All the specs on Pedro Burns' race bike!
The Trek Factory Racing Enduro squad is gearing up for a big 2021. Quite literally, in fact. This offseason, Pedro Burns went to California and spent nine days with the Trek Suspension Lab’s Jose Gonzalez and Ely Woody to experiment with shock tunes and bike setups in order to find the perfect formula for Enduro World Series glory.
Woody sent over the specs for Burns’ Slash this year for your perusal and entertainment, along with some of the rationale behind their equipment decisions. Bear in mind that setting up a race bike is as much an artistic process as it is scientific, and that the tinkering never actually ends. Especially in a sport like enduro where each race throws wildly different terrain and conditions at the riders.
With the caveats out of the way, let’s dive in.
There's no holding back in testing.
Bike: 2021 Slash 9.9, Large
Wheels: Bontrager Line DH rim, custom drilled to a 28 hole hub, two cross lacing, Bontrager Rapid Drive 54 hub.
- Woody’s comments: We are going to a 28H configuration vs. the 32H from last year in order introduce slightly more flex into the wheels and hopefully increase traction. At the EWS races, we’re not allowed to change a wheel so durability is a critical factor for us. The Line DH rim fits the bill. We’re also experimenting with a reverse-mullet setup, using a 27.5” wheel on the rear. The reverse mullet setup is not right for every course, and there are tradeoffs, but you may see us utilizing it on steeper tracks with tighter corners.
Pedro giving the tires a workout.
Tires: Bontrager G5, 22.5 psi front, 25 psi rear.
- Woody’s comments: Traditionally, we have used the Bontrager G5 exclusively. Most EWS courses are tantamount to DH tracks, so a DH compound and casing is the most durable option with the best traction. As part of development work with Bontrager, we have been testing competitor’s tires for reference. We still rely on the G5 out back, sometimes even trimming the center knobs down for an extra decrease in rolling resistance. Rumor is that the new Bontrager G6 is a mashup of some rider favorites in other tires. Pedro also uses a CushCore on the rear wheel for an added measure of safety.
Spin to win.
Drivetrain and dropper post: SRAM Eagle AXS X01, 10-50t cassette, 34t chainring with Quarq power meter on 170mm cranks.
- Woody’s comments: We’ve been extremely impressed with our AXS components. The derailleurs have proven to be more durable than the mechanical group with less maintenance. Battery life is excellent. Same goes for the 170mm AXS Reverb that Pedro uses. The vent valve feature has come in extremely handy to get rid of any sinking due to changes in pressure, altitude, etc.
Parts on deck.
Suspension: RockShox Zeb fork at 170mm travel 69 psi, 4 HSC (high speed compression), 12 LSC (low speed compression), 12R (rebound), 2.5 Tokens. RockShox Super Deluxe thru-shaft shock at 195 psi, 7R, 2 tokens, experimental tune.
- Woody’s comments: Click here to read in-depth about Pedro’s shock tune.
Cockpit and brakes: Bontrager Line Pro carbon bars cut to 785mm Bontrager Line Pro 35mm stem. Knock block with Garmin mount. ODI AG1 grips in blue. SRAM Code RSC brakes with carbon lever blade, metal pads, and 220 rotors.
