NATIONALS BIKE CHECK: Ryan Gilchrist's GT Force Pro
After taking out the overall fastest time during the Pro Stage today at Enduro Nationals, we've saved the best for last in our series of bike checks!
Ryan Gilchrist has been riding the GT Force at the EWS this year – and with phenomenal success. He’s taken multiple podiums in the incredibly competitive U21s category and has proven himself a force to be reckoned with (pun intended).
After coming down with illness en route home from Europe, it was a last minute decision for Ryan to race Enduro Nationals this weekend. “I got quite sick on the way home from Europe so I was out of action last week. But when I got a call from my coach saying Nationals was next week, I couldn’t help myself!”
Enduro Nationals Live results can be found here.
The smiling assassin inched himself ahead of Tom Locke today during the Pro Stage prologue, taking the lead into tomorrow’s remaining 6 stages. “This race wasn’t a part of my training or racing plan this year so racing here is a bit of a privilege. I’m going to get out there, smash the tracks, and have as much fun as possible. I often find I go faster when I’m having fun.”
The only thing he has changed on his bike from its EWS setup has been the tyres. For Red Hill, he’s running Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S on the front and Enduro R on the rear.
“All season in Europe and America I’ve been using the new 2023 Enduro M Race tyres. They’re really solid and great for Euro conditions but I’ve switched it up to Pirelli’s lower profile, faster rolling, lighter tyres for this weekend’s race. I have plenty of grip with these tyres and the added bonus of a lighter casing and faster rolling speed will be a great combination for the tracks here at Red Hill.”
On the suspension front, Ryan is running a ZEB Ultimate fork with 65psi and Rockshox Super Deluxe with 165psi. When asked why opting for the air shock over coil, Ryan says the air shock gives him more opportunity to fiddle with settings.
“Travelling on a privateer budget made me very conscious of weight when flying from destination to destination and having to carry around different coil weights is just one extra thing that gets my bag weight up. I plan on doing more testing with the Rockshox Super Deluxe Coil but the air in an incredibly versatile and high performing option that serves me very well.”
Want more enduro bike checks? Read about Sian A’Herns YT here, and check out Tom Locke’s Yeti here.
Ryan’s experience on the world stage can be seen his his choice of “secret spares.”
“I always have the bike fully kitted so I never walk home regardless of the level of the ride. I have a Granite Design tool stashed in my stem, tyre plugs in one bar end, and a chain breaker in the other. I always have a lightweight tube taped to the frame and two tyre levers that snap together to made a set of master link pliers.”
“I’ve got cable ties stashed in the bottom bracket and a spare hanger taped to the bottom of my seat, as well as a spare AXS battery for my shifter. I also carry an AXS battery, Swiss Army knife, and all my nutritional needs in my pockets. If it’s a really big day, I’ll shove a bottle in the back of my pants.”
There’s no doubt Ryan is truely prepared for anything an epic day in the saddle will throw at him! But aside from the business of racing, Ryan is also lapping up the stunning Mornington Peninsula.
“It’s my first time spending time in this part of Melbourne and I absolutely love the balance between the bikes and beaches. It’s a very scenic, laid back community that’s quite close to one of Australia’s major cities. So the balance between work and play make it an ideal place to hang out.”
