Pro bike: Alban Lakata’s Team Topeak-Ergon Canyon Lux CF(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Sitting at the left hand, a RockShox XLoc Full Sprint lever locks both front and rear shocks with a simple push(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
It seems a large majority of the Cape Epic's top riders are on the RockShox RS-1 fork(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
There's an unusual downward sweep to this bar. We're told this is a new bar from Canyon, but details are scarce(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Look closely at the fork lockout hose and you'll see a spare chain masterlink taped to it(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The ridges on the barplug are a clear sign that a Sahmurai Sword tyre plug kit hides within(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
It's unbranded, but this looks a lot like a AX Lightness seat post. Every gram counts(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
'FlexPivot' is Canyon's name for the flexible seatstays that replace a more common rear pivot point(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A SRAM Rise 60 wheel with 'predictive steering' front hub sits within the RockShox RS-1 fork(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The Canyon Lux CF frame features a special headset stopper to prevent frame damage from brake levers in the event of a crash. The holes visible behind the headset show the stopper is not being used(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Topeak provides the crucial accessories(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Another view of the Ergon saddle belonging to the Ergon rider(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
He also helped in the development of the new Ergon SMR3 saddles(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Lakata helped in the development of the Ergon GS-1 marathon racing grips(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Alban Lakata is a name commonly seen in the top three of the world's biggest marathon races(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The RockShox Monarch XX rear shock uses a high volume air can to help overcome the progressive suspension(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A SRAM XX1 SRM holds a single 34t chainring(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
With calves like that, it’s no wonder his nickname is ‘The Albanator’(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
As a Leadville 100 course record holder, World and European marathon champion and multiple Austrian marathon-champion, Alban Lakata is often seen on the podiums of the world’s largest single- and multi-day marathon races.
Lakata raced the 2015 Absa Cape Epic with Topeak-Ergon team-mate Krystian Hynek. Lakata and the rest of the team race on Canyon Lux CF dual suspension bikes in team livery.
The Canyon Lux CF is a 29er with 100mm travel front and rear, and has been near purpose-built for marathon events like the Cape Epic. This full carbon model has a claimed frame weight of just 1,850g.
Canyon's Flex Pivot replaces the need for a more traditional bearing or bushing pivot
The effective single-pivot design employs a vertically flexible seatstay as part of the one-piece rear triangle, instead of having a pivot point at the rear-axle. This removes a common wear point and in turn reduces weight and increases rear-end stiffness.
Usually the Lux frame features a neat bumper behind the headset to prevent top tube damage from a swinging handlebar. However in an effort to reduce weight, Lakata’s bike just shows the bare holes where this feature normally sits.
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Full suspension lockout is available with the push of a button
Both front and rear suspension shocks can be manually locked out using the RockShox XLoc Full Sprint lever at the left-hand side. This sealed hydraulic push-button lever simply opens or closes the shocks together.
Like Jaroslav Kulhavy, whose bike we profiled earlier this week, Lakata also raced the Cape Epic with a power meter – a SRAM XX1 SRM, to be specific. Given Lakata's nickname, the 'Albanator', we’re sure this SRM saw enormous peaks in its data more than occasionally.
It's a testament to SRM to see its power meters ridden in the conditions of the Cape Epic
It’s quite astounding how many top teams were on SRAM’s single-ring, 11-speed XX1 groupset. Lakata's 10-42t cassette is matched with a 34t chainring, a little smaller than what he rode with last year and what Kulhavy was riding this year. When we asked about his chainring choice, Lakata joked: “I’m getting old.”
Topeak-Ergon were the only team at the Absa Cape Epic using the new SRAM Rise 60 carbon wheels. At a claimed 1,430g, this tubeless wheelset is one of the few off-the-shelf options to feature the new ‘predictive steering’ front hub required by RockShox’s RS-1 fork.
These SRAM wheels use a hookless bead for a simpler, stronger and lighter rim design that retains tubeless compatibility, a concept first introduced by Specialized’s wheel brand Roval.
Lakata is kept comfortable with Ergon’s GS-1 ergonomic marathon race grip, a model he helped develop. The right grip has been cut in half to fit with a SRAM gripshifter, despite there already being a shortened version available in the German brand’s catalogue. Out back sits the new Ergon SMR3-M saddle – another product that Lakata helped develop.
Just about every top athlete at the Cape Epic races with tubeless tyre plugs in case of puncture. Lakata's are hidden
Hidden behind Ergon branding within the downward-swept carbon handlebar is the Sahmurai Sword tubeless puncture repair kit.
Despite the addition of a SRM power meter, Lakata’s bike was the lightest we weighed at the 2015 Absa Cape Epic. This is achieved through a few ultra-light components from Carbon-Ti and potentially AX Lightness too. Excluding the SRM Power Control computer (but including a GoPro), Lakata’s Cape Epic setup weighs 10.95kg (24.07lb).
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.84m (6ft) Rider's weight: 78kg (172lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 810mm Saddle setback: 0mm Tip of saddle to centre of bars: 540mm Seat tube length (c-t): 490mm Head tube length: 115mm Top tube length (effective): 606mm Weight: 10.94kg (24.07lb) as pictured, with GoPro, without SRM head unit
