Pro bike: Zdenek Stybar’s Specialized S-Works CruX
Pro bike: Zdenek Stybar’s Specialized S-Works CruX
A look at the 2014 Cyclocross World Champion’s race rig
Zdenek Stybar powered his Specialized S-Works CruX from close to the back of the pack to battle Sven Nys for the victory at this years cyclocross world championship
Zdenek Stybar powered his Specialized S-Works CruX from close to the back of the pack to battle Sven Nys for the victory at this years cyclocross world championship - www.brakethroughmedia.com
While more and more racers are making the move to disc brakes, Stybar was content to race on cantis - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The Specialized S-Work CruX frame features internal cable routing through the downtube for the front and rear derailleur - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The rear derailleur cable makes a clean exit through the drive-side seatstay - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The rear brake is routed through the top tube on the CruX - www.brakethroughmedia.com
A sign of how little time the Czech racer spends racing cyclocross these days: Stybar's bikes are equipped with 10-speed SRAM Red groups - www.brakethroughmedia.com
A 44cm wide Zipp Service Course SL handlebar mated to a 130mm stem allows the 183cm/6ft racer to ride a size 54cm frame - www.brakethroughmedia.com
While the front portion of Stybar's cockpit is alloy, the seatpost and seatpost rails are carbon - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Stybar rides a Specialized S-Works Toupe saddle - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Stybar races on Zipp 404 Firecrest tubular wheels - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The wheelset was looking a bit worse for wear following the race - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Stybar's name graces all his Dugast-shod wheelsets - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Stybar chose to run Dugast Dugast Rhino treads on race day - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Shimano M540 pedals may not as light as the XTR version, but many cyclocross racers choose them for their superior mud-shedding ability - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider spins 172.5mm Specialized S-Works cranks with 46/38T chainrings - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Drivetrains take a beating in cyclocross. Many racers at Hoogerheide were swapping bikes every other lap - www.brakethroughmedia.com
10-speeds didn't seem to hamper the three-time cyclocross world champion's performance - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The Avid Shorty Ultimate can be set in the wide position for better mud clearance or narrow (as shown) for more power - www.brakethroughmedia.com
The Specialized S-Works Crux has excellent mud clearance - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Introduced in 2012, the S-Worx CruX was designed with Stybar's input to be a 'Tarmac for the dirt' - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Although a skilled cyclocross racer who already had two world titles to his name, Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider Zdenek Stybar came into this year's World Championships as an unlikely contender. He’d participated in only one ’cross race this season prior to pinning on a number for worlds, and his start position was three rows behind race favorites Sven Nys and Lars van der Haar.
But it appears the many miles he’s been logging in Mallorca, Spain, in preparation for the Spring Classics is beginning to pay off. The 28-year-old Czech racer powered from his position near the back of the pack to battle Nys for victory aboard his Specialized S-Works CruX.
The avid shorty ultimate can be set in the wide position for better mud clearance or narrow (as shown) for more power: the avid shorty ultimate can be set in the wide position for better mud clearance or narrow (as shown) for more power - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Click through the gallery at right for a detailed look at the World Champ's bike.
Not the latest for the greatest
Despite his victory on the rough and rutted Hoogerheide course, cyclocross is not Stybar’s focus this year, a fact made evident by his equipment. While most of Stybar’s competitors ride bikes outfitted with the latest 11-speed groups, Stybar had older 10-speed SRAM Red kits mounted to his S-Works CruX framesets.
In fact, Stybar’s carbon S-Works CruX framesets are kitted out with nearly same components as when we last profiled his pink alloy CruX in 2012.
Introduced in 2012, the s-worx crux was designed with stybar's input to be a 'tarmac for the dirt': - www.brakethroughmedia.com
Introduced in 2012, the S-Works CruX was designed with input from Stybar to be a ‘Tarmac for the dirt’
In addition to the 10-speed SRAM Red group, Stybar runs the very capable Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brakes set in the narrow position for increased stopping power. His cockpit consists of a Zipp Service Course handlebar and stem with a carbon Zipp Service Course SL Speed carbon seatpost with a Specialized S-Works Toupe saddle. Wheels are also provided by Zipp in the form of the 404 Firecrests. On race day Stybar opted to run Dugast Rhino treads front and rear.
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Specialized S-Works CruX, size 54cm
Fork: Specialized S-Works CruX
Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, 130mm
Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL, 44cm
Bar tape: Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix
Front brake: Avid Shorty Ultimate, set narrow
Rear brake: Avid Shorty Ultimate, set narrow
Front derailleur: SRAM Red w/steel cage
Rear derailleur: SRAM Red 10-speed
Levers: SRAM Red 10-speed
Cassette: SRAM PG1070, 12-26T
Chain: SRAM PC1091
Crankset: Specialized S-Works (172.5mm), 46/38T
Bottom bracket: Ceramic Speed
Pedals: Shimano SPD M540
Wheelset: Zipp 404 Firecrest
Front tire: Dugast Rhino
Rear tire: Dugast Rhino
Saddle: Specialized S-Works Toupe (143 width)
Seatpost: Zipp SL Speed Carbon
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 183cm/6ft
Rider's weight: 71.5kg/157.6lb
Saddle height from BB, c-t: 770mm
Seat tube length, c-c: 510mm
Tip of saddle to center of bar: 560mm
Head tube length: 140mm
Top tube length (virtual): 549mm
Total bicycle weight: 8.2kg/18.1lb (including mud from the race)
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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