TDU 2017 Tech: Adam Hansen’s Ridley Helium SLX

Adam Hansen has a wee bit of pedigree. Former winner of Australia’s toughest off-road race, the Crocodile trophy, he has taken his success off-road to the WorldTour, and is now the record holder for the number of consecutive grand tours completed, at sixteen. His 2016 Vuelta ride officially broke the record – an absolutely amazing achievement. Adam also has a reputation as a bike tinkerer, shoe maker, and even software developer. Is there anywhere Adam’s talents don’t extend? Drop past the break to get up close with his unique bike setup…

Adam’s bike setup certainly is unorthodox. Case in point is his Deda seatpost with just a smidge of setback, but flipped around, and the Selle Italia Flite carbon rail saddle jammed all of the way forward, likely as far as the UCI will let him.

However, with a track record like Hansen’s, clearly the unorthodox works out just fine.

Double security around the seat cluster. His bike gets a standard seatpost clamp, plus a secondary clamp around the post itself to prevent slippage. This little addition is something we normally only spot in the rough Spring Classics, but would be handy for traveling – nigh on impossible to mess up one’s saddle height!

Hansen also must be quite flexible, as his bike gets one of the greatest saddle to handlebar drops you’ll ever spot.

The Deda handlebars and Zero 100 stem in -20° looks a little lower than usual, but that is only partly because Adam’s bike was suspended at the rear wheel on a bike stand.

Regardless, that position isn’t for everyone – remember, bike fit is a personal choice.

Beneath the stem resides the newest ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible Campagnolo EPS V3 control unit, so he can keep an eye on his setup from a smartphone or pair it with a regular cycling computer.

A new bike livery for Lotto Soudal means suitably coordinated handlebar tape.

#BE Tough – #AU Tough if you’re Adam Hansen.

SRM is the official power meter sponsor for Lotto Soudal, and the bikes of all riders are fitted with the PC8 head unit.

Lotto Soudal is one of three teams riding Campagnolo components this season, and Super Record EPS is the choice for the team. Classy.

Heat shink tubing has been used by a lot of pro team mechanics to keep the wiring associated with Campagnolo and Shimano electronic drivetrains looking neat. Note the Campagnolo EPS wires enters at the same spot on the frame as the rear brake cable.

Of great interest is the crankset on Adam’s bike. Lotto’s head mechanic, Steven Van Olmen, told me it is a prototype SRM unit. However, it greatly resembles the Lightning Bikes carbon crankset, albeit with a matte surface finish and no logos.

Assuming this to be true, Lightning Bikes claim their crankset and bottom bracket assembly is the lightest on the market. Note the surface finish around the spider area of the crank. Because Adam Hansen uses 180mm cranks, availability is the limiting factor. Custom or otherwise, not every manufacturer produces such a crankset.

According to Lightning Bikes, a 170mm crank with 130BCD and a BB86 bottom bracket weighs 405 grams sans chainrings. Hansen is not shy to some unique custom carbon, so we’ll be interested to try an find even more about these things.

The bottom bracket also receives an upgrade courtesy of C-Bear ceramic bearings, who have a been a long-time supplier to the team.

Look Keo Blade 2 Pro Team Carbon / Titanium pedals.

Campagnolo Super Record EPS rear derailleur, matched to an 11-25 ratio cassette, the standard gearing choice for most riders at the 2017 Tour Down Under.

This braze on mount K-Edge chain catcher keeps the chain from dropping in the event of an errant gear shift.

Continental isn’t dominating the pro tire scene like it was in 2017. The Vittoria Corsa has been spotted on several team’s bikes – this is the 700c x 25mm tubular.

No tricky aero brakes here, just the proven performance of Campagnolo’s Super Record brake calipers.

The rear brake with race number mount ready to go.

Elite supply the team’s Cannibal bottle cages and bidons.

Adam, good luck for this season!

Ridley Bikes

Article and photos by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.