Bike Check: Cam Wright's Shimano XTR equipped Specialized Epic
Cam Wright, our own XCO World Champion, is gearing up for a huge 2018 - so we took a look at the bike he will be piloting in his 2nd year in Juniors.
If you followed the 2017 National XCO Series, you would have seen one young rider who was getting noticed not just for winning, but also having his lap times so close to the elite racers. With success in the Junior Series, Brisbane's Cam Wright lined up on the front row at the 2017 World Championships in Cairns.
Leading from the start loop, Cam Wright went on to win with a huge gap on the rest of the field. The cross-country racing was dominated by the Swiss, but Australia had won the Junior Men's XCO World Championship.
Fast forward a few months, and Wright is now two rounds into the MTBA National XCO Series, taking the first two wins earlier in December at Orange.
Since the racing in Orange, Cam Wright has signed with Shimano Australia for support with his running gear, and he has rebuilt his Specialized Epic up with Shimano's XTR M9000 mechanical group set.
Cam has opted for the mechanical group set for simplicity, and so far really likes the feel, and the close shifts of the 11-40 cassette, which is the smallest range in Shimano's cassettes, but often favoured for XCO racing thanks to the close ratios.
“The 11-40 cassette and 34 tooth chain ring is a good start for general use, and I haven't even used the lowest two gears around here at Gap Creek. I've got a 32 tooth and maybe I'll get a 36 tooth if I need it. But I think a 34 tooth will be pretty good."
Getting a bike dialled for a certain race is a key part of XCO racing, and Cam is thinking ahead through the rest of the National Series.
“I am thinking about Canberra and Cardiac Arrest, and I might put a 32 tooth on. Having said that I'll try it in the 34 and see how it goes. The 32 tooth might be better on the legs in the final lap though."
In the cockpit, Cam is using the iSpec Shimano XTR shifter with the Shimano XTR Race Brakes, running his levers slightly inboard.
The bars are stock 710mm, 9 degree sweep Specialized S-Works carbon bars, and the grips recognise Cam's Australian U19 National Title. These aren't just some yellow and green grips cut up in the Planet Cycles workshop, either.
“They come from ESI like that," confirms Cam. "I've just asked to see if they can do a set in rainbow.”
Cam is running a Specialized S-Works Power saddle, but that might be changing.
“I might change the saddle to the S-Works Power Arc. It's a slightly different design, the saddle just rolls off a little bit better on your thighs, which is better for mountain biking as you use the saddle to handle the bike.”
Cam is running a super-slammed position, with an FSA SLK stem up front.
“I haven't measured my seat to bar drop, but I've just moved to this stem. At Worlds I had a 100mm -17 stem. Now I'm on a 90mm, -20 stem. It's just a little more drop. I'm really enjoying it, it makes the bike feel a little bit better.”
Rolling stock
Cam is currently riding the stock Specialized wheels, and as far as 'stock wheels' go – they're pretty nice. The Roval Control SL wheels have a wide and light rim, with a 24/28 hole spoke count.
“I defininely notice a difference with these Roval wheels to the previous models. The wider rim is also a bit lighter, and a little bit deeper as well. It's an all-round stiff wheel and makes the bike react a lot smoother and quicker.”
Shimano don't have Boost spaced wheels yet, but Cam is likely to build some Roval Control SL rims up to Shimano XTR hubs, to gain the benefit of Shimano's fast-rolling bearings and bomb-proof reliability.
Tyres are the Specialized Fast-Trak Grid with Gripton models, and Cam typically runs them at 28/30 psi.
“I usually run about 30psi in the back and about 28psi in the front. But depending on the course I might run a little bit lower on the rear. Sometimes I run them the same, like 30/30 or 28/28 – it just depends on the track.”
This might sound pretty high for a lightweight XCO racer, but you have to remember, high-end XCO riders go hard! As such, suspension is also key for bike setup. But unlike tyre pressures, shock pressure remains set between courses.
“I put 200psi in the rear shock and crank the rebound as fast as I can go. I always run the brain on, unless I'm out training and want a bit of fun."
"In the fork I run 3 bottomless tokens, and run about 90-100psi, and have the rebound about three quarters of the way out. More on the fast side but I prefer to bounce over the top of things as opposed to sinking through them. I just feel the bike rolls a bit quicker through technical sections that way.”
We've taken a look at a number of Specialized Epic bikes for 2018, including the S-Works that Garry James was racing, and more recently, the S-Works Epic that Samara Sheppard races. One of the big changes in 2018 was frame geometry, and moving away from the Horst Link to make the back end lighter and simpler.
“They changed the geometry and have increased the top tube length by 10mm, plus there is a slightly slacker head angle. There are a couple of solid differences in the back. They got ride of the FSR pivot, and you actually do notice that when you're out riding. They have also put the new Brain suspension on.”
The new Brain is much smaller, and more sensitive in the new position.
“Riding it is a whole lot smoother, when you're going down the hill full-tilt, it really does feel more like the Camber trail bike. But climbing, it feels like a cross-country bike should, as it goes pretty quick up the hills.”
“Cross-country is starting to get a lot harder, there are a lot more man-made obstacles and it's a lot more difficult all round. Making a bike that leans towards a trial bike for descending is beneficial, and it is something I'm really enjoying on this bike.”
With his new kit just delivered from Champ Sys, Cam is set to represent his sponsors for the season ahead, as he chases his big goals. While one goal is turning professional with a team, Cam clearly has his eyes on keeping the rainbow stripes next September.
“Obviously my main goal is World Champs at Lenzerheide in Switzerland. Before that there are a couple of Junior Series races too, in Nerang in a couple of weeks, then the ones in Western Australia."
Support at home is looking great, with support via Specialized, but crucially Planet Cycles where he works part time, and Shimano Australia for his running gear and shoes. Overseas can be harder though, where the stakes are high and the contacts are fewer.
“Having support wherever you go is definitely beneficial, and moving to a Shimano group set is great for that. I'm really enjoying the group set and looking forward to a good year ahead on Shimano XTR."
"Hopefully I'll get overseas later in the year and get to another couple of Junior Series races there, and get some more UCI points. Hopefully I can defend my title next year in Lenzerheide.”
We continue chatting and it is clear that Cam's head is well and truly screwed onto his shoulders. He's in talks with events in Europe who want him there with the rainbow stripes on, and it sounds like a few teams are keen to hear what his movements are next year.
Cam has a huge future in mountain biking, and we're looking forward to seeing where this bike takes him this year. Before Cam went home, we had to find out – what does this whole bike weigh?
"10kg on the nose, as you see it." said Cam.
Now who wouldn't want an XC full-suspenion bike at that weight?
