Dousing himself in water after practising the humid and technical course at the first World Cup round of 2016, Julien Absalon is quite nonchalant about his use of a dropper seatpost.
Casual he may be, but it’s a rather significant component choice and sign of the times regarding cross-country's ever more demanding courses. Absalon, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion is a true veteran of the racing format and yet his bike is a showcase of the industry’s latest trends – a surprising fact given how stubborn to change cross-country riders typically are.
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Riding 'Jacob's Ladder' in Cairns, Absalon was clearly making use of his dropper post on the steep and rocky descent
Glen Jacobs – Cairns local and owner of trail building company World Trail – had told us back in 2014 that he designed the Cairns world cup cross-country course in hope of seeing many of the world’s best take to dropper posts. While he was disappointed back then, it seems his wishes have come true and there are few riders in the world more influential than Absalon himself.
Fourstroke with extra carbon
For much of the season, we’re told Absalon will pick the 100mm travel BMC Fourstroke 01 over the TeamElite soft-tail. This full-carbon frame is without question one of the more premium dual suspension race options on the market, and there are no team-only tricks here. Just as he did to win the 2014 World Championships, Absalon rides a standard medium frame.
Shimano and Fox zap together
Back to that seatpost
Bolt-up axles built for speed
Being secretive
Complete bike specifications
- Frame: BMC Fourstroke 01, size Medium, prototype carbon rocker
- Rear shock: Fox Float DPS Factory iRD
- Fork: Fox 32 Step-Cast iRD
- Headset: Sealed bearing
- Stem: 3T ARX II Team, 100mm, -6 degree
- Handlebar: 3T ‘BMC Team Issue’ carbon, 680mm (swapping to 700), flat
- Grips: Lizard Skins DSP
- Front brake: Shimano XTR M9000, Race pads, 160mm IceTech centerlock rotor
- Rear brake: Shimano XTR M9000, Race pads, 160mm IceTech centerlock rotor
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR Di2 9050
- Shift levers: Shimano XTR Di2 M9050 right
- Cassette: Shimano XTR M9000 11-40T 11-speed
- Chain: Shimano M901
- Crankset: Shimano XTR M9000, 175mm, 34T chainring
- Bottom bracket: Shimano pressfit
- Pedals: Something French (BMC requested we don’t publish specifics)
- Front wheel: Custom – Misc 15mm front hub, Sapim CX-Ray spokes (wire tied), Stans Race Gold 29 rim (assumed)
- Rear wheel: Custom – Shimano XTR M9000 142x12mm rear hub, Sapim CX-Ray spokes (wire tied), Stans Race Gold 29 rim (assumed)
- Front tyre: Continental Race King 29x2.2in, setup tubeless
- Rear tyre: Continental Race King 29x2.2in, setup tubeless
- Saddle: Fizik Antares R1 braided
- Seatpost: KS Lev CI, 65mm (race), (100mm version for training)
- Bottle cages: Elite Paron carbon
- Other accessories: Custom ‘Shift-up’ bolt-up thru-axles
- Rider's height: 1.8m (5ft 11in)
- Rider's weight: 68kg (150lb)
- Saddle height from BB, c-t: 741mm
- Saddle setback: 67mm
- Seat tube length (c-t): 460mm
- Head tube length: 100mm
- Top tube length (effective): 610mm
- Weight: 10.18kg (22.44lb)
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