Kenda's low-knob Karma tread design offers a fast roll.(Image credit: James Huang)
Cannondale's BB30 bottom bracket shell uses a standard 68mm width but an oversized diameter that directly houses the cartridge bearings and aluminum spindle.(Image credit: James Huang)
Juarez's bike is fitted with a Cannondale bottle cage made with carbon fibre and aluminum.(Image credit: James Huang)
A Garmin Edge 705 GPS-enabled computer keeps track of Juarez's training rides.(Image credit: James Huang)
24-hour races take a serious toll on the body - especially the hands - and Juarez prefers ODI's new Cush grips.(Image credit: James Huang)
The ultralight Cannondale Si Hollowgram SL crankset is fitted with just two chainrings.(Image credit: James Huang)
Aluminum dropouts are plugged into the carbon fibre stays.(Image credit: James Huang)
The front brake caliper clamps down on a lightweight metal matrix rotor from Scrub Components.(Image credit: James Huang)
In spite of its 110mm of travel and superb rigidity, the Cannondale Lefty Speed Carbon SL fork has a claimed weight of just 1.16kg (2.55lb).(Image credit: James Huang)
Tinker Juarez continues to tear up the endurance racing scene aboard his Cannondale Scalpel Team.(Image credit: James Huang)
The Cannondale XC3 stem also directly integrates the steerer tube for reduced weight.(Image credit: James Huang)
The Lefty fork's lockout lever is located up high where it's easily accessed.(Image credit: James Huang)
Juarez finally switched from Look's old S2R Moab pedal to Crank Brothers' Quattro 4ti - but now finds himself in a similar situation as before as they're no longer in production.(Image credit: James Huang)
The rear wheel is affixed to the frame with an ultralight USE SpinStix skewer.(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM's ubiquitous X.0 rear derailleur handles gear changes out back.(Image credit: James Huang)
Carbon fibre front and rear triangles help keep the weight down on the Cannondale Scalpel frame.(Image credit: James Huang)
The NoTubes ZTR Race wheelset is a popular choice among pros and amateurs alike for its superlight weight, easy tubeless convertibility, and surprisingly reasonable durability.(Image credit: James Huang)
The fi'zi:k Dolomiti saddle provides some needed extra cushioning over more sparsely padded ultralights.(Image credit: James Huang)
Paired to the ultralight frame is the similarly light DT Swiss XR Carbon rear shock.(Image credit: James Huang)
In recent times the name 'Tinker' Juarez has become synonymous with US cross-country mountain bike racing. He captured three NORBA overall titles, the US national crown in 2001, represented his country at two Olympics and was even inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
These days, the former BMXer is still competitive on the trail but now as a dedicated endurance-distance racer - whereas once his finish times would be around two or three hours, something in the order of a full day or more is now the norm.
Though 24-hour racing can be notoriously hard on equipment, Juarez's compact 63.5kg (140lb) build allows him to run some of the lightest equipment around without too much trouble. His Cannondale Scalpel Team frame and matching Lefty Speed Carbon SL fork are barely 3.3kg (7.28lb) combined, there are just two rings on his feathery Si Hollowgram bonded aluminum BB30 crankset, and he's also running Stan Koziatek's lightest NoTubes ZTR Race wheels. In race trim with tools and a chunky Garmin Edge 705 computer mounted, total weight is still just 10.3kg (22.7lb).
Drivetrain bits consist of a SRAM X.0 long-cage rear derailleur and matching trigger shifters, a part-titanium Shimano XTR cassette, and KMC's milled-out KMC XL9-CP chain. Even the already-light Magura Marta SL hydraulic disc brakes haven't been left alone. Instead of the stock stainless steel rotors, Juarez prefers to use metal matrix discs from upstart company Scrub Components - but not when it's wet as Juarez says they tend to wear pads a little quicker.
When we caught up with him back in June his bike was set up with a stainless rear rotor as an upcoming event looked to be decorated with rain. "In dry conditions I haven't had a problem with them," he said.
