Rusch clinched the women's victory for a second time, finishing the 203-mile gravel road race in 12 hours and 51 minutes(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
This was Rusch's second year racing the Dirty Kanza 200; her weapon of choice was a Specialized S-Works CruX with big tires(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
No Red 22 hydros here, just tried and true Avid BB7 SL mechanical disc brakes(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
A small saddle bag just large enough for a couple of tubes and a multi-tool(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Rusch's tires were marked 'prototype.' According to Rusch, they have an additional layer of flat protection(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
The 700x38mm Trigger tires have a round profile and fast-rolling tread perfect for ticking off miles of gravel roads(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Plenty of clearance in the fork(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
The chainstays have decent mud clearance with 38mm-wide tires installed(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Specialized's Roval Rapide CLX 40 Disc is designed as an all-around aero wheelset(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Comfort is the name of a game for 200 miles of gravel; Rusch runs her handlebar level with her saddle(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Many riders use a 'Bento box,' a small feed bag mounted to the handlebar or top tube(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Mechanics at Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, in Lawrence, Kansas, created a "finger couch" to support her injured index finger(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Rusch broke her finger while setting a new women's record on the 142-mile Kokopelli trail a month before the DK200(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Rusch was running a Garmin Edge 810(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Her bike was equipped with SRAM Red 22(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Inline barrel adjusters allow her to make minor adjustments on the bike(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Rusch choose to run a 50/34t chainring combo(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
The derailleur line is routed through the drive-side chainstay(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Gravel racing is a burgeoning discipline in the US, and events such as the Dirty Kanza 200, a 200-mile road race through the Flint Hills of Kansas, are starting to draw big crowds and big names. Endurance racer Rebecca Rusch tried her hand last year, finishing third overall and setting a new women’s record in the process. She returned this year to defend her women's title. Her weapon of choice was a Specialized S-Works CruX Disc with a few touches to make it more suited to the rigors of gravel road racing.
Tire choice is key to surviving this event. The gravel in this region of the state is notorious for the razor sharp flint that can shred lightweight tires. Rusch ran a pair of prototype 700x38 Specialized Trigger tires — just enough volume to take the edge of the rough gravel roads. According the Rusch, her tires have an additional layer of protection to guard against punctures.
Her CruX was kitted out with SRAM’s new 11-speed Red 22 group. A 50/34t compact crankset paired with an 11-28t cassette provided enough gearing to power up the many climbs and endure the gusty headwinds. While Red 22 is available with a hydraulic disc option, Rusch opted to run the mechanical version with Avid BB7 SL disc brakes.
Many DK200 racers double-wrap their handlebars or add a layer of gel padding underneath the bar tape to reduce hand fatigue and numbness. Rusch suffered a broken finger while setting a new Kokopelli trail record five weeks earlier. The four-time Leadville Trail 100 winner was worried how her injured index finger would hold up. “The mechanics at Sunflower created a ‘finger couch’ so I could rest my broken finger,” Rusch said.
The injured digit didn’t appear to hold her back. Rusch clinched the women's victory for a second time, finishing the 203-mile race in 12 hours and 51 minutes.
Rusch broke her finger while setting a new women's record on the 142-mile Kokopelli trail a month before the DK200
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Complete bike specifications
Frame: Specialized S-Works Crux, 52cm Fork: Specialized FACT Disc carbon, tapered 1.125-1.375in Stem: Truvativ Stylo, 100mm Handlebars: Specialized S-Works Carbon Compact, 40cm Front brake: Avid BB7 SL w/160mm rotor Rear brake: Avid BB7 SL w/160mm rotor Shift/Brake levers: SRAM RED 22 DoubleTap Front derailleur: SRAM RED 22 Rear derailleur: SRAM RED 22 Cassette: SRAM X-Glide 1190, 11-28t Chain: SRAM RED 22 Crankset: SRAM RED 50/34t, w/Quarq power meter Bottom bracket: SRAM PressFit BB30 Pedals: CrankBrothers Eggbeater 11 Wheelset: Roval Rapide CLX 40 Disc Front tire: Specialized Trigger, 700x38mm Rear tire: Specialized Trigger, 700x38mm Saddle: Specialized Oura Pro Seatpost: Specialized S-Works SL Carbon, 25mm setback Bottle cages: Specialized Rib Cage Carbon Computer: Garmin Edge 810 w/Garmin out front mount Other accessories: Specialized Airtool Carbon frame pump, Specialized Vital Pack and Mini Wedgie frame and saddle bag
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.7m (5ft 7in) Rider's weight: 61.2kg (135lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 714mm Saddle setback: 36mm Seat tube length, c-t: 510mm Seat tube length, c-c: 470mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 510mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 0 (level) Head tube length: 125mm Top tube length: 537mm
