What bikes did the pros race at Unbound Gravel?
6 bike checks form Emporia, Kansas
Photo by:
Photo: Kevin Fickling / Shimano
Unbound Gravel is underway in Emporia, Kansas this weekend with pros traveling from all over North America and the world. With events ranging from 25 miles to the 357 mile Unbound XL, there is a wide range in bike choice and set-ups.
Six pros shared what they’re racing for Emporia. Most are in the main event, the classic Unbound 200. Some are taking on all 574 km of the Unbound XL.
You can watch racing live from Kansas all weekend.
Unbound Gravel Pro Bike Checks
Peter Stetina – 200 – Canyon Grizl
Peter Stetina and his custom Canyon Grizl
The Grizl has room for meaty 700x42c IRC Boken tubeless tires on Dura Ace rims
Dura Ace cranks for speed, GRX rear derailleur for chain control.
Full gravel set-up for Stetina, with wide flare bars and a modified aero bar option.
Stetina will be oping Canyon's spilt beam post adds a little comfort on Emporia's rough roads.
RELATED: The new Canyon Grizl gravel bike is designed for rougher roads
Amy Charity – 200- Ventum GS1
Amy Charity and her Ventum GS1
Ventum GS1
Dura Ace cranks meet GRX rear derailleur
Plenty of PRO Discover bags for snack storage
A simple set-up at the bars.
RELATED: How to watch Unbound Gravel in Canada
Laurens ten Dam – 200 – Specialized “Rock Combo” Diverge
One-upping the "Gravel is just 90s mtb" cliche, Specialized made custom Diverge bikes modelled off the 1989 Rock Combo
While the Diverge is very gravel, the Rock Combo was part road bike, part mountain bike.
A classic Specialized look for this retro Diverge
Ten Dam is running full 2-by GRX
And sweeping wide gravel bars
Angela Naeth – 200 – Obed Boundary
Angela Naeth is riding with a Race Like A Girl jersey for Unbound.
Obed Boundary, a bike with butterfly wings
Dura-Ace cranks to Dura-Ace Di2 shifting and a cassette built for speed
Like many riders, Naeth's running a modified aero bar set-up for Unbound.
Details of Naeth's aero set-up
Most riders have their own name on a race bike. Naeth credits team manager Jesse Kapsten on hers.
Jay Petervary – XL (357 Miles) – Rodeo Labs TD31
Jay Petervary is racing the Unbound XL
And packing all the bags for the massive distance
GRX Di2, with 2x gearing for plenty of range
XL racers go all night, and need lights
Full Aero set-up, for speed or for mid-race roadside naps.
Crystal Kovacs – Unbound 25 – Salsa Warbird
Crystal Kovacks and a Lauf-spring Warbird
Salsa Warbird
Lauf's leaf-spring fork adds some suspension to the Warbird
Wide gearing from Shimano GRX
Extra hydration for dusty Kansas days
