Andy Blair: Swell-Specialized

Andy Blair is coming into his second year on Specialized, and although his quiver of bikes in 2013 was stunning, the 2014 models are a step above.

Team riders Shaun Lewis, Jenny Fay and Cameron Ivory all have a Specialized S-Works Epic WC in the shed, and we had a look over the detail of the one that belongs to Andy Blair, while down in Bright for the Subaru Australian National MTB Championships.

Like many elite XCO and XCM racers, Blair runs a slightly smaller frame with a lot of seat post and stem, to get the seat to bar drop he’s after. The whole frame is carbon fibre, including the swingarm, and the travel is 95mm. Best of all the frame allows for two water bottles. It’s single ring only – by design. 142mm rear wheel spacing, for a 29” wheel of course.

The rear suspensions is matched by 95mm of travel up front from a custom Rock Shox SID with ‘Brain’ technology – an inertia valve that sense the difference between a rider pumping on the bars and the wheel hitting something. It’s still tuneable for rider preference.

Being single ring specific, it should be no surprise to see such a bike adorned with SRAM XX1, with the 10-42 cassette ratio

The PressFit 30 frame allows for use of the S-Works cranks, super light and stiff carbon cranks, setup for 1 x 11. Not in shot are Shimano XTR M970 pedals – some of the most reliable ever made, and searched for by many riders, Blair included.

Blair runs a big drop from seat to bars, and this is aided by a negative angle stem, almost on top of the bearing cover.

Specialized have a wide range of saddles, but Blair is actually testing a new model that is yet to be released. While not a different width, it has a different shape along the sides. With a 4th place at the National XCO Champs, it seems to be working for him.

Swell-Specialized are sponsored by SRAM, so the XX1 brakes replace the stock Magura MT8s. Blair runs foam grips. Not white ones like the frame though.

Details count, and fork and shock pressures are noted on the bike on tape. With the need to make small adjustments before races, and after travel, it pays to have your basics written down so you can get the setup right, even when nervous

A Specialized Renegade rear was matched to a Fast Trak front for a light, fast rolling yet grippy combination for the Champs course in Bright. Mounted onto Roval Control SL Carbon rims, that have 28 spokes front and rear. The hubs use a DT Star ratchet

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