Monsoon-like rains made for one wet and muddy adventure at Dirty Kanza 200 this year. Small streams became fast-moving rivers and mud sections quickly devoured bikes one derailleur at a time.
Even the dry sections of the course were exceptionally rocky and sharp from the heavy rains. The abnormal road conditions made bike and equipment choices even trickier than usual and left many of us nervous and second-guessing ourselves on the start line.
Related: Norco Search Ultegra/105 – just in
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For its 10th consecutive year, Dirty Kanza 200 (DK200) drew nearly 1,500 riders from around the world to test their limits at this ultra-endurance gravel race. “A Decade of Dirty,†they dubbed it – and this year’s race would prove to be one of the dirtiest. The Kanza gods weren’t going to let the 10th anniversary race go down with anything less than epic conditions.
- The course: 200 miles of rough and ragged gravel with short steep climbs, 7,500ft elevation gain, and adventuresome details such as river crossings and thick, sticky mud
- The equipment goal: A light and fast setup that's both comfortable over 200 miles and burly enough to withstand rugged conditions
- The horse: 2015 Norco Search Carbon with Kappius Components KW-1.5 road clinchers and profile design aerobars
My DK200 rig consisted of the Norco Search Carbon adventure bike with a few modifications. I swapped the stock Easton EA70 XCT tubeless wheels for lighter Kappius Components KW-1.5 road clinchers. I used the Clement X’Plor USH 35mm tyres that came with the bike but set them up tubeless on the Kappius wheels.
I also exchanged the resin Shimano brake pads for metallic pads knowing the race conditions could easily eat through the less durable option. For a little added comfort, I swapped the Norco seatpost for Specialized’s CG-R post with built in micro-suspension. Other than a few minor comfort and fit features like saddle, stem and some extra bar tape, the last change I made was adding some slightly dorky – but, as it turned out, much appreciated – aero bars.
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