Peter Stetina is no stranger to the rigors of Unbound Gravel, as he finished in second place there in 2019. Now a privateer racer focusing on gravel events, the former professional road racer is certainly a rider to watch at the high-profile event this Saturday.
Stetina brings a privateer ethos to his pursuits, from his own Paydirt event in Carson City, Nevada, to fastest known time efforts on the White Rim in Utah. This attitude and the locations where he rides is what inspired the paint job on Stetina's Canyon Grizl that he'll race at Unbound.
"The color scheme alludes to my privateering ethos and America's western desert sunsets, a place I spend most of my time and adventures these days," he said. "The raccoon pawprints are my spirit animal: A survivor, scrappy, ferocious when cornered, can eat anything, and a permanently horrible sunglasses tan."
- Best gravel bikes: drop bar offroaders for racing and exploring
- Best gravel bike tires: fast-rolling yet grippy rubber for drop-bar dirt road rides
The Grizl is Canyon's latest gravel bike that is designed for riders to go on even bigger adventures deeper into the woods. That's in part because of its ability to fit up to 50c tires, but Stetina will only be running 42s in Kansas.
The bike is fully outfitted with Shimano and PRO components. The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano GRX 815 Di2, Dura-Ace, and Ultegra parts. Shimano GRX RX810 Hydraulic Disc brakes provide stopping power, and Stetina is using XTR pedals as well.
The saddle and cockpit are all from PRO, including a 100mm Vibe stem and carbon handlebars. The handlebars feature a low drop and 20-degrees of flare.
An eye-catching detail is Canyon's S15 VCLS 2.0 CF, which splits into two near the top.
For wheels, Stetina is using Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 C40 along with IRC Boken Doublecross tubeless tires.
The bike's design also matches Stetina's Sportful Supergiara gravel kit, which has been intentionally given a distressed appearance.
"You wouldn't trust a cowboy in clean threads, the same should be said for a tested gravel rider," Stetina says. "A bit beaten up and generally worse for wear shows they're no imposter!"
Peter Stetina's custom Canyon Grizl
- Frameset: Canyon GRIZL CF SLX, size M
- Handlebars: PRO Discover carbon bar 20-degree flare
- Stem: PRO Vibe stem 100mm
- Seatpost: Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 CF
- Brake/shift levers: Shimano GRX 815 Di2
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 Di2
- Rear derailleur: Shimano GRX 815 Di2
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR 11 spd
- Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100-P w/ Dual-sided power meter, 50-36T, 172.5mm
- Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
- Cassette: Shimano Ultegra R8000 11-30T
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX810 Hydraulic Disc, Flat Mount
- Pedals: Shimano XTR M9100 SPD
- Wheelset: Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 C40 Tubeless
- Tires: IRC Boken Doublecross, 42c
- Saddle: PRO Turnix AF carbon 132mm
- Bar tape: PRO Gravel Comfort Tape
- GPS Computer: Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT
- Shoes: Shimano RX800
- Bottle cages: PRO Alloy
- Accessories: PRO Discover saddlebags, frame bags, and tools
- Nutrition: Clif Bar food and hydration
- Clothing: Sportful supergiara gravel jersey and bibs
- Helmet: Custom Clif Bar hand-painted Lazer G1
