{"id":55971,"date":"2023-10-30T00:06:36","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T23:06:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=752077"},"modified":"2023-10-30T01:46:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T00:46:12","slug":"sketchy-weight-saving-hacks-sub-6kg-disc-bikes-and-raw-carbon-galore-2023-hill-climb-national-championships-tech-gallery","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/sketchy-weight-saving-hacks-sub-6kg-disc-bikes-and-raw-carbon-galore-2023-hill-climb-national-championships-tech-gallery\/","title":{"rendered":"Sketchy weight-saving hacks, sub-6kg disc bikes and raw carbon galore | 2023 Hill Climb National Championships tech gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"

1x and epic pain faces dominate on The Struggle <\/p>

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

Published: Monday, 30 October 2023 at 23:06 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The UK hill climb season is defined by bikes and tech pushed to the limit of lightness.<\/p>\n

The 2023 UK National Championships had no shortage of boutique lightweight tech, weight-saving hacks and sanded carbon on show.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at our favourite tech from the day.<\/p>\n

Ben Mackinson sub-\u00a31k Trek Emonda SLR<\/h2>\n
\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Ben Mackinson\u2019s eBay-fu is unmatched.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ben Mackinson\u2019s 5.2kg Trek Emonda SLR weighs just 5.2kg but cost him under \u00a31,000, with every part except the cables purchased second-hand.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mackinson sanded the frame to within an inch of its life.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The heart of the bike is the frame, which Mackinson bought on eBay for \u00a3200. He spent 30 hours sanding it back to a raw finish as a lockdown project, saving 175g.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
10-speed era SRAM Red is the prototypical hill climber\u2019s groupset.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The lightweight Hunt tubular wheelset is the most expensive part of the bike, purchased just a week before the nationals for \u00a3500.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
It\u2019s rare to see 26mm finishing kit these days.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most modern road bike handlebars<\/a> \u2013 including lightweight models \u2013 use a 31.8mm clamp.<\/p>\n

It is, however, possible to build a lightweight, albeit less stiff, setup with old school 26mm diameter finishing kit.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mackinson deemed the descent midway through Thr Struggle short enough to not warrant drops, so out came the hacksaw.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Here, Mackinson has paired a 2005 Extralight Roadstem UL3 26mm stem with chopped Deda Piega bars<\/a> for a lightweight budget setup.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
These Planet X\/Fouriers brakes are a popular choice in the hill climb scene.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Planet X\u2019s CNC Ultralight brakes have a dedicated following in the hill climb world, weighing around 100g apiece.<\/p>\n

They can regularly be purchased secondhand for less than \u00a350 a pair. For comparison, a pair of Cane Creek eeBrakes weighs around 160g a pair (depending on spec) but will set you back \u00a3660 a pair.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A second Garmin mount O-ring was seen as a frivolous waste of grams when one would do.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n\n

Introducing The Struggle\u2026<\/h2>\n
\"Jack\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
BikeRadar was, once again, represented at the Hill Climb National Championships by our own Jack Evans<\/a>.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Co-hosted by Lakes Road Club and Barrow Central Wheelers, this year\u2019s UK Hill Climb National Championships took place on The Struggle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Hill\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The finish line was littered with ruined riders.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

At 4.3km long, The Struggle is an outlier in the UK hill climb scene \u2013 climbing 444m from Ambleside to the head of Kirkstone Pass at an average gradient of 8 per cent with a mid-course descent also adding to the challenge, few events are as long or technical.<\/p>\n\n

Dannielle Watkinson\u2019s modified Specialized Tarmac SL3<\/h2>\n
\"Dannielle\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
This Tarmac SL3 hides a special secret.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Dannielle Watkinson\u2019s 5.4kg Tarmac SL3 was purchased as a birthday present by her partner.<\/p>\n

\"Internally\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The bike is, quite possibly, the world\u2019s only internally-routed Tarmac SL3.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The bike was stripped and repainted and, at the same time, modified to internally route the rear brake cable.<\/p>\n

This with the updated graphics lends the bike a surprisingly contemporary look \u2013 don\u2019t forget the Tarmac SL3 was released way back in 2010<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Dannielle\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Ciamillo makes some of the lightest brakes out there.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Ciamillo Zero G Ti brakes are of a similar vintage and weigh around 190g for a pair.<\/p>\n

The exotic lightweight theme continues with 23mm wide Veloflex Record tyres mounted to AX Lightness wheels. These are fitted with latex inner tubes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Dannielle\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The one-piece cockpit is wide yet light.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Watkinson opted for a 42cm-wide Bontrager XXX one-piece cockpit. She said the wider bars provided additional leverage on the steepest sections of The Struggle.<\/p>\n