Some data has suggested that lower tyre pressure may lower rolling resistance comparative to higher pressures but Juarez doesn't care, insisting his typically firmer setup - even higher than what's recommended for his ZTR rims - feels quicker. "I like to start off around 36 or 37psi - pretty hard," he admitted. "I even sometimes run them close to 45psi. I've always liked higher pressures just for the faster rolling resistance, at least for me. In 24 hours I also have time to dab out air if I feel like it's too hard... usually something like seven hours in."
Long-time 'Tinker' followers will also remember his steadfast adherence to Look's original off-road clipless pedal, the S2R Moab, even long after they were discontinued. Though incredibly durable and offering a substantial platform, they're also notorious heavy at over 500g per pair. Finally, however, Juarez has now switched to the more modern - and far lighter - Crank Brothers Quattro 4ti.
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"Once something works, I just don't want to change," said Juarez. "But when I switched to Diadora shoes I said, 'why not try swapping pedals and shoes?'. I decided to use the Quattro [4ti] because of the bigger platform and I like the shorter Q-factor. For me, when I'm pedaling, I like the shortest spindle on earth."
Ironically though, Juarez has once again dedicated himself to a pedal system that is no longer in production (Crank Brothers ceased offering the Quattros this year). However, just as before, there's apparent safety in numbers: "They said these are repairable pedals and once again, I have a boatload of them around and they're still sending me some," he said. "But I think my next generation will be Candys because they also have a shorter spindle."
Juarez can't afford to go too light though and has to make some concessions in order to make it through the night. His fi'zi:k Dolomiti is more heavily padded than most pure race saddles and his ODI Cush grips are decidedly on the squishier end of the spectrum.
In addition, he also makes sure to be reasonably self-sufficient during races in terms of on-trail repairs. "The seat bag is the most important thing. I always carry one tube, if not two, plus two quick fills in case I end up screwing up with one, an extra link in case the chain breaks and some tools."
For night time laps, he swaps out the seat bag and transfers those essentials to a hydration pack - but he still uses a frame-mounted bottle for liquids. According to Juarez, the pack is mainly just a means to carry his lighting system battery as it's up closer to the helmet where it's mounted and easier to access by his support crew.
Juarez's Scalpel may be an object of desire for most consumers but even he admits he's not always at on top of things gear-wise as someone with his status perhaps should be. "I try to go as light as possible but it always seems like I'm always a few months behind on equipment. I'm really excited to get on the new SRAM XX stuff. That 36T cog with the 29T will be a sweet gear. I'll get it sooner or later."
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Cannondale Scalpel Team, size M Rear shock: DT Swiss XR Carbon Fork: Cannondale Lefty Speed Carbon SL Headset: Cannondale HeadShok SL Stem: Cannondale XC3 Si, 90mm x -5º Handlebars: FSA K-Force XC flat, 560mm Tape/grips: ODI Cush dual-ply Front brake: Magura Marta SL w/ Scrub 160mm metal matrix rotor Rear brake: Magura Marta SL w/ Magura 160mm stainless steel rotor Brake levers: Magura Marta SL Front derailleur: Shimano XTR FD-M971 Rear derailleur: SRAM X.0 20th Anniversary long cage Shift levers: SRAM X.0 trigger Cassette: Shimano XTR CS-M970, 11-34T Chain: KMC XL9-CP Crankset: Cannondale Si Hollowgram SL, 175mm, 44/29T Bottom bracket: Cannondale Hollowgram ceramic Pedals: Crank Brothers Quattro 4ti Wheelset: Stan's NoTubes ZTR Race w/ USE SpinStix skewers Front tyre: Kenda Karma L3R Pro tube-type, 26x2.0" Rear tyre: Kenda Karma UST, 26x1.95" Saddle: fi'zi:k Dolomiti Seat post: USE Sumo Carbon Bottle cages: Cannondale carbon Computer: Garmin Edge 705
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.73m (5' 8") Rider's weight: 63.5kg (140lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 688mm Seat tube length, c-t: 435mm Seat tube length, c-c: 388mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 514mm Handlebar drop: 20mm Head tube length: 133mm Top tube length: 600mm Total bicycle weight: 10.3kg (22.7lb) w/ bag and computer
