Pro bike: Georgia Gould’s Orbea Terra
Olympic MTBer's carbon 'cross bike
This article originally published on BikeRadar
Georgia Gould has already had a very full season on her mountain bike, becoming the 2012 US National Champion and taking home a bronze medal at the London Olympics. But when it comes to cyclo-cross, the longtime Luna Pro Team member is racing aboard Orbea’s Terra, a full carbon rig with some interesting features not found on other CX bikes.
The Terra is Orbea’s first full carbon cyclo-cross bike, replacing the aluminum Lobular from last season. It features a 1.125in to 1.5in tapered head tube, a full carbon fork, and some unique cable routing that was carried over from Orbea mountain bikes such as the Alma.
Creative cables
In cyclo-cross, full-length housing keeps the elements out but also adds grams and, often, friction. Orbea’s solution is dubbed Direct Cable Routing, and uses Gore’s fully lined Ride-On cable and housing system.
Rather than run full housing, only the liner follows the cable from the housing stop near the head tube along the right side of the top tube. Small alloy guides adjust the routing as the lined wires make their way to the front and rear derailleurs.
This system weighs less than a full-housing system, and Gore’s low-friction cable and liner keep things sealed and shifting smoothly. So far, BikeRadar has had no word from Orbea on what the future holds now that Gore plans to cease production of its popular system.
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Different drivetrains
Not surprisingly, Shimano-sponsored Gould runs a predominantly Dura-Ace 7900 drivetrain, alternating between a double- and single-ring setup depending on the course conditions.
This season she’s been spending a lot of time on the single-ring bike, equipped with a single 39T chainring. To ensure the chain stays in place over rough courses and during transitions, she runs a direct-mount version of e*thirteen’s XCX guide.
Other Shimano items on the Orbea Terra include CX70 cantilever brakes, along with the Shimano’s PRO handlebar, stem and seatpost.
Gould's frequently used a single 39T-chainring setup with an e*thirteen’s XCX guide
Complete bike specification
Frame: Orbea Terra, 51cm
Fork: Orbea Terra Carbon, tapered 1.125in - 1.5in
Headset: FSA Integrated
Stem: PRO Vibe 7 OS, 100mm x -6 degrees
Handlebar: PRO Vibe 7 OS, 42cm
Tape/grips: PRO Digital Carbon Smart Silicon
Front brake: Shimano CX70
Rear brake: Shimano CX70
Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace FD-7900, or e*thirteen XCX-ST D-Type 1x guide
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace RD-7900
Shifters: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900 12-27T
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7900
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7900, 172.5mm, 39/46T / Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7900 with a single 39T ring
Bottom bracket: Custom BB30 Adapter
Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M970
Wheelset: Mavic Ksyrium SLS tubular
Front tire: Clement PDX, 33mm
Rear tire: Clement PDX, 33mm
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR XC
Seatpost: Pro Vibe, 20mm offset
Critical measurements
Rider height: 1.75m / 5'9"
Rider weight: 61kg / 135lb
Saddle height: 730mm
Saddle setback: 55mm
Tip of saddle nose to center of bar: 514mm
Saddle to bar drop: 66mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 520mm
Seat tube length, c-c: 510mm
Head tube length: 129mm
Top tube length: 540mm (horizontal)
Head angle: 72.5 degrees
Seat tube angle: 74 degrees
Wheelbase: 1007mm
Chainstay length: 425mm
Fork offset: 45mm
BB drop: 65mm
Total bike weight: 7.85kg / 17.3lb