Pro bike: Geoff Kabush's gravel-gobbling Open MIN.D
Kabush to ride a road bike at this weekend's Grasshopper Adventure Series race
In recent weeks Geoff Kabush has been in Utah and Colorado, riding the White Rim and Kokopelli trails on his gravel bike. In a smart marketing ploy, he has teased pictures of what appears to be a new Fox 32 AX gravel fork on the front of his bike, but there are no official details on that yet.
This week, however, Kabush is headed to California to ride in the Grasshopper Adventure Series Huffmaster Hopper. And the change of locale means a bike change as well.
For this weekend's race, Kabush will be riding a more road bike-like setup, bringing out his MIN.D. from OPEN, which is an 'endurance' road bike that he's been riding since last year.
"Heard some good roadies are showing up so will probably underbike a bit with the MIND, use my skills, survive the gravel sections, and hopefully be there for the faster road finish," Kabush told BikePerfect.
For gearing, Kabush is running a more traditional 2x setup, compared to the 1x drivetrains seen on many gravel riders' bikes. The drivetrain is full Shimano Dura-Ace DI2 set-up with a 50/34 crankset and 11-30T cassette.
Kabush said he will most likely use 28c Maxxis Padrone tires, although the frame is capable of accomodating tires up to 32c wide. He will run about 60psi in the tires for optimal off-road traction and comfort. "I’d probably prefer to use the new Maxxis High Road but like everything in the bike industry they are hard to get right now," he said.
The tires are attached to Stan’s Grail CB7 wheels, which are the same wheels he used for the White Rim and Kokopelli rides. The hub bearings have been upgraded to ceramic bearings from Enduro as well as the bottom bracket.
Kabush's cockpit consists of a 120mm stem from PRO and a PRO Stealth Carbon saddle. The bike has an integrated seat tube, which Kabush says is easy to set up and has lots of room for adjustment. Kabush uses Lizard Skin bar tape as well.
Kabush says that the bike weighs just over 15 pounds.
Tech specs: Geoff Kabush's OPEN MIN.D. (MINimal Design)
- Frame: OPEN MIN.D.
- Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace DI2 with 50/34 x 11-30T gearing
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace with 160mm rotors
- Stem: PRO PLT 120mm
- Saddle: PRO Stealth Carbon
- Tires: Maxxis Padrone 28c
- Wheels: Stan's Grail CB7 with Enduro Bearings ceramic XD-15 bearings
- Bottom bracket: Enduro Bearings ceramic XD-15
- Bottle cages: King Cage Ti
- Power meter: Stages dual-sided (Dura-Ace)
Ryan Simonovich has been riding and racing for nearly a decade. He got his start as a cross-country mountain bike racer in California, where he cultivated his love for riding all types of bikes. Ryan eventually gravitated toward enduro and downhill racing but has also been found in the occasional road and cyclo-cross events. Today, he regularly rides the trails of Durango, Colorado, and is aiming to make a career out of chronicling the sport of cycling.
Rides: Santa Cruz Hightower, Specialized Tarmac SL4