Aussie XC and marathon racer readies for World Cups
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Pro bike: Andy Blair’s Specialized S-Works Epic 29 WC - ready to race(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Andy Blair racing on some of his nearby tracks during the Capital Punishment 100km – Blair chose to use his S-Works StumpJumper hardtail for this race(Image credit: swelldesign.com.au)
The Specialized S-Works Epic 29 WC includes a custom RockShox SID World Cup 29 Brain fork, set to just 95mm of travel(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
The Specialized Brain technology sits remotely of the rear shock, bolted to the back end and ready to react to bumps from the rear wheel(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
A collaboration between Fox suspension and Specialized has led to this Mini-Brain rear shock(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
With these special side-access bottle cages, two bottles can be held within the frame. There aren't many dual suspension frames on the market that can do this(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Blair saves weight with a skinnier rear tyre: the S-Works Renegade in 1.95"(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
SRAM's XX1 is quickly becoming the choice for fast and furious racing(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Blair uses Shimano's older XTR M970 pedals. Many riders still choose these owing to their proven durability(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Specialized S-Works OS carbon cranks and a XX1 34T chainring are sure to reduce weight(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Blair uses a Ritchey WCS -25-degree stem in order to get his position sufficiently low(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Blair has swapped the trigger shifter for an 11-speed gripshift(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
The bike has a clean look, with just a single cable for the shifting and internal cable routing(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
Andy Blair is a member of the Swell-Specialized racing team(Image credit: swelldesign.com.au)
Blair is riding on a prototype Specialized saddle. We believe it's the soon-to-be-released S-Works Phenon(Image credit: David Rome / Future Publishing)
When it comes to achieving consistent results within the Australian mountain bike scene, Andy 'Blairy' Blair is a name often high in the rankings – whether that's in cross-country eliminator (XCE), Olympic discipline, marathon or even enduro mountain biking. Blair's first race for Australia was at the Cairns World Cup in 1996. At the time he was just 17; now, with more than twice that life experience, he's preparing for his return to Cairns to represent Australia on the world stage.
Based in the nation's capital, Canberra, Blair has easy access to a strong local race scene featuring the likes of Olympian and 2013 World Cup second-place finisher Dan Mcconnell. As a full-time engineer, Blair shares the same challenges as many of his local competitors: having to balance a career outside sport with the demands of being an elite athlete.
For 2014, the team Swell-Specialized rider and 2012 marathon national champion has shifted his focus to the shorter, faster format of cross-country Olympic (XCO) racing. Blair told BikeRadar: "I'll be racing the opening two World Cup rounds in hope of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. There's only three spots available for the men and between the strong U23 field and the likes of Dan Mcconell, it's going to be tough."
"My national season didn't go how I'd planned, I've been fighting a mystery virus since the first round in Adelaide and only recently have I been finding my speed – even though I don't feel 100 per cent. I'm going to need a strong performance at the world cups to prove myself for Commonwealth Games selection."
BikeRadar took a look at Blair's new 2014 race bike before a recent national XC round. Riding a mostly stock 2014 Specialized S-Works Epic WC, there's little Blair has changed beyond the saddle, grips, tyres and brakes. We've previously reviewed this bike in detail and found it be a true ‘no-excuse' race weapon.
At 10.11kg, it's not a superlight rig, but keep in mind it's a dual-suspension 29er in a large frame size. Furthermore, Blair's marathon success has led him to run with reliability over ultimate low-weight.
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A standout feature is Specialized's own Brain technology that keeps the suspension locked out against rider input but reactive to bumps beneath – it's not new technology but something that continually gets better with each year's revision.
As a SRAM-sponsored rider, it's not surprising to see Blair with a full XX1 groupset and matching brakes. Blair's frame is single-ring specific and has no capability to mount a front derailleur, enabling Specialized to further stiffen and lighten it with an oversized drive-side chainstay.
Specialized is starting a war on the hydration pack: part of the new SWAT system allows for two bottles in this dual suspension frame
Although the stock bike includes Specialized's new SWAT (Storage, Water, Air, Tools) box for emergency repair storage, Blair wasn't running one. "I actually don't have one, otherwise I'd probably use it. I always carry spares with me. It's often quicker to repair your own tyre or chain than run to an allocated service zone, even on a 5km lap course."
The pre-production Specialized saddle is perhaps the most exciting item. It appears to be a new S-Works level Phenon saddle; Specialized's mountain bike-specific saddle but with carbon rails and what we think could be an overall lighter construction.
Click here for the gallery to see a more detailed look at the bike.
Complete bike specifications Frame: Specialized S-Works Epic WC – Size Large Fork: Custom RockShox SID World Cup 29 Brain – 95mm Rear shock: FOX/Specialized remote Mini-Brain Headset: tapered sealed Stem: Ritchey WCS C260, 100mm, -17 degree Handlebar: Specialized S-Works XC flar bar, 685mm Tape: OzRiders foam Front brake: Avid XX Rear brake: Avid XX Brake levers: Avid XX Front derailleur: N/A Rear derailleur: SRAM XX1 Shift levers: SRAM XX1 Gripshift Cassette: SRAM XX1 10-42T Chain: SRAM XX1 Crankset: S-Works OS carbon, 175mm, 34T Bottom bracket: PF30 Pedals: Shimano M970 XTR Wheelset: Roval Control SL 29 carbon Front tyre: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.2", 26psi Rear tyre: Specialized S-Works Renegade, 2Bliss Ready, 29x1.95", 28psi Saddle: Specialized S-Works Phenon (unconfirmed name - pre-production) Seatpost: Specialized carbon, setback Bottle cages: Specialized Zee Cage II Carbon Left (2) Computer: Garmin Edge 500
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.83m (6ft) Rider's weight: 73kg (160lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 891mm Saddle setback: 85mm Seat-tube length (c-t): 470mm Seat-tube length (c-c): 432mm Tip of saddle to centre of bar: 635mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 100mm Head tube length: 120mm Top tube length (effective): 618mm Total bicycle weight: 10.11kg (22.24lb)