\"Hill\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
This sneaky skull charm is an apt reminder hill climb racing leaves you feeling like death.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Humble brakes for Chris Mann\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo R3<\/h2>\n
\"Dia-Compe\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
You do not have to spend heaps of money, or buy new kit, to build a competitive bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Chris Mann\u2019s humble Dia-Compe Gran Compe 9000 Ti calipers stood out among a sea of boutique brakes.<\/p>\n

Weighing just 125g per brake, these are commonly available for low prices secondhand. Better still, Mann\u2019s were pinched from a box of spare parts at his work.<\/p>\n

\"Dia-Compe\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The brakes were fitted to Mann\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo S3.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While lighter options exist, the brakes certainly didn\u2019t slow down Mann, who took 10th in the men\u2019s event.<\/p>\n

Mann added they wouldn\u2019t have slowed him down anyway, noting they are \u201cquite ineffective\u201d as brakes.<\/p>\n

Sam Marshall\u2019s rim brake Pinarello Dogma F<\/h2>\n
\"Sam\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
We applaud anyone buying a new rim brake road bike in 2023.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Pinarello Dogma F<\/a> is one of the last top-tier road bikes still available with rim brakes<\/a>, making it a niche choice in 2023.<\/p>\n

\"Sam\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Dogma F is one of very few new carbon rim brake bikes available today.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Unlike some rim brake fanatics, Sam Marshall\u2019s decision to #savetherimbrake<\/a> was not made in pursuit of an aesthetic ideal or dislike of disc brakes.<\/p>\n

\"Sam\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Marshall switched to 1x for the hill climb season.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Instead, his choice was made on purely pragmatic grounds as he already owned a top-tier rim brake groupset. A refreshingly nonpartisan approach to the most divisive issue in road cycling tech.<\/p>\n

Other than a swap to a 1x setup<\/a> and lighter wheels, the 6.68kg bike is pictured as Marshall would ride it day-to-day.<\/p>\n

Jason Holder\u2019s incredible Trek Emonda SLR RSL<\/h2>\n
\"Jason\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
We\u2019ve already published a full gallery on Jason Holder\u2019s amazing Trek Emonda SLR RSL.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Jason Holder\u2019s 5.3kg Trek Emonda SLR RSL is\u2026 well, a lot\u2019s going on here.<\/p>\n

\"Jason\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jason\u2019s glued-on saddle lasted until the finish line \u2013 or just long enough, in his words.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

From a glued-on saddle (which fell off at the finish line) to plastic limit screws, this bike was among the most heavily modified on the hill.<\/p>\n

\"Jason\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Holder was found praying at the altar of pain at the finish line.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In fact, there\u2019s so much going on that we\u2019ve already published a full standalone gallery on this bike<\/a> \u2013 it is not one to miss!<\/p>\n

Chris Hall\u2019s super light Cerv\u00e9lo R5 disc<\/h2>\n
\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Chris Hall\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo R5 weighs just 5.59kg \u2013 not bad for a disc brake bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Chris Hall rode his 5.59kg Cerv\u00e9lo S5 with a hill climb-specific bike fit<\/a> for the 2023 Nationals.<\/p>\n

\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Hall rotated his hoods backwards to put his hands in a more neutral position when climbing out of the saddle.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

By tilting the nose of his saddle downwards and rotating the hoods backwards, he is placed in a more natural riding position on steep pitches.<\/p>\n

\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A mountain bike crankset is compatible with a wider range of chainrings.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Hall swapped his usual Dura-Ace crankset in favour of a Shimano XTR mountain bike crankset for his hill climb season.<\/p>\n

\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The driveside of the crankset had to be spaced out to accommodate the extra width of the axle.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Hall says this is lighter than a Dura-Ace crankset and provides better small chainring compatibility.<\/p>\n

\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Berd spokes, Extralite and Tubolito inner tubes make for a lightweight wheelset.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Reserve carbon rims are laced to Extralite hubs using Berd polymer spokes. These are fitted with a pair of Schwalbe Pro One TT tyres and Tubolito TPU inner tubes.<\/p>\n

\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Carbon thru-axles are now a thing \u2013 what a time to be alive.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Hall has replaced his stock alloy thru-axles for Overfast carbon thru-axles \u2013 yes, carbon.<\/p>\n

These are claimed to be the world\u2019s lightest, saving around 98g versus stock axles, according to Overfast.<\/p>\n

\"Chris\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Darimo\u2019s lightest seatposts use cords rather than clamps to hold the saddle in place.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A mix of Darimo and Schmolke finishing kit rounds out the build.<\/p>\n