choose from disc or rim brake bikes at will

Both bikes, however, incorporate Trek’s groundbreaking IsoSpeed design, which uses a mechanical pivot at the seat cluster that allows for much more flex (and thus, comfort and rear-wheel traction) at the saddle than a conventional frame. Write it off as a gimmick if you insist, but it does work – and remarkably well, in fact.

Compton should be familiar with the Trek Boone 9 chassis at this point, having ridden on it for at least part of last season, but she’ll have to get used to a few major changes this time around. For one, she’s moved away from SRAM Red 22 componentry in favor of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 – and she’s even moved to Shimano for pedals instead of her longstanding Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11s.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325110-54ugbnyd20pe-1000-90-a100ad7.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325110-54ugbnyd20pe-1000-90-a100ad7.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325110-54ugbnyd20pe-1000-90-a100ad7.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325110-54ugbnyd20pe-1000-90-a100ad7.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325110-54ugbnyd20pe-1000-90-a100ad7.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325110-54ugbnyd20pe-1000-90-a100ad7.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The ‘k’ is for katie, of course, and the ‘c’ is for compton. as for the ‘f’é well, let’s just her middle name isn’t francesca: The ‘K’ is for Katie, the ‘C’ is for Compton, and the ‘f’… isn’t for Francesca

Compton has used Shimano’s electronic transmission before, but she’ll have to get used to completely different gearing. Whereas she once preferred WickWërks’ rather small 42/34T chainrings paired with a SRAM 11-26T cassette, she’s now on a 12-28T cassette with more conventional 36/46T chainrings (including CNC-machined outer chainrings that Shimano currently only provides to sponsored racers).

Save for the obvious differences in brake hardware, both sets of bikes are otherwise identically outfitted with ultralight Bontrager integrated carbon fiber cockpits and a collection of tires from famed French tubular maker FMB . Naturally, Bontrager supplies the wheels as well, which include the company’s versatile Aeolus 3 D3 carbon tubulars on the rim brake bike. Bontrager doesn’t currently offer disc-compatible carbon tubular wheels, so Compton’s are custom built using Aeolus 3 D3 rims and Affinity Pro hubs.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325456-1mlx4b9d4v8z3-1000-90-98347e9.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325456-1mlx4b9d4v8z3-1000-90-98347e9.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325456-1mlx4b9d4v8z3-1000-90-98347e9.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325456-1mlx4b9d4v8z3-1000-90-98347e9.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325456-1mlx4b9d4v8z3-1000-90-98347e9.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325456-1mlx4b9d4v8z3-1000-90-98347e9.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> As bontrager doesn’t currently make a disc-compatible carbon tubular wheelset, these are custom built using hubs borrowed from an affinity pro wheelset: Custom wheels are built for her Trek Boone 9 Disc

As for pedals, Compton is now on Shimano’s prototype XTR model, which uses a specially milled-down body as compared to the standard XTR Race version for better mud clearance. While these may be appreciably heavier than the Crankbrothers pedals Compton used for years, Legg-Compton says the bigger platform – and more reliable starts that come along with it – were well worth the extra grams.

Compton’s bikes may be nice to look at (and they obviously can go very, very fast) but what’s always striking each time we profile one is how impeccably they’re prepared. Legg-Compton says he’ll spend up to three days building each one, thanks in no small part to the fanatical attention to detail. Legg-Compton has a strict ‘no zip-ties’ policy, for example, so the brake hoses on the Boone 9 Discs are secured with a mix of fishing line and Krazy Glue. Meanwhile, heat shrink tubing is used for the cable ends on the rim brake bikes and to pair the Di2 wires to the rear brake lines.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325364-1ue5hy9lr2mlf-1000-90-2aec9ac.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325364-1ue5hy9lr2mlf-1000-90-2aec9ac.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325364-1ue5hy9lr2mlf-1000-90-2aec9ac.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325364-1ue5hy9lr2mlf-1000-90-2aec9ac.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325364-1ue5hy9lr2mlf-1000-90-2aec9ac.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325364-1ue5hy9lr2mlf-1000-90-2aec9ac.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Details, details – the brake cables are finished with bits of heat shrink tubing and secured with a mix of fishing line and krazy glue: Look closely and there’s an incredible attention paid to detail

We’ve often noticed that Legg-Compton is quite a fan of glue in general. More Krazy Glue – plus a bit of Colorado sand – is used to provide some much-needed texture on the Di2 shifter buttons while frame holes are sealed with clear silicone adhesive. Although it doesn’t look especially tidy (sorry, Mark!), it does feel fantastic – and not unlike the similar mod we proposed a couple of years ago.

Regardless of how it looks, it certainly works well. More importantly, Compton is putting the new bikes to good use with a very strong start to this season with perhaps a strong World Cup run to follow.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325200-irrv8stejy56-1000-90-2ad07ea.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325200-irrv8stejy56-1000-90-2ad07ea.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325200-irrv8stejy56-1000-90-2ad07ea.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325200-irrv8stejy56-1000-90-2ad07ea.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325200-irrv8stejy56-1000-90-2ad07ea.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1411421325200-irrv8stejy56-1000-90-2ad07ea.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> For better grip on the shimano dura-ace di2 shift buttons, husband/mechanic mark legg-compton has added some texture courtesy of a krazy glue and colorado sand: A mix of Krazy Glue and “Colorado sand” adds some much-needed texture and grip to the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifter buttons

Complete bike specifications

Frame: Trek Boone 9, 52cm Fork: Trek IsoSpeed Cross Headset: Cane Creek IS, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered, integrated Handlebar/stem: Bontrager XXX Integrated, 400mm (c-c) x 120mm x -7° Front brake: Shimano BR-CX70 w/ Bontrager carbon-specific pads Rear brake: Shimano BR-CX70 w/ Bontrager carbon-specific pads Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070 Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Dual Control ST-9070 w/ SW-R610 ‘sprint’ shifters Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000, 12-28T Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000 Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000, 175mm, 46/36T Bottom bracket: Enduro XD-15 Pedals: Shimano XTR prototype Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus 3 D3 tubular Front tire: FMB Super Mud tubular, 33mm, 17-24psi Rear tire: FMB Super Mud tubular, 33mm, 17-24psi Saddle: Bontrager Affinity Pro Seatpost: Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon seatmast Critical measurements

Rider’s height: 1.65m (5ft 5in) Rider’s weight: 61kg (135lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 695mm Saddle setback: 15mm Seat tube length (c-t): 470mm Seat tube length (c-c): 450mm Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 490mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 45mm Head tube length: 122mm Top tube length (effective): 531mm Weight: 7.31kg (16.12lb) www.trekbikes.com