Features
Road

Light makes right

By James Huang

published 3 May 2007

One could say that second-year Team Specialized rider Liam Killeen has a bit of a weight problem… at...

Comments

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Image 1 of 31

The new Specialized Phenom saddle(Image credit: James Huang)

Skipping the paint and omitting filler materials(Image credit: James Huang)

Killeen's drivetrain is a mixed bag(Image credit: James Huang)

Lighter is better,(Image credit: James Huang)

Specialized's new XC-specific wheels(Image credit: James Huang)

Skewers are by German company Carbon-Ti.(Image credit: James Huang)

The uber-lightweight wonderbike of Team Specialized's Liam Killeen.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Skipping the paint and omitting filler materials shaves 100-150g from the stock frame weight.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A custom Swiss-made carbon fiber seat clamp is reported to weigh just 5g.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Killeen's drivetrain is a mixed bag consisting of parts from title sponsor Specialized, SRAM, Shimano, and even KMC.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Team frames get a proprietary oversized bottom bracket shell to house the FACT carbon crankset borrowed from Specialized's road division.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The two-piece carbon fiber arms join in the center of the bottom bracket spindle.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Killeen generally runs just two chainrings, and 110mm compact BCD spider allows for a wide range of gearing to suit almost any course.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Crank Brothers' superlight Egg Beater 4Ti pedals are a popular choice on the race circuit.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Lighter is better, and there are virtually none lighter than KMC's X-SL chain.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Killeen runs the SRAM X.0 BlackBox rear derailleur complete with a mid-length carbon composite cage.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A Dura-Ace mech handles gear shifts up front.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Killeen swapped his Stan's wheels from last year to Specialized Roval Contróle hoops.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Specialized's new XC-specific wheels sport straight-pull spokes and cartridge bearing hubs. Coated aluminum rotors from Stan's NoTubes are reported to weight as little as 58g each.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Fast-rollling Specialized Fast Trak SLK tires are just the thing for race day.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Killeen is running the same Pace RC39XC fork from last year. New ones manufactured by new owner DT Swiss are coming in the near future.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

See any steel hardware here? Killeen's bike wears a mix of titanium, aluminum, and even carbon fiber bolts throughout for maximum weight savings.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Killeen boldly uses aluminum hardware to secure the front brake caliper.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The rear brake is also attached with red-anodized aluminum bolts and titanium is used for the brake rotors.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Skewers are by German company Carbon-Ti.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Syntace provides the handlebar and stem.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

An AX-Lightness post is adapted for use in the S-Works Epic Carbon with a custom-made carbon fiber shim.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Bar ends? Yup, Killeen still runs bar ends, and Titec's Pluto Carbon is his bar end of choice.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The new Specialized Phenom saddle offers much of the same light weight as the road-going Toupé, but in a more MTB-friendly shape and without the harsh plastic ends.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)