Earlier in the week, we interviewed one of Lotto Soudal’s mechanics, Steven Van Olmen. Steven is the man supporting the Lotto Soudal team at the 2016 Tour Down Under, and the Ridley Helium SL of Adam Hansen is one of many team bikes under his care.
In 2004 and 2005, Adam won one of Australia’s toughest off-road events, the Crocodile Trophy. From there, he has gone from strength to strength. He joined the pro-ranks in Europe in the mid 2000’s, and last year broke Bernardo Ruiz’s 68 year old record for the number of consecutive grand tours completed. Adam’s finish at the 2015 Vuelta a Espana marked his thirteenth grand tour finish in a row – an amazing accomplishment! But Adam isn’t just a record breaker, he’s a bike tinkerer and software developer, too…
The first thing that is glaringly obvious about Adam’s bike is his unorthodox choice of saddle and extremely aggressive saddle to handlebar drop.
The Selle Italia Kronos saddle was first used at the 2015 Tour De France, and is typically meant for use on a time trial bike. But when you’re Adam Hansen, you look outside of the box to take advantage of the forward position the saddle offers. The saddle also features anti-slip technology to keep Adam firmly in place. Take note of Adam’s Deda Drittissimo zero seatback seatpost, almost never seen in the pro ranks.
The aggressive nature of Adam’s position also extends to the handlebars, which measure 38mm in width, and the stem being a Deda Pista Zero100 track unit.
The Deda Pista Zero100 stem is a 67º stem, or -23 down if you prefer. In other words, Adam’s Deda stem slopes downwards.
Adam’s position aside, the rest of the bike is pretty standard. Campagnolo supply Super Record EPS groupsets and Bora Ultra Wheelsets to the team.
Lotto Soudal is one of the many teams supplied by Continental for tires. The team uses the Pro-only Competition Pro LTD tubular tire in a 25mm width.
Unlike so many team bikes in the peloton, Adam’s bike isn’t fitted with a power meter. Why I hear you asking? Adam rides 180mm crankarms, and SRM only fits power measuring hardware to Campagnolo’s 170mm – 175mm cranksets. A big thank you to Adam himself for clarifying this!
On the subject of technology, all of Lotto Soudal’s logistics software, which handles the comings and goings of everything related to bikes and equipment, was written by Adam. Clearly he is more than just a talented bike rider.
Braking duties for Lotto Soudal’s road bikes are handled by the venerable yet elegant, Campagnolo Super Record rim brake. Bottom brackets receive an upgrade courtesy of C-Bear ceramic bearings, who have been supplying the team since 2009.
Ridley prefers to keep things accessible and simple with the Helium SL, with rear brake cable routing running along the top tube, a feature I am sure Lotto’s mechanics truly appreciate.
Be sure to catch the Lotto Soudal team as they kick off their 2016 season at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, South Australia.
Photos and article by Gravel Cyclist.
Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.
