{"id":47510,"date":"2023-03-28T19:00:49","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T17:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=721369"},"modified":"2023-03-28T19:34:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T17:34:29","slug":"seven-weird-and-wonderful-bikes-from-the-battle-on-the-beach-2023","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/seven-weird-and-wonderful-bikes-from-the-battle-on-the-beach-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven weird and wonderful bikes from the Battle on the Beach 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beach racers, gravel and mountain bikes from the UK’s biggest off-road race <\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 28 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The Battle on the Beach is held on sand, singletrack, gravel and grass in Pembrey Country Park, South Wales. The UK\u2019s largest off-road race attracts a suitably eclectic selection of riders and bikes. Hill climb, enduro and cyclocross stars duke it out on mountain, gravel and fat bikes.<\/p>\n

In terms of tech, anything goes apart from electric bikes<\/a> and aero bars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 45km, three-lap battle takes place on Carmarthenshire\u2019s Cefn Sidan beach. From the start, five kilometres of hard sand thin out the field. The remains of the 100 or so ships wrecked on the beach provide the only obstacles.<\/p>\n

The route then takes a technical turn into the sand dunes, sending the racers along single and doubletrack. They ride past and through tunnels, bunkers and defence towers \u2013 the remnants of a factory that produced munitions on the land between 1882 and 1963.<\/p>\n

Out of 670 finishers, Amira Mellor was the fastest woman in 1 34:12. An average speed of 28.65km\/h earned the Ribble Collective rider 60th overall. Richard Jansen won the overall and men\u2019s categories in 1:23:28, averaging 32.34km\/h. Representing BikeRadar, Liam Cahill<\/a> finished 108th overall, while Felix Smith<\/a> came 348th.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve selected seven of the coolest bikes that graced the sand this year, from a specialist beach-racing frame built with fat tyres to a titanium hardtail mountain bike<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Richard Jansen\u2019s Imming beach racer<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The 60mm-wide tyres stand out against the sleek frame.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Richard Jansen rode his specialist beach-racing steed from Dutch brand Imming to overall victory, beating Tom Couzens by 12 seconds. Jansen\u2019s setup resembles that of another beach-racing expert, Jules de Cock<\/a>, who pairs a Canyon Exceed MTB frame with a SRAM 1x drivetrain, aero gravel racing<\/a> cockpit and very wide rims.<\/p>\n

Jansen, a former Dutch Beach Racing champion, says his Schwalbe G-One Speed tyres measure 60mm when inflated to just 17psi on the custom rims from Imming.<\/p>\n

The Team De Online Drogist rider uses the spacers under the stem to raise his frontal position. In conjunction with a narrow handlebar, he believes this makes him faster.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jansen\u2019s chain catcher provided security on the singletrack through the dunes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Jansen fitted the same chain catcher as Wout van Aert rode at Milan-San Remo, while running a 1x drivetrain<\/a>. He was also on a SRAM single chainring, albeit of a smaller size. His gravel-specific SRAM XPLR eTap AXS drivetrain includes a Quarq power meter<\/a> and 10-44t cassette.<\/p>\n

Despite beach racing\u2019s high pace on the hard sand, the slower dune sections can force riders to dismount and run. Hence why Jansen fitted Shimano SPD pedals<\/a> to the SRAM Force cranks.<\/p>\n

\""Richard\"<\/picture><\/div>
Jansen won the Dutch Beach Racing title in 2015.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Battle\"<\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s little room for these 60mm-wide tyres.<\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Battle\"<\/picture><\/div>
A 10-44t cassette provides a low enough gear on a largely flat course. <\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Tubeless\"<\/picture><\/div>
The tubeless Schwalbe G-One Speed tyres hold just 17psi.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Spacers\"<\/picture><\/div>
Spacers raise the stem into a faster position, according to Jansen.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Battle\"<\/picture><\/div>
The hoods on the narrow Deda Superzero bars tilt inwards.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Maddy Nutt\u2019s Ribble Gravel SL<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Ribble Gravel SL is one of the brand\u2019s racier off-road options.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Third-fastest female Maddy Nutt finished 139th overall on her Ribble Gravel SL, a gravel racing bike with frame and fork mounts that enable it to carry gear on bikepacking<\/a> trips too.<\/p>\n

The sparkly blue paintjob is in the colours of her team, the Ribble Collective. Nutt shod the all-road Parcours Ronde wheelset with 700 x 47c Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The flat Level handlebars look to be aerodynamic.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Nutt swapped the stock handlebar to a flat 38cm-wide bar from Level, Ribble\u2019s component brand. This replicates her road bike position<\/a> and minimises drag on the fast, open sand. Her Shimano GRX<\/a> groupset included a 40T single chainring and she used Garmin Rally XC200 pedals to measure her power<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Ribble Collective is an off-road racing outfit formed after the collapse of the Ribble Weldtite road racing team.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Shimano\"<\/picture><\/div>
The lower speeds and higher-torque pedalling in the dunes require a wide-range cassette.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Vittoria\"<\/picture><\/div>
The \u2018Dry\u2019 version of the Terreno tyre has low-profile knobs.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Fork\"<\/picture><\/div>
Fork mounts suggest the gravel racing bike can double up as a luggage hauler.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Maddy\"<\/picture><\/div>
The whole groupset is Shimano GRX with a single chainring. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Chris Opie\u2019s Lapierre Prorace 4.9<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Prorace is the French brand\u2019s XC hardtail.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Now for something burlier. Chris Opie came 87th on his Lapierre Prorace 4.9, the French brand\u2019s hardtail cross-country mountain bike<\/a>. The alloy frame is specced with 29in wheels wrapped in 29\u00d72.5in Maxxis Ardent tyres<\/a> set up with inner tubes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He ran a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain incorporating a single 32T chainring, 11-50t cassette and a Quarq power meter. However, he used Shimano shifters.<\/p>\n

