MY CURRENT RIDE
Giant XTC SLR 29 1 (2022)
This is my bike, nothing flashy - I never looked for the most expensive bike. Just gear I trust for long rides. And now ultra racing.
Built from Aluxx SLR grade aluminium with a straightforward 1×12 Shimano SLX system (32T front) and a XT 10–51 cassette. The wheels are 29" alloy rims (25mm) with Vittoria Mezcal III XC-Trail TNT Graphene 2.0 Tubeless tyres (29×2.25). Up-front it has a Giant Crest 34 RRL 100mm fork and it runs hydraulic disc brakes.
When it’s bare: about 11.8 kg. Fully packed: closer to 32 kg. Race-pack version (1st ultra): around 22 kg, but now a lot less.
Why this setup?
I went for reliability over lightest-possible. In ultra‐riding a single mechanical failure can end a ride; so I chose components with strong support and durability. I also don’t always know where my rides end. Not carrying a bike box means the bike must be able to go the distance and also get me home - whether that’s by train, plane, bus or just more pedalling. It needs to survive baggage handlers, bad roads and me strapping it to whatever transport I can find. So it has to be simple, fixable and tough enough to handle the unknown. Aluminium meets best of both.
Tubeless tyres and a decent 2.25 width give me flexibility: fast on gravel, still comfortable on dirt, and able to handle rougher patches without panic. I didn’t have any punctures during the last 5,000 KM.
The bike’s geometry and 29" wheels give me momentum when fatigue sets in.
The hardware (cassettes, chains, derailleur) are strong, manageable in the field. I can carry spares, fix them, get back rolling.
Bags, gear & real-world packing
Handlebar bag (9L) stores my sleep kit, down jacket and rain gear. The accessory pack (3.5L) securly holds the camera gear.
Frame bag (4L) carries tubes, pump, basic spares.
Top‐tube bag for quick access: tools and power bank.
Seat‐pack (16L) holds clothes and toiletries.
Fork-Packs are only in use for non-race sections on longer rides. I usually leave them at a drop-off point when racing.
Accessories like a PWR trail light help when daylight fades. The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar keeps us tracked, the Varia Radar gives rear warning, the Favero Assioma power meter tracks effort.
What it’s for
When I head out, it’s not about chasing KOMs or finishing fastest. It’s about doing the miles, staying safe, staying self-sufficient. The bike has to get me from a camp at dusk to the next one by dawn, maybe through gravel, maybe mud, maybe road. It has to be steady, predictable. That’s why I chose what I chose.
Out there everything matters: the weight, yes - but also what happens when things don’t go exactly as planned. Having reliable gear means less worry. More focus on the ride.
This isn’t a machine built for podiums - it’s built for horizons.
