Lael Wilcox will next week attempt to break the around the world cycling record, which currently stands at 124 days. She aims to ride 29,000 kilometres (18,000 miles) through 22 countries and beat the record by two weeks.
Let me save you from doing the maths: Lael will need to ride over 260 kilometres (160 mi) every day for almost four months. Seriously! You can see her exact route HERE.
In addition to this endurance feat, Lael will attempt the record unsupported, which means she will need to spend much of her day hunting down calorie-dense foods, and hotels, while maintaining her bike, and constantly working on logistics.
In this article, we’ll be taking a close look Lael’s bike for this record attempt.
Specialized Roubaix SL8: Lael Wilcox Bike of Choice
Lael is riding a modified Specialized Roubaix SL8 endurance road bike.
This bike features a Future Shock hydraulic suspension element just under the handlebar to absorb vibrations coming up from the road. This will save Lael’s hands, arms, and shoulders from shock coming up from the road, and if there are any unexpected potholes, the suspension damper can minimise the impact significantly.
The Future Shock is a product we have tested in the CYCLINGABOUT Comfort Lab. While we primarily test on gravel terrain, we have measured this suspension element to damp a seriously impressive level of vibrations. In fact, the Future Shock offers more gravel road comfort than any front suspension products we’ve tested – and that includes suspension forks.
It’s a similar story at the back of the bike. The S-Works Pave carbon seatpost can flex up to 18 mm vertically (0.7″) and requires very little force to displace. According to the data, just 9kg (20lb) of body weight on the saddle results in this seatpost displacing one vertical millimetre.
Specialized Saddle
Lael’s bike uses a Specialized Power Pro saddle with ‘Mirror’ technology. This is a unique 3D-printed offering that supports the sit bones like a hammock.
These saddles are a super cool product. A liquid polymer is printed into an infinitely tuneable honeycomb structure. This lattice structure is made up of some 14,000 struts and 7,799 nodes that can mirror a rider’s buttocks region.
Mirror technology is a leap forward in terms of comfort. If the saddle shape works for you, these saddles are notorious for supporting your body weight without damaging the soft tissue in your undercarriage.
Interestingly, Lael doesn’t use padded shorts, instead relying entirely on this saddle for sit-bone comfort.
Zipp Wheels & Specialized Tyres
The Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels are light, aerodynamic, and durable. The rim profile has been wind tunnel tested to be notably fast for its depth, thanks to its more bulbous design. While Lael could have used deeper and more aerodynamic rims, they might be a handful in the crosswinds she’ll likely experience along the way.
Tyre choice is crucial for a record of this distance and duration. Lael has chosen sponsor-correct Specialized Mondo S-Works tyres in a 35 mm width. The Mondos have notably good puncture protection, which is going to be essential on some of the debris-heavy road shoulders Lael will be cycling in.
While the Mondo tyres offer a high puncture resistance, they aren’t class-leading for rolling resistance. A better tyre choice is the Continental GP5000 All Season 35 mm, which rolls about 4 watts faster per tyre, while offering a similar level of protection across the tread, and even more protection at the sidewalls.
If we assume Lael averages 25km/h (15.5mph) on her journey, my napkin maths suggests an upgrade to Continental tyres could save her about 17 minutes per day, which is over 31 hours of cycling during this record attempt. Damn, that’s around three days of cycling… that added up quickly!
Zipp Aero Bars
Lael’s cockpit consists of an S-Works Shallow Bend drop bar, and Zipp Vuka Clip aero bars. While there is a clear advantage to cycling in a more aerodynamic position, most aero bar users will agree that the biggest advantage is the extra comfort they offer.
Aero bars provide Lael with an entirely new riding position. With her elbows and humerus (arm bone) supporting the majority of her upper body weight, she’ll reduce strain on her arms, wrists, and hands – preventing long-term overuse injuries. In addition, these aero bars will allow Lael to stretch out and use different back muscles.
Aero bars make it a bit hard to fit accessories, so Ruckus Composites stepped in to craft some custom carbon fibre mounts that place Lael’s smartphone, bike computer, and dynamo light in the optimal position.
The phone mount of choice is by Quadlock. This is the phone mounting system I’ve been happily using for over a decade.
Lael is using a prototype Revelate Designs Pitchfork Aerobar System for her sleeping gear.
This harness attaches directly to the aero bars and allows Lael to attach a dry bag underneath with two adjustable straps. There are two feed pockets on either side of the bar extensions, which each have one-handed drawstrings to keep snacks safe and at the ready. In the centre of the Pitchfork is a bungee cord for cinching down some clothing while Lael is on the move.
This looks like a well-thought-out, multi-use bag.
Schmidt Front Light
Lael will be lighting her way with a Schmidt Edelux II dynamo light fixed to her aero bars.
This is the best possible light for a round-the-world journey, as the light is very bright (95 lux), you never have to charge any batteries, and the level of mechanical resistance (drag) is significantly lower than many new ultra-bright dynamo light options.
Lael will likely average around 7 watts of drag with her light switched on, but it could be as much as 10 watts at high speeds. Given she will likely only need to spend a couple of hours cycling at night per day, this light shouldn’t be too much of a time penalty.
The Edelux II light is wired up to a SON dynamo hub, which has the undisputed title of being the most efficient and most reliable hub offering available.
SRAM Red Groupset
Lael has the latest SRAM Red 2X wireless groupset with 46-33 tooth front chainrings and a 10 to 36 tooth rear cassette. This yields a low climbing gear of 25 gear inches, which is about as low as it gets for a road bike groupset. These gear ratios are going to be some relief when her legs are fatigued at day 100.
SRAM Red is a fully electronic groupset, so Lael will need to carry 2 or 3 spare batteries and a charger to keep her gears operating. According to Lael, she’ll be in hotels at least every other night, so this should be easy to keep on top of.
The big advantage of electronic groupsets for ultra-endurance cycling is that the gear change buttons are much easier to press when your hands are cold. In addition, after the inevitable nerve damage associated with long miles on a bike, it should be easier for Lael to change gears with numb fingers.
Revelate Bikepacking Bags
The rear seat pack is by Revelate Designs who have been making top-tier bikepacking bags since 2008. The Terrapin mounts onto the bike using their ‘Spinelock stability system’ that connects the saddle with a plate inside the bag to ensure it cannot sway side-to-side. It’s a nifty system.
Lael is also using a Revelate MagTank top tube pack that very elegantly bolts to her frame. Unlike most top tube packs, these bags use a flap secured by a magnetic buckle, which allows for quick one-handed opening and closing.
Summary
Lael Wilcox’s bike is looking very fast, lightweight, reliable, and comfortable. I’d expect the total weight of the bike, bags, and luggage to be somewhere just shy of 20 kilograms (44 lbs).
Other than the choice of tyres, I think this setup looks perfect for a 29,000 km bike ride around the planet. Good luck next week, Lael!