Another notable front-end feature was the 120mm Cinelli stem<\/a> flipped to -17 degrees to make his riding position less upright.\u00a0 Opie averaged 28km\/h, so it may well have helped his aerodynamics.<\/p>\n

\""SRAM\"<\/picture><\/div>
Beach racing is harsh on components. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Cinelli\"<\/picture><\/div>
Opie flipped the stem to reduce his frontal drag. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Maxxis\"<\/picture><\/div>
Long live the inner tube \u2013 tubeless mountain bike tyres aren\u2019t universally popular. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Front\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Prorace has front but no rear suspension. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Shimano\"<\/picture><\/div>
Shimano shifters do not match the SRAM drivetrain. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Dan Evans\u2019 Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Evans rode Cannondale\u2019s CX race bike with 50mm-wide gravel tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The two-time former UK national hill climb champion swapped the slopes for the sand, finishing 34th in the Battle on the Beach.<\/p>\n

The Cannondale-sponsored rider swapped from the brand\u2019s hardtail cross-country mountain bike, the Cannondale Scalpel<\/a>, which he has ridden at previous editions.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Because they\u2019re perceived to be more reliable, mechanical drivetrains could hang around longer on cyclocross bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although the Welshman has the SuperSix EVO SE gravel bike<\/a> in his stable, he opted for the SuperSix EVO CX<\/a>. The cyclocross bike<\/a> is specced with Hunt Aerodynamicist wheels<\/a> and a 1x mechanical SRAM Force drivetrain.<\/p>\n

He squeezed 700x50mm Continental Terra Hardpack<\/a> tyres into the frame, for which the maximum recommended width is 700x50mm.<\/p>\n

\""SRAM\"<\/picture><\/div>
Evans\u2019 was one of many 1x drivetrains. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Cannondale\"<\/picture><\/div>
The custom blue-to-purple fade paintjob looks lovely.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Continental\"<\/picture><\/div>
Breathe in: 50c tyres are tight in a cyclocross frame. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Tread\"<\/picture><\/div>
A fairly smooth central tread and raised shoulder knobs was a popular tyre pattern. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Dan\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Welshman has won the UK National Hill Climb Championships on two occasions. <\/span> <\/figcaption> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Jess Evans\u2019 Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jess Evans stuck with Cannondale\u2019s clinical hardtail.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The five-time Welsh National Hill Climb Champion, Jess Evans, came 263rd overall and third in her vet women\u2019s category. She rode her husband Dan\u2019s Cannondale Scalpel HT Hi-Mod.<\/p>\n

The hardtail has a Lefty suspension fork to boost cushioning and 29\u00d72.2in Continental Race King tyres to bolster grip along the slippery singletrack.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Evans used a chainguard and chain catcher.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The groupset is mainly Shimano Deore XT M8100<\/a> components, apart from a 34T HollowGram single chainring.<\/p>\n

A Wahoo Elemnt Roam<\/a> bike computer sits on the swept-back carbon handlebar from Ultimate USE.<\/p>\n

\""Continental\"<\/picture><\/div>
The knobs on the Race Kings are spaced out. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Left\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Lefty Ocho carbon fork gives front suspension. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Shimano\"<\/picture><\/div>
Running out of gears wouldn\u2019t have been a worry. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Cannondale\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Scalpel is built around a lightweight carbon layup. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Ben Chapman\u2019s Trek Procaliber 9.7<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Trek Procaliber uses IsoSpeed to decouple the seat tube and top tube to improve compliance.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ben Chapman demonstrated the suitability of hardtail mountain bikes for the Battle on the Beach, with a mid-pack finish on his Trek Procaliber<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The bike is built around a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with a 32T single chainring, while Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc brakes take care of stopping.<\/p>\n

On Bontrager Kovee Elite carbon 29in wheels, Chapman installed Pirelli Scorpion tyres. Sadly, the ESI bar grips on the 72cm-wide Bontrager handlebar were scuffed in a crash.<\/p>\n

\""Rockshox\"<\/picture><\/div>
A RockShox Reba RL fork gave welcome cushioning through the woods.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""ESI\"<\/picture><\/div>
The ESI bar grips sustained battle scars in a crash. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""IsoSpeed\"<\/picture><\/div>
The IsoSpeed decoupler sits at the seat tube and top tube junction. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Trek\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Procaliber 9.7 gets Trek\u2019s premium carbon frame material. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Pirelli\"<\/picture><\/div>
The South Wales mud and sand was hard for the tyres to shed. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Andy Patterson\u2019s Kingdom Vendetta X2<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Titanium mountain bikes are a rarity not only at the Battle on the Beach.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Andy Patterson did not finish, but his titanium Kingdom Vendetta placed highly in the Battle on the Beach beauty contest.<\/p>\n

Look closely and you\u2019ll see the welds have an iridescent hue. This complements the blue Hope headset and seatpost clamps, pedals and Race Face chainring.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bling sings despite being splattered with muck.<\/span><\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A Wolf Tooth strap on the underside of the down tube holds a spare inner tube, while a mini pump attaches to a seatstay.<\/p>\n

Patterson replaced the 150mm-travel suspension fork he uses for bike park visits with a rigid fork for the race.<\/p>\n

\""Kingdom\"<\/picture><\/div>
An oil-spill effect merges into the metallic sheen of the frame. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Wolftooth\"<\/picture><\/div>
The bolt-on Wolf Tooth strap is a neat way to carry spares.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Kingdom\"<\/picture><\/div>
Hope headset clamps aid colour coordination. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Schwalbe\"<\/picture><\/div>
Schwalbe\u2019s Nobby Nic tyres have a light tread pattern.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Felix Smith \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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