Lachlan Morton ranks as one of the best (and popular) multi-discipline endurance riders on the planet and he lined up for the start of the Traka 360 race having recently set a new record for riding around his native Australia. His Cannondale SuperX LAB71 was ready for a fast day out.
The SuperX has recently been revised to increase tyre clearance with the official figures now safely allowing for the 50mm tyres Morton rode at Unbound 2024.
His machine was built using an interesting mix of road and gravel components, but it also featured a very specific selection of puncture repair solutions, with each being ready for deployment quickly in the heat of battle.
2024's Men's Unbound 200 winner was unfortunate to suffer a serious mechanical mid-way through Saturday's race, but given Morton's dialled setup, we just had to take a closer look.
The drivetrain is a mix of road and gravel components, which Morton says is somewhat down to availability through the EF Education-EasyPost road race team. He told us he prefers the feel of Shimano's road shifters, but that GRX is a better fit when it comes to derailleurs. Liam Cahill / Our MediaDespite opting for some jazzy mullet setups in the past, Morton went with 44mm rear / 42mm front Vittoria Mezcal tyres for the Traka 360. He said after only a few weeks on the new bike, he didn't want to alter the geometry with a larger front tyre. His race ended after cracking his front rim, though neither he, nor his mechanic Tom Hopper, were sure on what caused the failure. Liam Cahill / Our MediaThis pre-loaded tubeless plug is for larger holes. Morton said the positioning on the top tube makes it super easy to access when a tyre is rapidly losing air. Liam Cahill / Our MediaA tool for slower punctures (and smaller holes) was mounted under his Wahoo bike computer. Liam Cahill / Our MediaLess time-efficient puncture repair methods were located out of the way, with a tube and lever stashed at the bottom bracket. The way Morton sees it, if you're putting in a tube, you'll be stopped for longer than when using a plug. Liam Cahill / Our MediaMorton carries a CO2 canister in the pockets of his skinsuit. This mini pump rarely comes out, but it's good to have a dependable back up.
Liam Cahill is a presenter on BikeRadar’s YouTube channel. He joined the BikeRadar team in 2021 and has amassed eight years of service in the bike industry, reviewing countless cycling products, writing numerous features and presenting award-winning video projects. An ‘international racing career’ saw him pinning a number on in places such as Canada, Italy, France and Wales. He most enjoys presenting videos on pro race tech from events such as the World Gravel Championships, where he’s happy to get among the media scrum for a word with the likes of Mathieu van der Poel, Marianne Vos and Valtteri Bottas.
Liam loves riding in the mountains, particularly on a sunny day. You can follow his pursuit of the perfect tiramisu on Instagram.
